Food Security and Livelihood Officer

Job Posting Organization:
Action Against Hunger-USA is part of the Action Against Hunger International network, which provides humanitarian relief in over 40 countries worldwide in the sectors of nutrition, health, water/sanitation, and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security. Established as an independent NGO, Action Against Hunger-USA currently manages operations in seven countries: Kenya, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia, Haiti, and Somalia. The organization employs approximately 1,500 staff across various country offices, with its headquarters located in New York City and an operational center in Nairobi. The organization is committed to addressing hunger and malnutrition, and it anticipates further growth in its operations.

Job Overview:
The Food Security and Livelihood (FSL) Officer will play a crucial role in the implementation of FSL activities, which include beneficiary targeting, distribution of vegetable seeds and farming tools, monitoring and evaluating the progress of activities, and documentation and reporting. The FSL Officer is expected to provide comprehensive support to implement activities that will positively impact the retention and growth of Action Against Hunger employees. The role encompasses executing various activities in the FSL domain, including the implementation of FSL project activities, documentation, monitoring and evaluation, and participation in emergency response activities. The FSL Officer will engage with beneficiaries, local government technical staff, and other stakeholders to ensure the consistent delivery of FSL services at the base level, while also adhering to internal rules and regulations, funding regulations, and the organization's Charter of Principles and Core Values.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The FSL Officer will oversee the quality and timely implementation of Food Security and Livelihood interventions, ensuring effective service delivery and saving lives. Key responsibilities include developing plans for FSL project implementation in assigned areas, collaborating with the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Officer to maintain program indicators and reporting formats, identifying community needs, and suggesting solutions to natural resource management challenges. The officer will provide training and guidance on crop and vegetable production management practices, ensure timely submission of project plans and reports, and support M&E in data collection and reporting. Additionally, the FSL Officer will represent Action Against Hunger in sub-cluster meetings, participate in emergency FSL interventions, and ensure effective communication with communities regarding ACF's role and community needs. The officer will also coordinate with other programs such as Nutrition, Gender, and WASH to ensure integrated messaging and referrals, manage the FSL Assistant, and build the capacity of the FSL team through training and supervision.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a degree in Agriculture, Agricultural Engineering, Agricultural Extension, or related fields. A minimum of three years of experience in Food Security and agriculture programming is required. The ideal candidate should have excellent communication skills in English, with fluency in a local language being essential. Intermediate computer skills (MS Word, Excel, Outlook) are necessary, along with experience in community development programming, preferably in food security or livelihoods. Candidates should have experience in agricultural extension and training, developing training materials, and facilitating workshops. Familiarity with participatory fieldwork methodologies and monitoring and reporting is also required. Knowledge of local agricultural practices, seasons, seed varieties, and geographic areas of assignment is essential, as well as previous experience with Action Against Hunger or other NGOs in the area of Food Security and Livelihood.

Educational Background:
A degree in Agriculture, Agricultural Engineering, Agricultural Extension, or related fields is required for this position. This educational background provides the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively implement food security and livelihood programs, understand agricultural practices, and engage with communities in a meaningful way.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of three years of experience in Food Security and agriculture programming. This experience should include hands-on involvement in community development, agricultural extension, and training, as well as familiarity with monitoring and evaluation processes. Candidates should demonstrate a proven track record of successfully implementing food security initiatives and working collaboratively with diverse stakeholders.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, and proficiency in a local language is required to effectively communicate with beneficiaries and community members. This linguistic capability is crucial for ensuring that the FSL Officer can engage with the local population and understand their needs and challenges.

Additional Notes:
This position is full-time and requires consistent attendance of at least five days each week, with the possibility of working beyond regular office hours and on weekends as necessary. The employee should be prepared to travel for domestic and international business needs, and may encounter high-security risks and basic living conditions in the field. The role also involves physical demands, including the ability to endure physically challenging situations and travel long distances. Action Against Hunger is committed to equal employment opportunities and adheres to safeguarding policies to protect vulnerable populations.