National Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Specialist

Organizational Context

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) supports the transformation to efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable agrifood systems to improve production, nutrition, the environment, and livelihoods. In Jamaica, FAO supports the Government in advancing climate-resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, focusing on vulnerable rural communities and smallholder farmers. The ADAPT Jamaica project, funded by the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and implemented with the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF), aims to enhance climate change resilience for vulnerable smallholders in Central Jamaica through four key components: capacity building in climate-resilient agriculture, accelerating climate adaptation, strengthening climate information services, and mobilizing finance and policy support.

Job Purpose

The National Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) Specialist will lead the integration of GESI principles across all components of the ADAPT Jamaica project. This role ensures alignment with the project’s Gender Action Plan (GAP), Gender Assessment, and FAO/GCF gender policies. The specialist will support inclusive planning, implementation, monitoring, and reporting, with a specific focus on empowering and benefiting vulnerable groups such as women, youth, and persons with disabilities in climate-resilient agriculture initiatives. The objective is to ensure all project interventions are gender-responsive and socially inclusive, adhering to FAO's gender policy and Jamaica's national strategies.

Responsibilities

The specialist will support project decision-making by integrating GESI considerations into strategic planning and oversight. They will contribute to project methodologies, ensuring GESI dimensions are included in vulnerability assessments. A key responsibility is leading the implementation of the project’s Gender Action Plan (GAP), mainstreaming GESI into work plans and field activities, and monitoring progress. The role involves providing technical support for gender-responsive planning and budgeting, ensuring policy alignment with FAO, GCF, and national frameworks. Capacity building through training on gender sensitization and GBV prevention is crucial. The specialist will facilitate inclusive stakeholder engagement, promote gender-equitable participation and partnerships with local organizations, and develop/implement tools for sex-disaggregated data collection and analysis for the M&E system. They will contribute to project reporting by integrating GESI aspects, support the Grievance Redress Mechanism with a focus on GBV and PSEA, identify and mitigate gender-related risks, and support communication efforts to promote GESI in climate-resilient agriculture. Collaboration with other specialists and performing related duties are also required.

Work Experience

At least 5 years of relevant experience in development projects or programmes focusing on gender equality, women’s empowerment, and social inclusion.

Skills

Excellent knowledge of gender equality and social inclusion concepts and tools for mainstreaming in agriculture. Proven ability to plan and facilitate participatory workshops and training sessions with diverse stakeholders. Demonstrated capacity to coordinate with multiple stakeholders and build effective partnerships. Experience with FAO, UN agencies, or similar organizations is highly desirable. Experience in Jamaica or the Caribbean is a plus. Excellent communication and report writing skills in English. High interpersonal skills, cultural sensitivity, and integrity.

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