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.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
FEWS NET food security analyses, early warning of threats to food security, and food assistance decision-support depend on the understanding of livelihoods and household economies.
The Regional Food Security Specialist-Livelihoods (RFSS/L) will work with the Regional Technical Manager (RTM), the regional team, the country teams in the region, and partners to design, execute, and coordinate regional activities in livelihoods and HEA.
The RFSS/L will contribute to providing high-quality and effective early warning of threats to food security and support efforts to mitigate food insecurity and prevent food crises through the provision of actionable food security analysis.
The RFSS/L will support the preparation of regional decision-support products, provide technical assistance and guidance to country teams, and strengthening capacity to conduct relevant livelihoods analysis both inside and outside FEWS NET.
The main activities of the RFSS/L will include, but are not limited to:
Monitoring, analysis, and reporting:
- Support
national office in the region in maintaining a knowledge base composed of,
at a minimum, livelihood zone profiles, sub-national seasonal monitoring
calendars, and technical databases relevant to maintain livelihoods
profiles and/or baselines;
- provide
technical coverage according to the regional seasonal monitoring plans;
- in
collaboration with the RTM, provide high quality and effective early
warning of threats to food security and supporting efforts to mitigate
food insecurity and prevent food crises through the effective
communication of actionable food security analysis;
- fulfil
monthly reporting requirements including drafting food security outlooks
and updates and providing regular briefings to the US Government and other
partners; and,
- contribute
to remote monitoring of non-presence countries in the region, including
directly carrying out remote monitoring activities.
Technical capacity development and guidance:
- Provide
guidance and ad hoc technical assistance to the region and to the project
in livelihoods, household economic analysis (HEA), and food security
analysis;
- design,
coordinate, and implement technical activities to maintain and update the
livelihoods knowledge base for the region;
- support
national office in collecting, archiving, analyzing and sharing food
security data and information;
- assist
the RTM in executing technical activities including regional scenario
development, livelihoods analyses, and other areas of food security
analysis;
- collaborate
with regional, and international partners in food security monitoring and
analysis through the implementation of the Integrated Phase Classification
(IPC) protocols and other IPC compatible tools that include vulnerability
assessments, chronic food insecurity assessments, etc.; and,
- work
in coordination with the RTM to design and implement capacity
strengthening activities in the region, focusing on building livelihoods
analysis skills.
Leadership, representation, and liaison:
- Participate
in strategic planning for the region, assisting the RTM in coordinating
regional activities, and overseeing livelihoods activities in the region;
- liaise
with regional partners in exchange of information and promote a dialogue
on livelihoods issues pertaining to food security, early warning, and
preparedness;
- contribute
to activities undertaken outside FEWS NET that aim to enhance capabilities
in livelihoods monitoring and analysis, early warning, and food assistance
decision-support;
- seek
collaboration with regional partners to enhance the quality and impact of
livelihoods work; and,
- work
with USAID missions to support broad food security efforts including Feed
the Future programs; and assist the RTM in carrying out other technical,
management, and representational functions of the regional office upon
request.
Qualifications
- At
minimum, a Master’s Degree in a discipline that is directly relevant to
food security analysis
- At
least ten years of relevant country or regional experience in early
warning/food security information systems, food security analysis,
livelihoods, as well as other related fields;
- GIS
applications and mapping skills;
- Excellent
computer skills;
- Excellent
communication and interpersonal skills, coordinating with partners and
stakeholders;
- Supervisory,
management, and donor coordination experience; and
- Excellent
analytical and report-writing skills.
- Excellent
command of English;
- Ability
to speak local languages other than the national language will be an
asset.
Interested candidates should send their CV and cover letter to:
EastLivelihoods@gmail.com by April 20, 2012.
Only candidates qualified for the position will be contacted.
Only candidates qualified for the position will be contacted.