Technical Specialist – Gender Equality

Organizational Setting

The FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific supports member countries in the development of knowledge products, capacity development, and implementation of programmes and projects in food security, agriculture, rural development, natural resources management and agro-processing in developing countries and countries in transition, assisting governments and country stakeholders, main development partners, regional and national institutions with the policy and strategic planning to achieve food security and nutrition, make agriculture, forestry and fisheries more sustainable and productive, reduce rural poverty, make food value chains more efficient and inclusive and promote climate change adaptation and/or mitigation. FAO’s work on gender equality in the Asia-Pacific region is aligned with the FAO Regional Gender Strategy and Action Plan (2022-25) for Asia and the Pacific and contributes to the implementation of the FAO Policy on Gender Equality 2020-2030.

The purpose of this call is to provide the FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific with a list of qualified candidates for a number of profiles with different technical specializations related to gender equality and women’s empowerment, disability, and social inclusion, as indicated below. The position is located in the Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (RAP) in Bangkok, Thailand.

Requested Profiles (or Job Titles):

•     Gender Specialist (gender mainstreaming)
•     Gender Specialist (communication and visibility)
•     Gender Specialist (capacity development)
•     Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) Specialist (project support)

Reporting Lines

The Technical Specialist will work under the overall supervision of the FAO Regional Representative or the Regional Manager of the Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Diseases (ECTAD) in RAP and the direct supervision of the RAP Gender Officer, in close collaboration with the relevant technical colleagues in RAP and country offices.

Technical Focus

Provision of technical advice or expertise and capacity development in gender/GEDSI-related work relevant for the specified job profile, including one or several of the following: (i) provision of project support to member countries in collaboration with relevant FAO Representation, technical officers and partners; (ii) the design and formulation of investment operations, in collaboration with stakeholders and partners, to mobilize resources for advancement of gender equality/GEDSI in the areas of FAO’s mandate; (iii) the design and implementation of events and policy dialogues on gender equality/rural women’s empowerment/GEDSI; (iv) the design and implementation of gender/GEDSI capacity development programmes; and/or (v) compiling relevant information and developing information/communication products and knowledge products related to gender equality/women’s empowerment/GEDSI.

Tasks and responsibilities

The tasks and responsibilities will vary depending on the specified profile, including one or several of the following:

Gender Specialist – Gender Mainstreaming

Tasks and Responsibilities:

•     Participate in multidisciplinary teams to assist FAO team, governments and relevant stakeholders in the formulation and implementation of projects and programmes at the regional level in different thematic areas (e.g., food security, nutrition, agriculture, rural development, animal health/sustainable livestock, One Health, value chain and agribusiness, natural resources management, climate change adaptation/mitigation, etc.) to promote gender equality/GEDSI aspects;
•     Conduct gender analysis and ensure that projects, programmes, strategies, and policies are gender-sensitive/-responsive; 
•     Provide technical input to integrate gender/GEDSI aspects in the formulation, implementation, and monitoring of projects and programmes in different thematic areas relevant to the FAO mandate; 
•     Provide technical input for the analysis of gender/GEDSI-related data and information in different thematic fields relevant to the FAO mandate; 
•     Prepare relevant assessment, analytical, and other reports in accordance with FAO and relevant partner requirements; and
•     Perform other related duties as required.

Gender Specialist – Communication and Visibility

Tasks and Responsibilities:

•     Lead or provide technical and operational oversight to communication and knowledge management activities, including the documentation of lessons learned/best practices and the preparation of publications; 
•     Support and/or lead the preparation and organization of events and/or policy dialogues to raise awareness on gender equality/rural women’s empowerment/GEDSI, in close collaboration with relevant FAO staff and partners; 
•     Perform other related duties as required.

Gender Specialist – Capacity Development

Tasks and responsibilities:

•     Develop and deliver gender/GEDSI training sessions for FAO personnel, implementing partners, and stakeholders;
•     Support and/or lead gender/GEDSI capacity development efforts, including the design of context-specific capacity development material and methodology for delivery;
•     Perform other related duties as required.

GEDSI Specialist – Project Support

Tasks and responsibilities:

•     Support and/or lead engagement with relevant partners/agencies to strengthen stakeholders' engagement;
•     Participate in multidisciplinary teams to assist FAO team, governments and relevant stakeholders in the formulation and implementation of projects and programmes at the regional level in different thematic areas (e.g., food security, nutrition, agriculture, rural development, animal health/sustainable livestock, One Health, value chain and agribusiness, natural resources management, climate change adaptation/mitigation, etc.) to promote GEDSI aspects;
•     Provide technical input to integrate GEDSI aspects in the formulation, implementation, and monitoring of projects and programmes in different thematic areas relevant to the FAO mandate; 
•     Provide technical input for the analysis of GEDSI-related data and information in different thematic fields relevant to the FAO mandate; 
•     Develop and deliver GEDSI training sessions for FAO personnel, implementing partners, and stakeholders;
•     Prepare relevant assessment, analytical, and other reports in accordance with FAO and relevant partner requirements;
•     Perform other related duties as required

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•     Advance University degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in Sociology, Social Sciences, Economics, Development Studies, International Development, Agriculture, Gender Studies/Gender analysis in development or any other discipline relevant to the work of the Organization , or other related disciplines as appropriate for the specific profiles listed above. Consultants with bachelor`s degree need two additional years of relevant professional experience.
•     At least 1 year for category C, 5 years for category B, and 10 years for category A of relevant experience in analytical studies on gender equality/GEDSI, and/or gender/GEDSI mainstreaming in planning, design, supervision of agricultural and rural projects and programmes, including in developing countries and/or countries in transition.
•     Working knowledge (level C) of English.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

•     Extent and relevance of experience in gender/GEDSI mainstreaming in programmes/projects and strategies;
•     Extent and relevance of experience in the formulation of programmes/projects and strategies with a focus on gender equality/women’s empowerment/GEDSI;
•     Extent and relevance of experience in gender/GEDSI analysis in development/public policies;
•     Extent and relevance of experience in the development of gender/GEDSI-related knowledge/information products and dissemination;
•     Extent and relevance of experience in capacity development in gender/GEDSI analysis and/or gender/GEDSI mainstreaming;
•     Extent and relevance of experience in gender/GEDSI-related events and policy dialogues;
•     Demonstrated experience in dealing with government officials, development partners, the private sector, and other country level stakeholders; 
•     Familiarity with FAO’s approaches in gender/GEDSI mainstreaming; 
•     Relevant experience in working with the UN organizations is an asset, and
•     Relevant experience in Asia and the Pacific Region  is an asset.

Selection Criteria

•     Five years of relevant experience in gender/GEDSI mainstreaming in programmes/projects and strategies;
•     Five years of relevant experience in gender/GEDSI analysis in development/public policies;
•     Five years of relevant experience in developing gender/GEDSI-related knowledge/information products;
•     Five years of relevant experience in capacity development in gender/GEDSI analysis or gender/GEDSI mainstreaming;
•     Five years of relevant experience in organizing/supporting gender/GEDSI related events and policy dialogues;
•     Five years of relevant experience in integrating gender/GEDSI considerations into monitoring and evaluation systems.