Ireland: Food Securty and Livelihoods Advisor

Organization: GOAL
Country: Ireland
Closing date: 15 Nov 2014

GOAL is an emergency and development NGO established in 1977, currently operational in 15 countries world-wide. GOAL is implementing an integrated programmatic approach to development with livelihoods a key intervention. Livelihoods interventions are located in urban and rural development programmes and livelihoods is a key emergency intervention for GOAL in food insecure environments.

GOAL increasingly embraces a market-facilitation approach, strengthening urban and rural market systems. It is a key challenge to ensure this leads into improved food security and nutrition-sensitive agriculture. Building resilience is a key priority for GOAL and stronger livelihoods have a key role to play in that.

General Objectives of the Position:

The food security and livelihoods (FSL) coordinator is responsible for leadership on FSL methodologies, capacity building of local technical leadership and implementation of innovative approaches within the FSL sector

Key objectives:

• Provision of technical support to country programmes and emergency reponses
• Participate in the Development and rollout of Standardised Monitoring and Evaluation Frameworks
• Organisational and Policy Development
• Training and Development
• Environmental mainstreaming

Key Responsibilities:

Provision of technical support to country programmes

1. To provide technical support and advice to GOAL field and HO staff.
2. To undertake documentation of information from past and current programmes in order to retain knowledge. The advisor will also compile case studies that help inform on work achieved and that serve as guidance for future programmes. The advisor will further manage the on line best practice website for livelihoods programmes.
3. To develop GOAL Livelihoods field guidelines in consultation with field staff and roll out to fields
4. To undertake review of surveys, proposals and reports to donors and provide input on the strategic planning of future programme direction.
5. To keep up to date on developments in the livelihoods sector and disseminate relevant updates in staff in-country as well as other relevant members of the technical team.
6. To conduct regular field visits to review and report on progress of Livelihoods interventions; specifically in relation to efficiency and effectiveness and to determine future programme development with a view to programme expansion and development. The number of field visits required will depend on pre-agreed priorities but will amount to approximately 70% of time.
7. Provide updates in all country reports on progress on the mainstreaming of HIV and gender within livelihoods interventions and provide guidance and support to field teams to ensure mainstreaming of these key issues.
8. Provide feedback to the field team and HO on key recommendations following completion of a technical visit.
9. Spearhead the development and implementation of organisational policy and strategy in relation to sustainable, cost effective livelihoods interventions.
10. To review the current programme activities and plan appropriate, sustainable, future interventions based on local needs and capacities.
11. To reinforce the community approach adopted by GOAL: working in partnership with communities in order to identify the needs of the population and to support GOAL’s interventions
12. To support market development activities designed to strengthen rural and urban market systems.
13. Provide support in relation to development and implementation of GOAL’s approach to resilience and disaster risk reduction.
14. Develop links between livelihoods and other sectors of country programmes in order to promote GOAL’s integrated programme approach.

Provision of technical support and advice for GOAL Emergency Responses

1. Participate in emergency assessments and/or the review of assessment reports and advise on the most appropriate way to ensure that the livelihoods needs can be addressed within any GOAL planned response.
2. Participate in the setting up of emergency programmes as required and provide relevant technical training and practical support until appropriate staff can be recruited.
3. Ensure the establishment of appropriate programmes and assist in the planning of an appropriate exit strategy from the outset of any emergency response in coordination with the Emergency Manager.

Participate in the Development and rollout of Standardised Monitoring and Evaluation Frameworks

1. Participate in the regular monitoring and periodic evaluation of GOAL’s livelihoods components of GOAL’s integrated country programmes.
2. Assist in the development of common reporting frameworks and data-bases across country programmes in order to develop standardised M&E frameworks across country programmes.

Organisational and Policy Development

1. Keep up to date with best practise and recent developments and disseminate to other members of the technical team and in-country management.
2. Represent GOAL in external sectoral frameworks as appropriate-facilitate the exchange of technical information and identify opportunities for cooperative work and joint ventures with other agencies.
3. Support GOAL in- country management in maintaining effective collaboration with donors and specifically build relationships with relevant focal points within donor organisations.
4. Participate in relevant discussion groups as required in order to assess future policy development.

Training and Development

1. Develop the capacity of the operations department to provide the relevant support in order to more effectively manage and support country programmes with livelihoods programmes.
2. Support the recruitment, training and briefing of field livelihoods staff for relevant country programmes.
3. Identify relevant Livelihoods related courses both in-country and elsewhere and recommend appropriate staff to attend

Environmental mainstreaming

1. Support country teams to mainstream environment into all aspects of programme planning and implementation]
2. Become a champion of environmental mainstreaming across the organization and drive the environmental mainstreaming agenda in field visits and HQ

Requirements:

• Relevant professional qualification (MSc.) with specific focus on food security and livelihoods (diploma, masters degree).
• Minimum 5 years relevant experience with at least 2 years working in developing countries.
• Experience in resilience programming, nutrition-sensitive agriculture, VSLA, Farmer Field School and/or linking farmers to markets
• Interpersonal skills and ability to strategically inspire and energise field teams; governments, the private sector and civil society.
• Entrepreneurial, result-oriented and driver for change.
• Experience in working with disadvantaged communities and involving them in participatory approaches.
• Experience in working on agriculture and livelihoods programmes in developing countries and a strong academic and practical knowledge of both disciplines.
• Familiarity with dealing with donor and government offices in relation to development programmes.
• Experience in environmental mainstreaming
• Proficient in preparation of proposals and reports and having good writing, communication and computer skills.
• Fluent in written and spoken English. French or other language skills desirable
• Willingness to travel extensively (70%)

Desirable:

• EMMA (Emergency market mapping) training and experience
• PMSD (Participatory market systems development training)
• M4P (market development for the poor) training and experience

GOAL has a Staff Code of Conduct and a Child Protection Policy which have been developed to ensure the maximum protection of programme participants and children from exploitation. Any candidate offered a job with GOAL will be expected to adhere to these policies any job offer made is also subject to police clearance.

How to apply:

To apply please visit the GOAL website
http://www.candidatemanager.net/cm/Micro/JobDetails.aspx?&mid=YGTYD&sid=BEVGTAZ&jid=UFAZBAZGT&site=Goal