Regional Livelihoods Adviser (Asia) At British Red Cross

Location: Bangladesh OR Nepal. (Field based – Asia specific location to be defined depending on selected candidate)
Contract: 12 months, with possible extension

The British Red Cross (BRC) Asia team works bilaterally, multilaterally and in consortia with National Society (NS) Partners in Myanmar, Bangladesh, Nepal, the People’s Democratic Republic of Korea (DPRK), Afghanistan and Pakistan. Two country offices (Bangladesh and Nepal) and an office within IFRC Asia Pacific Regional Office (APRO) in Malaysia are in place. The vision of the BRC Asia Team is ‘By 2030, IFRC Asia Pacific Regional Office, National Societies and vulnerable communities have the required local and regional competencies and capacities to effectively and efficiently prepare for and respond to disasters’.

The British Red Cross is now seeking a Regional Livelihoods Adviser (Asia) to provide technical strategic programme guidance, high quality technical advise and measurement support to BRC’s National Society partners and the wider RCRC Movement, in the design, implementation and evaluation of emergency responses and resilience programmes that strengthen food and nutrition security and sustainable livelihoods for vulnerable communities and people in crisis. Specifically, the post holder will:

• Ensure the provision of high quality technical and advisory services in livelihoods programming with a particular focus on urban contexts, to support response and resilience programmes supporting vulnerable communities in Asia Pacific through the actions of our Red Cross Movement partners.
• Support and build the capacity of BRC’s Partner National Societies within the livelihoods area, contributing to their organisational development as leading national humanitarian organisations.
• Support mainstreaming of the use of cash and vouchers assistance into National Society programmes, through high quality field and office work, working with National Societies to build up their expertise in CVA delivery and preparedness in relation to livelihoods programming.
• Work collaboratively with the Heads of Region and Country Managers in the Programmes & Partnerships department, in a matrix structure, to support the delivery of integrated technical and advisory services, working alongside and within the regional programmes and partnerships.

Main responsibilities

1. Act as the main technical focal point supporting livelihoods programming in the Asia regions, ensuring high quality technical advice is provided to all programmes. This will include support to programme response options including urban livelihoods, market-oriented livelihoods strategies, value chain development, productive cash grant provision, development of micro, small and medium-enterprises (MSME), financial inclusion, skills development, and employability, etc.
2. Provide technical input throughout the programme cycle and assist in all stages (identification, assessment, analysis, design, planning, implementation, monitoring & evaluation) in line with international and internal standards and good practice.
3. Contribute to promote livelihoods resilience especially in relation to climate change adaptation, disaster risk sensitive and urban/ peri-urban contexts, using an evidence-based approach and tested tools for programming.
4. Apply a market-based approach to programmes and guide the use of cash and vouchers assistance (CVA) to strengthen livelihoods impacts including improved food security. Where required, provide training in CVA and market assessment in coordination with the cash advisers
5. Support/lead on documentation of learning and knowledge management as well as the development of capacity building and advocacy materials.
6. Support emergency and recovery operations, advising on appropriate livelihoods actions and support to be provided to National Society (NS) and Movement partners.
7. Proactively identify capacity building needs for partner NS and support the capacity building process including general strategic needs and opportunities and specific capacity required for new and ongoing programmes to be implemented. This includes specific trainings and mentoring for staff, volunteers and partners related to programme activities to ensure appropriate delivery of actions.
8. Disseminate regular, relevant information and raise awareness on new situations BRC and partners should be aware of regarding livelihoods needs in the region by collecting, collating, analysing, assessing and interpreting information from a range of sources to make evidence-based recommendations.
9. Support the integration of livelihoods assessments, design and delivery with other technical teams and departments.
10. Contribute to the maintenance and dynamization of the BRC Food Security and Livelihoods (FSL) community of practice including the Global Surge Team and the FSL delegate register by actively engaging on meetings and sharing learnings and opportunities.
11. Proactively work towards improving quality and accountability, ensuring compliance through the provision of timely and effective advice, as well as capacity building.
12. Actively engage in the development of donor funding proposals in collaboration with Fundraising and Communication Divisions and colleagues within the Programmes and Partnerships Department, for livelihoods programmes and the livelihoods components of integrated multisectoral programmes.
13. Act as technical focal point to support HR on the development of role descriptions, technical testing, and selection process for the recruitment of staff and consultants for livelihoods programmes and related work.
14. Provide briefings for BRC Senior Management and Trustees as requested.
15. Be prepared to travel to BRC programmes for up to 90 days per year, sometimes at short notice and in insecure environments, to assist in programme start up and monitoring.
16. Be prepared to cover for other members of the team when required.
17. Proactive collaboration with relevant teams across the BRC to facilitate effective and efficient delivery against agreed objectives, including collaboration with other technical advisors to deliver integrated programme support.
18. Active engagement on global RCRC Movement coordination groups to support livelihoods team efforts towards coordination and joint progress on the Movement agenda for livelihoods.
19. Proactive engagement with RCRC Movement and other technical networks and coordination groups acting in the Asia region. Build relationships to influence others and incorporate and apply lessons and good/best practice from outside BRC into organisational learning.
20. Contribute to further develop BRC and wider Movement tools and standards to strengthen food and nutrition security and livelihoods interventions and build partner capacity, working with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) Livelihoods Centre, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) EcoSec and other partner national societies engaged in livelihoods.

The ideal candidate will have:

• Good knowledge of and proven technical experience in food security and livelihoods standards within the international humanitarian system/international development context.
• Technical/professional knowledge within the areas of market-based interventions with an emphasis on use in livelihood programming (RAM/MAG, EMMA, Markit, etc.), as well as knowledge within the areas of market systems and especially “markets functioning for the poor”.
• Good knowledge of livelihoods related methodologies for needs assessment and project design.
• Experience developing strategic documents for livelihoods.
• Technical/professional knowledge within the areas of skills development and increasing employability of low-skilled audience. Specific knowledge and experience of working with urban low-income communities.
• Understanding of resilience programming and matrix.
• Ability to analyse both quantitative and qualitative data and interpret information to communicate to and persuade decision makers/different audiences, both written and verbal.
• Ability to write reports and proposals for a variety of audiences, including budgeting.
• Good project management skills and experience in economic development programming and financial/business skill building, with a focus on urban contexts and market-oriented interventions. Ideally with the ability to maintain accurate financial programme budgets and financial reports.
• Negotiation and influencing skills, facilitation skills for capacity building, excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proven ability to prioritise and manage work effectively in a fast-paced environment, to deliver on time and in full against specific objectives.