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 direct supervision of the FAO Representative and Assistant FAO Representative in Kyrgyzstan, under technical guidance and support provided by the FAO REU Gender unit, the Gender Team of the Social Policies and Rural Institutions Division (ESP).

Technical Focus

Gender in agriculture, national food security and nutrition.

Tasks and responsibilities

The Specialist will perform the following tasks:
Provide technical assistance to FAO’s development interventions, with focus on implementation of the CEDAW Article 14 and enhance FAO’s role in strengthening policy and programme linkages between social protection, agriculture, food security and nutrition.
In particular, the Specialist will be expected to:
•    Support FAO Gender Focal Point in FEKYR is establishing and maintaining partnerships with governmental and other national counterparts and UN partners to ensure that gender equality, rural women’s empowerment and social protection issues are taken into consideration in food security and nutrition policy processes.
•    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 activities on gender mainstreaming for FAO office and project staff, relevant governmental and non-governmental partners, and support  regular learning events (training, seminars, sessions, etc);
•    Provide technical support to the FAO Kyrgyzstan, in ensuring that all technical assistance provided in the country, addresses gender and social protection concerns, in compliance with FAO Policy on Gender Equality 2020–2030 and FAO Framework for Environmental and Social Management (FESM);
•    Provide technical support in mainstreaming gender equality and women’s empowerment perspectives into ongoing/pipeline projects/programs including UNJP/KYR/028/PBF and OSRO/KYR/025/USA implemented in KR. Identifying documents and sharing promising good practices from FAO activities in this area.
•    Contribute to Gender and Social Inclusion Action Plan implementation under the GCP/KYR/020/GCF project.
•    Contribute to the development of communication materials and success stories for advocacy and awareness raising on gender issues, particularly about the International Rural Women’s Day and other UN-marked events.
•    Support FAO Kyrgyzstan in its resource mobilization efforts for gender-specific programs and projects.
•    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 2024 Country Annual Report preparation.
•    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 a relevant discipline.
•    Minimum 5 years of relevant work experience in gender-responsive socio-economic development in the relevant field.
•    Working knowledge of English, and Russian languages.
•    Working knowledge of Kyrgyz language.
•    National of the Kyrgyz Republic or resident in the country with a valid work permit.

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.