Organizational Setting
FAO Representation in Sierra Leone implements an integrated food security programme, focusing on diversification of livelihoods, managing natural resources and building resilience. The office employs diverse team of experts locally, but also attracts the available technical experts from the region and the Headquarters (HQ). FAO works in close partnership with the Government of Sierra Leone, farmers and other stakeholders, supporting plans and policies that affect the food and nutrition security in the country; our work is part of the corporate commitment to support countries to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030, especially SDG 2 on Zero Hunger.
Since 2014 FAO has been supporting the Government of Sierra Leone in promoting a land reform process, inspired and guided by the principles of the Voluntary Guidelines on the Responsible Governance of Tenure of Land, Fisheries and Forests in the context of national food security (VGGT) through legal and policy advice, institutional development, capacity development and support to the establishment of a Technical Working Group (TWG) on Land.
The passage of the National Land Policy in 2015 and the Customary Land Act as well as the National Land Commission Act (NLCA) in 2022 represent significant land sector reforms towards decentralization, strengthening of women's land rights, and protecting customary land. The Customary Land Rights Act seeks to secure customary land tenure and provides guidance for customary land registration, which is a new process in Sierra Leone. The National Land Commission Act seeks to reform the institutional structures responsible for land administration by merging several land administration functions in one entity. Further, the new land acts call for the decentralization of land administration structures to the district, chiefdom, and village levels. Both acts emphasize the strengthening of women's land rights and women's decision-making power related to land.
Based on the above background, FAO has signed an agreement with the Ministry of Land, Housing and Country Planning (MLHCP) to provide technical assistance for the implementation of the project titled Innovative Solutions for Land Dispute Resolution in Sierra Leone (UTF/SIL/059/SIL), to pilot innovative approaches for land dispute resolution and capacity building of women, youth and other disadvantaged and vulnerable populations in the context of land sector reforms in Sierra Leone, as provided for in the National Land Policy 2015, Customary land Rights Act 2022, National Land Commission Act 2022 and other applicable land and gender laws.
Reporting Lines
Under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Sierra Leone, the Gender Expert will report directly to the Senior Gender Officer, ensuring close coordination with the National Gender Consultant, the Gender Team in FAO Headquarters and relevant project stakeholders.
Technical Focus
The Gender Expert will support the effective implementation of the Gender Action Plan and related capacity development and communication activities, ensuring gender considerations are effectively integrated into project activities and coordination with local stakeholders.
Tasks and responsibilities
The Gender Expert will:
Conduct formative research:
โข ย ย ย ย Undertake participatory gender and intersectional analyses to assess women's land rights, social norms, customary laws, and practices affecting women's land tenure, and their participation in leadership and decision-making.
โข ย ย ย ย Perform stakeholder and institutional mapping and document existing initiatives promoting womenโs land rights.
โข ย ย ย ย Conduct a comprehensive social norms diagnosis to ensure inclusive and grounded insights.
Assess legal and normative frameworks:
โข ย ย ย ย Analyze the interactions and effectiveness of recent legal instruments such as the Customary Land Rights Act (CLRA), Land Commission Act (LCA), National Development-Induced Resettlement Act, Gender Empowerment Act, and their alignment with existing frameworks including the Local Courts Act (2011) and Legal Aid Act (2012).
โข ย ย ย ย Identify barriers and opportunities for enhancing gender-equitable implementation of these laws.
Develop gender strategy and action plan:
โข ย ย ย ย Formulate a Theory of Change clearly illustrating pathways for transformative outcomes.
โข ย ย ย ย Create a detailed, actionable Gender Strategy and Action Plan informed by research findings, including specific objectives, interventions, monitoring indicators, and reporting mechanisms.
Design capacity development programme:
โข ย ย ย ย Develop a targeted and practical Capacity Development Programme based on identified stakeholder needs and strategic entry points.
โข ย ย ย ย Ensure the programme emphasizes gender-transformative approaches to strengthen women's leadership and meaningful participation in land-related decision-making processes.
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
โข ย ย ย ย Masterโs degree in Social Sciences, Gender Studies, Development Studies, or related fields.
โข ย ย ย ย Minimum ten years of experience in gender analysis, strategy formulation, and implementation of gender-transformative programmes.
โข ย ย ย ย Working knowledge (level C) of English.
FAO Core Competencies
โข ย ย ย ย Results Focus
โข ย ย ย ย Teamwork
โข ย ย ย ย Communication
โข ย ย ย ย Building Effective Relationships
โข ย ย ย ย Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
Technical/ Functional Skills
โข ย ย ย ย Ability to supervise, manage and support to field activities of the project.
โข ย ย ย ย Ability to manage trainings and capacity building programme of the project.ย
โข ย ย ย ย Relevant experience/ exposure, skills and knowledge in results-based approach/management.ย
โข ย ย ย ย Ability to communicate with different stakeholders.
โข ย ย ย ย Different types of report writing skills.
โข ย ย ย ย Computer skill (Microsoft office, Photoshop).
โข ย ย ย ย Good report writing skills.
โข ย ย ย ย Experience with the UN agencies in similar position is added advantage.
Selection criteria:
โข ย ย ย ย Proven experience working with international organizations in the context of land rights, natural resource management, or rural development.
โข ย ย ย ย Demonstrated expertise in designing and implementing participatory approaches.
โข ย ย ย ย Excellent analytical, writing, communication, and facilitation skills.
โข ย ย ย ย Knowledge of local languages considered an asset