Livelihoods and Food Security Specialist

NRC is looking for a Livelihoods and Food Security Specialist to join our team in Kabul – Afghanistan. The Candidate should have Leadership and resilience skills with experience with both rural and urban livelihoods programme approaches, in particular private sector support and experience in overseeing start-up and implementation of large projects, including setting up teams, donor reporting, budgeting, writing SOPs..

Moreover, the ideal candidate should have expertise in (livelihood analysis, food- agriculture- and market systems, financial inclusion) and Minimum 4 years of experience within technical expertise area within a humanitarian – early recovery contexts (crisis response, inclusion and transition programming), and previous experience working in complex and volatile contexts.

Role and responsibilities

The purpose of the Specialist position is technical development, strategic direction and quality assurance of the Livelihoods & Food Security core competency and to support with the rehabilitation and progression within the Economic Inclusion portfolio. The Specialist is responsible for mentoring, training and building the capacity of relevant Core Competency staff.

The following is a brief description of the role.

1. Develop LFS CC strategy, technical guidance and macro logframes that are aligned with regional and global strategies and priorities
2. Compliance with and adherence to NRC policies, guidance and procedures
3. Contribute to fundraising, develop and revise funding proposal, budgets and donor reports
4. Identify trends technical standards and donor priorities
5. Follow up on compliance with contractual commitments within LFS CC, ensure high technical quality and synergies in project implementation
6. Provide technical direction and project implementation support
7. Ensure that key learnings are extracted from LFS CC implementation, and incorporate them in LFS CC and staff development processes
8. Provide systematic training and build capacity of technical staff, associated to both livelihood and food security analysis and market based approaches
9. Represent NRC in relevant forums/clusters, including with national authorities and donors
10. Promote the rights of IDPs/returnees in line with the advocacy strategy

Specific responsibilities

1. Lead the diversification, adaptation and strengthening of existing LFS portfolio of the country program (rural, urban and in access constrained locations).
2. Enable the start-up and guide implementation of two large, multi-year urban livelihoods projects in multiple locations, focusing on private sector development (engagement with small and medium enterprises, job placements and small business startups, that contribute to strengthening market systems, food security etc.).
3. Ensure the development of integrated livelihood approaches securing the inclusion of people most vulnerable to displacement and its effects.
4. Strengthen LFS capacity in strengthening local food and agricultural systems (rural and urban).
5. Lead the establishment of strategic partnerships in line with core competency global and regional priorities and purpose.
6. Ensure associated capacity building, guidance and SOP development and interdepartmental engagement

Competencies

• Competent with system based approaches in enabling joint/holistic livelihood programming design and implementation
• Valid driver’s license
• Master’s degree or similar in relevant field of food, agriculture and/or market systems development or related field of expertise
• Experience in, partnership based approaches and externally representation is required
• Added advantage having experience with cash based interventions and food assistance
• Demonstrated understanding of M&E processes and reporting associated to humanitarian response, food security and livelihood recovery
• Enthusiasm for frequent travels to the field, including in difficult or insecure environments.
• Keen interest in guiding, supporting and developing national staff capacity, including one-on-one mentoring – especially for female staff.
• A sense of humour!

Languages:

• Fluency in English, both written and verbal

We are also looking for people who share our values:

• To be dedicated in what we do;
• To be innovative with our solutions;
• To act as one unified and inclusive team;
• To be accountable to the donors that make our work possible; the people we exist to serve; and to each other… the members of our NRC family.

We encourage you to learn more about this role please click here to access the Detailed Job Description

• Type of contract: Fixed term contract.
• Salary/benefits: According to NRC salary scale, terms and conditions.
• Duty station: Kabul, Afghanistan

Please include all relevant employment history and education when completing your application. Uploaded CV’s will not be considered.