Regional Food Security and Livelihood Coordinator: Solidarites Jobs in Kenya

Position: Regional Food Security and Livelihood Coordinator

Line Manager: Country Director

Location: Kenya (Nairobi) with frequent travels to Kenya and Somalia

Duration of the contract: 1 year

The joint Kenya / Somalia mission is relatively young (started in March 2007) and includes 2 projects in South Somalia, and 3 projects in Kenya.

In Kenya, Solidarites has one project in Turkana Central and another one in Nairobi’s slums. All these projects focus on Water and Sanitation and Food Security, whether in an emergency context or a recovery context.

In Somalia, Solidarites has one project in Bardera district / Gedo and another one in Afmadow district / Lower Juba.

In term of Food Security and Livelihood, the projects focus on drought preparation in ASAL area and on Urban Poor populations.

1/ Objective of the position

The Food Security and Livelihood Coordinator is responsible for the quality of Food Security and Livelihood components in all Kenya and Somalia programs.

(S)He is a technical focal point for Food Security and Livelihood for the Kenya / Somalia team.

2/ Hierarchy

The Food Security and Livelihood Coordinator is under the direct responsibility of the Country Director. The Food Security and Livelihood Coordinator will work closely with the Water and Sanitation Coordinator and the Deputy Country directors for Kenya and Somalia.

The Food Security and Livelihood Coordinator has functional links, but no hierarchal link, with the Food Security and Livelihood program managers on the field.

3/ Key responsibilities

Note: this list gives the framework of your responsibilities but it is not exhaustive. You may be asked to complete other duties.

Responsible for the quality for Food Security and Livelihood activities

• Develop tools for measuring indicators stated in project proposals in link with the Food Security and Livelihood program managers, Field Coordinators and Technical Coordinators.
• Regularly visit the field to ensure proper standards are being adhered to by Food Security and Livelihood field teams, especially with regard to technical specifications, use of materials, and beneficiary community relations/mobilisation.
• To ensure that Food Security and Livelihood activities are implemented according to the standardized methodology, with a participatory approach
• To work towards harmonization of Food Security and Livelihood methodologies and ensure proper impact assessment are conducted (e.g. Impact surveys)
• To constantly refine the monitoring and evaluation plan for Food Security and Livelihood activities and to prepare all the relevant tools and surveys required in this plan, in support of the Field Coordinators

Capitalization / Technical Support

• Organize the sharing of experiences among the different field teams (at Food Security and Livelihood managers and Food Security and Livelihood assistant levels) through workshops, regular communications etc.
• Organize capacity building activities for the various Food Security and Livelihood teams on techniques or new methodologies related to Food Security and Livelihood
• Validate the relevancy of technical designs or solutions proposed at the proposal level or during the course of the project
• Support field Food Security and Livelihood teams in preparing Bill of Quantities (including detailed design drawings) for all Food Security and Livelihood activities involving materials and to provide final validation of BOQ for each proposed activity.
• Provide technical support to the field teams on all Food Security and Livelihood relevant methodologies and surveys (Economic surveys, , impact, Post Harvest surveys). To outsource technical support where relevant.
• Organize the capitalisation of Food Security and Livelihood experiences form the various field programs.
• Develop analysis papers or scientific articles.

Representation

• Mandatory participation in the different Food Security and Livelihood coordination meetings (UN clusters, Regional Coordination meetings) at Nairobi level and to manage Solidarités relations with the technical clusters.
• To build a network of expertise with actors referring to Food Security and Livelihood (NGOs, UN agencies etc…)
• To ensure that field teams conduct proper and regular consultations with government institutions in their zone of intervention (Ministry of Health, livelihood etc…)
• To participate, on request, in other representation duties

Monitoring of the humanitarian situation/ Assessments

• To constantly monitor the water and sanitation humanitarian situation in Kenya and Somalia (droughts, epidemic outbreaks etc…)
• To develop and refine effective early warning systems and tools to monitor the humanitarian situation and report to the coordination team (maps, regular report, crisis reports)
• To propose assessments and actions based on the output of these early warning tools
• To participate in conducting assessments when needed and develop concept papers or proposal in concert with the whole coordination team

Direct support of the field team

• To support Food Security and Livelihood field teams in the assessment, design and implementation stages of the project cycle
• In case of human resource gaps in a field program, to cover and take charge of Food Security and Livelihood operations when requested (gap or emergency support)
• Participate when needed in the opening of new field programs.

Elaborate and guide the sector strategy

• To participate in, analyse and capitalise on humanitarian assessments done by Solidarités and other partners related with Food Security and Livelihood issues.
• To elaborate the Food Security and Livelihood intervention strategy in link with the coordination team
• To participate in the design of new projects, and facilitate project design based on Logical Framework Approach

Reporting

• Prepare weekly reports for the country director
• Report any security incident to the country director immediately.
• Organize the feedback of relevant information to the Field Coordinators
• Regularly brief and share information / analysis with the Country Director

4/ Qualifications and experience requested

Education:

• Master Degree in water and sanitation engineering or equivalent

Experience:

• At least 5 years of field experience with NGOs in Food Security and Livelihood activities, including agricultural projects, based on community participation
• At least 2 years of field experience with NGOs in a management position
• Proven experience of assessments, of proposal and budgets construction, monitoring and evaluation
• Experience of semi-arid and pastoralists context is a strong advantage
• Experience in CBOs capacity building is a strong advantage
• Experience in Veterinary services is a strong advantage

5/ Person Specification

Skills and competences

• Excellent and extensive knowledge of agricultural technologies and of the livelihood framework used in humanitarian contexts
• Excellent knowledge of the project management cycle and methodology
• Understanding and interest in emergency humanitarian situations
• Knowledge and understanding of the various humanitarian actors in the region
• Ability to analyze complex geopolitical contexts
• Team leadership skills with proven coordination ability
• Ability to propose new ideas and put them into action
• Excellent communication skills

Personality skills

• Calm, diplomatic, natural leadership.
• Ability to motivate others to adopt new ideas and bring about change
• Natural ability to connect with other stakeholders and team members
• Strong capacity to work with initiative and without close supervision
• Multitasking
• Ability to deal with heavy workload and constantly reassess priorities
• Ability to work effectively in a multicultural team
• Ability to meet strict deadlines

Languages

• English (working language): fluent, with excellent writing skills.
• French or Kiswahili remain desirable skills
• Somali is an added advantage

Computer skills

• Excellent knowledge of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Internet
• GIS knowledge is a plus

6/ How to apply

All cover letter, CV and contact details for 3 referees must be send to the following email address: jobapplication @ solidarites-kenya-som.org by closing date, 12th March 2010.

Please clearly indicate the position you are applying for in the title of your email.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for an interview.

Solidarites is an equal opportunity employer

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