Food Security and Livelihood(FSL) Officer At Action Against Hunger USA

Action Against Hunger leads the global movement to end hunger. We innovate solutions, advocate for change, and reach 24 million people every year with proven hunger prevention and treatment programs. As a nonprofit organization that works across 50 countries, our 8,300 dedicated staff members partner with communities to address the root causes of hunger, including climate change, conflict, inequity, and emergencies. We strive to create a world free from hunger, for everyone, for good.

Action Against Hunger USA is part of the Action Against Hunger International network. As an independent NGO, Action Against Hunger USA currently manages operations in 8 countries: Tanzania, Kenya, South Sudan, Somalia, Uganda, Ethiopia, Zambia and Haiti. Action Against Hunger-USA has over $100 million in programs, and approximately 1,800 permanent staff based in New York City, Washington D.C, Nairobi, and country offices. Additional growth is anticipated.

The organization recognizes gender equality as central to its core strategy towards realization of effective and sustainable outcomes on nutrition, WASH, agriculture and livelihood interventions. Action Against Hunger in Tanzania is currently implementing activities in Dodoma and Singida regions as well as across the entire country in supporting development/ review of various health and nutrition policy and guidelines.

1. Summary of position

• FSL Project Officer will be responsible for providing technical support in implementation of Food Security and Livelihoods activities in Singida Office and other ACF project operation areas as needed.
• The role will be responsible for designing, planning, implementing (technical oversights), monitoring and reporting of the FSL Program activities across Action Against Hunger operational area.
• The FSL Officer will work closely with the District Councils, the department of Agriculture, Community Development and other stakeholders in the implementation of various FSL interventions geared towards improving access to nutritious food in target projects communities. This will be through group training on Good Agriculture Practices (GAP), Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA), livestock management, financial skills, group dynamics among others and emergency intervention where required. The holder of the position will also ensure linkage, synergies and complementarity with other sectoral interventions, i.e. Nutrition, WASH as well as proper coordination, consultation and information sharing with partners.
• The incumbent will also work closely with several line ministries (Agriculture, Health, and Water) and Agriculture Partners in the target project areas to continually improve the access to nutritious food and enhance household income through an array of programs.

Purpose:

• To support the implementation of FSL project activities that are geared towards addressing malnutrition among vulnerable populations (women of reproductive age, adolescent and children) through a multi-sector integrated approach and represent Action Against Hunger in all FSL coordination forums at the region and district level.

Engagement:

• Work with technical program and support teams to ensure project activities are implemented according to the plans, budget and specifications.
• Work in collaboration with the communities, local leaders, school managements, care groups, elders and local authorities and community representatives at all stages of project implementation and represent Action Against Hunger towards partners at district level. When applicable: NGOs, local authorities, UN bodies and community representatives to ensure successful implementation of project activities without duplication and resource wastage.
• Participate in coordination meetings at the region and district level
• Coordinates with the other Livelihood organizations among them Community Based Organizations (CBOs) local and International NGOs, UN organizations, other partners.
• Collaborate with other departments to contribute to the development of the technical and FSL strategy when required.

Delivery:

• Participate in the development of the project work plans and spending plans and share them with the program manager for review and input.
• Ensure that the project is implemented within the stipulated timeline and by the standards prescribed by the donor and national standards.
• Train farmer-groups on agri-enterprise establishment, CSA, agro-ecology, support care group members on establishment of kitchen gardens using good agricultural practices, training community groups on crop and animal product utilization and value addition, and VSLAs
• Ensure that the Procurement Plans are developed at the beginning of the project and the required procurement requisitions are raised as needed.
• Participate in the review of the Budget Follow Ups (BFUs) and ensure that the budget expenditure is as per the work plan and that forecasts are made to reflect the work plans.
• Participate in project routine monitoring, Baseline and end line surveys, and support distribution monitoring (PDM)
• Prepare weekly and monthly progress reports, quarterly, semiannual and annual reports according to Action Against Hunger and donor guidelines
• contribute to proposals development and design of new projects, ensuring integration of
• Compile program reports on a timely basis in liaison with other program staff.

1. Essential job functions. Project planning, design and implementation – 30%

• In coordination with the program teams participate in the FSL project design, development and implementation.
• Participate in the FSL interventions planning, organizing and implementation of surveys, assessments and research studies including post distribution monitoring
• Establish a positive and cohesive working relationship with the community and direct beneficiaries of the project and strive to listen particularly women and youth beneficiaries’ inputs
• Oversee the beneficiary selection process to participate in farming according to the agreed criteria.
• Support the government officials to clearly understand the objectives, requirements and provisions of the projects
• In liaison with the Program team and District Council develop a project proposal to address District specific gaps
• Train farmers on agri-enterprise establishment to increase crop/vegetable and fruits production and animal production and uptake of agro-ecology principles.
• Capacity building of farmers on the value chain management and value addition with focus on food handling, preservation, processing and avoiding post-harvest wastage. Implementation of climate smart agriculture/conservation agriculture as means of contributing to mitigation of the impacts of climate change by promoting climate friendly initiatives such as tree planting and soil management.
• Ensure participation of the beneficiaries especially women, youths, people living with disabilities among other vulnerable groups in the decision-making process through management committees, appointed leaders, regular information sessions and administrative structures.
• Create linkages with FSL groups (women, youths and community) to financial institutions, farmers’ associations, cooperatives, social services and private partnerships etc.
• Work closely with other sectors among them nutrition and WASH sectors at the government and program staff to ensure integrated approach in programming.
• Establish a positive and cohesive working relationship with the community and direct beneficiaries of the project
• Ensure rigorous community, government officers and leader’s participation in project development, startups, implementation, monitoring and evaluation.
• In collaboration with the Program Manager and other team, contribute to defining technical strategy when required.

