Smallholder Livelihoods Expert

Job Description

The Scaling Up Nutrition Program is a cross-ministry and multi-donor program to reduce stunting in Zambia through implementation of the Government of the Republic of Zambia (GRZ) 1,000 Most Critical Days Program.

SUN TA will provide support and direct technical assistance to sub-national local government departments in target districts to plan, implement, coordinate, and monitor integrated nutrition-sensitive and nutrition-specific activities to reduce the rate of stunting among Zambian children under two and improve the nutritional status of pregnant and lactating mothers. USAID has identified two main objectives that address stunting, including (1) Adequate Quantity and Quality of Dietary Intake among Target Groups; and (2) Adequate Health Conditions for Biological Utilization of Nutrients. SUN TA interventions will increase access and availability of safe, diverse, nutritious food; adoption of better child feeding and household hygiene practices; and access to improved health, water and sanitation services. The project will prioritize sustainability by improving intra-household joint decision making and building the capacity of local government and their stakeholders to ensure coordination, accountability, and learning, following the Scaling Up Nutrition model.

Objective:

The Smallholder Livelihoods Expert will be responsible for the overall strategy development and implementation of agriculture and livelihood activities and will provide technical support to achieve expected results. S/he will provide cross-cutting, strategic, and program implementation direction and management to promote demand for key SUN interventions at community and household level, while supporting sub-national government counterparts in meeting generated demand. The Expert will work closely with the Nutrition/Child Health Expert and WASH Expert to ensure a comprehensive integrated approach to meet the program objectives of reducing stunting. The Expert is also expected to work closely with the monitoring and evaluation team to ensure progress is being achieved towards program targets. S/he will establish and maintain close and effective liaison with relevant ministry and government officials, partners, and country stakeholders to facilitate flow of information concerning research, policies, and programs and to stay abreast of current trends.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

• Serve as a key member of the technical leadership team in guiding the effective activity implementation and achievement of agricultural production and market systems objectives.
• Provide technical leadership, oversight, and capacity development for nutrition-focused agricultural production components of the project, ensuring linkages with other project components.
• Work with national and provincial (20% focus), and district and ward-level counterparts (80% focus) to develop District SUN annual work plans, coordinating with M&E team on indicators and target development.
• Provide TA to national and provincial (20% focus) and district and ward-level counterparts (80% focus) to support work plan implementation on smallholder livelihoods, including nutritious food production, storage, processing, marketing, and transport.
• In partnership with other key staff, establish and maintain positive relationships with project co-implementers, including government ministries and departments, particularly the district representatives of the Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries, and, where appropriate, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, NGOs working in the area, and other key stakeholders.
• Attend partner coordination meetings as appropriate. Ensure that activities are coordinated with relevant stakeholders, including communities.
• Identify areas for additional TA from consortium partners.
• Coordinate with Field TA Manager and field teams to identify where DI assistance is required and work with the Grants and DI Manager to formulate a request.
• In collaboration with the technical and MEL teams, participate in analyzing and disseminating evidence to promote policy reforms that lead to improved nutrition outcomes at all levels.
• Other tasks as may be assigned by the Deputy Chief of Party for successful achievement of agriculture and livelihoods objectives.

Reporting and Supervision:

The Smallholder Livelihoods Expert directly reports to the DCOP in activity implementation and management.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture or related field. Master’s degree preferred.
• 7-10 years of progressive experience in providing technical expertise to government institutions and/or private sector partners to improve livelihoods and reduce poverty;
• 10-15 years of progressive experience with increased responsibility focused on agriculture development and livelihood activities at the household and community levels;
• Proven ability to successfully lead partnerships with community-based organizations and stakeholders;
• Demonstrated ability to interpret scientific studies, operations research and cost-benefit analysis and apply lessons to reach objectives - this will include using relevant data for advocacy on integration of high-impact practices at all levels of implementation;
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to adapt communication styles to a range of audiences, including professional and community stakeholders;
• Previous supervisory experience strongly preferred; and
• Fluency in written and spoken English is required.

About the Organization

DAI is an employee-owned global development company. For 40 years, we have worked on the frontlines of international development, tackling fundamental social and economic development problems caused by inefficient markets, ineffective governments, and instability. Currently, DAI is delivering results that matter in some 60 countries. Our integrated development solutions turn ideas into impact by bringing together fresh combinations of expertise and innovation across multiple disciplines—crisis mitigation and stability operations, democratic governance and public sector management, agriculture and agribusiness, private sector development and financial services, economics and trade, HIV/AIDS and disease control, water and natural resources management, and energy and climate change. Our clients include international development agencies, international lending institutions, private corporations and philanthropies, and national governments.

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