Gender Officer

Organizational Setting
The Regional Office for Africa (RAF) is responsible for leading FAO's response to regional priorities for food security, agriculture and rural development through the identification, planning and implementation of FAO's priority activities in the region. It ensures a multidisciplinary approach to programmes, identifies priority areas of action for the Organization in the region and, in collaboration with divisions/offices/centres at headquarters, develops, promotes and oversees FAO's strategic response to regional priorities. RAF also advises on the incorporation of regional priorities into the Organization's Programme of Work and Budget and implements approved programmes and projects in the region, monitors the level of programme implementation and draws attention to problems and deficiencies. RAF develops and maintains relations with region-wide institutions including the Regional Economic Integration Organizations (REIOs). The regional office supports regional policy dialogues on food security, agriculture and rural development issues, facilitates the emergence of regional partnerships, and supports capacity development and resources mobilization for food security, agriculture and rural development in the region.
The position is located in the Regional Office for Africa (RAF) in Accra, Ghana.
Reporting Lines
The Gender Officer reports to the Deputy Regional Representative, RAF.
Technical Focus
The Gender Officer will contribute to the implementation of the FAO Strategic Framework and the Gender Equality Policy, which aims to achieve equality between women and men in sustainable agricultural production and rural development for the elimination of hunger and poverty. Specifically, the incumbent will address aspects such as: g ender equality in food security and nutrition; gender equality in the sustainable management of natural resources, such as forestry, fisheries, livestock, and water; gender-sensitive value chains and trade; collection, analysis and use of gender-relevant sex-disaggregated data; gender-sensitive disaster risk reduction and resilience; gender and climate-smart agriculture; reduction in rural women's work burden; gender mainstreaming across the O rganization, including monitoring and reporting; women's land rights; gender and social protection.
Key Results
Comprehensive technical, analytical and/or policy analysis support and the development of specialized tools, methodologies, systems and/or databases to support the planning, implementation/delivery and monitoring of the programme of work and related products, projects, publications and services.
Key Functions

• Plans and leads components of multidisciplinary teams and working groups; leads and/or participates in teams; participates in Organization-wide committees, project teams and working groups; provides specialized expertise on gender international technical networks and or technical policy and standard setting bodies.
• Develops technical, analytical, monitoring and reporting frameworks and related tools, methodologies and systems, etc. to support the planning, implementation/delivery and monitoring of the programmes of work, products, projects and services.
• Designs and conducts gender and socio-economic research, data collection, validation, analysis and/or reporting to support the development of technical standards, international instruments, innovative tools and methodologies, flagship publications/technical reports and/or policy proposals as well as the provision of technical inputs and/or policy advice and expertise.
• Responds to requests and provides technical/policy advice, assistance and solutions to Regional, Subregional and Country Offices related to gender , and provides technical backstopping to field projects both in development and humanitarian contexts.
• Promotes international cooperation and collaboration, advocates best practices and increased gender related policy dialogue and provides technical expertise at international meetings and conferences.
• Coordinates capacity development activities involving knowledge sharing, organization of training workshops, awareness raising, seminars and meetings as well as the development of related materials, on-line tools and information kits.
• Participates in resource mobilization activities in accordance with FAO Strategic Framework .
  

Specific Functions

• Undertakes policy analysis and research on effective ways to address gender inequalities and promotes women's empowerment in agriculture, and food security and nutrition.
• Leads the integration and institutionalization of gender-transformative programming across RAF's strategic priorities and field programmes, ensures that all policies and programmes supporting FAO's gender equality policy are implemented in FAO's field programme of the region / subregions.
• Supports governments and regional organizations to formulate and implement gender-sensitive agriculture, rural development, and food security and nutrition policies and programmes, including also to countries facing protracted crises or at risk of natural disasters.
• Produces knowledge products and capacity development materials and implements learning events to enhance the skills of FAO staff and Member States.
• Organizes and prepares international meetings, workshops, learning events, and policy dialogues to influence global debates.
• Advocates for the integration of social and gender equality issues into FAO's agriculture and rural development programmes and projects, and participates in the project appraisal process .
• Implements gender accountability mechanisms, including periodic gender audits, and performance reviews to ensure delivery of gender-related results across country offices and regional initiatives.
• Acts as regional gender focal point and coordinates a regional Gender Focal Point (GFP) network and strengthens capacity of professional staff in decentralized offices in the Region .
• Collaborates and provides technical support to FAO country offices and related governments, strategic programme teams, and partners on gender equality and women's empowerment and carries out gender mainstreaming activities and provides technical support and advice related to gender-based violence.
• Represents the Regional Office at international/inter-governmental meetings and conferences, advocates strategic partnerships, best practices, and increased policy dialogue and develops and negotiates effective working relationships/consensus and agreements with international and national partners.
• Leads and/or participates in resource mobilization activities in accordance with the corporate strategy.
• Coordinates and provides oversight over multi-stakeholder partnerships, field programmes and projects.
• Performs other duties, as required.
  

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CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in social sciences, rural sociology, gender studies, rural development, social anthropology, agricultural economics or other relevant social sciences.
• Seven years of relevant experience in socio-economic analysis, policy formulation, capacity building in relation to gender equality and women's empowerment, in development and/or humanitarian contexts.
• Working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of English and intermediate knowledge (intermediate - level B) of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).
  

Competencies

• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
  

Technical/Functional Skills

• Work experience in more than one location or area of work particularly in field positions.
• Experience in the Africa n region is an asset.
• Extent and relevance of experience and knowledge related to food security and nutrition, agriculture, rural development, and rural poverty and gender, and other social issues.
• Extent and relevance of experience in quantitative and qualitative socio-economic analysis.
• Extent and relevance of experience in policy analysis, formulation, monitoring and evaluation in the fields of gender equality and social policies, both, in development and humanitarian contexts.
• Extent and relevance of experience in providing technical support to governments in the formulation and implementation of gender-sensitive agriculture, rural development and food security and nutrition policies and programmes.
• Extent and relevance of experience in capacity development and organization of awareness raising and training activities.
• Ability to mobilize resources.
• Working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of French is considered an asset.
• Work experience with FAO or other UN agencies on gender issues is an asset.
  

Job Posting
13/Apr/2026
Closure Date
04/May/2026, 4:59:00 PM
Organizational Unit
RAF
Job Type
Staff position
Type of Requisition
Professional
Grade Level
P-4
Primary Location
Ghana-Accra
Duration
Fixed-term: two years with possibility of extension
Post Number
0123900
CCOG Code
1L
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device
The length of appointment for internal FAO candidates will be established in accordance with applicable policies pertaining to the extension of appointments.
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• FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture
• Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply
• Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold FAO's values
• FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination
• All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
• All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality
• FAO staff are subject to the authority of the Director-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the Organization.
  

FAO’s commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for better production , better nutrition , a better environment, and a better life , leaving no one behind.
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