Gender Expert - Fortified Complementary Food

Organizational Context

The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) promotes industrial development for poverty and hunger reduction, inclusive and fair globalization, and environmental sustainability. UNIDO's mission is to promote and accelerate inclusive and sustainable industrial development in Member States, aligning with the 2030 Agenda and SDGs. The organization focuses on areas such as fair and sustainable supply chains, ending hunger, renewable energy, climate action, industrial policy, skills development, digitalization, gender equality, and leveraging private sector investment. UNIDO operates through technical cooperation, analytical and research functions, normative functions, and partnerships for knowledge and technology transfer.

Job Purpose

To conduct a comprehensive gender analysis within the Africa Trade Competitiveness and Market Access (ATCMA) Programme - ECOWAS Component, identifying barriers and opportunities for women and youth-owned/led enterprises in selected value chains. The goal is to formulate actionable recommendations to advance women's economic empowerment, equal participation, and benefit from inclusive industrial development, in line with UNIDO's Gender Equality Strategy and the AfCFTA Protocol on Women and Youth in Trade.

Responsibilities

Conduct a gender analysis of target value chains in the ECOWAS region, identifying structural, regulatory, normative, and market barriers affecting women and youth-owned/led enterprises. Formulate recommendations for advancing women's economic empowerment and participation in value chains, value addition, and intra-African trade. Apply a gender-transformative approach, analyzing gender norms, roles, power relations, and vulnerabilities. Assess gender roles in value chain segments, access to resources and finance, enterprise upgrading, market access, and the impact of regulatory frameworks. Evaluate gender representation in relevant authorities and identify institutional/policy gaps. Ensure all data collection adheres to ethical principles.

Work Experience

Minimum 5 years of professional experience in gender analysis and women's economic empowerment, preferably in trade, value chain, or industrial development. Demonstrated experience applying gender-responsive or gender-transformative approaches in relevant contexts is required. Experience in developing gender-responsive indicators and conducting stakeholder consultations is also required. Experience in the African region or similar contexts, familiarity with AfCFTA frameworks, and experience with EU-funded programmes are desirable.

Skills

Core values: Integrity, professionalism, respect for diversity. Core competencies: Results-orientation, accountability, planning, organizing, team orientation. Key competencies: Cooperation, emotional intelligence, effective communication, building trust, innovation, continuous improvement, knowledge sharing.

Explore related opportunities