Food Security and Livelihoods Coordinator | - 2015

South Sudan Regional Response

Background

DRC has been providing relief and development services in the Horn of Africa since 1997. Using a human rights framework, the DRC Horn and Africa and Yemen (HOAY) operation focuses mainly on Somalis who are affected by displacement, but also oversees programmes for IDPs, Refugees, and others affected by displacement in Kenya, Yemen, Ethiopia and Uganda. DRC aims to create a synergy between the different humanitarian aid and development projects in the HOAY – both in terms of geographical coverage and types of activities implemented in support of refugees and populations displaced or otherwise affected by conflict, consequences of climate change and natural hazards in the region.

DRC’s mandate is driven by three global strategic objectives within the DRC Assistance Framework including 1) Saving lives and alleviation of immediate suffering among people affected by conflict, 2) Safeguarding, restoration and development of livelihoods, and 3) Institutional and organisational change that contributes to protection of people’s rights and peaceful handling of conflict.

DRCs current regional objective is to support and strengthen a regional protection framework for displacement affected communities throughout the Horn of Africa and Yemen. The HOAY Regional office also supports non-operational initiatives, focusing on mixed migration issues, civil society engagement, and advocacy and policy influencing on displacement related issues

Purpose

The Food Security and Livelihood (FSL) Coordinator will have overall responsibility for the development and coordination of effective FSL interventions related to the South Sudan crisis in South Sudan, Uganda, Ethiopia and Kenya.

The FSL Coordinator will work closely with the Regional team, Country Directors and Head of Programmes in each country office to develop FSL strategies, lead and/or support programme design as required, and provide quality assurance through regular engagement with field staff at project locations and monitoring. The FSL Coordinator will not line manage FSL field staff directly, but will provide technical guidance and assist with capacity building.

The desired candidate is expected to have senior level management experience and a demonstrable successful track record of programme development, capacity building and effective programme implementation. He or she must also be able to conceptualize and articulate DRC vision and have the strong oral and written communication skill required to translate the vision into action.

Experience and understanding of refugee and displacement issues is an advantage and ideally the candidate will have a good understanding of the region and/or from other similar protection situations.

Responsibilities

Ensure high quality and timely market, food security, and livelihood assessments of humanitarian needs and provide prioritized recommendations for program interventions to the Regional team and Country Programmes.
Design effective response programs in food security, agriculture and livelihood strengthening, with an emphasis on cross-sectoral program responses and strategy, in coordination with country teams.
Draft technical proposals and budgets for international donors, work in close collaboration with DRC grants and finance staff to finalize proposals and respond to any requests for additional information
Select and implement appropriate monitoring systems; ensure consistent reporting and analysis of results to enhance program effectiveness and quality
Represent and coordinate with other agencies, local government, donors and other stakeholders to promote deliver of best practice humanitarian assistance.
Provide technical support on cash or voucher programming design and implementation, market strengthening, and internal collaboration among operational and programmatic stakeholders involved in cash/voucher programming to existing country programs remotely and through in-country visits or short-term deployments
Assist in the development and launch of new technical policy, procedures and training materials
Facilitate and/or participate in relevant meetings, workshops, seminars and trainings; support technical coordinators from other sectors to apply a livelihoods and market-sensitive lens to cross-sectoral assessments and program design
Build DRC staff capacity in the utilization of economic recovery methodologies and resources, including cash transfer programming, market analysis, Minimum Standards for Economic Recovery in Emergencies, and the Livestock Emergency Guidelines and Standards (LEGS) and other relevant methodologies.
Provide technical support as needed to existing country programs remotely and through in-country visits and short-term deployments

Reporting Arrangements

Reports to Deputy Regional Director with extensive collaboration with Country Directors, Heads of Programmes and livelihood staff in programme areas

Person Specifications

Undergraduate degree, in food security, agriculture, nutrition or related field and technical accreditation or equivalent (Masters degree preferred)
At least five years’ experience managing technical projects including at least two years in emergency/conflict areas
Excellent understanding of food security and livelihoods technical concepts and experience conducting detailed market, food security, livelihood, and protection needs assessments.
Demonstrated ability to work across functions and sectors to design and implement high-quality market-based programming, and in-depth knowledge of supply chain and financial management and controls of cash and/or voucher programs.
Superior internal and external communication and coordination capabilities and excellent team management skills.
Demonstrated ability to communicate technical expertise and standards and implement best practice approaches to implementing rapid, consistent, high quality emergency projects as well as protracted displacement situations
Experience managing donor funded programs and grants; including staff management, budget oversight, monitoring and evaluation systems, and technical input to proposal-budget development and donor reports.
Fluent and articulate in spoken and written English.
Experienced with conflict related displacement issues

Terms and Conditions

Availability: 1 June 2015

Duty station: Kampala Uganda, with frequent travel to programme locations in South Sudan, Uganda, Ethiopia, and Kenya

Duration: One year with possibility of extension, subject to funding.

Contract: Level A9. Salary, benefits and other conditions are offered in accordance with DRC’s Terms of Employment for Expatriates; please refer to www.drc.dk under Vacancies.

Commitments

DRC has a Humanitarian Accountability Framework, outlining its global accountability commitments. All staff are required to contribute to the achievement of this framework.

About DRC

The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a private, independent, humanitarian organization working on all aspects of the refugee cause in more than twenty five countries throughout the world. The aim of DRC is to protect refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) against persecution and to promote durable solutions to the problems of forced migration, on the basis of humanitarian principles and human rights. DRC works in accordance with the UN Conventions on Refugees and the Code of Conduct for the ICRC and NGOs in Disaster Relief.

The protection and assistance to conflict affected population is provided within a long-term, regional and rights-based approach in order to constitute a coherent and effective response to the challenges posed by today’s conflicts. Assistance consists of relief and other humanitarian aid, rehabilitation, support to return and repatriation as well as promotion of long-term solutions to displacement and its causes. In addition, support and capacity building of local and national authorities and NGOs form an integral part of DRC’s work.