National Gender Specialist

Organizational Setting

The main aim of the Food and Agriculture Organization’s (FAO’s) Representation in Tajikistan, which is headed by an FAO Representative, is to assist the Government of Tajikistan to develop policies, programmes and projects to support the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development through the transformation to more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agri-food systems for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind, in line with the Organization’s Strategic Framework and United Nations’ global and Government of Tajikistan’s national Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The incumbent in this position will serve as a National Gender Specialist.   

Background

The National Gender Specialist (NGS) will work under the direct supervision of the FAOR Tajikistan. The incumbent will collaborate closely with the relevant Technical Units at FAO country office, as well as the Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia (REU), and the Sub-regional Office for Central Asia (SEC). 

Technical Focus 

The incumbent will support and contribute by: (i) providing technical advice to mainstream gender dimensions in the formulation and implementation of FAO Tajikistan projects and programmes, (ii) developing data, knowledge and information on gender gaps and dynamics in the agrifood systems in the regions, (iii) raising awareness and building capacities of FAO staff, government counterparts and implementing partners to address gender equality in their respective areas of work.

Tasks and responsibilities

•    Provide technical backstopping and inputs for the preparation of project concept notes, focusing on gender mainstreaming practices, ensuring compliance with FAO, UN, and resource partner standards.
•    Collaborate closely with relevant divisions to analyze gender and social inclusion considerations in FAO programming in Tajikistan.
•    Offer technical advice, recommendations, and analysis to ensure the inclusion of women beneficiaries at both policy and implementation levels.
•    Review stakeholder policies and make recommendations on gender and social inclusion.
•    Identify gender training needs of FAO personnel, partners, government staff and the communities, develop training materials and tools, conduct training sessions, and provide follow-up support for capacity development. 
•    Support FAO in gender-related activities, communities of practice and gender networks, such as the Gender Thematic Group under the UN Country Team.
•    Share gender-related knowledge products, good practices, lessons learned, and other relevant information for the country’s work.
•    Disseminate the recently completed Country Gender Assessment among national stakeholders and promote its use in the formulation of the FAO Country Programming Framework, projects, and other country-level initiatives.
•    Conduct a gender stocktaking exercise within the first six months of the assignment, provided it has not been done in the last four years. Present the findings and recommendations to the FAOR and country team.
•    Prepare an action plan, based on the stocktaking report, to address gaps and weaknesses in gender mainstreaming.
•    Develop an annual work plan that reflects specific gender-related activities and includes objectives; use the results of the stocktaking exercise, regional gender strategy and the Country Gender Assessment as a basis, if available.
•    Contribute to project design, project documents and report reviews with a gender lens, including assigning gender markers, conducting systematic gender analysis, gender sensitive budgeting and integrating gender-sensitive activities aimed at women’s empowerment and reducing their work burden.
•    Conduct regular field visits to project locations to monitor progress and provide guidance on gender mainstreaming
•    In consultation with FAO technical officers, explore opportunities for resource mobilization for gender-related work.
•    Assist in gender/GBV working groups meetings/workshops.
•    Keep senior management and colleagues informed and updated on gender-related information, results, and requirements pertinent to the country office’s work.
•    Support project managers and collaborate closely with the M&E Specialist to generate gender- and age- disaggregated data, evidence, lessons learned and best practices on the projects’ impact on different groups, including through project reviews and documentation of gender- sensitive good practices
•    Perform any other duty assigned by the supervisor.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA:

Minimum Requirements

•    University degree in gender studies, social sciences, rural sociology, agricultural economics, anthropology, rural development, or other relevant disciplines. 
•    A minimum of five (5) years of relevant experience in gender mainstreaming and women’s empowerment specifically in the implementation and monitoring of development projects.
•    Proficiency (level C) in English.
•    Working knowledge (level C) of Tajik and Russian.
•    National of the Republic of Tajikistan or resident of the country with valid work permit.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

•    Profound experience in mainstreaming gender in the project and programme’ s cycle, particularly in the field of agriculture, natural resource management, emergency and early recovery.
•    Prior experience in gender and/or social protection in the context of Tajikistan.
•    Proven research and analytical skills, with focus on gender analysis.
•    Strong command of Ms Office® software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
•    Prior experience with the UN and other international or national organizations, with focus on women in development. Good communication and inter-personal skills and commitment to work in a participatory way.