National Gender Policy Development Specialist

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life, leaving no one behind.
FAO is a specialized agency of the UN that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. FAO's goal is to achieve food security for all and ensure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. With 195 Members (194 countries and the European Union), FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide.
FAO Country Offices, working under overall corporate guidance and in line with the Strategic Framework, offer policy advice and support to countries in the mandated areas of FAO, facilitated through partnerships, resources and an active country programme to provide technical assistance, develop capacities and deliver core services while fully observing international standards of accountability to establish leadership and strengthen impact at the country level. 
The offices deliver on the programmatic priorities of each country as agreed in their respective Country Programming Frameworks (CPFs) aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and ensure effective and efficient operations with adequate human and financial resources. 
Specifically, FAO Country Offices: 
(i)    advocate, inform and support policies and investments in the areas of FAO’s mandate;
(ii)    provide technical assistance and deliver core services; 
(iii)     assist and catalyse partnership and resource mobilization activities to support agrifood systems transformation; 
(iv)    position FAO as the specialized/authoritative technical agency in food and agriculture and agrifood systems transformation; and 
(v)    ensure risk-smart and accountable operations and management.  

The EU-funded programme entitled “Support to Rural Entrepreneurship, Investment and Trade in Papua New Guinea” (EU-STREIT PNG) is implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) as the United Nations Joint Programme (UNJP), in collaboration with the Government of Papua New Guinea (PNG) and other partner agencies such as ILO, UNCDF, UNDP and ITU. The programme aims to promote sustainable agriculture and rural development, with a particular emphasis on improving the living conditions of rural communities, with a great emphasis on gender equality and youth inclusion. 

In this context, FAO aims to support the government of PNG under the EU-STREIT PNG programme in developing a National Policy on Gender in Agriculture, that addresses gender inequalities and promotes the full participation and leadership of women in the agriculture sector.

The position is located in the FAO Country Office in Papua New Guinea (Port Moresby).

Reporting Lines

The National Gender Policy Development Specialist, under the overall guidance of the Head of the FAO Office in PNG and the overall supervision of the Programme Coordinator, EU-STREIT PNG, and with direct supervision of the Gender and Youth Inclusion Specialist, EU-STREIT PNG, and technical support of the Gender Officer, FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, will work with the National Department of Agriculture and Livestock (DAL) and the Women in Agriculture Development unit (WiADU) of DAL.

Technical Focus

In this context and under the guidance of the mentioned supervisors and close collaboration with national/governmental counterparts, the National Gender Policy Development Specialist will present a draft National Gender in Agriculture Policy for DAL review and upscaling. 

Tasks and Responsibilities

•    Develop a work plan and timeline for the assignment guided by the Roadmap for the development of the Women in Agriculture Policy prepared in earlier consultancy;
•    Organize a national symposium on gender in agriculture to bring together major stakeholders and collect relevant information required for the formulation of the policy, such as women’s needs, constraints, and opportunities in the agricultural sector in PNG;
•    Draft and finalize a report, compiling the findings of the national symposium;
•    Conduct consultation meetings with stakeholders, including women farmers, women's organizations, development partners, and government agencies, to gather further inputs and perspectives on the content and priorities of the policy;
•    Review existing reports and assessments concerning gender equality issues in PNG and analyse the gender issues and challenges related to women's participation in agriculture in the country, including access to resources, services, and decision-making;
•    Develop a draft framework (outline) of the policy on gender in agriculture in PNG, including a vision, mission, goals, objectives, and strategies, based on the findings from the desk review and consultations for review and endorsement by FAO and DAL;
•    Draft the national policy on gender in agriculture, with a focus on addressing gender inequalities in access to, and control over, resources, services, and decision-making;
•    Develop an institutional arrangement and implementation plan for the policy, including a monitoring and evaluation framework. The implementation plan should include the goals, time frame, key actions and indicators, as well as the key stakeholders and partners for its implementation;
•    Conduct a validation workshop with key stakeholders to review the draft policy and receive feedback; 
•    Finalize the policy by incorporating inputs and findings from the validation workshop;
•    Assist DAL in submitting the policy to relevant government authorities for endorsement as well as to the National Executive Council (NEC) for approval; and
•    Provide any other necessary support concerning the formulation, approval and dissemination and implementation of the policy. 

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•    Advanced university degree in gender, social or development studies, or a related field to the mandate of the organization
•    At least 5 years of professional experience in policy development, gender analysis, gender mainstreaming, and agriculture
•    Working proficiency (level C) in English 
•    National of Papua New Guinea

FAO Core Competencies

•    Results Focus
•    Teamwork
•    Communication
•    Building Effective Relationships
•    Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

•    Demonstrated expertise in gender analysis and gender mainstreaming in agriculture policies and programmes.
•    Strong facilitation and consultation skills, including the ability to work with diverse stakeholders in a participatory manner.
•    Excellent analytical, writing, and communication skills in English.
•    Experience in working on EU-funded projects is an asset.
•    Experience in working with UN organizations is an asset.
•    Experience working in Papua New Guinea or other Pacific Island countries is an asset.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION