Advisor, Livelihoods, Africa

Lead the development and growth of SC US’s livelihoods and food security portfolio with a primary geographic focus onAfrica.  Play a major role in developing, implementing, and representing the Livelihoods Department’s strategy for the region, identifying opportunities and developing proposals to increase food and economic security of African households.  Improve the quality and impact of livelihoods programs by providing technical assistance and building capacity within Country Offices (COs) in implementing livelihoods programming.  Coordinate with other technical and program departments and sector staff to develop integrated approaches to livelihoods programming, as appropriate.  This position will play a key role in developing stronger linkages in the area of food security and livelihoods between Save the Children (SC) members supporting Save the Children International (SCI) programs inAfrica.

Responsibilities

• Play a central role in developing the strategy to increase the economic security of families and children in Africa.
• Collaborate with SCI and other SC members in Africa, identifying opportunities for collaboration, promoting best practices and developing shared policy approaches where possible.
• Provide technical assistance to country programs in developing food security and livelihoods strategies.
• Provide technical support to ongoing livelihoods and food security projects with a focus on cost-effectiveness, building a solid evidence base and being able to move projects to scale.
• Through direct technical assistance provision, work with Regional Offices and the Livelihoods Department to build further the capacity of local staff to identify, design and implement quality programs in the area of household economic security
• Provide technical support to develop high quality proposals.
• Develop and sustain food security and livelihoods related relationships with donors (including private foundations), partners, academic institutions and technical personnel within donor agencies including OFDA, UN, USAID, Food for Peace, etc
• Provide direction and support to the design, testing, and evaluation of innovations to advance food security and livelihoods programming
• Participate in the development of livelihoods related policy and advocacy positions and support their dissemination.

 Requirements

•  Advanced degree in a relevant social science;
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in food security and livelihoods;
• Overseas experience preferably in Africa and/orAsiarequired
• Advanced skills in developing and implementing value chain and/or microenterprise/microfinance/livelihoods programs in developing countries a plus;
• Innovative and visionary approach to household economic security programming;
• Significant experience dealing with public and private donors
• Experience with program assessment and design;
• Training skills;
• Proposal development experience, particularly with USAID;
• Excellent writing and communications skills in English;
• Ability to travel and to work independently, even in harsh environments

Employee Type

Full - Time

 Save the Children is the leading independent organization for children in need, with programs in over 120 countries, including the United States. We aim to inspire breakthroughs in the way the world treats children, and to achieve immediate and lasting change in their lives by improving their health, education and economic opportunities. In 2010, we improved the lives of over 64 million children in need in the United States and around the world. Our goal is to reach more than 74 million children annually by the year 2012.  Join our dedicated and diverse staff committed to improving the well-being of children.

Save the Children provides an attractive benefits package including competitive salaries, a matching retirement plan, health and welfare benefits, life insurance, an employee assistance program, generous time off and much more.

We are an equal opportunity organization dedicated to our core values of Accountability, Ambition, Collaboration, Creativity and Integrity