Gender Specialist

Company Overview
Action Against Hunger is an international humanitarian organization committed to ending world hunger. For almost 45 years, across countries, we have been working to fight undernutrition and support communities affected by crisis across the globe.

We carry out innovative, lifesaving programs in Health, Nutrition, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS), Food Security and Livelihoods (FSL), and Social Protection.

Action Against Hunger Nigeria (ACF Nigeria) LTD/GTE began operations in Nigeria in 2010 in response to the high rate of chronic malnutrition in Northern Nigeria, focusing on integrated programming. Action Against Hunger currently implements multi-sectoral humanitarian and development interventions in Northeast and Northwest Nigeria, funded by AFD, EU/ECHO, French Government, GAC, GFFO, SIDA, US Government, and WAM Foundation.

ACF Nigeria is currently looking to fill the role of Gender Specialist to ensure the integration of gender and protection services across ACF projects.

Position Details
Reporting to: Project Coordinator
Proposed start date: November 2026
Work location: Abuja FCT

Key Responsibilities:

Objective 1: Lead Gender Mainstreaming and inclusion strategies across ACF program

• Lead the development, implementation, and periodic review of the mission Gender and Inclusion Strategy.
• Provide technical oversight to ensure effective integration of gender, diversity, disability inclusion, age, and protection considerations across all ACF sectors.
• Support sector teams to mainstream gender throughout project design, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and learning processes.
• Provide technical guidance on gender transformative programming approaches.
• Ensure compliance with Action Against Hunger gender policies, safeguarding standards, and donor requirements.
• Lead mission-wide gender analyses, assessments, and inclusion studies to inform programming and strategy.
• Develop mission guidance notes, tools, checklists, and minimum standards for mainstreaming gender and inclusion.
• Leads and conducts gender analysis, technical studies, and assessments on Gender and Protection; Provides technical input on Gender mainstreaming and/or coordinates technical support on gender-sensitive and inclusive programming in WASH, Health and nutrition, FSL, and humanitarian protection sectors with relevant sector specialists if required;
• Ensures that project activities are carried out with an inclusive lens, cultural sensitivity, promotes gender equality, and inclusion of marginalized groups;
• Works with field teams to ensure access and participation of women, men, girls, and boys at risk to Action Against Hunger's response, recovery, and rehabilitation work.
• Conducts gender leadership training for project staff, community leaders, target communities, and beneficiaries;
• Takes the lead in the development of gender mainstreaming work plans in the implementation of all project activities in the LGA in collaboration and coordination with other sectors;
• Leads in integrating gender into MEAL processes in operational areas; setting of specific indicators for process monitoring and follow-up, advising team in getting gender-specific  information through spot monitoring and Post Distribution Monitoring (PDM) process;
• Initiates innovative documentation process to capture learning and changes, and capitalize on the process;
• Supports local stakeholders in organizing and carrying out advocacy and campaigns for greater  gender equality and equity in humanitarian protection programmes;
• Engages with State and Local Women's rights organizations and mobilizes collective voice around gender discrimination in the post-conflict setting;
• Proactively represents Action Against Hunger International and participates in Gender and protection working groups.

Objective 2: Support program design, proposal development and capacity building for Project teams and organizational development for LGA stakeholders
 

• Participate in needs assessments, program design workshops, and strategy development processes.
• Review concept notes and proposals to ensure quality gender and inclusion integration.
• Support technical teams in developing gender-sensitive logframes, indicators, theories of change, and monitoring frameworks.
• Provide technical inputs into donor proposals, budgets, work plans, and implementation strategies.
• Ensure that gender and inclusion risks are identified and addressed during project design.
• Support donor reporting by ensuring adequate documentation of gender-related results and achievements.
• Contribute to donor engagement and technical discussions on gender and inclusion priorities.
• Provide orientation sessions to community stakeholders, including camp and host community leaders, to increase understanding of gender and protection needs of beneficiaries;
• Conduct capacity assessments and facilitate capacity building for the project teams to enhance their commitment and effective implementation of gender strategies;
• Ensures identification and satisfaction of training needs for the project staff on relevant standards and instruments for gender mainstreaming and protection;
• Designs and implements demand-driven programme approaches and methodologies aiming toward capacity building, working in partnerships, policy analysis, and advocacy;
• Develops and facilitates capacity-building programs on gender sensitivity and gender mainstreaming, as well as gender issues on gender advocacy;
• Designs and documents training modules and capacity-building processes.

Objective 3: Strengthen capacity of partners, stakeholders and support monitoring, learning and knowledge management.
 

• Support implementing partners to integrate gender and inclusion into programs and organizational systems.
• Build capacity of local partners on gender-responsive programming, safeguarding, and accountability.
• Facilitate learning workshops and communities of practice related to gender and inclusion.
• Support localization efforts through technical coaching and mentoring of local organizations.
• Ensure gender-sensitive indicators are incorporated across projects and programs.
• Collaborate with the MEAL team to strengthen collection, analysis, and use of sex-, age and disability-disaggregated data.
• Support program teams in monitoring gender outcomes and inclusion commitments.
• Lead periodic gender audits and program reviews.
• Document lessons learned, promising practices, and success stories.
• Produce gender analysis reports, learning briefs, case studies, and technical guidance documents.
• Support annual reporting on organizational gender commitments and achievements.

