Kenya/Rwanda/Uganda: Regional Food Security and Livelihood Adviser


Jun 25, 2017 | Food for the Hungry
View Original

At Food for the Hungry, we operate under a set of guiding principles we call “The Heartbeat.” This includes our Values, Vision, and Purpose, which serve as the explanation of who we are and how we work as an organization. Together we follow God’s call responding to human suffering and graduating communities from extreme poverty.

The Regional Food Security & Livelihoods (RFSL) Adviser will be responsible for overall technical leadership, guidance and coordination of programs for the improvement of food security and livelihoods in the region. Ensure projects drive results in achieving Child Focus Community Transformation, ministry performance and resource mobilization for Africa Region. The RFSL Adviser will act as a liaison between the Regional Office, the GSC Food Security & Livelihoods (FS&L) Unit, and Field Offices and serve as the principal institutional liaison and key representative to external partners and governments in Africa.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

*Please note: this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice. Percentages are approximate.

Key Result #1 – Provide technical backstopping to FH regional programs in the Food Security and Livelihood portfolio (50%).

  1. Define and develop the regional food security and livelihoods strategy in alignment with the CFCT model, with the goal to build improved and resilient livelihoods of small-holder farmers, agro-pastoralists, and pastoralists in Africa;
  2. Provide technical support in the areas of climate smart agriculture, food security, economic development, and natural resources management towards the development of Technical Approaches and Technical Programs, adaptation and scaling up of specific project models and/or best practices that contribute to specific CFCT FS&L outcomes;
  3. Work with the M&E Team to assist Field Offices in the selection of standard indicators  and the development of IPTT and Detail Implementation Plan (DIP) for the implementation of countries FS&L strategies;
  4. Work with the Humanitarian Emergency Affairs (HEA) and Nutrition Units to develop plans for collaborative implementation of the region FS&L approaches to building resilience with specific focus on countries facing recurrent food crisis;
  5. Liaise with the GSC and Field Offices to develop relevant FS&L training for the capacity building of field staff;
  6. Review scheduled program reports from  Field Offices ensuring they are compliant with the FS&L sectoral standards;
  7. Document best practices and share with the GSC FS&L Unit.

Key Result #2 – Provide support to Field Offices for new funding opportunities as they relate to the FS&L Unit (30%).

  1. Assist the Food Security and Livelihoods Director and FH field offices in supporting proposal development, and proposal writing for food security and livelihoods projects;
  2. Monitor potential food security and livelihood funding sources from USG and non-USG donors;
  3. Support the FOs in the development of consortia whenever necessary in preparation for upcoming opportunities;
  4. Identify key relationships to strengthen national and regional positioning and elevate FH’s profile with government, multilateral and private sector donors within the region.

Key Result #3 – Network and build relationships with other International Relief and Development Non-Governmental Organizations, academic institutions, and research institutions (10%).

  1. Develop strategic and tactical plans for achieving the departmental objective of increasing sponsorship and other funding;
  2. Network with partner organizations/institutions and communicate effectively;
  3. Attend and engage in regular meetings on FS&L initiatives to represent FH.

Key Result #4 – Professional development / team player (empower self to work effectively and efficiently within a team and to develop and advance their skills) (10%).

  1. Pursue training opportunities such as webinars, seminars, conferences, offsite time spent in networking and researching to add personal value as a critical tool in the success of the workplace;
  2. Align professional development plan to organizational strategies as guided by the Director of Food Security & Livelihoods;
  3. Pursue growth through assessment and mentorship for team building.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty/function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Interpersonal Relationship:

  • Vibrant personal relationship with Jesus Christ and Christian commitment to serving the poor and in full agreement with FH’s Christian foundation and beliefs as expressed in The Heartbeat: our Values, Vision, and Purpose;
  • Ability to work effectively in a team and contribute positively to the development of that team;

Communication and Problem Solving:

  • Ability to capitalize on education, past experience and organizational infrastructure to become self-reliant and to work independently as needed;
  • Ability to incorporate available resources to provide support to team members;
  • Solid communication and presentation skills;

Adaptability and Flexibility:

  • Ability to re-prioritize according to the evolving situations within the organization;
  • Ability to work creatively and adapt  to changes within the team, location or programs;

Competencies:

  • Excellent writing and editing skills – proficient in Microsoft Office Suite;
  • Strong knowledge of project cycle management;
  • Analysis and synthesis skills;
  • Organizational, rigor and respect of deadline skills;
  • Experience in working with groups or clusters;
  • Ability to manage sensitive and confidential information;
  • Experience with grant and proposal preparation;
  • Ability to exercise sound judgement and make decisions independently;

Required Skills:

  • Technical background in food security preferred;
  • Strong networking skills;
  • Previous experience with backstopping programs;
  • Ability to sit at a computer for 8 hours a day doing repetitive motions on a keyboard;
  • Ability to lift 25 pounds above shoulder height consistently;
  • Ability to stand for long periods, walking over rough, uneven or rocky surfaces at times;
  • Medical fitness to live and travel in rural and urban areas with extreme conditions and limited medical support;
  • Ability to travel up to 35% of time per year in the US and internationally, to insecure countries or locations.

Education and / or Experience:  Master's degree in Agriculture or related fields, with a minimum of 3 years of experience implementing and / or managing community development programs, preferably in developing countries; or equivalent combination of education and experience..

Supervisory Responsibilities:  This position does not have direct supervisory responsibilities..

Language Skills:  Excellent in spoken and written English. Speaking and writing ability in French is preferable, and may be required based on the location of the position. Ability to read and interpret field program reports.

The location of this position is to be determined, an expat benefit package is not available for this position; the most appropriate candidate will be eligible to work in, and already reside in one of the cities named below.

Job Title:                 Regional Food Security and Livelihood Adviser

Field / Region:         FH / Africa

Location:                 TBD from Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda

Expat Post Status:   Accompanied

Reports To:              GSC Director Food Security & Livelihoods, Regional Director for Africa