The positions and responsibilities
AAH Somalia is looking for a suitable candidate to fill the position of Head of Food Security & Livelihood (FSL) Department, based in Nairobi with frequent travel to Somalia. The Head of FSL Department Reports hierarchically & technically to the Deputy Country Director-Somalia Programs.
Goal:
This is a technical specialist position in which the HOD FSL is to design AAH Food Security and resilience strategy and contribute to its implementation in order to maximise AAH impact and address the needs in the country.
The Head of FSL Department’s core responsibilities will include but not limited to the following:
Objective 1: Design AAH food security and resilience country strategy
Support the analysis of the humanitarian context through high quality field assessments, consultation with stakeholders and collection/analysis of secondary data
Contribute to integrated surveillance through input on development of tools, analysis and interpretation, etc., as appropriate
Develop strategic positioning for the Nutrition Sensitive FSL/DRR & Resilience in close consultation with field teams and other technical departments, as appropriate
Draw from the strategic plan, other mission documents and broader analysis to identify new geographical areas of interest and or confirm existing areas
Engaging in teamwork with Heads of Departments in other technical areas to develop an integrated multi-sectoral approach.
The promotion of technical innovation through suggestions to/from FSL Technical Advisor and PMs.
Objective 2: Program development in relation with the technical strategy
Coordinating the identification of FSL and DRR humanitarian needs
Coordinating assessment and analysis of prevailing context of food security in the Country.
Initiate studies based on the analysis of data provided by other partners (NGOs, UN agencies, governmental departments)
Identify, propose and develop new program orientations, strategies and activities
Formulating, financing and implementing the feasibility study of FSL and DRR Projects including social protection considering technical, social-economic, cultural and environmental aspects.
leading on new proposal development, produce technical and necessary parts of proposals in accordance with donor formats and deadlines, and ensuring close coordination with all the relevant technical and support sectors of AAH and partner organizations.
Building on good practice, experience and assessments in the framework of AAH’s organizational development strategy and ensuring that recommendations arising from assessments are implemented
Objective 3: Contribute to AAH technical expertise
Monitoring the implementation of new techniques
Design technical trainings and workshops in consultation with relevant technical advisors and experts from HQ and with technical team at mission level.
Facilitating the development of mission Emergency Preparedness and Response Plans using the AAH EPRP format.
The technical capitalization at mission level including human interest stories, best practices and any new tools and methods for Food Security and/or DRR & Resilience measurement.
Identification of nutrition sensitive resilience research projects/Shock responsive mechanisms.
Identifying challenges and proposing research projects and innovative approaches in the field of food security and resilience programming.
Objective 4: Oversee program implementation and Manage FSL Team
The timely and quality implementation of FSL and DRR Projects
Validation of the key stages and the methodologies of the projects being undertaken (timetable, KAP Survey (Baseline/final) systematics, technical studies, call for tender, specifications, community approach, external evaluations)
Ensuring a close and regular coordination with other technical departments for overall program coherence; and support departments (logistics, administration and human resources) in procurement planning and follow-up, cash forecasts and budget follow-ups, human resources planning and overall staff management.
Ensuring harmonization and coherence of program approach and activities across all program bases with the development of project implementation plans and regular follow-up, including the follow-up of reporting tools in place ensuring use of APR formats and analysis with budget and logistics follow-up.
Facilitating mainstreaming of DRM, contingency planning, gender and other cross-sector elements of programming
Promoting an integrated approach among the WaSH, Nutrition and FSL sectors under the AAH Nutrition Security framework.
Ensuring accountability standards are mainstreamed across programs and build capacity among field staff where needed
Provision of technical supervision and management for all direct reports and capacity building of the Food Security & Livelihoods teams.
Identification of technical training needs in consultation with FSL Technical Advisor, Deputy Country Director and Country Director at mission level and field HR Learning and Development.
Objective 5: Support Monitoring, Evaluation, Documentation and Reporting activities of Food Security and Resilience
Ensuring the appropriate development and application of high quality technical monitoring systems, indicators and supporting tools to monitor the impact and outcome of programs; ensure their harmonization across bases and build capacity of field teams on their implementation and regular timely use.
Providing direct support to Deputy HoD and program managers on program assessments, planning and monitoring (e.g. baseline and endline surveys, procurement planning, budget forecast and follow-up, monthly reports, technical reports, etc.)
Ensuring high quality technical and donor reporting across all program activities to AAH and donor standards
Supporting learning and application of innovative approaches at field level in collaboration with other AAH technical departments and external partners
Ensuring documentation and capitalization of lessons learnt and good practices; and contribute to the preparation of publications, where applicable.
Providing support for program and project evaluations in compliance with AAH Evaluation Policy and Guidelines
Ensuring new program design incorporates learning from evaluations and capitalization efforts.
Objective 6: Represent Action Against Hunger and its positioning in the field of Food Security and Resilience
Representing AAH externally and coordinate with government authorities, NGOs, UN agencies and donor representatives as necessary. Maintain relations with the current and potential donors.
Actively participating in national coordination meetings and co-lead Clusters or Cash Working Groups as necessary and participate in the national networks.
Creating links with various technical actors working in the same geographical areas of intervention and develop partnerships where relevant and appropriate
Ensuring that relevant stakeholders have a clear understanding of AAH charter, background, program objectives and activities in the field through production and/or publishing and dissemination of information concerning technical progress.
Implementation of technical advocacy actions in coordination with the Country Director and other HoDs.
Position Requirements
Qualifications
University degree preferably in International Humanitarian Assistance, International Development, Applied Nutrition, Food Security and Livelihoods or related studies.
Skills and Expereince
At least 5 years work experience with an international humanitarian organization, leading a variety of programs including around Nutrition and Food Security & Livelihood, DRR and Resilience
Experience in long term / development programming, preferable in multi-sector interventions
Experience in recovery and resilience programming in a fragile environment.
Excellent communication, writing and analytical skills and demonstrable expertise writing reports & program proposals
Proven management and representation skills in an emergency context.
Experience designing and delivering training for national teams and partner organizations, comfortable coaching & training staff
Experience with major institutional and UN donors and donor procedures, and in particular for long term / multiyear grants
Familiarity with AAH and acceptance of AAH’s principles
Ability to adapt quickly & confidently to changing contexts & circumstances, and to travel on short notice.
