Consultant, Gender Expert

Job Posting Organization:
The World Food Programme (WFP) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, dedicated to saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build pathways to peace, stability, and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters, and the impacts of climate change. Established in 1961, WFP operates in over 80 countries, employing thousands of individuals who are committed to its mission. WFP is recognized for its efforts in providing food assistance and is a 2020 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, emphasizing its commitment to humanitarian work and the importance of addressing global hunger and food insecurity. WFP values diversity and inclusion, encouraging qualified candidates from all backgrounds to apply, and invests in the personal and professional development of its employees through various training and mobility opportunities. For more information, visit their website at https://www.wfp.org.

Job Overview:
The position of Consultant, Gender Expert, is focused on integrating gender considerations into disaster risk management and epidemic preparedness and response. The consultant will work under the Outbreaks & Epidemics (O&E) unit of the African Risk Capacity (ARC), which is a specialized agency of the African Union. The role involves evaluating the impact of gender action plans and policies developed in previous phases of the Gates Project, which aims to enhance resilience and improve institutional capacity in West African countries. The consultant will be responsible for monitoring and assessing the implementation of gender-focused interventions, ensuring that the needs of vulnerable groups are addressed in disaster risk management strategies. This position requires a deep understanding of the intersection between gender issues and public health, as well as the ability to provide actionable recommendations for further integration of gender considerations into national and sub-national disaster response frameworks.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Consultant, Gender Expert, will have a range of responsibilities, including: conducting an inception meeting with the ARC team to outline the consultancy's methodology and work plan; reviewing existing gender analysis reports and training materials; preparing an inception report detailing the proposed approach; conducting a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation of the gender action plans and policies; assessing the integration of these plans into national and sub-national structures; formulating recommendations for enhancing gender equity in disaster preparedness and response; and preparing a workshop report summarizing findings and recommendations. The consultant will also be expected to engage with various stakeholders, including government representatives and ARC Country Engagement Managers, to ensure that the evaluation process is collaborative and inclusive.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess substantive experience in conducting research and analysis related to public health, gender equality, and disaster risk management. A strong understanding of the links between gender issues and disaster risk management is essential. Familiarity with the work of WFP and other multilateral organizations is highly desirable. Excellent analytical, writing, and communication skills are required to effectively convey findings and recommendations to diverse audiences.

Educational Background:
A Master’s degree in relevant fields such as public health, gender studies, disaster risk management, climate change, or sustainable development is required. Candidates should have a strong academic background that supports their understanding of the complexities involved in gender and disaster risk management.

Experience:
The position requires at least ten years of progressively advanced and relevant professional experience at both international and national levels. Candidates should have a proven track record in public health and gender mainstreaming within development projects and policies, particularly in creating manuals and training materials for gender integration in disaster risk management and related fields.

Languages:
Fluency in English or French is mandatory, with excellent written and verbal communication skills in either language. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset, enhancing the consultant's ability to engage with diverse stakeholders across West Africa.

Additional Notes:
This consultancy is a remote position based in West Africa, with a contract type of When Actually Employed (WAE). The duration of the consultancy is 25 working days over a period of three months. The consultant will be responsible for providing their own working equipment and must have reliable internet access. They are expected to maintain communication with the ARC team during designated business hours. The role emphasizes the importance of gender equality and social inclusion in disaster risk management, and the consultant will play a crucial role in ensuring that these principles are integrated into the ARC's programs.