Livelihoods Program Coordinator Job Vacancy: Horn Relief

Horn Relief is an African based international development and humanitarian organization that aims to improve the lives of those who are living in marginalized areas in the Horn of Africa.

We strengthen rural livelihoods through environmental awareness, training, technology transfer and innovative humanitarian projects in pursuit of a peaceful, self-reliant, and greener future. Currently, Horn Relief operates 5 offices in Somalia/Somaliland and has an annual operating budget of over US$ 8 million per year for its operations in the country.

Horn Relief anticipates opening an office in northeast Kenya in January 2010 and other countries in the Horn of Africa region. Horn Relief works in the following sectors: food security and livelihoods, natural resource management education (formal and non-formal), water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), and humanitarian programs.

Closing date: 01 Dec 2009

Location: Kenya - Nairobi

Location: Nairobi, Kenya (with travel to the field)

Position Summary

Horn Relief is seeking a qualified and committed individual to join the Horn Relief team as a Program Coordinator - Livelihoods for all operations in Somalia and Kenya as new programs emerge. Based in Nairobi, Kenya, the Livelihoods Program Coordinator will be a full-time member of the Horn Relief team and will play a crucial role in the provision of technical, financial and strategic management of food security and livelihoods programs and program staff.

The position will require extensive travel to Somalia and within Kenya (approximately 40% of time), assuming optimal security conditions. The person will also lead in the development of Horn Relief specific program framework for the Livelihoods sector as well as develop strong staff capacity in undertaking assessments and data analysis.

Key Responsibilities

The Livelihoods Program Coordinator will undertake a number of duties and responsibilities, including:

• Lead the development of an appropriate Food Security and Sustainable Livelihood intervention strategy within Somalia and Kenya context that includes early recovery, disaster risk reduction and community development.
• Lead a team of livelihood technical staff to ensure that the strategy is implemented to the highest quality standards.
• Oversee and directly manage food security and livelihoods projects in the provision of technical support, development of logical frameworks and appropriate indicators, development of project proposals and budgeting, and project narrative and financial reporting in line with donor requirements including monitoring expenditure.
• Develop a thorough analysis of the food security and livelihoods situation through primary and secondary assessments and with due consideration for women and objectives of the programs;
• Co-ordinate surveys and rapid assessments, including training, planning, analysis and report writing. Ensure appropriate field supervision is undertaken and that protocols are adhered to.
• Plan and co-ordinate Horn Relief response as indicated by the results of surveys/situation analysis and related data.
• Lead in using the findings of surveys and ongoing analysis to ensure optimal program performance and design modifications as appropriate
• Coordinate and network with other stakeholders to promote appropriate humanitarian and development programming within the framework of Horn Relief's Food Security and Livelihood policies. This includes attending and engaging with relevant coordination meetings. Determine in each Horn Relief's intervention the scope for linking Emergency Food Security and Livelihoods work and Sustainable Livelihood work, with emphasis on mainstreaming vulnerability analysis and disaster risk reduction as appropriate.
• Design, manage, analyze and communicate technical information across the programme team.
• Identify and assess the capacity needs of the national staff, partners and counterparts involved in the programme, plan and implement capacity building activities.
• Management of the Food Security and Livelihood project managers.
• Ensure the effective implementation of personnel and administrative management systems, including policies and procedures for all programs in portfolio;
• Oversee procurement and logistics procedures for efficient use and proper documentation of all activities in accordance to organizational and donor guidelines;
• Ensure that staffs have clear job descriptions / performance objectives. Support the recruitment of food security and sustainable livelihood staff. This may involve the writing of job descriptions, work schedules, training plans and appraisals.
• Ensure that Horn Relief's ways of working and gender equity are mainstreamed throughout the programme.
• Enhance documentation of lessons learnt and best practices of programs to be shared with relevant stakeholders;
• Any other duties that may be assigned.

Qualifications and Experience

Horn Relief is actively seeking a candidate who is committed to its mission and vision. In particular, Horn Relief will be seeking a candidate who has:

• A bachelors degree required but a post graduate degree is preferred in agriculture, animal science, development studies or other discipline that provides an understanding of food security and livelihood programming /or equivalent practical experience.
• A minimum of 4 years experience in the management of Food Security and Livelihoods projects, including a mature understanding of humanitarian and sustainable livelihoods programming in a variety of livelihoods intervention areas, in particular understanding of pastoral livelihoods preferred.
• Proven practical experience in two or more of the following: food security assessments and nutritional surveys, cash based interventions, agriculture and livestock interventions, fisheries interventions, small business / micro-credit interventions; market analysis; .
• Community development skills, including participatory community assessment and planning techniques, with skills in capacity building of communities and experience of working with livelihoods groups/community-based structures.
• Have experience in monitoring and evaluation of programs, in particular livelihoods analysis.
• Experience in Disaster Risk Reduction and vulnerability analysis.
• A sound understanding of the importance of gender in programme work.
• Sensitivity to cultural differences and the ability to work in a wide variety of cultural contexts.
  
• Committed to Equal Opportunities (e.g. gender, race, disability).
• Ability to work independently and under pressure in a rapidly changing professional environment. Diplomacy and good interpersonal skills, together with the capacity to remain calm under pressure and not lose sight of strategic priorities.
• Strong competencies in people management, capacity building and coaching;
• Willingness to travel frequently and at short notice, often in difficult circumstances, and to spend adequate periods of time in the field, if security permits.
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills in English required
• Excellent communicator who leads in building relationships within Horn Relief and with other stakeholders such as partners, donors, authorities, etc.
• Good in networking and fundraising

Duration: 1 year (renewable)
Starting date: Immediate
Salary entry point: International Position; Grade D, US$ 39,600 (net) annually, excluding housing, medical, education and other benefits

How to apply

Application deadline: 1st December 2009. Horn Relief will conduct interviews on an on-going basis.

Application Process

Applications should be submitted no late 1st December 2009. Horn Relief will conduct interviews on an on-going basis.

The selection committee will review all applications as they arrive. All applicants must meet the minimum requirements described above, and those unable to meet these requirements will not be considered. Only short listed candidates will be contacted. Horn Relief is an equal opportunity employer.

Each application package should include the following:

• Cover letter with the applicant’s current contact information and salary history;
• Resume (including detailed work experience, education/degrees);
• References (minimum of three, with complete contact information);

Applications not including all of the above requirements will not be reviewed.

All applications should be sent to Horn Relief at vacancies @ hornrelief.org with the subject line: Livelihoods Program Coordinator.

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