Senior Gender and Agriculture Specialist, Lesotho

Since 1963 and in 148 countries, ACDI/VOCA has empowered people in developing and transitional nations to succeed in the global economy. Based in Washington, D.C., ACDI/VOCA is a nonprofit international development organization that designs and delivers technical and management solutions in agriculture, economic growth, and resilience to promote economic prosperity and social inclusion.

Senior Gender and Agriculture Specialist, Lesotho

ACDI/VOCA is seeking a Senior Gender and Agriculture Specialist for an upcoming Market Driven Irrigation Horticulture (MDIH) Activity in Lesotho funded by Millenium Challenge Corporation (MCC). The program aims to ensure that strong legal and policy frameworks are in place in Lesotho to support the growth of irrigation throughout the country in an equitable and sustainable way. It intends to achieve this goal by improving the capacity of government and other institutions to deliver and sustain the services necessary for inclusive growth in irrigated horticulture.

The Senior Gender and Agriculture Specialist will ensure that the activity is implemented in accordance with a gender equity strategy. They will also provide guidance to incorporate gender transformative approaches. The program is anticipated to start in 2024 and this position will be based in Lesotho.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and implementation, with the support and collaboration of key program staff, of an evidence-based gender, youth, and inclusion strategy and implementation plan, which will include specific guidance for implementing gender transformative activities
• Work with technical experts to ensure that activities are designed and implemented in accordance with the program’s gender, youth, and inclusion strategy and address gender- and other inclusion-specific considerations, needs, and gaps
• Provide technical guidance and oversight to program activities to incorporate gender transformative approaches resulting in more equitable decision-making, growth of women-led enterprises, improved market inclusion, greater control over income, increased leadership, greater access to and control over land, and higher male engagement in caregiving and household management activities
• Lead and/or support the analysis of available desk research and support field assessments, as appropriate, to identify gender or other-social-based challenges, opportunities, and risks, particularly related to women’s social and economic empowerment in the agriculture sector
• Identify and address capacity building and resource needs for project staff and partners, including training, mentoring, and other technical support to ensure staff and partners have the requisite knowledge, skills, and support for effective gender mainstreaming and social inclusion
• Coordinate with technical experts, program partners, and community members to develop inclusive irrigation scheme management processes and practices
• Write, coordinate, and disseminate lessons learned among team and program partners

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in gender or women’s studies in development, rural development, agriculture, anthropology, or related social science required.
• Minimum 10 years of experience at a senior level designing and implementing programs that promote opportunity for women in commercial agricultural production and marketing, including addressing gender norms and barriers.
• Minimum 10 years of experience applying gender and inclusion analysis and tools in development projects, including experience designing and/or implementing gender transformative approaches in the context of agriculture.
• At least 5 years of experience in project management at a senior strategic/managerial level.
• Minimum 5 years of experience integrating gender into capacity building and training programs in agriculture.
• Experience with at least one project that analyzed or responded to gender risks in the context of women’s economic empowerment programs, including GBV.
• Experience working at a senior level with at least two projects related to gender and agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa.
• Fluency in English required (written and spoken).

Basotho nationals are strongly encouraged to apply.