South Sudan: Food Security and Livelihoods Coordinator

Sep 13, 2015 | United Methodist Committee on Relief
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The Food Security & Livelihoods Coordinator plays an important role in the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) Sudan's field management structure. UMCOR-International Program’s program areas in the Sudan focuses primarily in the field of Emergency Relief and transitional development, which include but not limited to the following sectors; water and sanitation, food security, health, education/child protection,  shelter construction and community development. The position is based in Darfur. The contract is for an initial period of ten (10) months.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

The Food Security/Livelihoods Coordinator will be responsible for the management, planning, implementation and monitoring of food security and various livelihood activities of all aspects of UMCOR food security programs in Sudan. He/she serves as coordinator and liaison with other partners including Donors and Government offices to promote and support food security & livelihood program activities and their contribution to UMCOR-Sudan Strategic plans:

  • Plan, coordinate, implement and monitor various aspects of food security projects including agricultural production, nutrition, group savings and loan schemes and CB-DRR activities in coordination with government departments.
  • Provide technical oversight over the management and implementation of Care Group Model activities at the community level.
  • Assist Nutrition Officer, Community Nutrition Promoters and Care Group Volunteers to mobilize and facilitate participatory processes at the household and community level according to project design, strategy and work plans.
  • Co-ordinate with Programs Manager for effective implementation of the CBDRR activities.
  • Support the field staff and communities in identifying CB-DRR activities e.g. Early Warning, Hazard Mapping for community members in suitable engagement/participation sessions through meetings and workshops.
  • Assist the SILC Officer and the field team in overall management, supervision, oversight and implementation of the SILC activities, including the training of Field Agents/PSPs, coordination of the establishment of SILC Groups and International Programing M&E of SILC groups at the community level.
  • Responsible for monitoring and evaluation of the project activities to ensure that project objectives and outputs are achieved – and activities are implemented in accordance with donors (DFID & OFDA) standard rules, regulations and operational procedures, agreed strategies, and implementation plans.
  • Maintain the project timeframe, budget and resources set and implement the project within the specified parameters.
  • Prepare and submit regular internal reports on all food security/livelihood activities
  • Support the livelihood team in ensuring that interventions are relevant and appropriate and that quality standards are maintained across the project cycle through regular coordination meetings with DFID Project consortium members; including ensuring and maintaining the flow of program reports to donors.
  • Provide training and technical guidance to sector staff on the latest national and donor guidelines.
  • Oversee project assets and budget management/tracking (by sub-sector) and enhance the reporting system to meet the donors’ requirements.
  • Participate in need assessment missions with other stakeholders in the area, representing UMCOR in terms of preparation, training, analysis and reporting of findings and recommendations, which includes but not limited to, identification of need/gaps and their root causes, recommendation of good practices (strategically optimal solution) to improve the situation as and when required.
  • Plan/lead and participate in various assessments such as Market Assessment, KAP surveys and Barrier Analysis, etc.
  • Represent UMCOR in food security, livelihood, and nutrition coordination meetings.
  • Financial and administrative responsibility for the project and FSL activities – in collaboration with the Finance team & Program Manager in accordance with UMCOR and donor policies and procedures for financial control and reporting.
  • Prepare and submit regular cash forecast on monthly bases for all food security & livelihood activities and track its progress.
  • Responsible for fund management – including making the best use of available resources in support of planned and on-going work.
  • Budget and procurement forecasting in spreadsheet formats.
  • Ensure that procurement and logistical aspects of programme are well planned and managed in accordance with UMCOR and donor (DFID / OFDA) policies and procedures.
  • Manage and lead staff in all related activities in the implementation of the project. Provide support, through guidance and organization as well as supervision to the sector teams to promote quality in project activities.
  • Ensure lessons learnt in monitoring and evaluations are captured, capitalized and incorporated into UMCOR programs through systematic supervision, reporting and documentation including exchange of feedback on project impact for replication and scaling up.
  • Research, write and submit proposals for new food security, livelihood, and nutrition projects to complement UMCOR Sudan’s work.
  • Assume any other duties as may be assigned by the Program Manager.

QUALIFICATIONS and Professional Experience:

  • The position requires a postgraduate degree in a relevant field (agricultural economics, agriculture, irrigation, community development).
  • At least 3 years of field experience with INGO in program design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of Food security & livelihood programs in Africa.
  • Experience managing complex recovery and long term sustainable food security/livelihood programs within an integrated community/rural development strategy aimed at poverty alleviation.
  • The post requires prior experience in one or more of the following areas: community group lending/saving schemes, DRR & Climate Change Adaptation and/or experience in nutrition program implementation.

KNOWLEDGE:

  • Knowledge of researching and writing proposals and budgets for food security livelihood programs.
  • Knowledge of DFID; USAID and Institutional Donor policies and procedures related to food security and livelihood projects’ monitoring and impact evaluation.

ABILITIES:

  • Must possess excellent representation and negotiation skills, diplomacy and patience.
  • A team player with good interpersonal and team building skills.
  • Ability to work in post conflict environment and drought affected regions with limited resources.
  • Ability to understand the cultural and political environment and to work well with local authorities in a diplomatic manner.

TO APPLY:

If you meet the minimum requirements, submit your cover letter, resume and complete the position related questions on our Careers page athttp://ch.tbe.taleo.net/CH07/ats/careers/requisition.jsp?org=GBGM&cws=1&rid=322

No telephone inquiries please.  Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.Applications received by August 31, 2015 will receive priority review, while others will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with hiring at the earliest possible date.  The position will remain open until filled. Thank you for your interest in UMCOR.