Food Security & Livelihoods Sector Technical Lead, BHA/Somalia Resilience Food Security Activity (RFSA)

Job Description

Summary

Save the Children is seeking a Food Security & Livelihoods Sector Technical Lead for an anticipated five-year USAID-funded Resilience Food Security Activity (RFSA) in Somalia. The USAID Forecast states that this RFSA will target urban and peri-urban internally displaced persons (IDPs) and the surrounding host communities in Mogadishu, Afgoye, Jowhar, Baidoa, Hudur, or Kismayo and seek to graduate them from reliance on humanitarian assistance. This will be confirmed after the release of the Draft Request for Applications (Draft RFA), which is expected January 31, 2024.The Food Security & Livelihoods Sector Lead will be the technical team lead for a holistic approach to achieving the project goals that may include sub-sector specialty including enterprise development, market systems development, financial inclusion, and others as appropriate. The Food Security & Livelihoods sector Lead will be responsible for ensuring that strategies to achieve sustainable livelihood development results with urban focus are technically sound, up to date, of proven efficiency, and able to be implemented in local settings.

The Food Security & Livelihoods Sector Technical Lead reports to the Chief of Party and will provide technical leadership and have responsibility for all activities associated with improving the livelihoods outcomes of target populations.

Hiring is contingent upon successful award of the activity and USAID approval of the candidate.

What You’ll Be Doing (Essential Duties)

Urban focused Sustainable Livelihoods Strategy and Leadership (40%)

• Lead development of the activity sustainable and resilient livelihoods strategy which also include urban livelihoods and ensure Livelihoods analysis recommendations are integrated into activity work plans.
• Provide technical guidance for the overall cross-cutting and strategic integration of market based, gender and youth inclusive approaches into activity design,
• Lead the rapid start-up and implementation of activities in target communities along with partners, private sector, other donor funded projects and government stakeholders.
• Lead on developing private sector partnerships relevant to successful graduation of target HH’s as well as improved market systems to support economic activity in IDP camps and host communities.
• Ensure coordination with other sector interventions such as health, nutrition and WASH for effective layering and sequencing.
• Work with Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) staff to oversee and coordinate formative and operations research using participatory methodologies to strengthen local capacity and to design high-impact interventions based on the social and cultural contexts in target areas.
• Update the activity livelihoods strategy annually alongside the activity work plan using formal and informal feedback.
• Coordinate with activity staff, including managers and technical specialists, to ensure the implementation of the nutrition strategy into the activity.

Activity Implementation & Quality Assurance (40%)

• Design and conduct nutrition components of assessments or standalone nutrition assessments as appropriate, ensuring results are used to adapt and adjust activity implementation.
• Provide technical oversight for the design, development, and implementation of evidence-based nutrition and nutrition-focused SBC tools and training materials based on community visioning, formative research findings and stakeholder consultations, and in collaboration with partners and stakeholders. Maintain a quality and consistent approach across all target areas and technical interventions.
• Prepare project reporting on nutrition activities, ensuring that updates and progress on related indicators and successes are included in activity reports and annual work plans.
• Work with and support MEAL staff to develop context-specific indicators for nutrition, measure outcomes, and collect and analyze data.

Coordination & Capacity Building (20%)

• Build capacity of activity and partner staff in nutrition principles and in activity interventions.
• Represent Food Security, Livelihoods, Markets and Financial inclusions aspects of the activity to external stakeholders, such as the donor, government institutions, partners and stakeholders; disseminate learnings and best practices; and participate in technical working groups, including the food security and nutrition cluster at national and regional level.
• Ensure alignment and consistency of all economic focused interventions with national policies and multi-sectoral nutrition strategies.

Required Qualifications

• An advanced degree (Master’s) in Agriculture, economic development, business administration, Development study or related discipline.
• A minimum of eight years of experience in the design and implementation of market-based livelihoods and food security programs; experience working in and/or with the private sector an asset.
• Strong technical skills in sub-sector relevant to sustainable livelihoods development including Market systems development, enterprise development, financial inclusions approach and methodologies.
• Experience working across sectors, including health; safe water, sanitation, and hygiene; and nutrition to influence the nutrition-sensitive outcomes of those interventions preferred.
• Proven track record of working with a range of key stakeholders including relevant government agencies, private sector companies, trade associations, vocational technical training entities etc.
• Demonstrated problem solving skills, collaboration experience, creativity and willingness to innovate.
• Prior experience with USAID BHA or Feed the Future, familiarity with and understanding of USAID policies and procedures, or those of other donors, or those of donor-funded activities or community-based activities.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to lead and work effectively in team situations.
• Experience in Livelihoods and Food Security, indicators, monitoring, and evaluation.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English required; Somali and Arabic preferred.

Qualified local candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

About Save the Children

Save the Children believes every child deserves a future. In the United States and around the world, we give children a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm. We do whatever it takes for children – every day and in times of crisis – transforming their lives and the future we share.

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About the Organization

Save the Children is the leading independent organization creating lasting change in the lives of children in need in the United States and around the world. Recognized for our commitment to accountability, innovation and collaboration, our work takes us into the heart of communities, where we help children and families help themselves.