Emergency Food Security & Vulnerable Livelihoods (EFSVL) Expert At Oxfam Solidarité

Terms of Reference
Emergency Food Security & Vulnerable Livelihoods (EFSVL) Expert **
Oxfam in Algeria **

1. Context

Oxfam has operated in the Sahrawi refugee camps since 1975 and has established itself as a key humanitarian actor in the area. Oxfam has developed a multi-sectoral approach spanning WaSH, Food Security and Youth, with a cross-cutting commitment to advocacy and to the humanitarian, development and peace nexus.

To reduce widespread dependence on humanitarian aid, especially food distributions, as well as to encourage more sustainable and efficient access to nutrition, Oxfam is working with over 500 Sahrawi refugee families to improve small-scale, agro-ecological farming. Oxfam seeks to establish self-sustaining associations of farmers to collectively sell their produce on the local market. Through its support to families, Oxfam is piloting several water-efficient, innovative irrigation techniques to optimize agricultural production in the harsh desert environment.

The majority of Sahrawi refugees remain dependent on humanitarian aid while the nutrition status worsens across the camps. Oxfam’s food security programme promotes access of vulnerable refugees to fresh produce, in complementary to the WFP dry food basket. In conjunction with broad distributions, Oxfam will pilot targeted distributions to 8,000 refugees with particular health and nutritional vulnerabilities. Oxfam maintains its distribution of gluten-free flour to the celiac population in the camps.

2. Overview

Language of the Study

Required: Arabic or Spanish + English or French.

Location

Sahrawi refugee camps – Tindouf – Algeria

Length

4 Months – whose first month can be done remotely

Goal

The holder of this position will be responsible for developing Oxfam in Algeria’s EFSVL Strategy, working with the EFSVL team to improve implementation of ongoing activities and supporting project and proposal development for prospective actions. The team is seeking an expert who provides both administrative support and strategic guidance, while at the same time is willing to be in the field, conducting research and improving implementation of field activities.

Responsibilities

• Develop Oxfam in Algeria’s EFSVL Strategy in consultation with beneficiaries, partners and other team members. Gather necessary data to inform the strategy by designing and implementing research and assessments. EFSVL Strategy topics should include:
  • Review food distribution activities in terms of nutritional impact, selection of product, distribution methodology and Oxfam’s value added;
  • Develop strategies for emergency responses vis-à-vis food security, including product selection, size of emergency packages, etc.
  • Develop concrete and deployable methodologies for market studies, including the regular quantification of MEBs and EMEBs, the average expenditure basket, and conduct regular market research to inform Oxfam’s approach and strategy.
  • Monitor the manners through which Oxfam’s intervention affects local and national markets and be abreast of any situations where Oxfam’s intervention adversely affects markets.
  • Regularly deploy monitoring tools to quantify food security and consumption at level of beneficiaries.
  • Identify opportunities and design a pilot intervention for use of cash and voucher assistance (CVA), including developing a detailed and adapted protocol for the execution of CVA according to a market assessment;
  • Development of improved monitoring tools for general and targeted distributions;
  • Identify opportunities for targeted distributions;
  • Support project design to scale up small holder agricultural programming, including supporting needs assessment, mapping of household gardens, determining use of innovative irrigation techniques versus traditional irrigation;
  • Analyse and propose effective and adapted interventions in the field of support for livestock in the Sahrawi refugee camps
  • Foster and develop relationships with the private sector to ensure that Oxfam’s budget is being spent with an eye on value for money, but also with start-ups and SMEs working on innovation in micro-agriculture.
• Review and support the improvement of various ongoing activities, including programme and project management, implementation and sustainability.
• Support the country office to design a targeted fresh food distribution intervention for 8,000 vulnerable Sahrawi refugees with disabilities or health conditions.
• Contribute to the design and proposal development for 2022-23 EFSVL programming.
• Develop a capacity building plan for the EFSVL Oxfam team in Algeria.

3. Required qualifications and expertise

Education & Experience:

· Post-graduate degree in relevant discipline (ex. Economics, Social Science, Agricultural science or relevant field).

· Fluency in at least one local language (Arabic or Spanish) and at least one foreign language (English or French) is mandatory.

· 10 years professional experience in the field with international NGOs in food security and livelihood sectors.

· Strong administrative capacity; Able to write strategies, project proposals, concise reports and develop research tools.

· Able to provide field-oriented support, including participating in primary research initiatives and discussions with stakeholders.

· Knowledge and experience of ESFVL assessment, monitoring and evaluation; project design; technical standards and best practices; thematic expertise in at least 1-2 areas including cash-transfer and market-based programming, social protection and/or resilience; agriculture and livestock; food aid; and/or nutrition.

· Demonstrated experience as an effective trainer, to build the capacity of field teams.

· Commitment to Oxfam’s equal opportunity and gender policies.

Organisational Values:

· Accountability – Our purpose-driven, results-focused approach means we take responsibility for our actions and hold ourselves accountable. We believe that others should also be held accountable for their actions.

· Empowerment – Our approach means that everyone involved with Oxfam, from our staff and supporters to people living in poverty should feel they can make change happen.

· Inclusiveness – We are open to everyone and embrace diversity. We believe everyone has a contribution to make, regardless of visible and invisible differences.

4. Timeline

Activity Timeline

Desk review and methodology establishment December 2021

Field work and report production January, February, March 2022