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Organizational Setting:
FAO is supporting the Government of the Republic of Moldova in addressing current challenges in agriculture and advancing the sector’s long-term development objectives. As part of these efforts, FAO launches GCP/MOL/013/SWI “Strengthening Competitiveness and Resilience to Climate Risks of Moldovan Smallholder Farmers.” The project envisions the integration and promotion of gender-transformative approaches to empower women in agriculture. In this sense, the gender specialist will contribute to outlining and recommending strategies and approaches for empowering rural women in agriculture, strengthening rural women’s participation in agrifood value chains, and ensuring better access to knowledge, resources, and opportunities that enhance their resilience to climate and economic shocks. Additionally, the gender specialist will develop and recommend strategies for addressing root causes of women’s disadvantages in agrifood value chains and rural areas, including easing care work and time poverty.
In compliance with Gender Equality Policy 2020-2030, the incumbent will support gender mainstreaming of FAO programmes and projects in Moldova, as well as promote the adoption of gender-transformative approaches. Accordingly, support to the country office in implementing gender-related activities and ensuring the adherence to FAO quality standards and priorities will be provided.
Reporting Lines:
Under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in the Republic of Moldova, the direct supervision of the Country Office Gender Focal Point, technical coordination of the Agriculture Officer at the Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia, and technical guidance of the REU Gender Team, and in collaboration with the project team, the National Gender Specialist will perform the following tasks and responsibilities.
Tasks and responsibilities:
The incumbent will perform the following tasks and responsibilities:
· Coordinate the integration and implementation of gender-responsive and transformative approaches across the FAO programme and project’s component in the country.
· Design the gender-needs assessment methodology which includes the collection of the necessary sex-disaggregated data, field consultations to identify barriers, opportunities, and specific needs of rural women, including women farmers within project “Strengthening Competitiveness and Resilience to Climate Risks of Moldovan Smallholder Farmers”.
· Based on the needs analysis, develop a Gender Action Plan, including gender-responsive targets, indicators, and timelines for the “Strengthening Competitiveness and Resilience to Climate Risks of Moldovan Smallholder Farmers” project.
· Support the adoption and implementation of the Gender Action Plan by working closely with the Project Team and the Country Office
· Map donors-financed initiatives and projects on gender in the agrifood sector and provide recommendations for joint or complementary initiatives in the Republic of Moldova.
· Ensure that all capacity-building activities under the project (including Farmer Field Schools and Smart Farmers Clubs) are designed and implemented in a gender-responsive and inclusive manner, promoting the meaningful participation and leadership of women and youth.
· Provide technical recommendations for integrating gender equality and women’s empowerment across project interventions, including climate-smart and conservation agriculture practices, market access initiatives, small grants, and Farmer Field School curricula. Advise on actions to ensure that small grants and equipment distribution mechanisms adequately address women’s needs, reduce barriers to access, and promote equal opportunities.
· Facilitate coordination and partnerships with women-led organizations, networks, civil society, and national institutions to strengthen gender-responsive agricultural interventions.
· Advise on measures to enhance women’s participation in value chains, decision-making, and resilience-building initiatives.
· Support the development of gender-responsive tools, guidelines, training materials, communication, and visibility products, ensuring inclusivity and visibility of women beneficiaries in all project outreach.
· Provide training and capacity-building for project staff, facilitators, and partners on gender equality, social inclusion, and women’s economic empowerment per the Gender Action Plan.
· Support the mechanisms for monitoring, reporting, and documentation of sex-disaggregated indicators and gender outcomes, including success stories, lessons learned, and recommendations for improvement.
· Advise on gender-responsive budgeting and risk mitigation, ensuring equitable access to project resources and minimizing barriers for women and other vulnerable groups.
· Support the Country Office in active participation within UN Gender Task Force and other UN-led mechanisms and tools related to gender equality and empowerment.
· Provide timely advice and recommendations to the FAO team in Moldova on strengthening the support and technical assistance for women farmers.
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Qualifications
· University degree (Master’s or equivalent) in gender studies, social sciences, rural development, sociology, human rights, agriculture and rural sociology, development studies, or another relevant field.
· At least 5 years of proven professional experience in gender analysis, social inclusion, vulnerability assessments, or community-level needs assessments, preferably in the agriculture or rural development sector.
· Demonstrated knowledge of gender-responsive and socially inclusive programming, particularly in the context of rural livelihoods and smallholder farmers.
· Experience in the design and implementation of gender assessments, stakeholder consultations, focus group discussions, and participatory data collection methodologies.
· Prior experience contributing to gender mainstreaming strategies, action plans, or capacity-building initiatives for local institutions or development programmes.
· Prior work experience in international projects is desirable;
Required skills
· Excellent presentation skills
· Excellent computer competences
· Strong interpersonal and communication skills
Required language(s)
· Romanian
· English
FAO Core Competencies
- Results Focus
- Teamwork
- Communication
- Building Effective Relationships
- Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
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