Gender Specialist

Gender Specialist

Harmonized Seed Regulations in the Southern Africa Development Community

About CNFA:

CNFA is a not-for-profit organization based in Washington, D.C., dedicated to stimulating economic growth in the agricultural sector by nurturing entrepreneurship, private enterprise and market linkages. CNFA specializes in fostering private sector investments in training, new technologies and marketing as a means to increase the overall competitiveness of agricultural value chains, to expand exports, and to develop skills in the rural workforce. CNFA assists smallholders in increasing household-level food security and nutrition through improved agricultural practices, introduction of new varieties, diversification of crop production, food preservation and storage, development of farmer-based organizations and strengthened linkages to markets.

Project Description:

CNFA is currently accepting applications for technical experts for an anticipated USAID-funded Harmonized Seed Regulations in the Southern Africa Development Community.  The purpose of the project is to provide technical assistance for implementation of the Southern Africa Development Community  (SADC) Harmonized Seed Regulations (HSR) in Malawi, Zambia, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe.   The contract focuses on implementation of the Technical Agreements on Harmonization of Seed Regulations in the SADC Region as defined in this RFP on Seed Variety Testing, Registration and Release, Seed Certification and Quality Assurance and Quarantine and Phytosanitary Measures for Seed.

Position Description:

The Gender Specialist will serve as the lead advisor in identifying gender-based constraints facing women and men in the targeted communities and steering program activities to directly address these issues. S/he will be expected to engage with all areas of program implementation to ensure gender mainstreaming practices are being utilized.

• S/he will also be responsible for implementing gender assessments (including gender-based constraints to access to and control over resources) , reviewing gender data in monitoring reports, developing gender-sensitive indicators, and assisting in the development of the project Performance Monitoring and Evaluation Plan.
• Advise on how best to address gender-based constraints in agricultural policy, value chains, and distribution systems in programming.
• Liaise with female small-holder famers, private sector actors, and women's associations.
• Advise staff on ways to promote women's empowerment and gender equality through program interventions, and advise on how to tailor interventions to ensure that women are able to participate fully.
• Serve as the program's resource for gender based questions and engage with stakeholders on gender issues being addressed by the program.

Required Qualifications:

• First degree in related field is required, Master's degree is preferred;
• Seven (7) years of experience in programming gender;
• Experience in the Southern Africa region is required;
• Demonstrated ability to successfully integrate gender into development programming;
• Experience working on USAID funded projects is preferred;
• Fluency in English is required; knowledge of local languages is preferred.

Qualified candidates should submit their CV and Cover Letter to jobs@cnfa.org with the subject line: "Southern Africa HSR – Gender Specialist".