Position Title: Gender Expert
Receiving Agency: FAO
P Level: P4
Location: Kabul, Afghanistan
Duration: 6 months with the possibility of an extension
Language: English
Background
Afghanistan is facing an acute food security emergency that affects more than half of the population. Economic collapse, job loss, political instability and insecurity, and severe impacts of chronic vulnerability to climatic hazards, especially major droughts, are fuelling a food crisis in Afghanistan. Since August 2021, the availability, access, and stability of the food supply have become critically compromised.
In September and October 2022 (the post-harvest season), nearly 17 million people in Afghanistan experienced high levels of acute food insecurity (IPC Phase 3 or above), about a five-percentage point decrease from the same season last year. However the number of people projected to be in crisis and emergency levels of food insecurity (IPC 3+) between Nov 22 and Mar 23 is expected to increase to 20m people – some 46% of the total population – with 6m facing emergency levels of food insecurity. Women and children are at particular risks, with rising rates of severe acute malnutrition. Almost 80% of all people facing acute food insecurity live in rural areas. The number of provinces in Emergency (IPC Phase 4) is expected to increase in the projection period from three to 12.
All FAO activities across the humanitarian/resilience spectrum benefits women directly or indirectly, including highly vulnerable landless food insecure female-headed households. In 2022 FAO delivered USD250 million, reaching 6 million people. FAO is targeting 8 million people in 2023 through eight emergency assistance packages. 21% of FAO’s direct beneficiaries are vulnerable landless food insecure female-led households. The impact of the decree will be mainly on three emergency assistance packages for which 100% of the households are female-headed households: backyard vegetable cultivation, poultry production and Unconditional Cash Transfer (UCT). The months ahead will be critical to identify flexible/local solutions that will allow most vulnerable households to receive the assistance they need.
The fluid environment requires humanitarian partners to adjust approaches where and when necessary. Local solutions are needed throughout the program cycle. In addition to adapting the delivery modality enhanced investments required in safeguards and protection with specific focus on gender .
Purpose, Objectives and Tasks
Reporting and supervision
- The specialist will work under the general supervision of the FAOR and under the direct supervision of the Head of Field Programme in close collaboration with the FAO Regional Offices with the technical support of the regional office gender focal point and OER.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
- Collaborate and provide technical support to the FAO Afghanistan programming team on issues related to gender equality and women’s empowerment and carry out gender mainstreaming activities;
- Advise, coordinate and supervise National Gender Specialists;
- Analyze current FAO projects and programs with regard to gender and propose reinforcements, in particular taking into consideration the latest developments on female employment in the country;
- Design/review project documents and advise on entry points for greater gender responsiveness;
- Undertake analytical work on effective ways to address gender issues in agriculture, food security and nutrition, in the specific context of Afghanistan; Develop measures to promote gender equality in access to agriculture services including but not limited to appropriate technology, training and institutional funding, marketing and agricultural extension;
- Plan and implement activities that strengthen value chain business opportunities and market linkages for women and women’s producer organizations;
- Provide support in the preparation of training materials for the basic gender training for project staff, IPs and beneficiaries;
- Meet with implementing partners to define the best delivery modalities of FAO livelihood assistance packages in order to maintain reach-out to most vulnerable groups and households;
- Review and/or develop gender M&E data collection, analysis and reporting tools to inform gender-related results;
- Prepare a list of gender-related indicators for project activities;
- Advise on enhanced efforts towards Do Not Harm, AAP, PSEA-GBV, inclusion, protection;
- Raise awareness on PSEA through training and outreach, including supporting development of relevant materials;
- Participate in UNCT/HCT working groups on gender, GBV, PSEA and participate in the formulation or revision of a gender related documents at the interagency level with emphasis of the specific needs within the agriculture sector;
- Collaborate with internal stakeholders to drive implementation of the FAO Afghanistan PSEA Action Plan Support;
- Perform other related duties as required.
Expected Outcomes
The key results at the end of assignment will include:
1. Regular technical support on gender mainstreaming actions, including GBV, DNH, PSEA, AAP, and protection aspects in programming by FAO Afghanistan.
2. Leading in designing and undertaking gender analyses and informing gender strategy for FAO Afghanistan.
3. Regular technical guidance and support to National Gender Specialists on gender mainstreaming actions, including GBV, DNH, PSEA, AAP, and protection aspects and related thematic areas.
4. Regular participation in gender mainstreaming related working groups / forums on behalf of FAO Afghanistan.
5. Regular support on behalf of FAO Afghanistan in FAO’s Corporate systems / reporting requirements pertaining gender actions / mainstreaming.
6. End of assignment report.
Required Competencies
Qualifications
• Advanced university degree in Gender, Sociology, Anthropology, Development Studies, or any related field.
• 12 years of relevant work experience in gender mainstreaming, analysis, research, gender-sensitive programme formulation and implementation, and capacity development.
Technical Skills and Experience Requirements
• Experience with different partners/organizations
• Experience in the context of agriculture, rural development and value chain development programmes.
• Working knowledge of English
• Understanding of livelihood programming in humanitarian and development context
• Demonstrated initiative and ability to deliver results within deadlines
CANADEM and its partners have a no-tolerance policy towards Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment (SEAH). For this reason, we adhere to all policies, procedures and training of the United Nations on The Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment (PSEAH). CANADEM mandates all deployees successfully complete the PSEA online course. This e-learning course is composed of a set of lessons designed to raise awareness about SEAH, become familiar with a range of measures to combat SEAH, understand the impact on victims and the consequences for UN Personnel who commit Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment.