Senior Advisor - Livelihood & Economic Recovery in Emergencies

Sep 6, 2021 | World Vision International
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World Vision International is an evangelical Christian humanitarian aid, development, and advocacy organization. Its focus is on helping the most vulnerable children overcome poverty and experience fullness of life. World Vision helps children of all backgrounds, even in the most dangerous places, inspired by its Christian faith.

*Position location to be determined by home country of successful candidate in a jurisdiction (US state or country) where WVI is registered to operate.

*Please submit your CV in English.

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION:

Promote thought leadership in World Vision (WV) Disaster Management work on Emergency Livelihood and economic recovery principles, policy and practice – including integrated programs for fragile, urban and displacement contexts and during outbreaks. Ensuring that the Livelihood and economic recovery component of integrated programming and linking sectors including WASH, nutrition, child protection, health, and MHPSS. Building relationships with key internal and external stakeholders (e.g. government, NGOs, donors, UN, SEEP). Facilitate and promote best practices and learning in emergency livelihoods/economic recovery within the WV partnership where based with a focus on conflict, fragile and urban contexts.

To be available for deployment through the Global Rapid Response Team (GRRT) to large-scale emergencies, anywhere in the world, focusing on the design and implementation of quality livelihoods/economic recovery strategies that are integrated with other sectors. GRRT specialists can be deployed to a response within 24-72 hours and remain for up to three months. This position is 50% deployable.

During non-crisis periods, provide Technical Assistance support to on-going Emergency Response Programs. This includes (i) Strengthen humanitarian emergency livelihoods / economic recovery capacity in WV and partner organizations through training, development and dissemination of resources, and mentoring of field-based staff. Facilitate livelihoods / economic recovery in Emergency capacity building learning program, managing the online ecampus portal activities as well as face to face trainings and mentoring RDMT livelihoods / economic recovery staff. (ii) Travelling to countries on request to help development of Concept Notes, donor engagement, full proposal design and submission, technical reviews, risk management and reporting’. (iii) Lead the Livelihoods/Economic Recovery Interest Group with the aim of collaborative learning and the development of research, knowledge, best practice, guidance and key skills for effective economic recovery and livelihoods development in protracted crises. (iv) Lead humanitarian livelihood and economic recovery in emergencies efforts in region where based working closely with regional humanitarian and emergency affairs director and sector specialists. (v) Leadership and guidance on integrated programming guidelines (including conflict, fragile and urban contexts) with other HEA team members as well as the Global Resilience & Livelihoods team to ensure sectors are working together in areas of operation.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Humanitarian Response and Technical Support:

  • Thought leadership for timely delivery of Livelihoods/Economic Recovery (L&ER) responses during emergencies.
  • Technical guidance and leadership in the development of L&ER strategy/ work plan as part of the overall response strategy / plan, in conjunction with programs and operations teams through:
  • Lead L&ER technical teams on sector specific assessments to understand contexts and identify needs.
  • Coordinate with other WV sectors to ensure the integrated design of programs and overall quality of programs (e.g. health, WASH, cash transfer programming, protection, children in emergencies (particular in youth focused work) and ensure that together the Program team are designing and supporting child wellbeing outcomes.
  • Strategically engage with donors and other partners in a humanitarian response on technical L&ER issues to ensure that WV is positioned as a viable partner for Livelihood and economic recovery programs
  • Ensuring technical expertise and staff capacity, innovation, quality results and organisational learning within World Vision based on credible evidence is gained through L&ER Programing.

Support the income generation of the response through the design of the L&ER program, including:

  • Targeted technical and operational support to L&ER programming in emergencies.
  • Lead the technical design of L&ER projects with Programs team and Operations for potential new proposals in Livelihoods based on emerging new needs.
  • Work with Finance, and Programmes team, to prepare realistic budgets.
  • Lead operational partnerships, including inter-agency collaboration, to ensure a provision of solid and coherent technical programme support
  • Meet donors to preposition new L&ER program ideas and evidence based models.
  • Design monitoring and evaluation systems to track and ensure quality of programs.
  • Manage budgets and ensure reporting is completed and submitted in a timely manner and meet WV and donor requirements.
  • Ensure that cross cutting themes (e.g. disability, gender, child protection, environment, HIV etc.) are included in programs.
  • Coordination of the L&ER technical unit in the response, and provide technical guidance and direction to L&ER staff to implement programs according to internationally recognized standards e.g. Sphere. HAP, MERS and ensure staff and partners understand and adopt these standards.
  • Coordination with people and culture (P&C) in the development of team structure, recruitment of qualified international and national staff to implement program, and identify capacity gaps in the L&ER sector and identify plans to address them.
  • Participate in response management meetings to update the response manager and programs staff on technical issues on livelihood and economic recovery.
  • Provide technical supervision to field Livelihoods staff including coaching, sharing resources and materials, revision of reports, analyzing lessons, etc.
  • Co-lead with MEAL team the development of Evidence Building Plans (EBPs) for technical approaches.
  • Develop sector measurement tools in collaboration with MEAL team. Specifically, set sectorial/technical tool questions based on accredited global tools.
  • Intervene, when necessary, at procurement level, to facilitate/find solutions to material purchase difficulties or delays that are affecting the program quality implementation.
  • Review grant progress reports and M&E reports specifically program findings and recommendations.
  • Develop monthly, quarterly and annual reports that document progress against objectives.

Strategy Development together with guidance, tools and best practice:

  • Develop integrated programming guidelines (including conflict, fragile and urban contexts) with other DM team members as well as the Global Livelihoods team to ensure sectors are working together in areas of operation.
  • Provide expert technical advice and leadership in development and field testing of programming tools to assist in the operationalization of L&ER in emergency programs focusing on conflict, fragile and urban contexts. Collaborate with context and sector specialists in ensuring tools are relevant to contexts and on-going work.
  • Engage and lead technical teams under Economic Development and Humanitarian and Emergency affairs in National offices and regions on early warning, preparedness, mitigation and response to economic impacts of emergencies with a focus on conflict, fragile and urban contexts.
  • Collaborate with the Livelihood global team on developing guidance on best practice in economic development for post disaster settings ensuring linkages between emergency and development.
  • Collaborate with the Global Livelihood Team on developing guidance on best practice for livelihood resilience in conflict, fragile and urban contexts.
  • Engage in cutting edge analysis, applied research and documentation of lessons learned and best practice from emergency L&ER with a particular focus on conflict, fragile and urban contexts with region.
  • Contribute to the development and implementation of the WV Partnership Livelihood operational plan. Ensure linkages are made when advising/guiding post-disaster implementation (emergencies) and guiding best practice (non-deployment).
  • Technical support to national offices on Livelihood in Emergency such as leading development/tech review of program strategies, development of tools, baseline surveys, Value chain assessments, Market assessments.
  • Develop and lead an interest group on L&ER in the Humanitarian Emergency Affairs (HEA)/Resilience & Livelihoods COPs.

External Engagement and Networking:

  • Establish and maintain strategic alliances with emergency L&ER related donors, foundations, academic institutions, governments, international and UN agencies.
  • Provided leadership of the L&ED CoP in relation to DM issues and lead the formation and facilitation of L&ER in emergencies Interest Group.
  • Facilitate discussion on strategic issues around L&ER in emergencies within the WV partnership and with key stakeholders.
  • Participate in Global Food Security Cluster and other interagency humanitarian aid working groups as appropriate.
  • Attend regional and global forums representing HEA and ED in emergencies where appropriate.

Capacity Development and Talent Pool Management:

During deployment

  • Working with Livelihood sector teams to find linkages within the core project models to include appropriate humanitarian Livelihoods interventions and skills.
  • Develop guidance notes and training materials as appropriate for National Office (NO), Regional Office (RO) and Global Center (GC).
  • Mentor and coach regional and national L&ER program staff in L&ER in emergencies and international standards, project models and LiE technical approaches. Ensuring they are incorporated into programs.
  • On-job training and coaching for staff.
  • Facilitate training opportunities for relevant staff and/or interagency partners with a special focus on Regional Disaster Management Teams.

Non deployment

  • Ensure humanitarian Livelihood competencies are identified and transferred across the organisation and develop capacity building options to ensure skill transfer, capacity building and the implementation of evidence-based Livelihoods and Economic interventions/programs.
  • Develop blended learning and capacity building curriculum Livelihoods in emergencies, and integration of cash and other modalities including WASH, Education and Health/Nutriton.
  • Validate and manage of the GTRN Livelihoods profiles for deployment pool.
  • Lead the adaptation of core Livelihoods project model/ framework for fragile contexts.
  • Plan and lead Livelihoods in Emergencies training for RDMT Training.
  • Mentor and coach regional and national L&ER program staff in L&ER in emergencies and international standards, project models and LiE technical approaches. Ensuring they are incorporated into programs.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

  • Master’s degree or equivalent in business/economics or a related field is required. A Bachelor’s Degree in an agricultural related field (Agricultural extension, Agricultural economics, Agricultural production etc).
  • Understanding of technical standards including SPHERE, SEEP MERS, HAP, People in Aid.
  • Proven technical knowledge and experience with agriculture and non-agriculture based livelihoods strategies such as input access and output marketing support, financial services, enterprise support and entrepreneurship development, technical education and vocational skills training.
  • Proven track record in emergency response including program administration and design and proposal writing in large scale complex emergencies.
  • Excellent writing and conversation ability in English and preferably with another language such as Arabic, French or Spanish. The ability to communicate cross-culturally and be sensitive to other cultures.
  • Membership of a professional L&ED organization.
  • 10 years’ experience in emergency programming including field experience with an emphasis on implementing livelihoods in conflict, fragile or urban contexts.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of working with diversity and ensuring inclusion principles are part of program work and research.
  • Proven track record of field-based research design, implementation, analysis and report write-up.
  • Effective in written and verbal communication in English.
  • Knowledge of French, Arabic or other UN language an advantage.

Preferred:

  • A leading expert in their field, ability to translate this expertise into strategy and practice.
  • Able to work effectively in both policy and programme domains with a strong commitment to initiate dialogue with a range of humanitarian specialists.
  • Strong understanding of market-based tools, approaches and analysis.
  • Skills and experience in effective methodology for design and monitoring quality programmes in emergency including rapid and in-depth assessments.
  • Trainer or other capacity building qualification.
  • Knowledge of design requirements and regulations for major donors including OFDA, AusAID, ECHO, CIDA, ADH, and UN (WFP, UNICEF, WHO).
  • Experience in contextual analysis.
  • Familiarity with local capacities for peace/do no harm and macro context analysis.
  • Worked in conflict zones and has personal security awareness.
  • Program design and development (Concept Notes, proposals, donor engagement etc).
  • Management of large teams.
  • Capacity building.
  • Security training.

Work Environment/Travel:

  • The position requires ability and willingness to travel domestically and internationally up to 50% of the time.
  • Ability to work and live in harsh situations with limited support and facilities and possible hostile environments.