Technical Advisor, Food Security & Nutrition

POSITION SUMMARY:

HIAS seeks a Technical Advisor, Food Security & Nutrition to contribute improving food and nutrition conditions for HIAS clients across the globe. The work includes food security and nutrition strategies, policy guidance, technical support with food security/nutrition analysis and livelihoods, coordination of the food security sector, food assistance, strengthening agribusiness and agriculture-based initiatives, coordination and capacity-building within local/national authorities, food security sit rep/bulletins or any other food security and nutrition related areas.

Under the direct supervision of the Director, Economic Inclusion, the Technical Advisor, Food Security & Nutrition will lead the preparation of a needs and response analysis, strategy and policy guidance, technical support and direction with respect to food security and nutrition analysis. They will coordinate with NGO partners, UN, local government and recipients to plan, organize and implement the nutrition and food security program. Additionally, they will build capacities of HIAS staff and HIAS partners as needed, providing advocacy and promoting fundraising for this area.

Organizationally, HIAS is guided by its’ Refugee Rights Framework. This rights-based approach, based on international human rights, humanitarian and refugee law and practice, provides a programming framework for HIAS’ focus on refugee protection. This framework prioritizes programming impact that ensures forcibly displaced people realize their potential and become contributors to society; with this impact being achieved through the realization of legal and civil rights and social and economic rights including 1) the right to protection from harm, violence, and discrimination; 2) the right to recovery from the shock of displacement, and 3) the right to economic self-sufficiency and inclusion.

Note, this position is based at our headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland or our office in New York, New York, and we will consider a remote option for applicants who live outside of commuting distance to either of our offices and are based in other states in which we are registered (Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin). This position can also be based in the LAC region in countries where HIAS has existing operations (Panama, Costa Rica, Mexico, Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, Aruba, Guyana).

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Supports the development of global food security and nutrition strategies and implementation plans in line with HIAS’ global policies and strategies.
• Works in partnership with the country programs to contribute to specific areas of food security innovation and development, including piloting and learning from experiences at the country office and regional level, developing policies, strategies and tools, and sharing learning with other regions.
• Provides technical development, support and capacity building of country teams on matters related to food security and nutrition programming.
• Ensures that food security-based programming approaches contributes to integrated programming and analysis, and that these interventions have measurable quality standards through data analysis and M&E.
• Ensures that best practices within food security and nutrition are identified, documented and disseminated both within the region and beyond.
• Monitors and evaluates nutrition and food security programs of HIAS against international standards to ensure that programs are evidence-based and implemented in a comprehensive and cost-effective manner; this will include data analysis, interpretation and monitoring of program impact.
• Creates tools for the accurate planning, design and implementation of interventions involving food security and nutrition in emergency, humanitarian and development environments.
• Manages networking, representation and relationship-building with key stakeholders relevant to the food security and nutrition areas.
• Identifies, develops and maintains relationships with relevant stakeholders (such as donors, UN agencies, NGOs, research and educational institutions, private sector) related to programs in general and more specifically as related to HIAS core priority areas of intervention.
• Works in partnership with the regional and country office advocacy leads to identify and develop regional advocacy issues related to food security and nutrition, as well as relevant cross-cutting issues.
• Supports the development of food security emergency preparedness, contingency planning and response capacities, contributing to emergency food security and nutrition response on demand and participating in the program design to draft proposals and budgets related to nutrition, food security and food assistance.
• Contributes to the adaptation of HIAS’ global food security and nutrition programs approaches and development of guidelines, tools and innovative approaches based on research of trends and learning from the country offices.
• Oversees the identification of pilot projects for the further development of the food security and nutrition program portfolio in the regions; contributes to the communication of results and the development of recommendations.
• Works in close coordination with livelihoods area and other divisions within HIAS in aspects related to food security and nutrition issues; assesses the training needs of HIAS staff related with food security and nutrition and develops a training program for them.
• When required, promotes fundraising for this area.

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS:

• Undergraduate Degree in nutrition, agriculture, economics, international development, environmental science or relevant field.
• 4-6 years of relevant work experience in planning and implementation of development program/projects linked to food security, food assistance and nutrition.
• Solid understanding of and/or experience in resilience, food security and nutrition analysis, agricultural market systems, and other topics related to chronic food insecurity, malnutrition and vulnerability at all levels (household, community, systems).
• Understanding of food systems, both globally and in developing contexts.
• Knowledge and experience providing technical and management leadership to complex projects that connect research and analysis with project implementation.
• Significant experience managing funded projects; experience with other donors in the international development sector a plus.
• Proven ability to write and lead development of technical proposals.
• International field experience in developing countries.
• Significant experience on international food assistance, nutrition in humanitarian emergencies response and humanitarian assistance policies.
• Up to 30% travel may be required.

HIRING PROCESS:

We are committed to a fair and respectful hiring process, and we do our absolute best to respond to every applicant. We prioritize communication and transparency with all candidates, even those who are not moving forward. Here’s a snapshot of our hiring process:

Step 1: Submit your application!

Step 2: Phone screen with a HIAS recruiter.

Step 3: Video interview with the hiring manager.

Step 4: Video interview with a panel of HIAS employees.

Step 5: Online reference check with SkillSurvey.

Step 6: Offer and background check with Shield Screening.

Step 7: Start your professional journey with HIAS!

Note: Some of our hiring processes may vary, and not all candidates will advance to each step.

ABOUT US:

Over one hundred years ago, the Jewish community founded HIAS (originally the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society) in New York City, the immigrant gateway to America. Supporting Jews fleeing persecution and poverty in Eastern Europe, our founders were guided by the traditions, texts and history of the Jewish people—a history of oppression, displacement and diaspora. HIAS has since helped generations of Jews facing violence because of who they were, and HIAS remains committed to helping Jewish refugees anywhere in the world. Today, our clients at HIAS come from diverse faiths, ethnicities and backgrounds, as do our staff. We bring our experience, history and values to our work across five continents, ensuring that refugees today receive the vital services and opportunities they need to thrive.

HIAS is a learning community, committed to diversity and inclusion. We do our work with integrity, accountability, transparency and a commitment to the highest ethical standards. We seek employees from diverse backgrounds and life experiences to join our teams located in the United States and across the globe. People who identify as BIPOC, people with disabilities, people from the LGBTQ+ community and people with lived experiences of forced displacement or immigration are all encouraged to apply. We are committed to building a diverse workforce that reflects our vision, mission and values.

VISION:

HIAS stands for a world in which refugees find welcome, safety and opportunity.

MISSION:

Drawing on our Jewish values and history, HIAS provides vital services to refugees and asylum seekers around the world and advocates for their fundamental rights so they can rebuild their lives.

VALUES:

Welcome • Acogimiento • Hospitalité • Hachnasat Orchim

We Welcome the Stranger

Justice • Justicia • Justice • Tzedek

We Pursue Justice

Empathy • Empatía • Empathie • Chesed

We Approach our Clients with Empathy

Partnership • Compañerismo • Coopération • Chevruta

We Believe in Changing the World through Partnership

Courage • Coraje • Courage • Ometz

We Act with Courage to Build a Better World

Resilience • Resiliencia • Résilience • Ruach

We Adapt and Thrive, Continuously Demonstrating our Resilience

DIVERSITY:

HIAS is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. As an equal opportunity employer, all qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, ethnic background, ancestry, citizenship status, religious creed, age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, registered domestic partner or civil union status, familial status, pregnancy, childbirth, military status, protected veteran status, political orientation or other legally protected status.

SAFEGUARDING:

HIAS is committed to the protection of children, vulnerable adults and any other person from any harm caused directly or indirectly due to their coming into contact with HIAS. We will not tolerate sexual exploitation, abuse or any form of child abuse or neglect by our staff or associated personnel. Any candidate offered a job with HIAS will be expected to sign and adhere to HIAS’ Code of Conduct and Safeguarding policies. All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which can include criminal records. HIAS also participates in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this Scheme, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. Likewise, HIAS will share this information when other organizations inquire about current and former HIAS staff as part of their recruitment process. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures.