Iraq: Food Security and Livelihoods

Oct 20, 2017 | Solidarités International
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Solidarités International is committed to working to implement a clear mandate by helping men, women and children who are hit by war, epidemics and natural disasters, delivering effective and appropriately targeted humanitarian aid directly to those in need, without discriminating against nationality, race, gender or religion, taking on key, demanding responsibilities, at HQ and on the ground, working with highly driven international teams, in often difficult circumstances and exposed to specific safety conditions and less than comfortable environments, andeEnsuring that SI is an NGO with a personal touch, where your voice is heard and your efforts contribute to our impact on the health and lives of those who have lost everything.

Humanitarian context

To date, 11 million people are in need of assistance in Iraq, with 3.3 million people internally displaced (HRP 2017), and massive waves of displacement expected in the coming months with the operations to retake ISIL-held areas ongoing. While immediate needs have been the major focus of humanitarian actors, enabling people to maintain and (re)build their resilience is a gap. SI’s exploratory mission in January 2017in Mosul area has confirmed wide spread needs in terms of livelihood support. Major needs and risks identified are the following:

- Large scale displacements in different waves, with high number of protracted displaced households. Ninewa Governorate, where Mosul is located, is hosting the largest number of IDPs with 433,392 people in displacement  (IOM DMT Matrix, Jan. 2017), with 2/3 of people who have been displaced for more than 2 years, and around 160,000 displaced in the recent offensive to retake Mosul (Mosul Humanitarian Response, OCHA Sitrep, Jan. 2017).

- Limited/deteriorated livelihood opportunities and earning capacities: Livelihood is ranked a major need, with 42% of crisis affected population identifying employment and income as their priority needs (Emergency Livelihood &Social Cohesion – EL&SC- Cluster,HNO, 2016)

- Heightened risk of social and communitarian tensions: Ninewa Governorate faces a high risk of sectarian and ethnic conflict, with several factors adding to the risk: ISIL presence, which has intensified existing tensions with abductions and persecutions against minority communities, as well as now prompt the risk of retaliation against Sunni community, and the presence of Shia militia in retaken areas in Mosul corridor.

-High unemployment rate particularly affecting youth and females (with only 14% participating in the labour force) mainly among IDPs leading to a high dependency on breadwinners if any.

SI intervention

SI has started working in Iraq in February 2017, providing emergency WaSH assistance through the CDCS (Centre de Crise et de Soutien) funding. SI is operating through its registration in Kurdistan, and has also launched its registration process for the whole of Iraq, with strong prospects to obtain it in a close future.

Currently, SI is working mostly in response to the crisis in Mosul, providing Emergency Wash assistance. SI has positioned itself as a key WaSH actor in the Mosul emergency response through the following activities: setting up of a SWAT (surface water treatment unit) located in Hamam Al Alil, currently producing around 600 m3/day.

Additional funding has also been secured to continue operations. The current services will be perpetuated and a new SWAT is under installation in Abu Saif in partnership with NRC (expected to be operational by md-July), SI will be in charge of the operation and maintenance of this system.

In addition, SI has been launching a needs assessment in Anbar province to expand activities. Anbar Province is the largest province of Iraq. The province still has a presence of ISIL and is expected to see increasing fighting, with the risk of causing large scale displacements. The envisaged response to date focuses mainly on WASH but other areas of intervention can also be explored.

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ABOUT THE JOB

To date, SI is looking at developing more medium term programming to contribute to the early recovery approach in Iraq, which will be initiated in the post-Mosul crisis. This is the case for the WASH response, for which SI is considering supporting/contributing to the rehabilitation of large scale water provision infrastructures (water networks, water stations). Livelihood will also be key in the early recovery phase and SI is looking at expanding its activities along this line. A number of strong stakeholders are already positioned in Iraq, with the Cash consortium providing first line cash assistance and other NGOs supporting a number of livelihood activities. SI is looking at identifying a niche for livelihood programming.

Main objectives

The main objective of the mission is to refine and operationalize the 2017 FSL strategy of SI in Iraq. More precisely, the FSL Expert will be asked to:

• Represent SI in all FSL related fora (cluster, working groups, etc.) in collaboration with the Head of mission
• Identify geographical and needs gaps in the FSL humanitarian response as well as potential donors through participation in coordination mechanisms, meeting with key stakeholders and review of all relevant documents
• Identify funding opportunities and develop FSL proposals/Concept Note addressing food security issues, including conducting and writing of an assessment report as well as producing relevant proposals in line with donor strategy and requirements

Expected deliverables:

The expert will have to produce:

• At least one full proposal (based on the relevant donor template) to address food security issues,
• 1 brief visit report (max 10 pages) with a description of areas of focus and the recommendations regarding short and midterm interventions as well as exit strategies
• 1 donor mapping – outlining key donors for livelihood, initial contact and potential entry points, strategy, and funding opportunities
• 1 stakeholders table outlining major FSL actors in Iraq (international and local NGOs / potential partners / technical services to be involved/consulted) with recommendations on SI positioning

ABOUT THE JOB

Experience / background:

• At least a 3 years experienced humanitarian actor working in the FSL sector, with at least one proven experience as a FSL coordinator in emergency or post-emergency context.
• Solid experience in assessment and successful proposal writing
• Good knowledge and experience in rural development, cash transfer programs (including market analysis) and livelihood programming.
• Good knowledge of Iraqi and/or Middle East context is an asset.
• Adaptability to changing work environment and possible volatile security situation;
• Fluent in English (spoken and written), Arabic is an asset.
• Commitment to the fundamental principles of SI’s charter and ethos.

HOW TO APPLY

Does this description fit you? Please send us your CV and Cover letter in English. CV only applications will not be considered.

NB : The vacancy may close before the deadline. Thank you for your comprehension

SI WILL OFFER

A salaried post: According to your experience and starting from 2.300 euros gross per month plus a monthly Per Diem of 700 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.

Break: 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).

For further information about SI, please consult our website: http://www.solidarites.org/en/