National Gender Mainstreaming Specialist

Organizational Setting

FAO has partnered with the Kyrgyz Republic since the country joined the Organization in 1993. A country office was opened in 2009.
The present Country Programming Framework 2023–2027 is derived from the UNSDCF Kyrgyzstan (2023-2027).
FAO assistance will contribute to the attainment of the national priorities related to improving food security and nutrition, promoting organic agriculture, increasing digitalization, stimulating agricultural and livelihood development and decent work creation, building household resilience, improving environmental protection, and enhancing sustainable natural resource management and adaptation to climate change.
FAO’s assistance in Kyrgyzstan is shaped by the 2023-2027 FAO Country Programming Framework (CPF), which is centered on three strategic priority areas:
Strategic Priority 1: Support national efforts to respond to people’s needs by ensuring equitable access to quality social services, including education, health, social protection and decent work, through effective policies and appropriate financing mechanisms, with the participation of all parties.
Strategic Priority 2: Support national efforts to promote prosperity and resilience for all citizens through inclusive and equitable green socioeconomic development.
Strategic Priority Area 3: Support national efforts to promote inclusive and gender-transformative approaches to climate action, disaster risk management and environmental protection to conserve natural resources and leverage ecosystem benefits for sustainable human development.

Reporting Lines

The Specialist will work under the general supervision of the FAO Representative for the Kyrgyz Republic, in close collaboration with the FAO programme and project staff, including Lead technical officer (LTO), and International Technical Advisor (ITA). Technical guidance and support will be provided by the FAO REU Gender Team and the Gender Team of the Social Policies and Rural Institutions Division (ESP).

Technical Focus

Gender mainstreaming of FAO technical assistance that aim to achieve sustainable agri-food systems.

Tasks and responsibilities

In line with the FAO Policy on Gender Equality (2020–2030) and the FAO Framework for Environmental and Social Management (FESM), ensure that all of FAO’s development interventions in the country support the implementation of national commitments under the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), particularly Article 14. Additionally, strengthen FAO’s role in promoting policy and programme linkages between social protection, agriculture, food security, and nutrition.

The Specialist will perform the following tasks:

•     Support FAO Gender Focal Point in FEKYR in establishing and strengthening partnerships with governmental and other national counterparts and UN partners to promote gender equality, rural women’s empowerment and social protection in the context of sustainable agriculture, climate change and food security; 
•     In collaboration with the FAO Gender team, based in the Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia, support the gender focal point in the Ministry of Water Resources, Agriculture, and Processing Industry in a) ensuring that agricultural, water governance and food security policies and practices integrate gender concerns; b) contributing to the implementation of relevant measures of the National Action Plan on the achievement of gender equality in the Kyrgyz Republic for 2022-2024;
•     In collaboration with the UN Gender Theme Group, support the implementation of the relevant measures of the National Action Plan for the Implementation of the CEDAW Concluding Observations for the Kyrgyz Republic’s 5th Periodic Report and the UN Gender Theme’s Annual Work Plan for 2024-2025;
Contribute to capacity development of FAO office and project staff, including CS-FOR project, by organizing and conducting  regular learning events to better understand and apply gender mainstreaming principles at work. Target relevant governmental and non-governmental partners, where necessary; 
•     Support gender mainstreaming of the FAO Kyrgyzstan’ programmes, ensuring that all technical assistance provided in the country, addresses gender and social protection concerns as per corporate requirements;
•     Identify, document and disseminate promising good practices that would illustrate experiences of FAO in gender mainstreaming. Contribute to the development of communication materials and success stories for advocacy and awareness raising on gender issues, particularly in occasion of International Rural Women’s Day and other UN-marked events.
•     Contribute to FAO Kyrgyzstan’s efforts to mobilize resource for gender-specific programs and projects
•     On behalf of FAO, participate in the UNCT Gender Thematic Group at the country level and contribute to the UNSDCF Joint Workplan development process if needed. 
•     Participate in the preparation of FAO CPF 2023-2027 and respective work plans.
•     Contribute to the 2026 Country Annual Report preparation. 
•     Coordinate the implementation of the Gender and Social Inclusion Action Plan under the GCP/KYR/020/GCF project and ensure that it is aligned with the procedures established by FAO/GCF and contributes to the project’s overall results and effectiveness;
•     Support development and improvement of Integrated Natural Resource Management and Climate Resilience Plans (INRMCRP) from the gender mainstreaming perspective and subsequently monitor their gender-responsive implementation in target areas (Act 2.1.3);
•     Facilitate trainings on gender and climate change, forestry and other areas of FAO mandate for all members of Community Landscape Management Groups (CLMGs);
•     Actively engage in conducting gender-responsive capacity building activities, workshops, seminars and social mobilization of CS-FOR project to reach both women and men. Ensure application of quotas so that vulnerable groups (such as female-headed households, low-income families, unemployed) form at least 30% of all participants;
•     Raise awareness of the project staff and relevant partners (at local and national levels) in gender equality concept on a continuous basis ;
•     Develop gender-responsive mobilization and communication channels to reach both women and men, including vulnerable groups (such as female-headed households, low-income families, unemployed);
•     Contribute to the development of communication materials and success stories for advocacy and awareness raising on gender issues, particularly regarding International Rural Women’s Day and other UN marked events;
•     Assist in preparing gender-sensitive Terms of Reference (ToR) for the project evaluation related activities;
•     Undertake any other actions related to the project as requested by the PIU/FAO or the National Project Coordinator;
•     Provide progress reports regularly and contribute to the overall reporting process of the CS-FOR project;
•     Perform other relevant tasks as required.
•     Undertake other duties as required.
•     To take the mandatory courses within the 1st week of employment.

FAO Standards and guidelines:

Liaison with the OCC will be maintained, either directly or through an agreed focal point/coordinator, to ensure compliance with OCC standards, appropriate review and clearance processes. 
All communication materials will follow FAO clearance processes and comply with FAO standards, including: 
FAO Strategic Framework 2022-31: https://www.fao.org/strategic-framework/en  
FAO social media policy and guidelines: https://www.fao.org/2/socialmedia   
Social Media Branding Guidelines: https://openknowledge.fao.org/handle/20.500.14283/cb5044en 
FAOSTYLE: https://openknowledge.fao.org/handle/20.500.14283/cb8081en 
FAO terminology http://www.fao.org/faoterm 
FAO Names Of Countries https://www.fao.org/nocs/en     
Story guidelines, Story template, UN map standards, FAO logo policy and related branding guidelines (available to staff).  

Further guidance regarding FAO communications, policies and procedures can be found through the FAO intranet, OCC section.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements    

•     University degree in gender, economics, sociology, rural development or, other relevant disciplines;
•     At least 3 years of experience in relevant field and with national, regional or international projects;
•     Working knowledge of English.
•     National of the Kyrgyz Republic.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

•     Extent and relevance of experience in socio-economic analysis, policy formulation and capacity building in relation to any of the following areas: rural employment, food security and nutrition, poverty reduction, and social protection. 
•     Excellent knowledge of gender equality and women’s empowerment concepts. 
•     Demonstrated capacity to communicate and write technical contributions in English.

Selection Criteria

•     Advanced university degree is an advantage.
•     Ability to conduct gender-disagregated data analysis using various methods.
•     Experience in the development of training materials, manuals, modular program, instructions for use;
•     Knowledge and experience on regional and international gender-sensitive climate strategies, programmes and implementations
•     Excellent knowledge of gender equality and women’s empowerment concepts, relevant experience in socio-economic analysis, policy formulation and capacity building in relation to any of the following areas: rural employment, food security and nutrition, poverty reduction, social protection.
•     Working experience with ministries, national and municipal institutions, forestry and pasture sectors on national and local level in Kyrgyzstan;
•     Strong drafting, presentation and reporting skills;
•     Strong computer skills, in particular mastery of all applications of the MS Office package and internet search;
•     Excellent writing and communication skills in English, Russian and Kyrgyz;
•     Ability to solve problems and the ability to make effective and timely decisions in crisis situations.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION