Consultant for Gender Equality and Biofortification

Job Posting Organization:
The REACTS-IN program is a collaborative initiative aimed at promoting gender equality and improving nutrition for Women and Adolescent Girls (WAGs). It involves partnerships with organizations such as World Vision, Nutrition International, HarvestPlus, and McGill University, focusing on the scale-up of gender transformative interventions. The program seeks to address the barriers faced by WAGs in accessing nutrition and health services, particularly in the context of climate change and economic challenges. The initiative emphasizes the importance of biofortified crops in enhancing security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security and empowering women farmers, thereby contributing to their economic resilience and overall well-being.

Job Overview:
The consultant will play a crucial role in assessing the impact of the biofortification component of the REACTS-IN project on gender equity in agricultural practices. This position involves analyzing how the adoption of biofortified crops, such as iron beans and vitamin A sweet potatoes, can be achieved sustainably and equitably. The consultant will be responsible for mapping cultural norms and societal patterns that affect women's access to nutrition and agricultural resources. The insights gained will inform strategies to enhance gender-responsive interventions within the project, ensuring that the benefits of biofortification reach marginalized households effectively. The consultant will also develop a theory of change to illustrate the project's contributions to gender equality in the targeted regions.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Map key gender-related cultural norms, beliefs, knowledge, attitudes, and practices in agriculture that affect women and adolescent girls' ability to achieve proper nutrition.
• Identify societal patterns of poverty and gender inequality that could be minimized through agricultural interventions involving biofortified crops.
• Develop strategies for integrating gender perspectives into the delivery models used in the REACTS-IN project.
• Identify opportunities for including gender-responsive interventions while reaching marginalized households.
• Analyze gender roles and norms that may impact the adoption and consumption of biofortified crops.
• Identify potential negative outcomes from project implementation and propose strategies to mitigate these effects.
• Design capacity-building activities to enhance knowledge on gender aspects influencing food and nutrition security.
• Prepare a comprehensive project report and at least one manuscript for publication in a peer-reviewed journal.

Required Qualifications:
The ideal candidate should possess a Master's or PhD in gender studies, development studies, social science, or a related field. They must have a strong background in gender-related issues, particularly in the context of agriculture, food security, and nutrition. The candidate should demonstrate experience in evaluating gender issues related to the adoption of new agricultural technologies and practices. Additionally, experience working with marginalized populations, especially women in rural areas, is essential. The consultant should also have a proven track record in appraising gender issues within developmental projects.

Educational Background:
Candidates are required to have a Master's degree or PhD in relevant fields such as gender studies, development studies, social science, or related disciplines. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of gender dynamics in agricultural contexts and for effectively contributing to the project's objectives.

Experience:
A minimum of 5 years of experience working on gender-related issues is required, with a focus on agriculture, food security, or food systems. The candidate should have demonstrated experience in evaluating gender issues in the adoption of new technologies, particularly in agricultural practices. Experience in working with marginalized populations, particularly women in rural settings, is also essential for this role.

Languages:
While the job description does not specify mandatory languages, proficiency in English is likely required for communication and reporting purposes. Knowledge of local languages may be beneficial for engaging with community groups and stakeholders effectively.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy assignment will involve delivering several progress reports and a final report, along with a journal manuscript. The consultant is expected to provide a detailed budget and methodology for the assignment. The duration of the assignment is not explicitly stated, but it involves multiple deliverables over a specified timeframe. The position may be part-time or full-time depending on the consultant's availability and the project's needs.