Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is a specialized agency of the UN that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Established in 1945, FAO's mission is to achieve security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security for all and ensure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. With 195 Members, including 194 countries and the European Union, FAO operates in over 130 countries worldwide. The organization focuses on transforming agrifood systems to be more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable, contributing to the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). FAO Country Offices provide policy advice, technical assistance, and support to countries, ensuring that their operations align with international standards and effectively address local needs and priorities.

Job Overview:
The Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Specialist will play a crucial role in integrating gender equality and social inclusion across FAO Nepal’s programming. This position is essential for ensuring that marginalized groups, including women, youth, Indigenous peoples, and persons with disabilities, are actively included in agrifood systems. The specialist will support evidence-informed planning, inclusive implementation, and monitoring practices, ensuring that gender equality and social inclusion are not treated as separate components but are embedded throughout the program cycle. The role involves collaborating with the FAO country office program team to enhance the quality and impact of FAO’s initiatives in Nepal, particularly in relation to the Country Programming Framework (CPF) 2023–2027, which emphasizes inclusive agrifood system transformation and equitable access to resources and services.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The specialist will be responsible for a variety of tasks aimed at strengthening the integration of gender equality and social inclusion in FAO Nepal’s programs. Key responsibilities include: supporting the systematic integration of GESI across FAO-supported programs; reviewing project documents and workplans to ensure alignment with FAO GESI policies; providing inputs to program teams for integrating gender and social inclusion considerations; identifying gender-related risks and proposing context-specific solutions; integrating GESI-responsive indicators into monitoring tools; promoting the use of disaggregated data for evidence-based planning; documenting and communicating GESI-related activities and results; contributing to the development of knowledge products and donor communications; supporting GESI-related events and campaigns; facilitating capacity development initiatives; synthesizing lessons learned for future programming; and ensuring consistency in GESI approaches across teams.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a university degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in Sociology, Gender Studies, Development Studies, Social Sciences, Arts, or a related field. Additionally, candidates should have at least one year of relevant professional experience in supporting program implementation and communications related to gender equality and social inclusion. A working knowledge of English is also required. Candidates should demonstrate strong interpersonal and communication skills, experience in drafting GESI-focused briefs and knowledge products, and skills in organizing GESI-related trainings and workshops.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a university degree in a relevant field such as Sociology, Gender Studies, Development Studies, Social Sciences, or Arts. This educational foundation is critical for understanding the complexities of gender equality and social inclusion within agrifood systems and for effectively contributing to FAO’s mission in Nepal.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of one year of relevant professional experience in program or project support, particularly in the context of gender equality and social inclusion. Candidates should have a basic understanding of GESI principles and the ability to work independently while meeting tight deadlines. Experience working with UN agencies is considered an asset, as is familiarity with GESI documentation and reporting.

Languages:
A working knowledge of English is mandatory for this position. Knowledge of additional UN languages is considered an asset, as it may enhance communication and collaboration within the international context of FAO’s work.

Additional Notes:
This position is likely to be full-time and may involve collaboration with various stakeholders, including government agencies, NGOs, and community organizations. The role emphasizes the importance of integrating gender equality and social inclusion into all aspects of FAO’s programming in Nepal, aligning with the organization’s corporate policies and the CPF 2023–202

• Candidates should be prepared for a dynamic work environment that requires adaptability and a commitment to promoting equitable and inclusive agrifood systems.