Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Specialist

Organizational Context

The FAO Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia (REU) is dedicated to advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment (GEWE) within regional agrifood systems. Recognizing the crucial role of rural women in agriculture, food security, and climate resilience, GEWE is both a priority and an integral aspect of FAO's work. The REU Gender Team offers technical and policy support to country offices, governments, and partners to embed GEWE principles across FAO's initiatives in Europe and Central Asia.

Job Purpose

This role provides essential technical expertise on gender equality and women’s empowerment within agrifood systems and rural development contexts. Key functions include mainstreaming gender into policies, programmes, and projects; conducting gender analysis and generating evidence; developing and implementing gender-responsive and transformative interventions; facilitating capacity development; overseeing monitoring and reporting; managing knowledge; and offering policy and technical support. The objective is to strengthen gender equality and empower women across the region's agricultural and food sectors, ensuring equitable development and outcomes.

Responsibilities

Provide expert technical advice and support on gender equality and women’s empowerment in agrifood systems and rural development, ensuring gender considerations are integrated into policies, strategies, programmes, and projects. Conduct gender analyses, assessments, and research, utilizing both qualitative and quantitative data to build evidence for gender-responsive programming. Support the design, implementation, and review of gender-responsive and transformative programmes, including Gender Action Plans and results frameworks. Offer technical assistance for mainstreaming gender throughout the entire programme and project lifecycle, from formulation to reporting. Develop and deliver capacity-building activities, technical guidance, tools, and materials on gender mainstreaming for FAO staff, government counterparts, and partners. Prepare technical, policy, and knowledge products such as reports, briefs, and case studies. Facilitate policy dialogue, knowledge exchange, partnerships, and stakeholder engagement on GEWE issues. Document and disseminate best practices and lessons learned, contributing to communication and advocacy efforts.

Work Experience

A minimum of five years of relevant professional experience is required in areas such as gender equality and women’s empowerment, gender mainstreaming, rural development, agriculture, food security, or agrifood systems. Experience should align with the educational requirements.

Skills

Core competencies include Results Focus, Teamwork, Communication, Building Effective Relationships, and Knowledge Sharing. Desired skills include demonstrated knowledge of GEWE concepts and their application to agrifood systems, experience in gender analysis and mainstreaming in programmes, capacity development expertise, strong analytical and writing skills, experience with diverse stakeholders, and familiarity with FAO's gender policies. Knowledge of regional languages is an asset.

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