West Africa: Regional Programme Advisor Food Justice, WAF

Jul 8, 2017 | Oxfam
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Oxfam is an international confederation of 20 ngos working with partners in over 90 countries to end the injustices that cause poverty. The Food Justice Programme Advisor will work with the Regional Head of Programs and other regional pillars to lead and coordinate the work on food justice pillar at regional level and supporting countries in this sector. This position will inform research, analysis of trends and contribute to developing Oxfam’s policy positions, frameworks and programs on agricultural policy, social protection mechanisms and equitable access to resources; manage the regional projects and campaigns (GROW), and give a technical expertise on livelihoods, as well as directly support the country teams to improve programs quality, in maintaining an updated and valuable analysis of the food security and livelihoods situation in the country. The post-holder is expected to work closely with associated regional partners and allies, and other programme teams towards common objectives to mutualise resources (among Oxfam confederation), and to contribute to national and international advocacy and campaigning work on food justice in West Africa.

Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities

Analysis and research for advocacy and programmes

  • Work with the HoP and other regional staff (Gender, Humanitarian, Equality, EFSVL, WASH research, etc.) to develop regular briefings and analysis of food security and livelihoods in West African, to inform country teams and senior managers, as well as programme and advocacy staff.
  • Provide in depth analysis on structural issues to better understand the ways of solving in sustainable manner Food insecurity in West Africa, and how Oxfam could better invest to do so in longer-term programming with partners.
  • Provide guidance and support to programme managers on how to formulate or integrate advocacy objectives in programme design processes
  • Carry on research on agri budget, PPPs, social protection , food reserve and/or land, with a focus on main regional value chains (such as rice and milk/dairy) and how to mobilize new audiences to support food justice in WAF

Coordination of regional projects, advocacy and Campaigns

  • Manage the regional GROW Campaign in West Africa, linked with country, pan African and global level, integrating all components: lobby, research and evidence building, alliances, media and public mobilisation to achieve the objectives. .
  • Develop and manage partnerships with key regional civil society networks, including those representing producers and pastoralists, women rights organisations, think-tanks,...in order to implement joint GROW Campaign
  • Undertake external representation and influencing towards governments, donors, ECOWAS, WAEMU, CILSS and UN agencies, including participation at major regional political and policy making events and engagement in key policy making processes to reinforce the impact of the regional policies in countries
  • In the event of a food crisis, work closely with emergency programme teams to ensure to provide the necessary analysis, policy support and coordination with national leads to ensure an effective advocacy response.
  • Act as a spokesperson Oxfam in the media on issues of food justice
  • Ensure that programme activities and processes are documenting for wider learning and knowledge development
  • Manage regional grants implemented by partners and/or Oxfam, in coordination with the countries involved
  • Build and implement a MEAL system of different projects integrated in a Food justice pillar one

Thematic Support to country programmes and partners

  • Provide support and advice to country programmes in WAF working on food justice, ensuring effective strategies and coherence with the regional approach.
  • Provide expertise in terms of research, influencing, campaigning or communication to support countries and regional members on food justice issues: PPP, green funds, social protection, value change
  • Support the development of new resilient rural economy programmes based on family farming, with a strong emphasis on the role of rural women, providing technical advice to ensure advocacy initiatives are a full part of any proposal, as part of Oxfam’s One Programme Approach.
  • Support, influence, and actively participate in the development of food security programmes at national level, working in close collaboration with programme managers and other technical specialists
  • Ensure that the work under this programme takes women’s needs and rights into account – through analysis, advocacy, partnership support and programme activities
  • Coordinate the available resources from all Oxfam confederation to feed the needs of support in countries and region

Fundraising

  • Actively participate in the development of national proposals to donors, ensuring the integration of advocacy and programme components.
  • Develop relevant proposals to donors for regional and multi-country initiatives, and actively seek donor support for such initiatives.

 

Technical Skills, Experience & Knowledge

Essential

  • A university degree relevant to food security, agriculture, land, forests, or natural resource management, or related to political science or other relevant social sciences
  • Proven specialist expertise in at least two of the following areas: food security and livelihoods, agriculture policies markets and value chains, resilience, land, and proven ability to analyse complex contexts and food security data and analysis at national, regional or global levels
    • An understanding of how to use policy analysis, research, lobbying, public campaigning, media, communications and alliance-building to influence a political agenda, proven experience of engaging with and influencing decision-makers, and sound political judgment and sensitivity in both development and humanitarian contexts.
  • Fluency in written/oral English or French and working knowledge of the other one
  • Enthusiasm for and commitment to Oxfam International’s values and mission, and commitment to promoting gender equity and the interests of marginalised people in all advocacy work
  • Ability and willingness to travel including in remote and conflict affected areas

Desirable

  • Experience of developing and managing fundraising proposals
  • Knowledge of food, trade, markets, marketing and agricultural systems practised in West Africa
  • An understanding of African, preferably West African campaigns, movements and civil society organisations, and of the functioning and relationships of key players in development, including Southern governments, donor governments, international institutions, and civil society
  • Knowledge of recognised minimum humanitarian standards (Sphere, code of conduct) and understanding of Disaster Risk Reduction Frameworks