Senior Emergency and Resilience Seeds Systems Advisor

Job Description

CRS seeks an Emergency and Resilience Seed Systems Advisor for the Feed the Future Global Supporting Seed Systems for Development (S34D) activity, a 5-year Leader with Associates Award. The Emergency and Resilience Seed Systems Advisor is an active member of the activity senior management team, which is expected to complement the Chief of Party in knowledge and experience. The management team will work in coordination to plan and provide consistent specialized, targeted technical assistance in seed systems program analysis, design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation and to provide global leadership in the identification and application of promising practices.

The Emergency and Resilience Seed Systems (ERSS) Advisor will work with a Consortium Partners and other development partners to contribute to the assessment and development of improved methods, tools, interventions and policies that will upgrade the resilience, formal and informal seed systems in at least 10 countries. S/he will lead efforts to identify priority activities or actions to accelerate progress in seed-related service delivery. The ERSS Advisor will also ensure that the S34D activity strengthens efforts by small holder farmers, private sector actors, and governments to build resilience to recurrent crises. This requires better and more reliable farmer access to appropriate varieties of high-quality seeds of a wide range of crops, especially ensuring reliable supplies before, during, and after shocks such as droughts or floods. S/he will work closely with in-country S34D staff and provide support to the implementing partners’ staff.

Specific Responsibilities:
* Support seed systems assessments in shocked and chronic environments;
* Build capacity within Government, research and civil society to undertake seed systems assessments to understand resilience of existing seed systems;
* Harmonize the development and resilience or emergency seed sector actions;
* Identify and deploy market-oriented seed delivery systems to introduce improved genetics into shocked and chronically poor communities;
* Find ways to introduce nutritionally improved seed into chronically poor communities;
* Leverage and link emergency and development seed programs to support vulnerable smallholder farmers; and develop Shock Responsive Seed Systems for Greater Resilience;
* Develop a model for “shock responsive” seed systems with guidelines and connect to forecasts of potential shocks to seed security;
* Monitor donor and NGO seed supply programs - Develop and put into action a means to monitor donor and NGO seed supply (seed aid) programs vis a vis market mechanisms and sustainability;
* Develop resilience seed systems approaches and build capacity with organizations focused on supporting the more vulnerable;

Minimum Qualifications:
* An advanced degree (MS, MA or Ph.D.) in agriculture, socio-ecology, food security, agricultural economics or a related field;
* At least 10 years of experience in food security and seed programming, and can include value chain;
* At least 3-5 years of experience in programs in informal seed systems;
* Professional experience interacting with U.S Government agencies in relation to the duties of this position;
* Professional experience with humanitarian response and the seed system security assessment framework and methods;
* Supervisory experience and management and team building skills;
* Fluency in English (written and spoken). Professional working knowledge of French or Spanish preferred.

IF SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE IS TO BE BASED IN THE USA, THE APPLICANTS MUST BE LEGALLY AUTHORIZED TO WORK IN THE U.S. AT THE TIME OF APPLICATION.

Travel Requirements: 20-30% International travel

Disclaimer: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.

CRS’ talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.

CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. We welcome as a part of our staff and as partners people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need.

About the Organization

Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. CRS works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality. CRS's Agriculture and Livelihoods team supports farming communities using our Pathway to Prosperity approach, which enables rural families to increase their productivity within sustainable landscapes, achieve a living income and build more resilient communities.