Household Economic Strengthening Advisor

ADVERTISEMENT: HOUSEHOLD ECONOMIC STRENGTHENING ADVISOR (NAWIRI)

ROLE PURPOSE

Under the general guidance and direction of the Senior Household Economic Strengthening Technical Advisor, the Household Economic Strengthening advisor will provide technical implementation and support of all livelihoods or household economic strengthening work at the field level. S/he will develop, lead, provide inputs for research and learning, monitor and evaluate the livelihoods aspects of the USAID Nawiri project. S/he will coordinate and network with USAID Nawiri consortium partners led by Mercy Corps, County departments are responsible for agriculture, livestock, nutrition, trade and other NGOs. S/he will lead on all household economic strengthening elements of the project and reports, providing capacity building for the county staff.

S/he will promote best practice in the livelihoods programmes and contribute to the overall success of the USAID Nawiri programme. S/he will oversee the implementation of livelihoods or household economic strengthening activities in Turkana County.

In the event of a major humanitarian emergency, the role holder will be expected to work outside the normal role profile and be able to vary working hours accordingly.

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY

Strategic Planning and Programme Development

• Be fully aware of and actively participate in the development and review of the USAID Nawiri implementation strategy as informed by phase 1(Learning and research phase). Specifically, lead the operationalization and implementation of the Livelihoods component of the NAWIRI strategy and ensure that nutrition sensitive strategies and approaches are integrated into the component.
• Build on technical knowledge and understanding of the operation of Livelihoods related policies and services in Kenya, and how these policies can best work for the needs and peculiarities of Turkana County.
• Ensure that programme strategies support and demonstrate good practice in child safeguarding.
• Using a child rights programming lens, ensure that USAID Nawiri household economic strengthening is built around the Theory of Change and is regularly monitored.

Advocacy and Policy Development

• Be fully aware of and proactively engage in the development, review, dissemination and operationalization of County-level policies, legislation, strategies and other initiatives and developments by government and other stakeholders relating to food security and nutrition sensitive livelihoods programming.
• Regularly assess and communicate the implications for USAID Nawiri project and Save the Children’s programme and priorities of any changes in the operating environment relevant to food security and livelihoods.
• Help to articulate the Livelihoods advocacy messages for the USAID Nawiri project. Work with the health and Nutrition Lead, Institutional System Strengthening lead, Learning lead and Research lead in the development of a national and county livelihoods related advocacy strategy and an implementation plan (with timeline, key outcomes and activities). Support and monitor the implementation of livelihoods related elements of the advocacy strategies at county level, including through ensuring that programme staff have relevant advocacy skills and that roles and responsibilities for different activities are clarified.
• Support the health and nutrition lead and system strengthening lead develop policy briefs and position papers as and when required related to the nutrition-sensitive livelihoods programme in coordination with key programme staff. This may require technical support from Senior Household Economic Strengthening (HES) Technical Advisor, Child Poverty Technical Specialist, Nutrition Specialist and Health Technical Specialist.
• Represent and advocate for NAWIRI project with County Governments, NGOs and others at the county levels in both verbal and written communications to ensure that NAWIRI work is visible in terms of innovation and quality of implementation. Specifically ensure that evidence, learning and recommendations from NAWIRI programmes are shared through:
• Active participation in monthly food security technical forums/working groups at the county level
• Active participation in the nutrition multi-sectoral platform at the county level
• Sharing information with Senior Household Economic Strengthening (HES) Technical Advisor and Child poverty Technical Specialist to be used during Kenya Food Security Meeting and other coordination forums at national level.
• Share information with Senior Household Economic Strengthening (HES) Technical Advisor, Health systems strengthening advisor, Health and Nutrition Advisor, Health and Nutrition Lead to be used during participation in the Nutrition Information Working Group or technical forums at national and county levels.
• Advising field teams to ensure adequate field visibility through attendance of food security and livelihoods or multi-sectoral technical meetings at sub-county level.

Programme Quality

• Monitor and provide timely, relevant, accurate input on overall technical aspects of USAID Nawiri Livelihoods programme work in Turkana county.
• Liaise with Health and Nutrition lead to ensure all livelihoods and other programme staff receive the necessary and appropriate technical support. In consultation with Health and Nutrition lead agree on the range of advice, support, training and/or other assistance required by the other arms of USAID Nawiri to ensure sequencing, layering and integration as per the agreed model of poverty graduation component of USAID Nawiri programme.
• Assist in the development of tools for project staff and partners to improve the quality of nutrition sensitive livelihoods work. Where necessary provide – or ensure the provision of – technical training for project staff and partners as required (such Household Economy Analysis (HEA), Livelihoods related surveys, other monitoring and evaluation).
• Where external consultants (local or international) are required to technically support or monitor and evaluate projects, ensure the consultant adhere to the TOR and that quality is maintained throughout the work.
• Generate quality first draft reports to donors to ensure that technical debates are well articulated and reports are of acceptable quality before submission.
• Provide input on partner selection, and provide technical coaching of partners in Livelihoods.

