Gender Specialist at Connexus Corporation

About the Opportunity

• We are seeking qualified candidates for the position of Gender Specialist for the anticipated USAID/Nigeria Value Chain Activity.
• The Gender Specialist will be responsible for ensuring gender equality throughout all project activities, including identifying gender disparities, developing strategies to address them, and promoting women’s empowerment in agriculture. Note: this is a preliminary position description and may be clarified further after solicitation release.

Tasks and Responsibilities

• Conduct gender analyses to identify barriers and opportunities for women's increased participation and empowerment in agriculture market systems.
• Collaborate with Activity staff to integrate gender considerations into project design, implementation, and monitoring, evaluation, and learning processes.
• Assist women in agriculture to identify and develop viable agribusiness opportunities, including supporting them on business planning, market analysis, and access to finance.
• Facilitate connections between women in agriculture and key market actors, such as input suppliers, buyers, processors, and financial institutions to enhance their market access and integration.
• Facilitate workshops and trainings on gender equality, women's empowerment, and social inclusion for project stakeholders, including the private sector, extension workers, and market actors.
• Provide technical assistance to ensure that project activities promote gender equality and benefit women, youth, and marginalized groups.
• Collaborate with local organizations, private sector stakeholders, and other development partners to leverage resources, expertise, and networks for maximizing the impact of gender-focused interventions in agricultural market systems.

Qualifications

• Master's Degree in Gender Studies, Rural Development, Agriculture or another relevant field with a minimum of 6 years of professional experience, preferably for USAID or another donor-funded project; or Bachelor’s degree in Gender Studies, Rural Development, Agriculture or another relevant field with a minimum 8 years of experience, preferably for USAID or another donor-funded project.
• Strong understanding of gender dynamics, women's empowerment strategies, and social inclusion principles, especially for an agricultural market systems development project.
• Proven experience conducting gender analyses, developing gender-sensitive tools, and implementing gender mainstreaming approaches.
• Excellent written communication skills, including ability to contribute to high-quality project reports.
• Fluency in English required and other local languages desired.
• Must be authorized to work in Nigeria.