Food Security and Livelihood Head of Department

Country Office: Ethiopia

Work Base:   Addis Ababa

Availability: As Soon As Possible

Salary Scale: EMS10

                                 Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply for this position.

About Action Against Hunger

Action Against Hunger-USA is a global humanitarian organization that takes decisive action against the causes and effects of hunger. We save the lives of malnourished children and we enable entire communities to be free from hunger. With more than 8,000 staff in over 50 countries, our programs reached 17 million people in 2019.

About the Country Program in Ethiopia

Action Against Hunger has been operational in Ethiopia since 1984 responding to both chronic and acute needs through a multi-sectoral strategy where nutrition, Food Security and Livelihoods, WASH, and Mental Health and Psychosocial Support activities are integrated to have a meaningful impact on people’s resilience.

Action Against Hunger currently operates in 5 different regions (Oromia, Somali, Amhara, Benishangul Gumuz, and Gambella) with a portfolio of 20m USD/year of emergency, resilience

building, research, and innovation programs. We have a country team of around 600 staff in 17 regional and satellite offices. Our main donors in Ethiopia in 2020/2021 are BHA, ECHO, Europaid, UNHCR, UNICEF, GFFO, BPRM, SIDA, EHF, WFP, CIAA, and others.

Summary of Position

This post provides managerial, technical, and oversight support to the Food Security, Livelihoods, Resilience, and Disaster Risk Management Interventions throughout the country and contributes to the broader network and regional levels issues related to the sector. Responsible for the development, implementation, monitoring, and reporting of all FSL projects. Actively participates in the provision of technical inputs for strategic documents. Develops tools and guidelines that help program managers to ensure timely and quality implementation of projects and adherence to the organizational policies, procedures, and donor guidelines and standards. Demonstrates consistent and meaningful representation of the organization in sector-specific and coordination platforms. Works closely with program managers, finance, and logistics to have healthy and appropriate budget utilization.   

Purpose

To design and implement innovative, high quality and context-specific solutions and models to fight hunger and malnutrition for disaster-affected communities in Ethiopia. Build and maintain a strong team who has the technical skills and competencies to implement Action Against Hunger’s FSL programs in a timely and quality manner.  

Engagement

Internally, the FSL HoD works closely with all program and operation teams at the region, capital, and field levels to ensure the development of country strategy, timely and quality design, and execution of projects. Externally, the HoD is responsible to have a meaningful engagement in agriculture/ food security, cash and emergency working groups, Collaborative Cash Delivery (CCD) groups, relevant technical working groups, and cluster meetings. Responsible for fostering relationships with like-minded organizations to strengthen partnerships and experience sharing.    

Delivery

The FSL HOD will analyze the overall humanitarian, recovery, and development contexts, design appropriate projects and oversee project execution consistent with program objectives engaging counterparts and building a reputation for quality design and reliable delivery in line with donor rules, regulations, and standards.

Essential job duties

• The FSL HOD is in charge of all FSL programs across the mission, as well as providing technical assistance for general implementation. A brief description of the duties is provided below.

Actively participate in the development of country strategies, which include:

• Analysis of humanitarian and development contexts for program orientation and FSL sector strategic positioning

• Designing and updating country strategies for Food Security, Livelihood, and DRM in accordance with   Global Sustainable Goals (SDGs), Regional strategies, ACF ISP III, country agriculture and DRR policy, national development plan, and strategic pillars.

• Participate in the strategy reviews and also revise the country’s Theory of change developed every year.

• Develop/ revise tools, SOPs, and approaches for monitoring and evaluating Action Against Hunger project implementation in the areas of FSL, Cash, and DRM.

Program Implementation Follow-up

• Frequent and as-needed visits to the bases to ensure quality implementation and to evaluate the situation on the ground in order to identify innovative project ideas.

• Field visit for a kick-off meeting and to introduce the new projects to the field team, local authorities, and stakeholders, especially for the long-term projects.

• Ensure a good follow-up of the projects portfolio,

• Propose and implement new ideas.

• Maintain a close eye on the project portfolio.

Proposal Writing

• Identify new opportunities and develop new projects. Identify and fundraise for the innovative project ideas

• Actively lead/participate in proposal development for the sector, including technical narrative, LFA, work plan, and budget, in accordance with the donor priorities and technical guidelines. Ensure the proposal is cluster priorities and needs assessment

Program quality and accountability

• Review monthly activity progress reports (APR) and provide feedback to the program managers; Suggestions for corrective actions Coach and mentor the program managers.

• Before submitting donor reports review them for technical accuracy and compliance with donor requirements.

• Technically validate plans, reports, and other project-related documents:

• Ensure internal and external evaluation of current and previous emergency, recovery, and long-term programs on all bases in a manner that facilitates organizational learning

• Support learning and application of innovative approaches in humanitarian and resilience projects at the field level in collaboration with other Action Against Hunger technical departments and external partners.

• Ensure documentation and capitalization of lessons learned and good practices, and contribute to the preparation of publications and case studies.

• Ensure accountability and standards are mainstreamed across FSL projects and build the capacity of field staff.

Grant Management

• Actively assist program managers in effective budget management by reviewing BFU, ensuring project budgets are accurate, and recommending corrections.

Team management

• Lead and manage the FSL and cash team by reviewing the plan of action, validating the workplan, and clearly defining the team’s responsibilities and deliverables.

• Strengthen the team's technical capacity by providing the necessary support and advice on innovative multisectoral and livelihood opportunities such as WASH, FSL, nutrition-sensitive value chains, and income-generating activities.

• Conduct timely program team performance evaluations.

• Take the lead in the recruitment process of FSL team members. 

Procurement

• Raise capital-based PRs, support the field team in preparing the project procurement plan, submit procurement requests via LINK, follow up with the logistic team to ensure program items are procured in accordance with the request, and ensure  the items are delivered to the base on time

• Prepare TOR (tender documents) for large-scale procurement, participate in tender evaluation, and technically validate the procurement in the LINK system. 

Represent Action Against Hunger

• Represent Action Against Hunger at high-level federal and regional meetings, INGO cluster meetings, and GO/NGO forum ad cash working group.

• Represent the organizations in various forums and coordination meetings, such as the Food Security Cluster, the Agriculture Task Force Cluster, the Cash Working Group, the Durable Solution Working Group, steering committees, humanitarian coordination, and so on.

• Ensure relevant stakeholders have a clear understanding of the Action Against Hunger Charter, background, program objectives, and activities in the field.

• Participate in national and international FSL coordination forums.

• Participate in the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) analysis which is led by the DRM office and FAO

• Participate in various need assessments organized by UN-OCHA, FAO, the Cash Working Group, and DRM.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• The FSL – HoD is directly managed by the Programme Director and has direct supervision to the Deputy HoD for FSL and cash expert, and technically manages field-based FSL program managers. As the department evolves and expands, the management lines and approaches might also be adjusted to make it fit for the purpose.

Gender Equality Commitments  

• Foster an environment that supports the values of women and men, and equal access to information.

• Provide a work environment where women and men must be evaluated and promoted based on their skills and performance.

• Respect beneficiaries’ women, men, and children (boys and girls) regardless of gender, sexual orientation, disability, or religion—race, color, ancestry, national origin, age, or marital status. 

• Value and respect all cultures. 

Fiscal Responsibility

• Budgets and all grants are implemented in compliance with Action Against Hunger and donor regulations.

• The FSL HoD has to follow up and ensure the timely and appropriate planning and utilization of all FSL budgets.

Physical Demands

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to sit for long periods and to concentrate on work, including typing, and turn out heavy volumes of work accurately, within short time frames under stressful situations in the context of a moderately noisy office with many interruptions. Must be able to proofread own work accurately so that only minor corrections are needed on an infrequent basis.

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Working Conditions, Travel, and Environment

• The duties of the job require regular job attendance at least five days per week. Must be available to work outside normal office hours or on the weekends as required.

• Must be able to travel as required for standard domestic and international business purposes. While performing the duties of this job in the field, the employee may be exposed to precarious settings under high-security risks and/or very basic living conditions and outside weather conditions, as well as to infectious diseases. 

Job Requirements

Required Qualifications and Professional Experience

• Master’s degree in Food security, Agriculture, DRR, Economics, development studies, or other related social science courses

• Eight years of experience with an excellent professional track record with at least five years of INGO project management experience

• Experience in managing or leading development and humanitarian response program specifically, Food security, Livelihood,  Nutrition- Sensitive Agriculture, Cash and Voucher Assistance, Early Recovery, Disaster Risk Reduction, NRM

Required Skills & Competencies

• Direct program management experience in both long and short-term Food security and livelihood interventions in development and emergency settings.

• Experience in managing complex emergency, and resilience-building projects for donors such as USAID/ BHA, BPRM, SIDA, ECHO, UN agencies, and the European Commission

• Strong experience in proposal development for diverse donors

• Good experience with project and budget management methods and tools and a strong appreciation for innovation and partnership as part of project development.

• Good analytical skills with the ability to positively influence cross-departmental and cross-sector working.

• Strong results orientation, with the ability to meet deadlines and produce high-quality products.

• Strong cultural awareness and ability to work well in an international environment with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures.

• Ability and willingness to change work practices and hours, and work with the proposal development teams to meet deadlines.

• Substantial experience and skills in establishing and maintaining external relations with government, community stakeholders, and civil society.

• Fluency in English (business level/ Full Professional Proficiency), both verbal and written

• Proficiency in computer e.g. MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint... 

How to Apply

APPLICATION PROCEDURE 

If you are interested, please send your application composed of none returnable CV, a Covering Letter with “FSL HOD” written in the subject line, and three references, applicants to the following addresses:

Through THIS LINK

NB: Only shortlisted applicants will be communicated and the selection process includes a technical test and an interview.

Action Against Hunger-USA provides all staff with an _attractive salary & benefits package. We provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees & qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, ancestry, national origin, age, handicap, disability, marital status, or status as a veteran. Action Against Hunger-USA complies with all applicable laws governing nondiscrimination in employment