Research, Monitoring and Evaluation

• Lead team and participate in the design and implementation of Livelihoods related research or assessments work such as HEA baseline assessments, Cost of the Diet analysis, etc.
• In collaboration with the project M&E Lead and engagement with field-based MEAL staff, ensure the project M&E frameworks are adhered to.
• Participate in the design of the Collaborate, Learn and Adapt (CLA) methodology of the programme implementation to ensure USAID Nawiri interventions are working to address persistent acute malnutrition.
• Regularly review and monitor programmes for child safeguarding issues. Take corrective action in modifying programme activities and/or report incidents.
• Ensure the active dissemination of programme findings and lessons learned through the production of high quality materials and their effective dissemination to key stakeholders.

Other

• Participate actively in USAID Nawiri programme meetings, planning and review activities, providing enhanced insight into Livelihoods programming.
• Ensure the recruitment and training of USAID Nawiri livelihoods programme staff (coordinators, officers and assistants) in technical areas of expertise as appropriate and ensure availability of appropriate professional development opportunities.
• Provide feedback on the performance of key programme staff through regular consultation with, as well as through structured performance management processes.

Contract Duration: 12 Months (with possibility of extension)

Number of Vacancies: 1

Work Location: Turkana

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor degree in Agriculture, Social Sciences, Community Development or other discipline relevant to rural livelihoods.
• At least 5 years demonstrated experience designing and implementing livelihoods programmes.
• Excellent understanding of Household Economy Approach (HEA).
• Excellent technical knowledge of policy and practice in the field of livelihoods, crop and livestock production as well as other cross cutting issues.
• Understanding and experience in implementing nutrition security food security and livelihoods programmes.
• Excellent understanding of system approach to ending persistent acute malnutrition.
• Clear understanding of and proactive approach to nutrition resilience, hunger and food security issues in Kenya, particularly in the context of Turkana county.
• Understanding and experience in child rights programming.
• Proven representation and advocacy skills.
• Strong commitment to capacity building of county staff and partners with willingness to adopt participatory and consultative approaches.
• Experience with livelihoods programming in arid and semi-arid land (ASAL) settings preferred.
• Experience writing donor reports especially USAID.
• Strong writing skills, including experience in writing, capacity statements and position papers.
• Good interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate and negotiate clearly and effectively at all levels, taking into account cultural and language difficulties.
• Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills including influencing, negotiation and coaching.
• Highly developed cultural awareness and ability to work well in an international environment with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures.

• Strong results orientation, with the ability to challenge existing mind-sets.

• Experience solving complex issues through analysis, definition of a clear way forward and ensuring buy-in.

• Ability to present complex information in a succinct and compelling manner.

• Ability and willingness to dramatically change work practices and hours, and work with incoming surge teams, in the event of emergencies.

• Fluency in English, both verbal and written, required. Knowledge of the local language and context will be a distinct advantage.

• Commitment to Save the Children values, including willingness to abide by and enforce the Child Safeguarding policy

THE ORGANIZATION

We employ approximately 25,000 people across the globe and work on the ground in over 100 countries to help children affected by crises, or those that need better healthcare, education and child protection. We also campaign and advocate at the highest levels to realise the right of children and to ensure their voices are heard.

We are working towards three breakthroughs in how the world treats children by 2030:

• No child dies from preventable causes before their 5th birthday
• All children learn from a quality basic education and that,
• Violence against children is no longer tolerated

HOW TO APPLY

Please apply in English saving your CV and covering letter as a single document, including your salary expectations for this role. To see a full a job description, please visit our website at

We need to keep children safe so our selection process reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse. Employment is subject to our Child protection standards including background checks and adherence to our Child Safeguarding Policy.

Save the Children is an equal opportunity employer and seeks to employ and assign the best-qualified talent.

Female Candidates are encouraged to apply.

Disclaimer:

Save the Children International does not charge any kind of fee at whichever stage of the recruitment process, nor request for medical examination or records and does not act through recruitment agents whatsoever.