Mali: Livelihoods Delegate

May 22, 2019 | Netherlands Red Cross
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The Netherlands Red Cross Society seeks to prevent and alleviate human suffering and to improve the situation of vulnerable people. It was founded in 1867 in the Netherlands and is among the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies which is the mother organization.

The Netherlands Red Cross (NLRC) and the Malian Red Cross Society (MRCS) have engaged since 2015 to define and work on a long-term partnership. The long-term cooperation between the MRCS and the NLRC is focused on supporting the resilience initiatives of the MRCS. This is in conformity with the international strategy of the NLRC as well as the Strategic Plan 2015 – 2019 of the MRCS. Three resilience projects started in 2016 and a project aimed at preventing and treating pneumonia among children under 5 started in April 2017. The NLRC is actually implementing four projects in partnership with the MRCS and other partners:

  • Project 1: Partners for Resilience Phase II (PfR II)
  • Project 2: Response Preparedness Phase II (RP II)
  • Project 3: Climate Smart Livelihoods (CSL), subject of this vacancy
  • Project 4: Prevention of pneumonia in children under 5 in Mali. MRCS was founded in 1965 and developed itself into a well-functioning National Society with 240 staff and 17,000 volunteers. At the MRCS there is a very few annual turnover. Staffs are rather stable at their positions. In the context of the cooperation and partnership a number of challenging points, are important and helpful to identify thematic areas of partnership with the MRCS in terms of areas where support is needed. The renewed strategic focus of NLRC is on communities that are exposed to natural and manmade hazards. In its new way of working (NWOW), it will support engagement primarily with communities in community resilience and integrated risk management activities. Within a climate of collective responsibility, the NLRC believes this is where it can provide the most cost effective assistance. Based on NLRC vision in Mali, the cooperation with MRCS will be focused on four sectors of expertise:
    • Disaster Response Preparedness (DRP)
    • Community Resilience strengthening
    • Food and Economic security and livelihood
    • Health including access to basic health care, sexual and reproductive health and sexual rights of young girls

Background about the Project: Climate Smart Livelihoods (CSL)

The project aims, through the application of climate smart and sustainable livelihood strategies and improved river basin management, to strengthen the climate resilience of the most vulnerable municipalities in the Circle of Kayes the Senegal River basin in Mali. The project innovation combines climate smart livelihood strategies (CSLS) with disaster risk reduction (DRR) approaches and harnessing the power of data, which together (ICSLS) increase considerably and sustainably the resilience of communities. Communities are better protected, they can better manage risks, and they will grow stronger socially and economically. It is important that the Red Cross movement and its partners learn through better integration of ICSLS approaches, and this project will provide an excellent opportunity to share practical experience.

The ICSLS will transform and reorient livelihoods (amongst others agricultural systems) to effectively support development, diversify income and ensure food security in a changing climate. In addition, the project harnesses the power of climate information (data), so communities can better adapt their livelihood activities according to the constantly varying climate conditions. Improved and more accessible forecasts will contribute greatly to this, so the project will enhance the timeliness, availability and comprehensibility of data for community members. To engage stakeholders directly in this innovation, communities will collect data themselves, and help the governmental weather services to improve the quality of their models for localised forecasts. Communities will interact with the authorities and concerned technical services on the 3 integrated levels of the project (CSLS, DRR and Data). In short, the project strengthens community resilience through a continuum from prevention of risks that can be avoided, to mitigation of risks that can be reduced through improved livelihood management and better information availability, to assure sustainable change. The project is complementary to the RP II which is working on the better response to Early Warning through Early Action, Forecast Based Financing, and better preparation to increase relief capacities. As a consequence of the improved livelihood activities, with more resources to rely on, communities are better able to manage climate variability and extremes, and achieve faster recovery. The project is a scale-up and a holistic integration of already proven interventions, while at the same time adding innovative elements to further increase their complementarity and effectiveness. It builds on and interacts with the following projects of the Netherlands Red Cross:

IRIS II: builds community resilience and reduces disaster risks, with health and livelihoods protection at its core. ICSLS complements and scales-up this predecessor program, by expanding improved use of scientific data and information. Climate and weather information will be used to improve short-term decision making and early warning, early action, and also to address longer term changes and adaption needs, including where possible co-benefits which may emerge through mitigation efforts. Capacitating local actors in collaboration with local and national authorities, cross sectoral departments and technical services, in the use of climate and weather information towards climate-smart livelihood management, aims to enable vulnerable communities to improve climate resilience.

Response Preparedness II: the RPII project – supported by the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), targets strengthening the institutional disaster Response Preparedness of National Societies by facilitating technical support through the IFRC Secretariat, the Red Cross and Red Crescent Climate Centre (RCCC) and by NLRC directly. RP II is reaching out through Mali RC at the Cercle level in the Kayes Region, where the ICSLS project aims to increase resilience at community and municipality levels.

PfR Strategic Partnership program: in addition to MRCS, NLRC, RCCC, Wetlands International and CARE Mali form the Partners for Resilience (PfR) alliance, supported by MoFA and co-funded by PMF to advocate for strengthening resilience through Integrated Risk Management; country lead is Wetlands International. The PfR program is extended to the Kayes region in 2018, where the ICSLS project will build on PfR lobbying with a wide variety of partners towards the authorities, civil society organizations, private sector and others for integrated risk management including Early warning, Early Action, (with Forecast based Financing) and making contingency planning processes more climate-resilient. In turn, the implemented activities might also provide more evidence base for the policy dialogues of the Partners for Resilience.

