Gender Consultant

Job Posting Organization:
The REACTS-IN program is a collaborative initiative aimed at promoting gender equality and improving nutrition for women and adolescent girls. It involves international partners with expertise in nutrition, food systems, health, and program evaluation, including organizations like World Vision, Nutrition International, IFPRI/HarvestPlus, and McGill University. The program focuses on addressing the barriers that hinder access to nutrition and health for women and adolescent girls, particularly in the context of climate change and economic challenges. The initiative aims to empower women through the promotion of biofortified crops, which are designed to enhance security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security and economic opportunities for female farmers.

Job Overview:
The Gender Consultant will play a crucial role in evaluating the programming pathways for the biofortification component of the REACTS-IN project in Tanzania. This position involves analyzing how the project contributes to gender equitable adoption of biofortified crops, such as iron beans and vitamin A maize, and understanding the sustainability of these practices during and after the funding phase. The consultant will be expected to provide insights into the cultural norms, beliefs, and practices that affect women's nutrition and to identify strategies for integrating gender perspectives into the project's delivery model. The overarching goal is to ensure that the interventions not only empower women but also lead to lasting changes in gender dynamics within the communities served by the project.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will be responsible for mapping key gender-related cultural norms and practices in agriculture that impact women and adolescent girls' nutrition. They will identify societal patterns of poverty and gender inequality that can be addressed through agricultural interventions. The consultant will also pinpoint strategies for incorporating gender perspectives into the REACTS-IN project's delivery model, identify gender roles that may affect the adoption of biofortified crops, and assess any negative outcomes that may arise from project implementation. Additionally, the consultant will develop capacity-building activities aimed at increasing knowledge of gender issues related to food and nutrition security among various stakeholders. A theory of change will be developed to illustrate how the project's interventions contribute to gender equality, culminating in the preparation of a project report and a manuscript for publication.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master's or PhD in Gender Studies, Development Studies, or Social Science. They should have at least five years of experience working on gender-related issues, particularly in agriculture, food and nutrition security, or food systems. Demonstrated experience in evaluating gender issues related to the adoption of new agricultural technologies and in appraising gender issues within developmental projects is essential. Experience working with marginalized populations, especially women in rural areas, is also required.

Educational Background:
A Master's degree or PhD in relevant fields such as Gender Studies, Development Studies, or Social Science is mandatory for this position. This educational background ensures that the consultant has a solid understanding of the complexities surrounding gender issues in agricultural contexts and food security.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of five years of professional experience focused on gender-related issues, particularly in the realms of agriculture, food security, or food systems. Candidates should have a proven track record of evaluating gender dynamics in the adoption of agricultural technologies and working with marginalized communities, particularly women in rural settings.

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

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is expected to be completed by February 25, 2026, with specific deliverables due on set dates throughout the consultancy period. The consultant will need to provide a detailed budget to support the completion of the outlined deliverables, and transport for field data collection will be provided by the project. The position may involve a combination of remote work and field visits, depending on the nature of the tasks and data collection requirements.