National Social Safeguards and Gender Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Established in 1945, FAO's mission is to help eliminate hunger, food insecurity, and malnutrition. The organization works in over 130 countries, employing approximately 12,000 staff members worldwide. FAO's primary focus is on achieving security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security for all and ensuring that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. In Nigeria, FAO supports the government in developing policies and programs aimed at improving agricultural productivity, enhancing food security, and promoting sustainable management of natural resources. The organization is involved in various projects related to agriculture, livestock, fisheries, and food security information management, with a strong emphasis on sustainable practices and resilience against climate change.

Job Overview:
The National Social Safeguards and Gender Specialist will play a crucial role in supporting the FAO's initiatives in Nigeria, particularly in the implementation of the SURAGGWA Project. This position requires a strong focus on environmental and social safeguards, gender mainstreaming, and social inclusion interventions. The incumbent will be responsible for ensuring that the project's activities align with the Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) and the Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMP). The specialist will work closely with the project team to monitor and report on the integration of gender-responsive and socially inclusive approaches, ensuring that the needs and capacities of women, youth, and vulnerable groups are prioritized in all project activities. The role also involves capacity building, stakeholder engagement, and the development of methodologies that promote sustainable agricultural practices while addressing the impacts of climate change.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Implement actions established in the ESMF and ESMP, ensuring gender-responsive and socially inclusive approaches are integrated into the SURAGGWA Project.
• Monitor and evaluate compliance with environmental, social, gender, and inclusion safeguards.
• Support small farmers and indigenous communities by ensuring equitable participation and benefit-sharing, particularly for women and vulnerable groups.
• Participate in training and meetings to establish the ESMF and integrate gender-responsive approaches in agrifood systems affected by climate change.
• Develop management indicators associated with social safeguards and ensure their application.
• Mainstream ESS, gender equality, and social inclusion into capacity-building activities and stakeholder engagement processes.
• Analyze quantitative and qualitative data related to social safeguards and gender, ensuring inclusive data collection.
• Disseminate information regarding the citizen attention mechanism and follow up on complaints and conflict resolution.
• Provide technical inputs for project reports and ensure compliance with FAO and GCF requirements. 1
• Coordinate the preparation of technical documents and reports, ensuring integration of gender equality and social inclusion considerations. 1
• Undertake additional tasks as required by the project coordinator.

Required Qualifications:

• National of Nigeria.
• Advanced university degree in Agricultural Economics, Social Sciences, Gender Studies, Natural Resources Management, Forestry, Agriculture, Rural Development, or a related field.
• At least three years of relevant experience in implementing FAO, government, or donor-funded projects related to environmental and social safeguards, land restoration, or rural development.
• Working knowledge of English (Level C).
• Proficiency in at least two predominant languages spoken in the project area (e.g., Hausa, Kanuri, Fulfulde) is advantageous, with Hausa being mandatory.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in fields such as Agricultural Economics, Social Sciences, Gender Studies, Natural Resources Management, Forestry, Agriculture, or Rural Development. This educational background is essential to understand the complexities of agricultural systems, social dynamics, and environmental management, which are critical for the role.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of three years of relevant experience in the implementation of projects related to environmental and social safeguards, land restoration, or rural development. Candidates should have a demonstrated understanding of environmental and social management frameworks and experience in stakeholder engagement and community participation, particularly in Northern Nigeria.

Languages:
The mandatory language for this position is Hausa, which is essential for effective communication within the project area. Additionally, candidates should have a working knowledge of English and at least two other predominant local languages, such as Kanuri or Fulfulde, to facilitate engagement with diverse communities.

Additional Notes:
The FAO does not charge any fees during the recruitment process. Applications received after the closing date will not be considered. Candidates must have their educational qualifications recognized by the World Higher Education Database (WHED). The appointment will be subject to medical fitness certification, accreditation, residency or visa requirements, and security clearances. This position may involve full-time engagement and is focused on national recruitment.