Objective 5: Lead project monitoring and reporting on gender and protection equality and mainstreaming issues at the LGA level.
 

• Take the initiative to understand the logical framework and review the gender mainstreaming indicators (LFA) of the project accordingly;
• Ensure the compilation of need/feasibility assessments and related reports. These reports must be well synthesized, documented, and transmitted to the line manager;
• Contribute ideas based on field experiences in informing gender equality and equity and training manuals as requested;
• Responsible for supervising and quality assurance of all gender equality and mainstreaming interventions in a given LGA of intervention;
• In collaboration with the Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning team, leads the design and implementation of transparent and accountable mechanisms for monitoring and evaluating progress for Action Against Hunger Programs;
• Guide the field teams to develop a comprehensive knowledge base on all aspects of gender by contributing to gender analysis and situational studies, and advise on the gender-sensitive data to be gathered and the indicators that will serve as the basis of developing effective gender programme strategies;
• Help monitor the overall gender activities in program implementation, gather lessons learned, and build upon the strengths and improve on weaknesses;
• In collaboration with the Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning team leads, conduct regular monitoring and evaluation as required to ensure quality gender programming and adherence to donor's deliverables and program management policies;
• Monitor the external contexts and emerging needs regarding gender work to introduce programmatic changes as necessary;
• Contribute to documenting gender mainstreaming experiences, preparing gender-specific reports, presentations, briefs, and articles for publication;
• Lead the development of gender-specific progress reports.

Objective 6: Partnership engagement, coordination and representation. Promote gender equality and safeguarding  for ACF and coordination with other stakeholders within the intervention area
 

• Represent Action Against Hunger in national gender, protection, safeguarding, disability inclusion, and social inclusion forums.
• Maintain productive relationships with government ministries, UN agencies, donors, INGOs, and local partners.
• Participate in Gender in Humanitarian Action (GiHA) platforms and relevant technical working groups.
• Support ACF's positioning on gender equality and inclusion within sector coordination mechanisms.
• Contribute to advocacy initiatives related to gender equality, women's empowerment, inclusion, and protection.
• Work with Action Against Hunger Project Managers, Sector Managers, MEAL Manager, RRM team, and support team to advance gender equality and equity issues throughout the project cycle;
• Establish and strengthen gender-focused technical partnerships together with HODS.
• Develop joint activity plans with technical teams and allies to further gender objectives and  gender results of the social protection programme;
• Advise on the development of communication and information programmes to raise gender and protection awareness within the base Programme.
• Support internal gender equality initiatives and workplace inclusion efforts.
• Promote safeguarding, prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA), and protection principles.
• Support departments in gender-responsive human resource practices where applicable.
• Contribute to creating an inclusive and safe working environment for staff.
• Support gender action plans and organizational self-assessments.

Position Requirements:

• Degree in Public Health, Social sciences, Gender Studies, or any related field;
• At least 2-3 years' experience in Design, Development, and Management of Gender Equality in health and nutrition programmes, including a minimum of 1 year in a field coordination role;
• Proven experience in displacement and durable solutions contexts;         
• Well-developed knowledge and understanding of Protection Principles, Gender
• Mainstreaming, and Women's Rights, in areas of Early Recovery and Resilience Building; Demonstrated experience of working in collaboration with local partners and government institutions;
• Well-developed analytical and strategic planning skills with the ability to influence the wider programme strategy;
• Demonstrated experience of conducting trainings and providing capacity building to local partners and beneficiaries on gender issues;
• Able to work under time pressure and long hours whenever required;
• Resilience, flexibility, and adaptability to work successfully under stressful conditions;
• A high level of socio-cultural sensitivity when dealing with colleagues, partners, and beneficiaries;
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including diplomacy and tact, to be able to liaise effectively with a range of stakeholders, including NGO partners, community leaders, and government officials;
• Creative problem-solving and innovation in complex and /or restrictive working environments;
• User-level computer literacy (Office Package, Outlook, etc.).

At Action Against Hunger, we foster a work culture that champions diversity, equity and inclusion.  We are committed to creating an environment where every employee feels valued, respected and empowered to thrive

Application Deadline:
Monday, October 12, 2026 at 05:00 pm (Nigerian Time)

Important Notice:
Action Against Hunger does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process – this includes application, interview, or processing fees.

Our Commitment:
We are dedicated to preventing all forms of unwanted behavior in the workplace, including sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, lack of integrity, and financial misconduct.  We are equally committed to safeguarding the welfare of children, young people and adults. We prioritize hiring individuals who embody and uphold our core values.

Equal Opportunity Employer:
Action Against Hunger is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  We do not discriminate based on race, colour, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability or genetic information.
Qualified women are strongly encouraged to apply.

Recruitment Process:
All shortlisted candidates will undergo thorough reference and background checks, and are expected to adhere to organizational standards and principles.


Employee Benefits Include (but are not limited to):

• 100% health care coverage
• Free and direct access to Talent Soft e-learning platform
• Maternity or Paternity leave
• Compassionate leave for a hospitalized child
• Creche facilities for babies

Application Instructions:
All applicants MUST answer every question in the application form. Incomplete applications will not be considered.