Gender Specialist at Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE)
Submission Deadline: 23rd October 2025
About FAWE
The Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE) is a
pan-African Non-Governmental Organisation operating through 34 National
Chapters to promote gender equity and equality in education across Africa. FAWE
works to foster enabling policies and shift societal attitudes to support
girls’ and young women’s access, retention, and completion of quality education
and skills development.
Overview of FAWE’s Vision and Advocacy Work
FAWE is a renowned thought leader in girls’ and young
women’s education in Africa. FAWE facilitates access to quality education and
training opportunities for girls and women across Africa to develop relevant
skills to achieve their full potential in all realms of life. Our advocacy work
focuses on integrating gender-responsive approaches and policies in African
education systems to inculcate skills and competencies in girls and women to
enable them to contribute to and transform their societies. FAWE believes that
the entry of girls into schools, their retention, and their transition to
higher levels of education make significant contributions to ending gender
disparities and enhancing sustainable development in Africa.
Position Summary: FAWE seeks to recruit
a Gender Specialist to join its Regional Secretariat based in
Nairobi. The Gender Specialist will play a critical role in advancing FAWE’s
gender equality agenda by supporting gender policy advocacy, strengthening
partnerships, and enhancing institutional capacities for gender mainstreaming.
The Gender Specialist will collaborate with FAWE’s 34 National Chapters,
regional bodies, and key stakeholders to promote and sustain gender-responsive
education systems.
Contract Type: This position is on a fixed
contract for three years with the possibility of extension based on funds
availability and performance.
Location: Regional Office in Nairobi, with
frequent travel across the region.
Reporting to: Executive Director
Functional Relationships: FAWE Regional
Secretariat team, National Chapters, Civil Society Networks, Regional Economic
Communities and National Governments
Direct Reportees: None
Key roles and responsibilities:
1. Lead and Support Gender-Responsive Advocacy and
Partnerships
Design and implement gender-focused advocacy initiatives and
policy engagement strategies.
Organize and facilitate campaigns, dialogues, and strategic
lobbying initiatives to advance gender equality in education.
Support the commemoration of international observances
related to gender and education (e.g., International Women’s Day, Day of the
Girl Child).
Develop gender policy documents including position papers,
policy briefs, and outcome reports.
Document and disseminate successful gender interventions
across FAWE’s network.
2. Gender Analysis, Research, and Knowledge Management
Conduct gender analysis and generate evidence to support
policy and programme interventions.
Compile and synthesize data on gender disparities in
education to inform advocacy messaging.
Identify and support opportunities for collaborative gender
advocacy with Ministries of Education and Gender.
Contribute to gender capacity needs assessments and develop
tools for FAWE Chapters.
3. Technical Support to FAWE National Chapters and
Stakeholders
Provide expert guidance to Chapters on gender integration
and policy engagement
Strengthen stakeholder networks to enhance cross-sectoral
collaboration on gender equality in education
Facilitate regional and national forums for gender dialogue
and shared learning
Support strategic alignment between national gender
priorities and regional advocacy agendas
4. Gender Integration in Programme Management
Provide technical gender inputs into the design,
implementation and evaluation of programmes.
Support programme coordination, preparation of MoUs and
documentation of programme outcomes.
Participate in programme meetings and ensure gender
considerations are reflected in all stages of programme cycle.
Prepare gender-focused progress reports, donor
communications and knowledge products.
Qualification Requirements
- Masters’s
degree in Gender Studies, Social Sciences, Education, Law, Development
Studies, or a related field.
- Minimum
of 10 years of experience in gender advocacy, policy work, or women’s
rights within an NGO or multilateral organization.
- Strong
understanding of gender equity principles, intersectionality, and feminist
approaches to development.
- Demonstrated
experience in gender mainstreaming, research, and evidence-based policy
engagement.
- Excellent
communication, analytical, and report-writing skills.
- Proficiency
in Microsoft Office Suite and data management tools.
- Experience
working with AU, Regional Economic Communities, and national ministries is
desirable.
- Knowledge
of Africa’s gender policy landscape and education systems is essential.
Personal Attributes
- Strong
leadership and facilitation skills, with the ability to build trust and
mobilize stakeholders.
- Sound
understanding of gender-responsive programme management, monitoring, and
evaluation.
- Effective
communicator with strong advocacy and negotiation skills.
- Passionate
about gender justice, girls’ education, and inclusive development.
- Proven
ability to work in a multi-cultural, multi-country environment and within
consortia.
Languages
- Fluency
in English is required; proficiency in French is an added advantage.
Application Procedure
Review of applications will begin as soon as they are
received, and only complete applications will be reviewed. If an outstanding
applicant is identified early in the search process, we reserve the right to
appoint before the deadline. For this reason, we encourage interested
candidates to apply at the earliest possible opportunity.