FAO Hiring: Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Specialist – Apply by September 01, 2026
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is inviting qualified professionals to express their interest in a Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Specialist opportunity supporting work across Europe and Central Asia. The consultancy is designed for experienced gender specialists who can provide technical expertise, research, policy support and programme guidance to advance gender equality and women’s empowerment within agrifood systems and rural development.
The position offers an opportunity to contribute to work that connects gender equality with agriculture, food security, rural livelihoods and sustainable development. Applications are being accepted until September 1, 2026, at 11:59 PM.
About the FAO Opportunity
The role is being established through a regional roster of Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Specialists within FAO’s Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia, based in Budapest.
Successful candidates will join the roster and may subsequently be considered for consultancy assignments according to their expertise, experience, language skills, availability and programme requirements. Inclusion in the roster does not guarantee an assignment, but it creates an opportunity to be considered for relevant future consultancy work.
Assignments may last up to three months and could be home-based or require work from FAO offices and travel within Europe and Central Asia, depending on the specific assignment.
The specialist will work under the supervision of the FAO Regional Office Gender Team or another designated responsible officer and collaborate with technical teams, country offices, governments, project teams and other stakeholders.
What Will the Specialist Do?
The successful candidates will provide technical expertise on gender equality and women’s empowerment across agrifood systems and rural development.
Key responsibilities include supporting the integration of gender considerations into policies, programmes, strategies and projects. Specialists may also conduct gender analyses, assessments and research using qualitative and quantitative approaches to strengthen evidence-based programming.
Another important area will be supporting the development and implementation of gender-responsive and gender-transformative programmes. This can include contributing to Gender Action Plans, results frameworks, indicators, targets, monitoring systems and implementation arrangements.
The role also involves helping FAO personnel and partners strengthen their gender mainstreaming capacity. Specialists may design and deliver training, workshops, technical guidance, tools and other learning materials.
Strong writing and communication skills will be important. The specialist may prepare or contribute to policy briefs, technical notes, analytical reports, case studies, presentations and other knowledge products.
The role also includes supporting policy dialogue, stakeholder consultations, partnerships, workshops and knowledge-sharing activities. Specialists will be expected to identify good practices and lessons learned and contribute to advocacy and awareness-raising around gender equality and women’s empowerment.
Who Should Apply?
FAO is looking for professionals with substantial experience in gender equality, women’s empowerment and related development fields.
Applicants should normally have an advanced university degree in areas such as gender studies, social sciences, development studies, economics, agricultural or rural development, human rights, international relations, public policy or another relevant discipline.
Candidates with a bachelor’s degree may also be considered if they have two additional years of relevant professional experience.
At least five years of relevant professional experience is required. Experience may include gender mainstreaming, rural development, agriculture, food security, agrifood systems or related areas.
Applicants should also have a working knowledge of English.
Skills and Experience That Can Strengthen an Application
FAO is particularly interested in candidates who can demonstrate practical experience applying gender equality methodologies to agrifood systems and rural development.
Experience conducting gender research and analysis, designing gender-responsive programmes, developing Gender Action Plans and creating monitoring indicators can be valuable.
Candidates with experience in capacity development, policy development, research, technical writing and knowledge management are also encouraged to apply.
Experience working with governments, civil society organisations, development partners, rural communities and other stakeholders will be useful. Familiarity with multidisciplinary and multicultural environments is also important.
Knowledge of the FAO Policy on Gender Equality 2020–2030 and FAO’s gender mainstreaming approaches is considered an asset. Experience with gender equality issues affecting agrifood systems and rural populations in Europe and Central Asia can further strengthen an application.
Previous experience with FAO, the United Nations system or other international organisations is also advantageous.
Why This Opportunity Matters
Gender equality is closely connected to agricultural productivity, food security, rural livelihoods and resilience. Women play significant roles across agrifood systems, yet gender inequalities can limit access to resources, opportunities, decision-making and economic participation.
This consultancy therefore provides an opportunity for specialists to contribute their expertise to programmes seeking to address these challenges through stronger policies, evidence, partnerships and gender-responsive interventions.
For professionals interested in international development, gender equality, agriculture and food systems, the FAO roster could provide an opportunity to contribute to technical assignments with a major United Nations specialised agency.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should complete their online profile through the FAO recruitment portal, ensuring that employment history, academic qualifications and language skills are accurately documented. A letter of motivation should also be attached.
Only applications submitted through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered, and incomplete applications may not be accepted. Candidates are encouraged to apply well before the closing date.
Deadline: September 1, 2026, at 11:59 PM.
FAO also emphasizes that it does not charge applicants any fees at any stage of the recruitment process.
Opportunity: Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Specialist
Organisation: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
Contract: Consultant / Personal Services Agreement
Duration: Up to 3 months
Location: Various locations; assignments may be home-based or require travel
Posted: August 18, 2026
Deadline: September 1, 2026
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