Job Title
Southern Africa Livelihoods Senior Officer
Classification Level
Organizational Unit / Duty Station
Southern Africa Cluster Support Team
Duty Base Station
Harare, Zimbabwe
Immediate Supervisor’s Title
Operations Manager
Technical Manager’s Title
Regional Livelihoods Senior Officer
Number of Staff Reports
Duration of Assignment
12 months
Date of issue
09/10/2020
Organizational context
Global overview
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC or “the Federation”) is the World’s largest volunteer-based humanitarian network. The Federation is a membership organization established by and comprised of its member National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. Along with National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the Federation is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC or “the Federation”) is the world’s largest volunteer-based humanitarian network. The Federation is a membership organization established by and comprised of its member National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. Along with National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), IFRC is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. The overall aim of the IFRC is “to inspire, encourage, facilitate, and promote at all times all forms of humanitarian activities by National Societies with a view to preventing and alleviating human suffering and thereby contributing to the maintenance and promotion of human dignity and peace in the world.” It works to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people before, during and after disasters, health emergencies and other crises. The IFRC is served by a Secretariat based in Geneva, with regional, country cluster teams and country offices throughout the world. The Secretariat is led by the IFRC Secretary General and provides the central capacity to serve, connect, and represent National Societies. The Secretariat’s focus includes providing support to the IFRC governance mechanisms; setting norms and standards; providing guidance; ensuring consistency, coordination, and accountability for performance; knowledge sharing; promoting collaboration within and respect for the Movement; and expanding engagement with partners.
As one of the five decentralized parts of the Secretariat, the Africa Regional Office (ARO) leads the support to National Societies of 49 countries through Country Offices1 (CO) and Country Cluster Support Teams (CCST) spread across Central Africa, East Africa, Indian Ocean Islands, Sahel, Southern Africa and West Coast.
Background
The Africa region is facing increased food insecurity. This spike has different drivers, associated with climate crisis, epidemics, conflict and displacement, and now the COVID-19 pandemic. The impacts of COVID-19 will be felt everywhere, but the most vulnerable people are at especially high risk. In Africa, as restrictions brought into limit the spread of COVID-19 continue to disrupt or reduce people’s access to sources of income; it is expected that the situation will become an economic and food crisis for many, who will struggle to meet their ongoing basic needs. Countries across the region are now at risk of a deterioration in the food security situation as a result of COVID-19, which combined with pre-existing vulnerabilities and concomitant emergencies, is predicted to push millions of people into extreme poverty.
The IFRC Southern Africa Office is supporting 8 (of 10) National Red Cross National Societies in Africa with food security, livelihoods and nutrition interventions under its Regional COVID-19 Emergency Appeal. Furthermore, there are other 6 emergency appeals ongoing food security and LLH projects ongoing and implemented by the Red Cross National Societies in Southern African. Currently, these are mostly focused on meeting immediate basic needs and the provision of food assistance; however, these activities are rendered meaningless if not linked to longer term recovery and resilience strategies to support the diversification and strengthening of livelihoods. Due to this, the IFRC has identified the need for a coherent Food Security and Livelihoods regional approach, that will be embraced by Africa National Societies, as well as other components of the Movement.
Job purpose
The Livelihoods Senior Officer will design (alongside other technical experts from the Movement) and roll out the implementation of the IFRC southern Africa livelihoods response strategy; provide technical advice to improve the effectiveness, efficiency and accountability of FSL interventions; and facilitate the technical coordination between sectoral leads and among partners on FSL interventions, as part of the regional multi-sectoral approach to Household Economic and Food Security.
The position will be based within one of the IFRC Southern Africa field offices, namely in Harare, Zimbabwe. There is the potential for international travel to support National Societies and to participate in internal and external meetings. The resource will work in close coordination with the technical focal points of all Areas of Focus and Support Teams of the COVID-19 Operation and the Regional Level. Furthermore, the resource will work in close coordination with the National Societies requiring assistance. The resource will collaborate and seek support from other Regional FSL Delegates; and the IFRC Livelihoods Resource Centre as needed.
Job duties and responsibilities
Working together with the IFRC team, the Livelihood Senior Officer will:
In close coordination with technical colleagues at the cluster office, Partner National Societies and southern African National Societies, continue the development of the 10-year IFRC Africa Strategic Program to tackle food insecurity, through a Livelihood approach, inclusive of other departments views and goals, such as DRR, Health& Nutrition, WaSH, etc.