3FM Pneumonia: aims to contribute to the reduction of acute respiratory infection morbidity and mortality among children under 5 (boys and girls) in Koussané and the Logo Sabouciré districts of Kayes region.

As the RP II and PfR projects have started to work in the Kayes Region in 2018, the ICSLS project will be able to leverage the PfR lobbying begun to authorities, civil society organizations, the private sector and others for integrated risk management, and Early warning/ Early Action, strengthened by Forecast-based Financing and RPII-strengthened contingency planning. The ICSLS project will also cooperate with Agency for Rural Development of the Senegal River (ADRS), which is charged to implement the environmental improved river basin management plan for the Senegal River Watershed, including management of the Manantali Hydroelectric dam.

Purpose of the position

The livelihoods delegate is responsible for providing technical and programme support to MRCS in design, planning and monitoring of the NLRC supported projects to ensure effective and efficient implementation as well as narrative and financial reporting. Accordingly, this position will aim to seek to maximize integration with sectoral interventions including life skills, gender diversity, food security and livelihoods so as to increase beneficiary well-being in chronic emergency for the most vulnerable people in Kayes, Mali. The delegate works in collaboration with the branch of Kayes with a wide range of stakeholders to influence investment, policy and practice for delivery of high-quality interventions in livelihoods, food security, gender/diversity, employment and life skills.

Position in the Organization

The livelihoods delegate will be based in Kayes, Mali and reports to the NLRC Country Representative based in Bamako. The delegate will receive technical support and guidance from NLRC HQ advisors on food/economic security and strategic resilience, PMER, livelihoods, as well as operational guidance from the Desk at NLRC HQ.

Summary statement and responsibilities

Program Design & Development

  • Contribute to the continuous implementation of the Enhancing Economic and Social Empowerment of people in the region of Kayes, adapting to emerging need, development and revision of quarterly adjusted action plans and budgets, and development of concept notes for innovative project outputs and make them measurable together with PMER;

Project Management & Implementation

  • Responsible for overall project management through MRC branch of Kayes, n close collaboration with advisors, PME, finance, logistics and the Desk, including budget management (as NLRC budget-holder), adequate and timely quality narrative and financial reporting according to NLRC standards, and undertaking midterm and end of project evaluations;
  • Support the cooperation of the MRC with the local services, authorities, farmer organizations, technical partners, such as IER (Institute for Rural Economy); services and NGO for milk and biogas promoting as well as International organizations like the CILSS and Cadre Harmonisé as described in the project proposalEnsure that the goals, objectives and work plan are met in collaboration with the Desk and relevant Advisors;
  • Provide appropriate mentorship, capacity building and technical support to the branch of Kayes of the MRCS counterparts and volunteers including in assessment and identification of needs, priorities, objectives, outputs and core components and activities;
  • In collaboration with livelihoods support staff conduct needs and capacity assessments in target areas and identify new program opportunities and support;
  • Strengthen livelihoods and food security programming;
  • Undertake regular monitoring field visits and meetings with relevant actors including project partners in assessing trends, patterns and changing needs and consequently advise on appropriate strategies.

Financial Management

  • Assume responsibility as budget holder for NLRC Food Security and Livelihoods project; monitoring of expenditure, checking and signing of vouchers, compilation of budgets and submitting financial reports, budget revisions and amendments and seeking formal approval from NLRC HQ.
  • Collaborate with MRCS accountant in charge of the project accountability, to ensure respect of both MRCS and NLRC financial procedures et reporting rules.

Representation & Coordination

  • Identify and engage with other local key players (local NGOs/private/governmental organizations) and other RC/RC Movement partners relevant to the project;
  • Promote humanitarian principles and key cross-cutting issues such as gender equality, environmental awareness and disaster risk reduction;
  • Represent NLRC in the food security cluster and other relevant coordination mechanisms when applicable.
  • Maintain relations with food security and livelihoods sector actors in Mali;
  • Develop and maintain strong working relationship and coordination with Mali line government ministries, relevant international and local NGOs/agencies.
  • Ensure coordination, alignment and relevant linking with the other projects and initiatives in the region (eg. Partners for Resilience, etc)

Requirements/Qualifications

  • Master’s Degree in either Economics, Agriculture, or Natural Resource Management or any other related field
  • A minimum of 5 years’ experience as a project/programme manager in a humanitarian/recovery/development context and in the field;
  • Minimum 5 years’ experience in implementing food security and livelihoods projects;
  • Sound working experience of disaster risk reduction, gender and diversity, , participatory planning, social engagement;
  • Practical experience and understanding of the relevant technical competencies required in food security and livelihoods related issues;
  • Proven ability to analyse socio-economic context and monitor change to translate into appropriate planning, decision making and lesson learning is an advantage;
  • Experience working for the Red Cross/Red Crescent is an advantage;
  • Strong knowledge of finance, accounting, budgeting, and cost control procedures;
  • Excellent communication skills with strong interpersonal and coaching skills;
  • Fluency in written and spoken French and English.

Key competencies

  • Natural team-player, with demonstrated ability to coach, inspire and support colleagues;
  • Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and working relations in different cultural and organizational settings;
  • High level of patience, as well as cultural sensitivity;
  • Conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results;
  • Computer literate (MS Office, spreadsheets, Outlook);
  • (International) driving license.

 

They offer

  • A full time appointment (based on 40-hour work week) for 1 year, with the possibility of extension;
  • A flexible and human centred working environment in an international setting;
  • Well balanced employment conditions with space for initiative and development.