Regional Food Security Specialist-Markets and Trade | Zimbabwe | 2020

  • Mid-level, Full-time staff position
  • Posted on 15 May 2020

Job Description

Chemonics seeks a full-time regional food security specialist-markets and trade (RFSS-MT) for the Famine Early Warning System Network (FEWS NET). The RFSS-MT will work with the southern Africa regional representative, the country teams in the region, and partners to design, execute, and coordinate regional activities in the markets and trade sector. These activities include providing monitoring and trade data quality assurance, technical assistance and guidance to country teams, and regional decision-making support products. The RFFS-MT will also provide high-quality, effective warnings of threats to food security, help mitigate food insecurity, and assist in preventing crises through actionable food security analysis. This position is based in Harare, Zimbabwe. We are looking for individuals who have a passion for making a difference in the lives of people around the world.

Responsibilities include:

  • Monitor, analyze, and report on staple food prices, exchange rates, consumer price indices, trade flows, crop production, and commodity balance sheet estimates while coordinating with country, regional, and home-office staff
  • Monitor and analyze relevant policy developments
  • Support FEWS NET’s participation in seasonal field assessments
  • Develop the technical capacity of country representatives to deliver high-quality market information and analysis
  • Provide technical assistance for remote monitoring startup activities and market monitoring in established non-presence countries as needed
  • Design and coordinate activities to build and maintain knowledge bases and market monitoring plans
  • Liaise with regional partners to exchange information and promote dialogue on market and institutional issues
  • Support the development of technical guidance materials, tools, and standards
  • Lead monthly technical coordination and conference calls as well as the regional informal cross-border trade data collection activity
  • Facilitate training and the transfer of FEWS NET market monitoring tools and systems to regional and international organizations as appropriate

Qualifications:

  • Advanced degree in a discipline directly relevant to household/food economy and food security, such as economics agricultural economics, or social science; in lieu of an advanced degree, a bachelor’s degree and five additional years of experience may be considered
  • Minimum of three years of relevant regional experience analyzing agricultural markets in southern Africa
  • Authorization to work in Zimbabwe required
  • Demonstrated ability to conduct market assessments, focus group discussions, and informational interviews using qualitative and quantitative methods
  • Demonstrated ability to work and coordinate with regional partners and stakeholders
  • Ability to communicate clearly and concisely orally and in writing
  • Excellent analytical, report-writing, and computer skills
  • Experience with geographic information system and Food Security Phase Classification preferred
  • Experience leading capacity building activities preferred
  • Demonstrated leadership, versatility, and integrity
  • Proficiency in English required; proficiency in French and other local language skills relevant to southern Africa preferred

Application instructions:

Please read the full job description for the southern Africa RFSS-MT by clicking on the following link: https://fews.net/sites/default/files/SOW_SA%20RFSS%20MT_May%202020_Final.pdf.

Fill out the general information form and upload your CV and cover letter at https://fewsnet.formstack.com/forms/rfss_sa_fewsnet by May 25, 2020. Provide all application materials, including your responses to the general information form, in English.

Chemonics values the protection of your personal data. If you are in the European Union, please read our EU Recruiting Data Privacy Notice to learn how we process personal data. You may access the notice via the following link: https://chemonics.com/eu-recruiting-data-privacy-notice/.

Chemonics is an equal opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and does not discriminate in its selection and employment practices. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, disability, or protected veteran status, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, or other non-merit factors.

About the Organization

Owned entirely by employees, Chemonics is an ISO-9001 certified international development company. For more than 40 years, we have partnered with local and international organizations to promote social and economic change around the world.

Chemonics International is a leading international development consulting firm based in Washington, D.C. with more than 40 years of experience implementing programs around the world.