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Gender and Agriculture International Lead Consultant

Background

UN Women, a United Nations entity for Gender Equality was established to accelerate progress on the elimination of discrimination against women and girls, empowerment of women, and the achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development. Among its major responsibilities, UN women supports member states as they set global standards for gender equality and women’s empowerment, and works with governments and civil society organizations to design laws, policies, programs and services needed to implement these standards as a strategy for  promoting human rights, humanitarian action and peace and security.

From January, 2014 UN Women with its partners, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MoAFS) and selected CSOs will be implementing a Gender and Agriculture programme. The programme, funded by the Royal Norwegian Embassy, aims at institutionalizing gender in agricultural services through mechanisms such as Agricultural Sector Wide Approach (ASWAp) and Gender and HIV/AIDS Strategy. The programme will ensure promotion of women’s economic empowerment by making agricultural services more responsive to women’s needs. The programme has two strategic objectives namely that;
  • Government institutions and selected farmer organizations effectively integrate gender into budgeting, planning and programming;
  • Rural women farmers increase their voice and influence policies and strategies on agricultural inputs and support services.
UN Women therefore invites applications from suitably qualified individuals for the position of Lead consultant (International Consultant to lead the initial roll out of the Gender and Agriculture Programme. 

Duties and Responsibilities

The Gender and Agriculture Consultant will perform the following tasks:
  •  Provide leadership and strategic direction in the Gender and Agriculture programme start.  This will include the following dutie;
  • Support the process of identifying entry points within government and Civil Society Organizations in terms of introducing and laying the foundation for the implementation of the programme; 
  • Support the design of programme namely Programme baseline survey, Gender Audit and Gender Profile and Service delivery survey to be conducted in partnership with FAO;
  • Carry out baseline mapping of policies, interventions, actions and budgets to support Gender and agriculture programme;
  • Inform and contribute to the consultations with key stakeholders, including other UN agencies, civil society organizations, national and local authorities on the progress of activities implemented in the area of gender and agriculture;
  • Facilitate knowledge and information sharing on the availability, accessibility and quality of support services with the gender and agriculture programme;
  • Collaborating with Civil Society Organizations and women networks in agriculture; this will include the following duties:
  • Facilitation and coordination of meetings and events with the Women’s CSOs;
  • Provide guidance and coordination support to joint advocacy initiatives of the women CSOs; 
  • Provide strategic direction in the implementation of the Gender and Agriculture programme annual plan and budget for Women CSOs advocacy work in the area of gender and agriculture.
Results/Expected Outputs:
  •   A quarterly report highlighting achievements in the initiation of the Gender and agriculture programme.
  • Substantive guidance on the roll out of the gender and agriculture programme provided;  
  • A strengthened engagement between UN Women Malawi and women CSOs;
  • Enhanced collaboration amongst Women’s Networks on Agriculture ensured.

Competencies

  • Curious and inquisitive approach to explore new programmatic areas and opportunities;
  • Ability to perform coherently a variety of tasks and to manage multiple priorities with ease;
  • Excellent writing, communications, planning and organizational skills;
  • Ability to build collaborative relationships with diverse partners;
  • Ability to take initiative, to be flexible and work effectively in multi-cultural teams;
  • Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
  • Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure;
  • Ability to work independently as well as part of a team;
  • Demonstrates commitment to UN WOMEN mission, vision and values.

Required Skills and Experience

    Education:
    • Masters Degree in gender studies, international development, Agriculture, education or other field related to gender and agriculture.
    Experience:
    • At least three years of working experience on women economic empowerment issues within Africa; 
    • At least eight years of experience working with international organizations, government agencies or NGOs in the fields of: Agriculture and gender programming; Advocacy and communication work as well as mobilization of grass root communities of strategic development issues; 
    • Global experience on the design and management of Gender and Agriculture programmes would be an added advantage;
    • Experience working with UN agencies is an asset; 
    • Project management experience;
    • Research experience with proven adaptive and creative research skills.
    Language: 
    •  Fluency in spoken and written English.

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