Netherlands: Food and Economic Security Programme Officer

We help to strengthen resilience of vulnerable people exposed to hazards and crisis situations and we respond to disasters and conflicts to save lives and alleviate suffering. In the Netherlands with more than thirty thousand volunteers and internationally through technical assistance, supplies and money. Together we act before, during and after disasters to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people.

We do this without regards to nationality, race, religious beliefs, class or political opinion. Our seven principles guide our humanitarian work: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity and universality.

The International Assistance division is responsible for all Netherlands Red Cross international support for victims of disasters and conflicts and for vulnerable people exposed to hazards.

The International Assistance (IA) division has opened a vacancy for a:

Food and Economic Security Programme Advisor

(40 hours p/w,preferably The Hague )

Place in the organisation

The Food and Economic Security (FES) Programme Advisor is a member of the – newly established – Business Development & Advisory Unit which includes thematic advisors, M&E experts, innovation and resource mobilisation coordinators. The team of thematic advisors consists of advisors in field of health, WASH, food and economic security and community resilience. They jointly define the thematic policies for the IA division and support the other four units in the division with strategic and thematic advice. The Advisor reports to BD&A Unit Lead.

Purpose of the position

The key purpose of this position is to ensure adequate operational capacity to provide high quality food and economic security support in our development and humanitarian programming. In close coordination with his/ her other colleagues, the advisor shall provide technical support to ongoing food and economic security programming of NLRC and our sister National Societies. Furthermore, the advisor shall identify and develop FES funding and innovation opportunities for continuation and expansion of NLRC’s FES portfolio.

Responsibilities

The main responsibility of the Advisor is to outline our FES strategy, closely linking this to our resilience strengthening initiatives, and ensure timely delivery of quality and effective programming of food and economic security initiatives in NLRC-supported countries.

Specific duties will include the following:

· Responsible for developing NLRC’s FES strategic framework and further harmonization of these elements into NLRC’s overall programming

· Support in the development of an M&E framework to measure the effects of actions taken to enhance FES in communities targeted in our programming

· Closely work with community resilience and other advisors to ensure the consideration of DRR and CCA in FES and livelihood programs, also ensuring cross-sectoral approach for building resilience

· On request, provide technical support to all FES and livelihood enhancement projects

· Act as a technical resource within the NLRC and ensure sharing of state of the art evidence of FES and livelihood enhancement. Ensuring the identification, documentation and sharing of good practices and lessons learnt

· In collaboration with NLRC International Assistance staff, and sister National Societies and partners, seek opportunities to scale up or initiate the development of new programmes in FES, as appropriate within the context. Thereby, where necessary and possible, seeking collaboration of (non-) Movement actors

· Ensure quality, effectiveness and sustainability of NLRC-supported FES activities, whereby these shall be implemented within the framework of our New Way of Working, relevant strategies, NLRC standards, IFRC policy framework and other relevant international standards

· Contribute to the development of sister National Society and programme staff through training, mentoring and other guidance

· In countries supported by the Advisor, represent (active attendance, presentation, etc) NLRC in relevant fora, meetings, conferences, workshops when and where required

· With our sister National Society, establish and carry out assessments and baseline surveys for relevant projects that cover indicators as agreed with NLRC’s PME Advisor

· With our sister National Society, establish and ensure regular, timely and accurate project monitoring is carried out, adequately covering reporting and monitoring indicators agreed upon in the programming monitoring framework

· Review and provide technical input on proposals, reports and other documents as needed

· To ensure close collaboration with other BD&A members and relevant NLRC HQ staff. This shall include verbal status updates, request of technical contributions or facilitation of support visits when needed

Profile Candidate

· MA degree in food security, agricultural economics, livelihood, regional development, land and water management or related fields. A degree with a combination of relevant experience would also be considered

· Demonstrable commitment to food security and resilience strengthening with strong experience of programming in sub-Saharan Africa

· At least 10 years international professional experience of which at least 5 years in different contexts/ countries in sub-Sahara Africa and Asia. Preferably both in development and emergency or recovery contexts

· Demonstrated experience in the design, implementation and management of food security and resilience strengthening projects, including successful high-value proposal development, grant management, donor liaison and report-writing

· Proven proficiency in their technical areas and demonstrated possession of program assessment skills and experience

· Strong expertise and understanding of food and economic security issues

· A working knowledge of food and economic security issues affecting east and/or Southern African populations and understanding of the impediments to food security within the sub-Saharan African context

· Demonstrated experience of developing effective working relationships with senior stakeholders from government agencies, international organisations, donors, NGO, academics and opinion-leaders, including successful advocacy and influencing

· Excellent computer, writing and communication skills, including fluency in written and spoken English.

· Fluency in written and spoken French is an advantage.

· Strong inter-personal and advisory skills, including the demonstrated ability to guide and influence colleagues and others face to face and from a distance

· Understanding of and commitment to NLRC mission, values and programming approaches

· Willingness/ability to travel up to 50% of the time from the duty station to other countries

Competencies

The FES Programme Advisor should be able to maintain a helicopter view have organisational sensitivity and strategic insight, be able to plan and prioritize realistically and make decisions accordingly and timely, and be strong in cooperation with internal and external partners, in a motivating manner. The Advisor is able to analyse and form opinions on FSE-related matters and feels confident to provide feedback, thereby creating support to his/ her proposed solutions.

We offer

· A full time appointment (based on 40-hour work week) for one year, with the possibility of extension depending on performance

· A flexible and human centred working environment in an international environment with a variety of international organizations

· Well balanced employment conditions with space for initiative and development.

Remuneration: the salary scale level is set at 12 as mentioned in the CAO, depending on education level and experience. (min. € 3.581,35 and max. € 4.778,76) gross per month on the basis of full time employment).

Please send your resume in English and letter of motivation with reference to Annemieke van Teeffelen before 10 March 2017 using our online application tool; http://werkenbij.rodekruis.nl/nl/Vacature/Solliciteren/75984

For more information about the position, you can contact stemesgen@redcross.nl .

An initial assessment of candidates short-listed is part of the selection procedure.

For more information of the work of the Netherlands Red Cross please go to www.rodekruis.nl and www.rodekruis.tv. NLRC on Facebook: Facebook.com/rodekruis and Twitter: Twitter.com/rodekruis

Acquisition for this vacancy will not be appreciated