CHILD SAFEGUARDING:
Level 3: the role holder will have contact with children and/or young people either frequently (e.g. once a week or more) or intensively (e.g. four days in one month or more or overnight) because they work in country programs; or are visiting country programs; ore because they are responsible for implementing the police checking/vetting process staff.
ROLE PURPOSE:
The Food Security and Livelihoods (FSL) Technical Specialist will ensure that all FSL programming is of excellent technical quality attracts significant donor funding and contributes significantly to Save the Children’s strategic objectives, national/global learning and advocacy. The main focus of the role is emergency food security and livelihoods (EFSL), to address the ongoing hunger crisis in Somalia/SL through the SC full spectrum programming. The FSL TS is expected to work collaboratively to develop high quality FSL proposals that meet the needs of targeted beneficiary populations, provide technical advice and support to project staff to ensure programming objectives are successfully achieved. He/she shall also contribute to achieving high programme quality through evidence based work, and/or leading new research around FSL (including cash transfer) programming. The FSL TS must be willing to embrace a child rights programming approach and represent Save the Children in national forums and working groups.
SCOPE OF ROLE:
Reports to: Head of Child Poverty
Dimensions: Save the Children works in 9 regions of SOMALIA/SOMALILAND with a current staff of over 500 and annual expenditure of approximately US$ 50 million.
Staff directly reporting to this post: None at present
KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:
Programme Quality
• Support and ensure the technical quality of Save the Children’s FSL programming during the on-going hunger crisis in Somalia/SL ;
• Provide, or obtain from members/external sources, appropriate high level technical support on methods and practices to be rolled out within FSL programming;
• Support the continuous assessment of FSL needs and ensure that these are appropriately reflected in emergency response strategies and programmes;
• Work collaboratively with other sectors on ways to integrate FSL with other programmes, where relevant, in order to maximize impact for children and families;
• Conduct regular visits (50% of time) to the field offices to coordinate with field managers and senior field staff
• With FSL Programme Managers and the Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) team, collaborate on the development of tools to monitor and improve the quality of FSL work. Where necessary provide technical training for project staff and partners as required.
• Lead the process of lessons learning to ensure high quality programming, with support from the REALM team, coordinating the collection of documentation across all the programme areas;
• Improve/strengthen the coordination of SC’s work with major FSL stakeholders in the government and humanitarian community.
• With the programme managers and Awards Management Unit, ensure reports to donors are of the highest quality, that there is alignment between the narrative and financial, and that they are submitted in a timely fashion;
• Ensure recognized international best practices and Save the Children policies are applied in all of our FSL work;
• Ensure program products and learning are maintained within the Save the Children country program
• Where external consultants (local or international) are required to technically support or monitor and evaluate projects, lead the recruitment and subsequent management of contracted consultants as per the recruitment guidelines and Terms of Reference.
• Analyse and provide feedback on programme implementation to ensure gender equity and adequate child participation, integrated approach and efficiency.
Assessment, Monitoring and Evaluation
• Work closely with Head of child poverty, REALM and operations teams to ensure that all projects in food security & livelihoods have robust monitoring plans, baselines, reviews and evaluations in line with project designs and donor guidelines
• Assist the Area teams in technical assessments of local/implementing partners
• Support Area teams and partners to carry out regular monitoring and measure and report on achievement and progress towards project objectives and results.
• In Collaboration with Head of Child Poverty, lead in periodic technical project review meetings with Area teams (programme/project managers) and consortium partners and internally share progress and action
• Carry out extensive field monitoring visits to document observations and experiences and share them with Area and PDQ teams and influence management action for improvement of technical aspects in projects.
• Work with Head of Child Poverty and REALM to carry out relevant studies and document and disseminate good practices in projects related to livelihoods and social protection.
Advocacy and Policy Development
• Engage with the relevant government Ministries and other stakeholders on national policies, strategies and other initiatives and developments.
• Highlight critical intersections with child protection, nutrition, education, health, and other sectors.
• Regularly assess and communicate the implications for Save the Children’s programme and priorities of any changes in the operating environment relevant to this theme in close collaboration with the relevant advisor(s).
• Help to clearly articulate the priority advocacy messages for FSL, in particular in relation to children, in Somalia/SL
• With the Advocacy, Media and Communication team and other country programme staff, contribute to policy briefs and position papers as and when required related to the FSL programme in coordination with other sectoral TAs, This may require technical collaboration with other technical advisors within the country office or within the SC Members.
• Actively participate and effectively & positively represent Save the Children in Clusters, working groups and technical meetings at the national level, and ensure appropriate and effective representation at state levels
• Advise field teams to ensure adequate field visibility through attendance at technical meetings at state, county and pay am level.
• Ensure active dissemination of programme findings and lessons learned through the production of high technical quality lessons learned documents and their effective dissemination to key stakeholders
• Participate in and contribute to SC Global activities for Child Poverty, as relevant.
General management
• As a member of the PDQ team, demonstrate behaviours that are consistent with Save the Children’s Mission, Vision and Values and ensure their broader application by staff across the programme.
• Contribute to a conducive and productive work environment typified by team work and collaboration;
• Contribute to the wider country programme agenda and the humanitarian response.
• Support the effective implementation of the SCI Programme Quality Framework
• Participate in any donor visit to project(s) within the country office portfolio, as required.
• Support the PDQ Team in the Country Annual Planning process for technical programme inputs and quality measures, including child participation, child safeguarding, partnership and evidence-based programming, as per the Save the Children International guidelines.
• Carry out the responsibilities of the role in a way which reflects Save the Children’s commitment to safeguarding children, in accordance with our Code of Conduct and Child Safeguarding Policy.
• Comply with and promote Save the Children policies and practice with respect to child protection, code of conduct, health and safety, equal opportunities and other relevant policies and procedures.
Other
• Participate actively in PDQ programme meetings, planning and review activities, providing enhanced insight into FSL programming.
• Actively participate in key relevant internal meetings such as Programme Review Meetings, Senior Management Team or Area-based meetings as required. Participate in any Donor visit to project(s) within the country office portfolio, as required.
• Support the recruitment and training of FSL programme staff in technical areas of expertise as appropriate and ensure availability of appropriate professional development opportunities.
• Input into commodity management as/when required
• Other tasks as required by the role
COMPETENCIES AND BEHAVIOURS (our Values in Practice)
Applying Technical and Professional Expertise
• Makes decisions based on professional expertise and experience without deferring unnecessarily to others
• Shares knowledge and best practice on technical solutions so that others can make best use of that expertise
• Actively seeks new ways to develop the application of technical and professional standards within the team
Delivering Results
• Delivers timely and appropriate results using available resources
• Takes responsibility for their work and its impact on others
• Plans, prioritises and performs tasks well without needing direct supervision
• Understands the link between their work and the organisation’s objectives
Innovating and Adapting
• Suggests creative improvements and better ways of working
• Seeks out and applies successful ideas from others to overcome challenges
• Shifts tasks, roles and priorities to perform effectively under changing or unclear conditions
• Applies lessons learned to enhance future ways of working
Communicating with Impact
• Conveys complex issues with clarity, brevity and confidence
• Promotes dialogue with key stakeholders through active listening and effective questioning
• Adapts communication style to maximise support and engagement
• Advises others on different approaches to influence key stakeholders
• Seeks out new methodologies for communication to engage new audiences
Networking
• Actively participates in networks to access and contribute to good practice
• Gathers and distributes organisational intelligence Maintains and develops a range of contacts and keeps them informed
• Knows what is needed from contacts and what they need to benefit from the relationship too
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
Essential
• Post-graduate degree in social sciences; economics; natural resource management or a related field with additional training in food security and livelihoods and project planning and management techniques
• Knowledge of current global and regional debates on sustainable food security and livelihoods models and emergency food security and livelihoods approaches.
• Recommended 5 years’ experience in FSL, with significant experience in emergency contexts
• Excellent understanding of household level economics, preferably HEA specific experience
• Prior experience in assessment, design and implementation of cash transfer,and food voucher distribution programmes
• Ability to extensively travel for project monitoring and provide on-site technical support to field teams
• Ability to link micro-level impacts on children with macro trends at national and regional level.
• Strong analytic and planning skills
• Excellent coordination and interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate and negotiate clearly and effectively at all levels;
• Excellent writing/editing, budget development and presentation/communication skills. Ability to present complex information in a succinct and compelling manner.
• Proven representation skills
• Strong results orientation, with the ability to challenge existing mindsets.
• Experience of solving complex issues through analysis, definition of a clear way forward and ensuring buy in
• Highly developed cultural awareness and ability to work well in an international environment with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures.
• Ability and willingness to dramatically change work practices and hours, and work with incoming emergency surge teams. Proven ability in working in insecure or hardship environments and to work under tight deadlines
• Ability and willingness to travel extensively to field sites and work independently
• Fluency in English, both verbal and written, required.
• Commitment to Save the Children values, including willingness to abide by and enforce the Child Safeguarding policy.
Highly Desirable
• Experience in Household Economy Approach (HEA), Cost of Diet (CoD), Integrated Food Security Phased Classification, cash transfer programming (CTP), and Emergency Markets Mapping and Assessment (EMMA)
CHILD SAFEGUARING POLICY:
Any employee, consultant, contractor or the supplier undertaking an activity on behalf of SCI must sign the Child Safeguarding – Declaration of Acceptance Form] and comply with the SCI’s Child Safeguarding Policy which is a statement of SCI’s commitment to preventing abuse and protecting children with whom it comes into contact.
This extends not only to children with whom SCI and its partners work directly, but also includes children whom staff are responsible for. SCI believes that the situation of children must be improved through the promotion of their rights supported and demonstrated by all members of staff. Save the Children International’s Code of Conduct sets out the standards which all staff members must adhere to.
HOW TO APPLY:
Interested candidates are required to submit a CV and mandatory cover letter quoting the Job Title and Vacancy Announcement No. SCI/SOM/13/17 on the subject line. The file name of the CV and attachments must be the applicants name and sent to Somalia.vacancies@savethechildren.org. For more information please visit www.somaliangoconsortium.org
Applications close on 19th February 2017.
Disclaimer:
Save the Children International does not charge any kind of fee at whichever stage of the recruitment process and does not act through recruitment agents
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted
Female candidates are encouraged to apply