MPTF Gender Specialist

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device

• 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 person 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’s commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.

Organizational Setting

In April 2025, the Multi-Partner Trust Fund (MPTF) for the Sustainable Development of the Brazilian Legal Amazon approved the project UNJP/BRA/097/UNJ “Environmental Regularization Project through Land Governance and Territorial Planning, as a Pillar for Sustainable Development / Land for Women Project”. The intervention was conceived by the Colonization and Land Institute of Maranhão (ITERMA) and will have the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) as the implementation agency. 
The "Land for Women" project aims to promote land and environmental regularization in settlement areas and rural communities in Maranhão with a priority focus on women heads of household. Seeking to reduce social inequalities, expand territorial governance and promote sustainable agricultural practices, the intervention will combine land titling actions, training in sustainable practices and entrepreneurship, access to credit and environmental monitoring, with a view to guaranteeing land security, promoting access to public policies and strengthening economic autonomy. 
The project is organized into three components/project outcomes, namely:
•    Formalization of women's land in rural and traditional communities.
•    Training in bioeconomy practices, sustainable management and female entrepreneurship.
•    Technical capacity of the governments of Maranhão and Pará for land monitoring and environmental enforcement strengthened.

Reporting Lines

The Gender Specialist works under the general supervision of the Assistant to the Representative / Programme of FAO in Brazil and under the technical guidance of the Better Life Technical Area Coordinator of FAO in Brazil and of the Project Coordinator

Technical Focus

The MPTF Gender Specialist will play a pivotal role in providing high-level strategic and technical guidance to project implementation. The specialist will analyze the socio-economic environment of the target territories, design and monitor gender-informed interventions that promote women’s economic empowerment, in alignment with FAO’s and the donor’s specific gender policies. Key responsibilities include providing technical advisory support, developing capacity-building initiatives, enhancing partnerships with stakeholders, and advocating for gender equality. The specialist will also ensure gender mainstreaming across all project activities, support project monitoring, and contribute to create an enabling environment for women entrepreneurs. This role requires a strong commitment to gender equality, land tenure and governance, and inclusion.

Tasks and Responsibilities

•    Review and improve the project's Gender Plan, during the project life cycle, including mechanisms for gender-focused monitoring and evaluation, and reporting. Additionally, identify gaps and opportunities to strengthen gender mainstreaming.
•    Assist the MPTF Project Coordinator with the planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and closure of the project. 
•    Support and provide technical guidance for the mapping/identification of beneficiary communities defined by ITERMA and FAO, ensuring the inclusion of gender variables.
•    Conduct a gender gap assessment in the project intervention areas and propose strategies to address identified inequalities.
•    Review, propose, and adapt participatory methodologies for workshops, meetings, and community activities, guaranteeing a safe and effective participation of women.
•    Propose and facilitate capacity-building activities for technical teams, project beneficiaries, and institutional partners, using accessible tools and mechanisms.
•    Provide ongoing technical support to integrate the gender perspective into training and communication materials, technical documents, platforms, and reports.
•    Participate in planning, monitoring, and evaluation meetings of the project, contributing with technical analyses and recommendations.
•    Liaise with project stakeholders jointly with the project coordinator in order to advance the project implementation strategy.
•    Prepare technical reports, analytical notes, and systematizations to support decision-making by project coordination and partner institutions.
•    Support and carry out field missions to target territories in accordance with the project workplan. 

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING: 

Minimum Requirements  

•    Postgraduate degree (master's degree or equivalent) in Gender Studies, Social Sciences, Rural Development, Agrarian Studies, Human Rights or related fields.
•    Minimum professional experience of five (5) years in the integration of gender perspectives in rural development, land governance or public policy projects in Brazil, working with rural communities and/or traditional peoples and communities.
•    Working knowledge (level C) of Spanish and/or English.and working knowledge of Portuguese (level C) 
•    Brazilian nationality.

FAO Core Competencies 

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

Technical/Functional Skills 

•    Experience in the development and application of gender-sensitive approaches, tools and indicators in field projects in the areas of land access, bioeconomy, environmental governance or territorial development.
•    Previous work experience in the State of Maranhão, with knowledge of socio-territorial dynamics, rural populations and local challenges related to gender equality.
•    Previous work experience with rural women economic empowerment 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing)
• Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted
• Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/  
• For additional employment opportunities visit the FAO employment website: http://www.fao.org/employment/home/en/ 
•  Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances. 

FAO seeks gender, geographical and linguistic diversity in its staff and international consultants in order to best serve FAO Members in all regions. 

HOW TO APPLY

• To apply, visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile. We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, and language skills
• Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile
• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application
• Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments and authorization to conduct verification checks of past and present work, character, education, military and police records to ascertain any and all information which may be pertinent to the employment qualifications
• Incomplete applications will not be considered
• Personal information provided on your application may be shared within FAO and with other companies acting on FAO’s behalf to provide employment support services such as pre-screening of applications, assessment tests, background checks and other related services. You will be asked to provide your consent before submitting your application. You may withdraw consent at any time, by withdrawing your application, in such case FAO will no longer be able to consider your application
• Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered
• Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your online profile
•  We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.

If you need help or have queries, please create a one-time registration with FAO’s client support team for further assistance: https://fao.service-now.com/csp

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