Provide direct support to the IFRC team and the National Societies in designing and setting up FSL interventions in line with the regional strategy
Monitoring progress of FSL interventions of the NS within the COVID-19 response in southern Africa, and collect the required reporting documentations per the IFRC standards
Assist southern Africa National Societies in developing the process and post-distribution monitoring system that provide systematic and standard indicators for FSL implemented interventions.
Assist southern Africa National Societies to identify training and development needs of staff and volunteers involved in FSL interventions; as well as support in the organizing and conduct of trainings for staff, volunteers and the recipients of FSL assistance. This will include recording of participants to ensure tracking of National Society capacity in FSL.
Produce accurate monthly reports from all southern Africa National Societies which have a FSL component
Ensure that appropriate feedback mechanisms are established, maintaining the National Society’s commitment to beneficiary accountability,
Ensure alignment of FSL assistance with the IFRC holistic livelihoods response strategy; and the COVID-19 recovery approach.
Ensure good coordination and cohesive intervention design between the FSL component of the operation and other Areas of Focus (Shelter, Health, Migration, etc), including Cash and Voucher Assistance and Information Management.
Ensure good coordination on FSL between Movement colleagues, including the ICRC, Partner National Societies (PNS) and African National Societies.
When relevant engage in coordination with other stakeholders in the country (FAO, NGOs, WFP, etc.).
Duties applicable to all staff
1.
Actively work towards the achievement of the Federation Secretariat’s goals
2.
Abide by and work in accordance with the Red Cross and Red Crescent principles
3.
Perform any other work related duties and responsibilities that may be assigned by the line manager
Position Requirements
Education
Required
Preferred
University degree or professional qualification in Humanitarian Assistant or another relevant area
X
Basic Delegates Training Course, IMPACT or equivalent knowledge
X
Stay Safe – Personal security online training
X
Fraud and Corruption online training
X
ODK or KoBo Training
X
Training on Food Security and Livelihoods
X
Cash Level II training or equivalent
X
Market Assessment training
X
Experience
Required
Preferred
At least 8 years of experience leading and technically supporting FSL assistance within a humanitarian context
X
Demonstrated experience in designing FSL programming, including preparation of systems to monitor and evaluation the impact of these interventions
X
Proven experience in food security assessments, livelihoods analysis and market assessments
X
Proven capacity building experience with NS or equivalent, delivering trainings and providing on the job training and coaching
X
Experience with integrated data management tools
X
Knowledge and experience of RC/RC National Societies
x
Understanding of data protection and data responsibility in humanitarian action
X
Experience providing technical support to National Societies
X
Excellent interpersonal, communication and negotiating skills
X
Experience coordinating and advocating to external stakeholders including government, NGOs, UN and Donor organisations.
X
Experience living and working in challenging and multicultural environments
X
Knowledge and Skills
Required
Preferred
Sound knowledge and experience of working in humanitarian and food security related issues in southern Africa
X
Knowledge of conceptual frameworks, global standards and good practice in food security including the use of cash, food aid and livelihoods support.
x
Good understanding of linkage between humanitarian support and National Social Protection Systems
X
Proven skills in strategic and operational planning, budgeting and reporting emergency response that included FSL
X
Proven analytical skills and the ability to think strategically while under pressure
X
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with independent decision-making capacity
X
Excellent communication and inter-personal skills with the ability to represent the International Federation and to negotiate and influence people’s opinions
X
Knowledge of targeting methodology
X
Understand and use various beneficiary registration methods
X
Knowledge of feedback and response mechanism, including of appropriate methods of beneficiary communication and channels.
X
Ability to transfer knowledge, skills, and/or abilities to staff and volunteers.
X
Languages
Required
Preferred
Fluently spoken and written English
X
Fluently spoken and written Portuguese
X
Competencies (to be filled in by HR)
Values: Respect for diversity; Integrity; Professionalism; Accountability
Core competencies: Communication; Collaboration and teamwork; Judgement and decision making; National society and customer relations; Creativity and innovation; Building trust
Duration of the contract: 12 months with possible extension
Applicants can send their CVs and motivational letter to: [email protected]