Foreign Assistance Specialist, Food Security
Full-time, Contract, On-site at Bogotá
Foreign Assistance Hub, Colombia
Candidates MUST be Citizens of Colombia and able to work daily in Bogotá.
DESCRIPTION
At Credence, we support our client’s mission-critical humanitarian and development work through trusted partnerships and technical expertise. We are seeking experienced professionals who want to apply their field knowledge and operational experience to shape large-scale humanitarian action. Credence is recruiting a Foreign Assistance Specialist – Food Security to support the U.S. Department of State’s Humanitarian Assistance Support Contract (HASC) in Bogotá. This is a full-time, on-site position supporting U.S. Government humanitarian food assistance programming across Colombia, Venezuela, and the broader South America region. This position is ideal for an experienced food and nutrition assistance practitioner with strong field experience who is ready to influence strategy, improve program quality, and strengthen coordination across partners and donors. This is a full-time, on-site contract opportunity. The salary will be commensurate with an FSN 11 position within Colombia.
POSITION SUMMARY
I. Basic Function of Position
Th Foreign Assistance Specialist, Food Security, serves as the Hub’s senior technical specialist on food and nutrition assistance programming and a trusted advisor to U.S. Government leadership on food assistance strategy and investments. The Specialist brings practical, field-based expertise to guide how humanitarian food assistance is designed, implemented, and improved across the region. The incumbent works closely with NGOs, UN agencies, and government counterparts to ensure programs are responsive, evidence-based, cost-effective, and accountable to affected populations. The role combines technical leadership, partner engagement, field monitoring, and strategic analysis. The Specialist helps translate operational realities into clear recommendations that shape funding priorities, strengthen program performance, and maximize impact. This is a highly collaborative position suited for a professional who is comfortable both in the field with implementing partners and at the policy table with senior decision-makers.
II. Major Duties and Responsibilities
A. Technical Leadership and Program Quality (40%)
• Serve as the primary technical resource on food assistance, nutrition, security programming for the Foreign Assistance Hub.
• Provide practical, solutions-oriented guidance to partners on program design, targeting, modality selection (CVA, in-kind, LRP), and monitoring.
• Review proposals, budgets, and reports to ensure interventions are feasible, context appropriate, and deliver strong value for money.
• Conduct regular field visits to understand operational challenges and support continuous program improvement.
• Analyze IPC, market, and vulnerability data to inform strategic and timely decisionmaking.
• Promote integrated approaches that link food assistance with health, protection, livelihoods, and sustainability.
B. Coordination and Representation (25%)
• Act as a collaborative counterpart to NGOs, UN agencies, and local partners.
• Represent the U.S. Government in Food Assistance & Nutrition Clusters and other related coordination forums.
• Strengthen alignment and complementarity across actors to reduce duplication and increase collective impact.
• Provide technical briefings and recommendations to Embassy leadership and Washington stakeholders.
• Support coordination between humanitarian and development actors to advance sustainable, longer-term outcomes.
C. Strategic Analysis and Reporting (20%)
• Track food security trends and emerging risks across Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, and other food assistance priority countries in South America.
• Translate field realities and partner feedback into clear, actionable analysis for senior decision-makers.
• Prepare concise briefs, situation updates, and funding recommendations.
• Contribute to portfolio planning, performance reviews, and strategy development.
• Support evidence-based prioritization of humanitarian resources.
D. Capacity Building and Knowledge Management (15%)
• Share best practices in cash and voucher assistance, market-based approaches, and accountability frameworks.
• Strengthen technical capacity among partners and colleagues through mentoring, workshops, and learning events.
• Capture lessons learned and promote continuous improvement and innovation.
• Support knowledge sharing across programs and stakeholders.
III. Supervisory Relationship
The Specialist works under the direct supervision of the Senior Foreign Assistance Advisor or Senior Coordinator. Assignments are defined in terms of objectives and expected outcomes. The incumbent is expected to operate independently and exercise sound professional judgment.
IV. Supervisory Controls
The position does not directly supervise staff but provides technical guidance and oversight to implementing partners and may lead assessments or short-term technical missions.
V. Qualifications
Required Candidates MUST be Citizens of Colombia and able to work daily in Bogotá.
Education
Master’s degree in international development, agriculture, food security, nutrition, economics, or a related field.
Experience
• Minimum 5–7 years of progressively responsible experience in food security or humanitarian assistance programming.
• Demonstrated field implementation experience, including assessments, partner support, and monitoring.
• Experience working with donor-funded programs (U.S. Government, UN, or major bilateral donors).
• Experience coordinating with NGOs, UN agencies, and cluster mechanisms strongly preferred.
Job Knowledge
• Strong understanding of humanitarian principles and food assistance modalities.
• Knowledge of CVA, in-kind assistance, market systems, targeting, and accountability practices.
• Familiarity with the Colombia/Venezuela humanitarian context.
• Understanding of donor compliance and reporting frameworks.
Skills and Abilities
• Practical, solutions-oriented problem solver.
• Strong analytical and writing skills.
• Comfortable briefing senior officials and diverse stakeholders.
• Excellent collaboration and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to balance strategic thinking with operational realities.
• Fluency in English and Spanish required.
VI. Post Entry Training
Orientation and training on Department of State systems, U.S. foreign assistance regulations, and interagency coordination will be provided.
VII. Position Elements
Level and Purpose of Contacts Frequent interaction with implementing partners, government officials, UN representatives, and U.S. interagency staff, including Washington-based offices.
How to apply
To apply, please submit resume and cover letter to cherridge@credence-llc.com.
Please provide ONLY the following personal information on your resume: Name, telephone number and email address.
In your cover letter please include a brief one-paragraph summary of your recent and relevant experience related to this role along with your responses to the following:
- Full Legal Name
- Telephone number and e-mail address
- City and Country of residence
- Country of Citizenship
- Highest level of Education completed and number of years of experience related to this role
- Willing to undergo the mandatory background check process for this role? Yes/No
- Willing and able to travel, as needed, for this role? Yes/No
- List all languages in which you are proficient in a work environment (speaking, reading, writing and indicate willingness to provide writing samples in each language, as requested)
- Date when available to start a new job
- Desired Compensation
If you meet the minimum requirements, you may be contacted for an initial screening.
Thank you for your interest.
Credence does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, religion, age, national origin, marital status, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other reason prohibited by law in provision of employment opportunities and benefits.