1. Project Monitoring and Evaluation and data management – 20%

• Participate in the planning, organizing and implementation of surveys, assessments and research studies including post distribution monitoring
• Regular monitoring and evaluation of Food Security and Livelihoods projects performance and provide timely inputs, feedback and impact of the Action Against Hunger Food Security and Livelihoods interventions on the communities
• Support monitoring food security activities in the and conduct market analysis for market-based programming and cash-based interventions, highlighting the challenges and risks and report to the management
• Ensure that all beneficiaries and assessment data are safely kept within the organization database and accessible to the relevant team.
• Participate in conducting needs assessment at community level, household food security assessment for agriculture and food security interventions
• Conduct the capacity assessment of smallholder farmers for agricultural interventions and facilitate private sector engagement, mentoring and coaching farmers at the household level.
• Supporting in conducting FSL project baseline assessments, mid project assessments, context assessments, surveys end-line and follow-up assessments
• Lead in FSL emergency assessment response and coordination

1. Reporting, documentation and communication – 20%

• With close collaboration with MEAL officer, ensure all reports are compiled and shared within the specified time and Action Against Hunger and Donor guidelines. Among the reports, Monthly (statistical and narrative), Quarterly, semiannual and annual reports.
• Work with MEAL officer and Communication Officer in documenting success stories, best practices and lesson learning reports on a monthly basis
• Participate in sharing information with other team members and government on activity results and feedback from the field and partners.
• Ensure all project sites, equipment and tools are well branded according to Action Against Hunger and donor guidelines.
• Maintain full qualitative and quantitative records and reports of activities, disaggregated by age, gender and people living with disability.
• Prepare progress reports, quarterly donor reports, proposals, Program reports project procurement plan and contributes to survey reports.
• Collect and disseminate the outputs and drawbacks gained on a regular basis.
• Work with the communication team and other program staff to take good photos and videos for documentation.

1. Information exchange and cooperation with all Action Against Hunger interventions and external stakeholders – 10%

• Collaborate with all other Action Against Hunger departments and sectors to ensure the projects are integrated.
• Collaboration with other Partners, MOA, INGOs, NGOs, CBOs and the UN working in this area to ensure the smooth running of projects.
• Work in collaboration with the communities and local leaders at all stages of project implementation.

1. Finance, Logistics – 15%

• Prepare cash forecast in liaison with the other program staff in line with the work plans.
• Ensure the expenditure is as stipulated in the budget lines and strict adherence to the budget limits.
• Propose anticipated budget realignment in line with communities’ realities.
• In liaison with the Program Manager monitor budget spending in line with the spending plan; ensure diligence in grants utilization including timely spending and value for money.
• Any other roles as assigned by the supervisor

1. Visibility and branding – 5%

• In liaison with the Program Manager and Logistic department, ensure projects are well branded

III. Supervisory Responsibilities

• FSL Project Officer position has no reporting line to manage

IV. Fiscal Responsibility

• Prepare cash forecast in liaison with the other Project Officer in line with the work plans
• Ensure the expenditure is as stipulated in the budget lines and strict adherence to the budget limits
• Propose anticipated budget realignment in discussion with program team
• In liaison with the Program Manager, monitor budget spending in line with spending plan; ensure diligence in grants utilization including timely spending and value for money.
• Support the Program Manager in monthly budget reviews and suggesting amendments to the finance team

V. Physical Demands

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to sit for long periods and to concentrate on work, including typing, and turn out heavy volumes of work accurately, within short time frames under stressful situations in the context of a moderately noisy office with many interruptions. Must be able to proofread own work accurately so that only minor corrections are needed on an infrequent basis.
• The job also demands long travel to remote areas of the work area, with poor terrain and scorching sun and heat.
• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

VI. Working Conditions, Travel and Environment

• The duties of the job require regular job attendance for five days per week with eight hours per day however, due to nature of programs, may be required to work longer hours and over the weekends.
• Must be able to travel as required for standard domestic based on the office needs. While visiting the field, the employee may be exposed to precarious settings under high security risks and/or very basic living conditions and outside weather conditions, as well as infectious diseases.

VII. Gender Equality Commitments & Zero Tolerance to Abuse

• Foster an environment that reinforces values of women and men, and equal access to information.
• Provide a work environment where women and men must be evaluated and promoted based on their skills and performance.
• Promote a safe, secure, and respectful environment for all stakeholders, particularly for children, beneficiaries, and members of staff.
• Help to prevent any type of abuse including workplace harassment and sexual abuse and exploitation.
• Respect beneficiaries’ women, men, children (boys and girls) regardless of gender, sex orientation, disability, religion, race, color, ancestry, national origin, age, or marital status.
• Value and respect in all cultures.

Required Qualifications and Professional Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in agriculture general, Agronomy, Crop Production & Management, Crop Science, Agriculture Engineering, Agriculture Education and Extension.
• Experience from national government and INGO sectors is an advantage.
• Knowledge of main donor requirements including GAC, USAID, EU, Private donors etc.

Required Skills & Competencies

• At least 3 years’ experience in a similar position.
• Previous experience of working with local government structures
• Computer skills with excellence in Microsoft Excel and Word
• Good level of spoken and written English and Kiswahili.
• Ability to work under minimal supervision and have impact on input on program indicators
• Demonstrate capacity in constructively engaging local authorities and local partners.
• Excellent organization, coordination, report writing skills
• Organization, initiative, punctuality and courtesy