Food Security Project Officer At Oxfam

Oxfam is dedicated to preventing any type of unwanted behavior at work, including sexual harassment, exploitation, abuse, lack of integrity, and financial misconduct. We are also committed to promoting the welfare of children, young people, and adults. Oxfam expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment through our code of conduct. We prioritize recruiting individuals who demonstrate and align with our values.

Internal Job Grade: 5A
Standard Contract: 6-Month Fixed Term – Renewable, subject to funding
Reporting To: Food Security Program Manager
Staff Reporting Directly To This Post: Food Security Project Assistants
Key Relationships/Interactions: WFPSIDA, Oxfam Technical Advisors, Senior Consultants, MEAL Officers, Local Authorities, other INGOs

Location: Sahrawi Refugee Camps, Tindouf, Algeria

About Oxfam in Algeria – Sahrawi Refugee Camps

Oxfam has been active in the Sahrawi refugee camps since 1975 and is a key humanitarian actor in the region. We have a multi-sectoral approach that includes WaSH, Food Security, and Youth, with a strong focus on advocacy and the humanitarian, development, and peace nexus.

The majority of Sahrawi refugees rely on humanitarian aid, and nutrition conditions are deteriorating in the camps. Oxfam’s food security program aims to enhance access to fresh produce for vulnerable refugees, complementing the WFP’s dry food basket. In addition to broad distributions, we provide gluten-free flour to the celiac population in the camps.

Our program focuses on distributing food, especially fresh products, promoting good food consumption and conservation practices, and supporting local agricultural production. We work with over 500 Sahrawi refugee families to improve small-scale, agro-ecological farming and establish self-sustaining farmer associations to market their produce locally. We also pilot innovative, water-efficient irrigation techniques suitable for the desert environment.

Job Purpose

The Food Security Project Officer will be responsible for implementing Oxfam’s Food Security & Livelihoods (FSL) activities under the Sida-funded project, reporting to the Food Security Manager. The role involves planning, executing, and managing activities as outlined below.

Job Responsibilities

Activity 1: Distribution of Fresh Products and Gluten-Free Flour

• Organize and prepare the planning of FSL activities within the Sida project framework, including fresh product and gluten-free flour distributions and agricultural support for regional gardens.
• Oversee all distribution-related activities:
  • Participate in coordination meetings.
  • Organize beneficiary verifications, reception, control, and distribution operations.
  • Supervise distribution monitors and develop monitoring reports.
  • Coordinate with local authorities and other stakeholders.
• Manage Sida activities related to food security, agriculture, and livestock support.
• Support the development of job descriptions and terms of reference for staff, consultants, and service providers, and participate in their recruitment.
• Support capacity development of partners and improve distribution points.
• Organize and supervise awareness sessions on relevant topics within the community and among stakeholders.
• Provide technical support to MEAL activities, including surveys, focus groups, database management, and final evaluations.
• Conduct market research to inform distribution modalities and keep updated on industry activities.

Activity 2: Reports, Administration, and Program Development

• Organize and monitor all administrative aspects related to delegated activities.
• Ensure monthly expense reconciliations and support documentation with finance.
• Support other project managers and organize physical and digital archiving.
• Contribute to monthly activity reports, interim and final reports, and new proposals.
• Organize delegation visits and collect photos/videos related to activities.
• Write success stories and keep a record of lessons learned.

Activity 3: Other Responsibilities

• Manage a project assistant and field controllers, ensuring strong project management and support.
• Conduct frequent field visits.
• Ensure food security activities respect Oxfam’s principles and promote gender justice and women’s rights.
• Perform other ad hoc tasks as required by Oxfam for project success.
• Participate in team meetings and national-level workshops.

Job Requirements

• Master’s degree in Food Security, Agronomy, Development Cooperation, Development Studies, or a related field.
• Minimum of 4 years of relevant experience in Project Management with INGOs.
• Experience with cash transfers/coupons and relevant technical knowledge in food security, nutrition, and livelihoods.
• Proficiency in local languages (Arabic or Spanish) and good communication skills in French or English.
• Experience in community-level work and a strong understanding of gender and development issues.
• In-depth knowledge of project cycle management, logical framework analysis, monitoring and evaluation, and reporting.

Key Attributes

• Willingness to learn about gender/gender mainstreaming, women’s rights, and diversity in development work.
• Commitment to Oxfam’s safeguarding policies.
• Good facilitation skills and ability to accommodate diverse views.

Organizational Values

• Accountability: We take responsibility for our actions and hold ourselves and others accountable.
• Empowerment: We believe everyone should feel they can make change happen.
• Inclusiveness: We embrace diversity and believe everyone has something to contribute.

Key Behavioral Competencies

• Leadership, teamwork, and effective communication.