Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) leads international efforts to defeat hunger and improve nutrition and food security. FAO Papua New Guinea (FAO PNG) supports the Government of Papua New Guinea in achieving its national development priorities in agriculture, fisheries, forestry, food security, and rural livelihoods.

FAO PNG is transitioning from a project-based approach to a programmatic approach, establishing integrated teams that support all projects and programmes across the Country Office. This model ensures that cross-cutting themes such as Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI), and Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) are systematically mainstreamed across the entire FAO PNG portfolio.

The GEDSI and PSEA Team provides technical guidance and oversight to ensure that all FAO PNG interventions are gender-responsive, youth-inclusive, disability-sensitive, and uphold the highest standards of protection. To strengthen this function, FAO PNG seeks to engage a National GEDSI Specialist who will provide dedicated technical support to all projects and programmes.

Current FAO PNG projects and programmes requiring GEDSI support include Technical Cooperation Programmes (TCPs), bilaterally funded programmes, GCF and GEF projects, and UN Joint Programmes. The Specialist will provide cross-cutting support to all projects and programmes as part of the integrated GEDSI and PSEA Team.

Reporting Lines

Under the supervision of the Head of Office of FAO Office in Papua New Guinea (PNG), the direct technical guidance of the GEDSI and PSEA Team Lead, the programme and operational guidance of the Head of Programme and Head of Administration, respectively, and in close collaboration with FAO PNG team members, the incumbent will work with the government and relevant stakeholders to carry out the following tasks and responsibilities.

Technical Focus

Provide technical support to mainstream Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) and Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) across FAO Papua New Guinea projects and programmes, including support to gender-responsive design, implementation, monitoring and reporting, application of gender transformative approaches, capacity development, and alignment with FAO corporate policies and national priorities.

Tasks and responsibilities

GEDSI Mainstreaming and Technical Support

• Provide technical guidance to project teams on integrating GEDSI considerations into project design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation.
• Review project documents, work plans, and reports to ensure alignment with FAO’s Policy on Gender Equality and relevant UN frameworks.
• Support the development of GEDSI-responsive indicators, targets, and data collection methodologies for all projects.
• Support to conduct gender assessments and analyses to inform project strategies and interventions.
• In collaboration with GEDSI team lead, develop and deliver training programmes on gender mainstreaming, youth inclusion, disability inclusion, and social inclusion for FAO staff, implementing partners, and beneficiaries.
• Support monitoring of project activities and reporting on GEDSI indicators as required.

Gender Transformative Approaches and Women’s Empowerment

• Facilitate training on Gender Transformative Approaches (GTAs), including Gender Action Learning Systems (GALS) and Farming as a Family Business (FaFB), for project beneficiaries, staff, and implementing partners.
• Conduct training sessions on gender equality, women's empowerment, and social inclusion for farmer groups, cooperatives, and community members.
• Develop training materials for women-led entrepreneurs and cooperatives.
• Ensure systematic integration of gender equality and women's empowerment principles across agricultural value chain interventions including production, post-harvest handling, and market access.
• Support equitable targeting and distribution of agricultural inputs to women and youth farmers.
• Document distributed agricultural inputs and maintain beneficiary records disaggregated by sex and age.
• Support institutional programme strengthening and integration of nutrition-sensitive agriculture with Gender Transformative Approaches.
• Coordinate trainings and workshops in collaboration with Government partners and FAO technical officers.

Policy and Strategy Development

• Contribute to the development, updating and implementation of the FAO PNG Gender Strategy and Action Plans.
• Support alignment of FAO PNG interventions with national gender and social inclusion policies, including PNG’s National Policy for Women and Gender Equality and the National Youth Policy.
• Contribute to the preparation of policy briefs and technical notes on GEDSI issues relevant to FAO PNG’s work.

Knowledge Management and Reporting

• Document good practices, lessons learned, and success stories on GEDSI mainstreaming in FAO PNG projects and share with Communications team for publication.
• Contribute to donor reports and corporate reporting requirements on gender and social inclusion.
• Maintain a repository of GEDSI resources, tools, and guidelines for use by project teams.

Coordination and Partnerships

• Participate in UN inter-agency coordination mechanisms on gender, youth, disability, and social inclusion as delegated by the FAO Head of Office.
• Support liaison with government counterparts (Department for Community Development and Religion, Women in Agriculture Development Unit etc.), civil society organizations, and development partners on GEDSI matters, under guidance of the GEDSI Lead.
• Assist in coordinating with FAO Regional Office (RAP) and Headquarters on technical GEDSI matters when required.

PSEA Support

• Support the PSEA Focal Point in implementing PSEA prevention and response mechanisms across FAO PNG operations.
• Facilitate PSEA awareness sessions for FAO staff, consultants, implementing partners, and beneficiaries.
• Assist in ensuring that service provider agreements (Letters of Agreement, contracts) include appropriate PSEA clauses and that partners understand their obligations.
• Support the Communications team in the maintenance of community-based feedback and reporting mechanisms.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) in Gender Studies, Social Sciences, Development Studies, Community Development, Human Rights, Agriculture, or a related field.
• Minimum of three (3) years of relevant experience in gender mainstreaming, social inclusion, or related fields.
• Working knowledge (proficient Level C) of English.
• National of Papua New Guinea

FAO Core 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
• Extent and relevance of experience working on GEDSI issues in agriculture, food security, or rural development programmes
• Extent and relevance of experience working with the UN system, international organizations, or government agencies is highly desirable
• Familiarity with disability inclusion principles and approaches
• Strong understanding of gender analysis frameworks and tools (e.g., GALS, Gender Action Learning System).
• Knowledge of international frameworks on gender equality (CEDAW, SDG 5) and protection (PSEA).
• Knowledge in developing and delivering training on gender and social inclusion.
• Strong analytical, writing, and presentation skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint etc.)

Selection Criteria

• An advanced degree (Master’s) in a relevant field is an advantage.
• Knowledge of local languages (Motu, Highlands languages, etc.) is an advantage

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION