The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is inviting applications for the position of Gender and Local Community Specialist, offering an exciting opportunity for professionals with expertise in gender equality, social inclusion, and sustainable livelihoods.

The consultancy is home-based, spans 8 months on a When Actually Employed (WAE) basis (25 working days), and will support the preparation of a major Global Environment Facility (GEF)-funded fisheries project in Indonesia.

Applications are open until 14 August 2026.

This consultancy is ideal for experienced gender specialists, social development professionals, and livelihood experts who are passionate about inclusive environmental governance, sustainable fisheries, and empowering local communities.

About the Opportunity

The Gender and Local Community Specialist will support FAO Indonesia in developing a comprehensive project proposal in partnership with Indonesia’s Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries.

The proposed GEF-funded initiative seeks to strengthen the sustainable management of inland fisheries through ecosystem-based approaches while improving livelihoods, conserving biodiversity, and enhancing food security.

The successful consultant will provide both technical and operational support throughout the project preparation phase, ensuring that gender equality and community participation are embedded across every aspect of the project design.

As the assignment is home-based, the consultant will collaborate remotely with FAO teams, government agencies, and project stakeholders while contributing to the development of project documentation and strategic planning.

About the Project

The upcoming project focuses on Indonesia’s Inland Waters Fisheries Management Areas (FMAs), where freshwater ecosystems face increasing environmental degradation and pressure from overexploitation.

The project aims to:

Restore degraded freshwater ecosystems
Promote sustainable small-scale fisheries
Improve food security
Strengthen biodiversity conservation
Enhance livelihoods for traditional and small-scale fishers
Promote inclusive governance of fisheries resources

A key component of the project is ensuring that women, youth, Indigenous Peoples, and marginalized groups benefit equitably from project interventions.

Key Responsibilities

The Gender and Local Community Specialist will contribute significantly to integrating gender equality and social inclusion into project planning.

Primary responsibilities include:

Conduct Gender Analysis

The consultant will:

Conduct comprehensive gender analysis based on literature reviews and stakeholder consultations.
Gather evidence on gender dynamics within target project landscapes.
Identify barriers and opportunities affecting women, men, youth, and marginalized communities.
Compile and organize gender-related reference materials.

Develop Gender Strategy

The specialist will help design a practical gender strategy by:

Developing a Gender Action Plan.
Identifying gender mainstreaming opportunities across project components.
Integrating gender activities into the project’s results framework.
Recommending budget allocations for gender-related activities.

Support Community Livelihood Components

Responsibilities also include:

Compiling baseline information on community livelihoods.
Supporting livelihood assessments.
Organizing consultation records and project documentation.
Consolidating technical inputs for livelihood-related interventions.

Documentation and Project Support

Additional duties involve:

Formatting technical reports.
Organizing project files.
Supporting preparation of activity plans.
Assisting with project budgets and consultation documentation.
Performing other technical tasks assigned by FAO supervisors.

Required Qualifications

Applicants should possess:

A Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Social Sciences, Agriculture, Environmental Economics, Business Administration, Marketing, or a related discipline.
At least five years of professional experience in gender equality and livelihood development.
Experience within sectors such as fisheries, forestry, agriculture, rural development, or natural resource management.
Working knowledge of both English and Bahasa Indonesia.

Applicants must be:

Indonesian nationals, or
Residents of Indonesia holding a valid work permit.

Preferred Skills and Experience

FAO is looking for candidates with demonstrated expertise in:

Gender analysis
Socioeconomic assessments
Stakeholder consultations
Gender Action Plan development
Inclusive project design
Report writing
Facilitation and stakeholder engagement
Microsoft Office applications

Additional advantages include:

Experience working with government agencies.
Collaboration with NGOs and Indigenous Peoples.
Familiarity with FAO or GEF Environmental and Social Safeguards.
Experience supporting internationally funded projects.
Ability to produce high-quality analytical reports within strict deadlines.

FAO Core Competencies

Successful candidates are expected to demonstrate:

Results orientation
Teamwork
Effective communication
Relationship building
Knowledge sharing
Continuous improvement

These competencies reflect FAO’s commitment to professionalism, collaboration, and delivering sustainable development outcomes.

Diversity and Inclusion

FAO encourages applications from qualified individuals regardless of background and actively promotes workforce diversity.

The organization particularly welcomes applications from:

Women
Persons with disabilities
Nationals from underrepresented FAO Member States

FAO maintains a strict zero-tolerance policy regarding:

Sexual exploitation and abuse
Sexual harassment
Discrimination
Abuse of authority
Any conduct inconsistent with United Nations values

All successful candidates will undergo comprehensive background and reference checks.

Position Summary

Details	Information
Position	Gender and Local Community Specialist
Organization	Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
Job Type	Personal Services Agreement (PSA)
Location	Home-Based
Duration	8 Months (25 Working Days WAE)
Project	GEF Inland Fisheries Management Project
Application Deadline	14 August 2026
Languages	English and Bahasa Indonesia
Eligibility	Indonesian nationals or residents with valid work permit

How to Apply

Interested applicants should complete their application through the official FAO recruitment portal before the closing date.

Applicants are encouraged to:

Complete their online FAO profile carefully.
Include employment history, educational qualifications, and language proficiency.
Upload a motivation letter.
Submit applications well before the deadline to avoid technical issues.

Only applications submitted through FAO’s official recruitment system will be considered.

Why This Opportunity Matters

This consultancy provides a unique opportunity to contribute to one of Indonesia’s most significant sustainable fisheries initiatives while influencing gender-responsive environmental governance at the national level.

Professionals with expertise in gender equality, community development, fisheries, rural livelihoods, and environmental sustainability will have the opportunity to shape an internationally funded project that supports biodiversity conservation, food security, and the resilience of small-scale fishing communities.

With flexible home-based working arrangements, collaboration with leading international experts, and the opportunity to influence a large-scale GEF investment, this consultancy represents an excellent career opportunity for experienced gender and social inclusion specialists seeking impactful international development work.

Application Deadline: 14 August 2026

APPLY HERE

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