Afghanistan: Natural Resources Management & Food Security and Livelihood Coordinator - Kabul

Jan 16, 2017 | Solidarités International
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SI has been working in Afghanistan for 35 years. It is currently implementing Food Security (1 Natural Resources Management and Rural Development project) and Emergency/livelihood (Food Distribution, Cash For Work and kitchen gardening) program. The mission is also managing several WASH projects in Bamyan and Khost provinces.

The opening of new areas is forecasted in the 2016 mission strategy, especially for emergency projects: Nangarhar, Kunar, Paktya.

Organization of the mission

SI intervention areas are in three provinces Bamyan, Wardak and Khost with five operational bases and one coordination base in Kabul. At the time of writing, the mission has 11 international staff and 153 national staff. The coordination team in Kabul is currently composed of 5 expatriates (CD, Admin Co, HR Co, Emergency Co and WaSH Co) and 23 national staff. In Bamyan province, there are four operational bases (Bamyan, Yakawlang, Saighan and Kahmard). The team is composed of four expatriates (Field Coordinator, WaSH PM, FSL PM and Log/Admin) and 80 national staff. In Khost province, there is one base in the capital of the province. The team is composed of two expatriates (Field Coordinator and Program Manager) and 36 national colleagues plus the Pakistani camp staff. In Wardak province, there is one base in Maydan Shar city without expatriates and 14 national staff.

About the job

The FSL coordinator, as technical advisor of the mission, oversees the development and delivery of Solidarités International food security and livelihood strategy and programs.

As the current programs are mainly focused on Natural Resources Management and Rural Development in Bamyan Province, he/she ensures the monitoring of these long-term programs. However, the national context being oriented towards emergency, he/she ensures the development of FSL emergency activities.

  • He/she specifically guarantees the quality and suitability of proposed technical approaches, ensures the appropriateness of FSL activities and of SI’s general objectives to the needs of the local populations.
  • He/she is responsible for monitoring and analyzing the food security and livelihood situation in Afghanistan, reviewing both acute and long-term needs and SI’s response to these needs.
  • He/she coordinates the project cycle and more particularly the operational monitoring of FSL programs implemented in the intervention country.
  • He/she contributes to the process of capitalization and the improvement of Solidarités International methods and techniques in the field of FSL.

The Food Security Coordinator will have to ensure, with the WASH Coordinator, the follow up of ongoing programs (mainly project cycle management, technical FS, Cash Based Initiatives) and the opening of new programs / area of intervention more emergency oriented. This will include strong participation to external coordination forums, organisation and participation to assessment, proposal design and writing and launching of new programs.

The three axes of the 2016 strategic priorities are as follows:

  • Prevention of slow-onset crises in rural areas;
  • Ensure access to basic wash services, for Pakistanis population affected by the conflict in Pakistan;
  • Ensure access to basic wash services, food security and shelter for the vulnerable Afghan local population, IDPs, returnees affected by man-made or natural disasters.

Specific context of the area in which the expatriate will be working:

  • The Food Security coordinator will be based in Kabul, and is expected to spend around half of his/her time in the field bases.
  • In Kabul access to a number of amenities is possible (supermarket, shopping areas, restaurants, guest houses, etc). Movement restrictions are in place to avoid locations considered high-risk places at the wrong time and certain areas of the city are no-go areas except for work purposes. Expatriates are not permitted to walk in the streets. The office/guesthouse is comfortable and spacious.
  • In Bamyan, security rules are less restrictive for males - a female expat needs to be accompanied by a male expat or a key national staff. Walking is authorized in most places / districts with specific restrictions for certain areas. Comfort is not assured with few eating places, mostly kebabs in the provincial centers only and basic living facilities.
  • In Khost and Wardak provinces, context is tenser and security regulations are stricter. Movements, including in the areas of intervention are subject to restrictions.
  • Afghanistan has cold winters and hot summers.

Your profile

Education:

  • Bac + 5 (master’s degree) in Agronomy or related field (rural development, economic sciences, land planning, natural resources management).

Experience:

  • Previous experience in coordination position.
  • Three years’ experience in Food Security and Livelihood project management and/or coordination in NGO / humanitarian fields.
  • Previous experience in an unstable environment (conflict / post conflict country).
  • Experience in team management.
  • Experience in delivering training and capacity building of staff.
  • Experience in mid/long term programs (+3 years) such as rural development
  • Experience with development donors: AFD, EUROPAID, Swiss Development Cooperation

Technical skills and knowledge:

  • Knowledge of project cycle management, project design and proposal writing.
  • Knowledge of livelihoods, agrarian systems and natural resources management.
  • Knowledge of SI rules and procedures is an advantage.
  • Knowledge of disaster risk reduction approaches would be an advantage

Transferable skills:

  • Excellent analytical skills.
  • Capacity to work under pressure to tight deadlines.
  • Good organization skills.
  • Good writing/editing skills.

Languages:

  • Fluent in English (spoken and written).
  • French would be highly appreciated (some donor reporting in French).
  • Knowledge of Dari or Farsi is an advantage.

Other desirable qualities:

  • Knowledge of working in an Islamic country.
  • Patience, persistence, pedagogic talent.
  • Autonomy, rigor and the ability to adapt are indispensable skills.
  • Knowledge of the Afghan context would be highly appreciated.
  • Good computer skills (Microsoft office package, Google earth pro)

SI will offer you:

  • Salaried post: According to experience from 2000 euros gross per month, plus 10% annual leave allowance paid monthly, and a monthly Per Diem of 500 USD.
  • Social and medical cover: Expatriates benefit from an insurance package which reimburses all healthcare expenses (including medical and surgical expenses, dental care and ophthalmological expenses, repatriation) and a welfare system including war risks. Essential vaccination and antimalarial treatment costs are refunded.
  • Vacation: During the assignment, a system of alternation between work and time off is implemented at the rate of one break every three months. For a one-year assignment, the expatriate will have a 7-day break during the 3rd and the 9th month (with 500 euros allocated by Solidarités). He or she will also be entitled to go back to his or her home country for a 14-day period after six months spent on the mission (Solidarités will cover travel costs).
  • During the assignment, the expatriate is entitled to R&R every three months: one week at three and nine months (with a 500 euro allowance) and two weeks at six months (with a plane ticket back home covered by Solidarités).

CONTACT: Anna FRANGI, Recruitment & Follow Up Officer