Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the 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.
FAO is a specialized agency of the UN that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. FAO's goal is to achieve food security for all and ensure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. With 195 Members (194 countries and the European Union), FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide. 
FAO Country Offices, working under overall corporate guidance and in line with the Strategic Framework, offer policy advice and support to countries in the mandated areas of FAO, facilitated through partnerships, resources and an active country programme to provide technical assistance, develop capacities and deliver core services while fully observing international standards of accountability to establish leadership and strengthen impact at the country level.
The offices deliver on the programmatic priorities of each country as agreed in their respective Country Programming Frameworks (CPFs) aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and ensure effective and efficient operations with adequate human and financial resources.

Specifically, FAO Country Offices: 
•     advocate, inform and support policies and investments in the areas of FAO’s mandate;
•     provide technical assistance and deliver core services; 
•     assist and catalyse partnership and resource mobilization activities to support agrifood systems transformation; 
•     position FAO as the specialized/authoritative technical agency in food and agriculture and agrifood systems transformation; and 
•     ensure risk-smart and accountable operations and management.

In Nepal, persistent gender inequalities and social exclusion continue to limit the participation, agency, and benefits of women, youth, Indigenous peoples, Dalits, persons with disabilities, and other marginalized groups within agrifood systems. This directly affects progress toward FAO Nepal’s priorities under the Country Programming Framework (CPF) 2023–2027, which emphasizes inclusive agrifood system transformation, equitable access to resources and services, and strengthened institutional capacity to ensure that no one is left behind. The CPF underscores the importance of systematically integrating gender equality and social inclusion across all programme outcomes, including food security and nutrition, sustainable natural resource management, climate resilience, and inclusive governance of agrifood systems. These challenges are also closely linked to Nepal’s commitments under the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), which recognizes women’s empowerment as a prerequisite for food security; SDG 5 (Gender Equality), which calls for women’s full and effective participation and equal access to economic resources; and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) and SDG 16 (Inclusive Institutions), which stress inclusive decision-making, accountability, and equitable access to services. While strong policy, legal, and institutional frameworks exist at the national and international levels, gender equality and social inclusion are not yet consistently embedded across programme design, implementation, monitoring, and communication. Strengthening GESI mainstreaming and results-oriented application across the programme cycle is therefore essential to improving programme quality, accountability, and sustainability, and to ensuring effective delivery against CPF outcomes and FAO’s corporate commitments.
In this context, the specialist will provide support to strengthen the systematic mainstreaming of gender equality and social inclusion across FAO Nepal supported programmes. The assignment will support evidence-informed planning, inclusive implementation and monitoring practices, and the effective communication of GESI-related results and learning in FAO Nepal. By helping translate data, analysis, and field experience into clear messages and donor-relevant narratives, the assignment will also contribute to strengthened partnerships and resource mobilization efforts of FAO Nepal. Overall, the assignment will support more equitable, inclusive, and results-oriented programming, ensuring that gender equality and social inclusion are embedded across the programme cycle rather than treated as stand-alone components.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative and direct supervision of the Assistant FAO Representative (Programme), the Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Specialist will collaborate with the FAO country office programme team to carry out assigned tasks.

Technical Focus

As a Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Specialist, s/he will provide support to integrate gender equality and social inclusion across FAO Nepal’s programme cycle, ensuring alignment with corporate policies and the CPF 2023–2027. The role focuses on assisting in reviewing project documents, strengthening GESI indicators and data use, and support in delivering advisory inputs that enhance evidence based planning, monitoring, and reporting. The specialist will also assist in developing GESI knowledge products, support advocacy initiatives, build staff capacity, and assist in leading the Country Gender Assessment to inform the updated Gender Action Plan for 2026.

Tasks and responsibilities

•  Support the systematic integration of gender equality and social inclusion across FAO Nepal’s -supported programmes and projects, in line with the FAO Policy on Gender Equality (2020–2030), the FAO Nepal Country Programming Framework (2023–2027), and the Regional Gender Strategy and Action Plan for Asia and the Pacific.
•     Review project documents, workplans, and implementation approaches to strengthen alignment with FAO GESI policies, standards, and guidelines.
•     Assist in providing inputs to programme teams to integrate gender and social inclusion considerations throughout the FAO Nepal’s project cycle.
•     Support the identification of gender- and inclusion-related risks, gaps, and opportunities, and propose practical, context-specific solutions.
•     Support the integration of GESI-responsive indicators into results frameworks, monitoring tools, and reporting systems.
•     Promote the use of sex-, age-, and socially disaggregated data to strengthen evidence-based planning, monitoring, learning, and accountability across FAO Nepal projects.
•     Support the documentation and communication of GESI-related activities, results, and good practices across FAO programmes.
•     Contribute to the development of knowledge products, briefs, stories, and donor- or partner-facing communications that translate technical GESI work into clear and accessible narratives.
•     Support the planning, coordination, and implementation of GESI-related events in FAO Nepal, observances, and campaigns, including those linked to global and regional initiatives such as the International Year of Women Farmers (2026), international days, and UN-led advocacy moments.
•     Contribute to event-related content, key messages, visibility materials, and post-event documentation to enhance outreach, learning, and institutional visibility.
•     Support capacity development initiatives for FAO staff, implementing partners, and counterparts through technical inputs, guidance materials, and knowledge-sharing activities related to GESI mainstreaming.
•     Contribute to internal learning by synthesizing lessons learned and best practices to inform future programming.
•     Support coordination across FAO Nepal teams to ensure consistency in the application and communication of GESI approaches.
•     Contribute to internal reporting related to gender equality and social inclusion, as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements   

•     University degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in Sociology, Gender Studies, Development Studies, Social Sciences, Arts or a related field.
•     1 year of relevant professional experience supporting programme implementation and communications in GESI.
•     Working knowledge of English.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

•     Strong inter-personal skills and excellent communication skills.
•     Experience in drafting clear GESI focused briefs, case stories, and knowledge products to inform programme learning and donor communication.
•     Skills in organizing and supporting GESI related trainings, workshops, and coordination.
•     Reporting of GESI indicators through data tracking and preparation of concise progress updates.

Selection Criteria

•     1 year of relevant professional experience in programme or project support.
•     Basic understanding of gender equality and social inclusion.
•     Ability to work independently and meet tight deadlines. 
•     Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
•     Experience in documentation, reporting, or communications.
•     Teamwork and result oriented.
•     Previous experience of working with UN agencies is an asset. 
•     Knowledge of additional UN languages is an asset