Gender Support

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\:
• advocate, inform and support policies and investments in the areas of FAO’s mandate;
• provide technical assistance and deliver core services;
• assist and catalyse partnership and resource mobilization activities to support agrifood systems transformation;
• position FAO as the specialized/authoritative technical agency in food and agriculture and agrifood systems transformation; and
• ensure risk-smart and accountable operations and management.

This position is located in FAO Pakistan, based in Multan but supporting the implementation of the project activities in two provinces of Punjab and Sidh.

FAO Pakistan with financial assistance from the Green Climate Fund is implementing a project called Transforming Indus Basin with Climate Resilient Agriculture and Water Management in Punjab and Sindh Provinces. The project aims to develop the country’s capacity to get the and use the information it needs to cope with the impact of climate change and agriculture and water management. The overall goal of the project is to enhance the capacity of agriculture and pastoral sectors to cope with climate change, by up scaling farmers adaptation of climate change adaptation technologies and practices through a network of already established farmers field schools, and by mainstreaming climate change adaptation concerns and strategies into on-going agriculture development initiatives, policies and programming.

The Project seek to recruit a Gender Support to support the implementation of cross-cutting activities; gender, inclusion and as nutrition-sensitive agriculture.

The following position is at SB3 SC6 level.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative, direct supervision of the project Technical Advisor, reporting directly to the International Gender Specialist and in close coordination with concerned FAO colleagues.

Technical Focus

Ensure timely delivery of all activities/issues related to gender, food security, livelihoods and training of trainers in the Transforming Indus Basin with Climate Resilient Agriculture and Water Management Project.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Support the integration of gender equality in climate-resilient agriculture (CRA) and water management practices.
• Contribute to enhancing project initiatives focused on women and youth empowerment in agriculture, including improving access to post-harvest management, food processing, and income-generating activities.
• Assist with gender-responsive training programs for farmers, particularly women, on topics such as nutrition-sensitive agriculture, climate resilience, and sustainable practices.
• Coordinate the GCF Gender and Social Inclusion Focal Points network to ensure gender-responsive practices are effectively integrated across all components of the project.
• Assist in reviewing and updating the Gender Action Plan (GAP), and ensure its implementation is monitored and reported effectively.
• Assist in the introduction and scaling of CRA practices in Farmer Field Schools (FFS) with a special focus on empowering female farmers.
• Work with the Project Team to implement the Gender Action Plan and ensure its monitoring and reporting.
• Facilitate training and capacity-building initiatives for FAO staff, government officials, and local partners on gender-sensitive approaches in agriculture.
• Help organize stakeholder meetings and workshops to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment.
• Support FAO’s communication efforts by documenting success stories and progress on gender-related achievements within the project.
• Assist in maintaining accurate documentation of gender-related project activities, including meeting notes and reports,
• Ensure timely submission of gender-related progress reports to the Gender Specialist and overall project coordination team.
• Support in drafting periodic project updates and gender-focused reports for donors and stakeholders.
• Perform other related duties, as assigned by the supervisor.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree in Social Sciences, Gender Studies, Gender and Development studies, Gender and Women Studies, Agriculture Science and Gender
• At least 5 years of relevant experience in gender, food security, nutrition, capacity strengthening, and agriculture
• Working knowledge of English
• National of Pakistan

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Technical expertise in implementing Farmer Field Schools, gender-sensitive nutrition and capacity-building activities.
• Field experience in projects that promote food security, agricultural development, and rural livelihoods with a gender focus.
• Experience in gender analysis and the integration of gender equality in agricultural programs.
• Strong ability to conduct training sessions on gender-sensitive agriculture, rural development, and women’s empowerment.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a multi-cultural, team-oriented environment and to travel as needed.
• Familiarity with administrative and financial procedures in development projects.
• Ability to seek new, innovative and improved methods and systems for accomplishing the work assigned.

Selection Criteria

• Experience in implementing Farmer Field Schools on nutrition sensitive agriculture
• Understanding local languages of Punjab and Sindh could be an asset.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION