Chemonics International Inc., a leading international consulting firm based in
Washington, D.C., seeks experienced professionals for USAID’s Famine Early
Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET III), the world’s premier provider of high
quality food security analysis and early warning.
Created in response to the 1984 famines in East and West Africa, this $200 million, five-year activity (2012-2016) aims to collaborate with international, regional, and national partners to provide timely and rigorous early warning and analysis of potential, emerging, and/or evolving food security issues in order to inform appropriate humanitarian response.
The project currently covers 31 countries, with plans to expand over the coming
five-year phase. This position is based in Nairobi, Kenya.Created in response to the 1984 famines in East and West Africa, this $200 million, five-year activity (2012-2016) aims to collaborate with international, regional, and national partners to provide timely and rigorous early warning and analysis of potential, emerging, and/or evolving food security issues in order to inform appropriate humanitarian response.
Chemonics International Inc. is looking for individuals who have a passion for making a difference in the lives of people around the world and demonstrate leadership, versatility, and integrity in their work.
Position Description
The Regional Food Security Specialist-Markets and Trade (RFSS/MT) will work with the Regional Technical Manager (RTM), other Regional Food Security Specialists in the Regional office, the country teams in the region, and partners to design, execute, and coordinate regional activities in the markets and trade technical area.
The main activities of the RFSS/MT will include, but are not limited to:
- Monitoring,
analysis, and reporting: Gather and analyze market information and draft
analytical reports from a regional perspective.
- Compile
market data including staple food prices, cross-border trade flows, and
crop production estimates.
- Monitor
and analyze market and policy developments across Eastern Africa including
gathering information on national programs, regional trade, cross border
trade and working with country technical managers in 10 countries.
- Contribute
to, edit, and assist staff in country offices and at partner organizations
with gathering, analyzing, and writing about the impact of markets on food
security.
- Contribute
to the write up of the regional monthly food security outlooks and outlook
updates.
- Coordinate
FEWS NET’s participation in field assessments in the region and contribute
to assessment reports.
- Technical
capacity development and guidance: Provide technical assistance and
guidance on market information and analyses pertaining to food security
analysis, early warning, and food assistance decision support.
- Design
and coordinate activities to build and maintain an up-to-date knowledge
base on regional markets for food commodities, livestock, and other key
income-generating goods such as charcoal and cash crops.
- Share
successful experiences and best practices in market monitoring,
communication of market information, and institutional strengthening with
FEWS NET country and regional teams in other regions.
- Leadership,
representation, and liaison: Contribute to the identification of priority
markets and trade activities.
- Monitor
and contribute to activities undertaken outside FEWS NET that aim to
enhance capabilities in market monitoring, early warning, and food
assistance decision support.
- Liaise
with regional partners to exchange information and promote a dialogue on
market and institutional issues. Bring together efforts from food security
partners to improve the quality of market and food security information.
Qualifications
- At
minimum, a Master’s degree in a discipline that is directly relevant to
food security analysis and the analysis of staple food markets such as
agricultural economics, economics, rural development, international trade,
etc.
- At
a minimum, 5 years of relevant country or regional experience in early
warning/food security information systems, food security analysis, as well
as other related fields;
- Demonstrated
ability to work and coordinate effectively with regional partners and
stakeholders;
- Excellent
computer skills;
- Ability
to use databases and statistical software;
- Excellent
communication and interpersonal skills;
- Excellent
analytical and report-writing skills;
- Excellent
ability to collect data on markets and to analyze markets using both
qualitative and econometric techniques.
- Excellent
command of written and spoken English;
- Ability
to speak local and regional languages (Arabic, Amharic, Somali, Kiswahili,
and French) in addition to English will be an asset.
- Additional
desired qualifications Experience with the Household Economy Approach
(HEA);
- Experience
working with USAID;
- Good
GIS and mapping skills; and
- Supervisory,
management, and donor coordination experience.
- Only
candidates qualified for the position will be contacted
Interested candidates
should send their CV and cover letter to:
kenyarfssmt@gmail.com by Wednesday, March 28, 2012.
kenyarfssmt@gmail.com by Wednesday, March 28, 2012.