Livelihood and Food Security Specialist, Yemen – Yemen

Your purpose as LFS Specialist is technical development of the LFS Core Competency, strategic direction and quality assurance. The LFS Specialist is responsible for mentoring, training and capacity building of staff within the technical capacity of livelihoods, food security and markets. The role will provide technical guidance to integrated programming, using market-based approaches, working with shelter, WaSH, education, and addressing multi-sectoral needs.

Specific responsibilities

1. Lead the development of Yemen’s Livelihoods and Food Security (LFS) Core Competency Strategy, including theories of change, contributions to and other integrated programming initiatives.
2. Contribute to the revision of the NRC Yemen Country Programme Strategy.
3. Provide technical leadership to the CMG and area programs in alignment with the country’s CC strategies.
4. Support the consideration and inclusion of CVA and MBA within (and across) NRC core competency responses, where appropriate. The LFS Specialist is not responsible for CVA programming undertaken by other CCs (e.g. WASH, Shelter and Education). The Specialist is an advisory resource (particularly in designing Multi-Purpose Cash Assistance), with other CC Specialists responsible for their CVA and MBA programming.
5. Develop standard work programmes for assessment, targeting, verification, distribution and monitoring for both cash payments and vouchers and in-kind LFS modalities.
6. Lead the design of high-quality and appropriate concept notes and proposals for fundraising from donors, for both emergency and medium/long-term programming, ensuring integrated approaches where appropriate.
7. Together with other CCs, carry out all LFS assessments and response analyses and advise the country programme on the appropriate and relevant actions required.
8. Ensure quality implementation of LFS initiatives appropriate to the context through field support, capacity building, tool development and participation in M&E activities to develop an effective system for handling beneficiary feedback and complaints related to LFS assistance.
9. Work closely with the other core competence specialists/coordinators and thematic advisors to identify synergies and/or integration through the PCM.
10. Providing technical advice at field level and advising the Country Director, Programme Head, Area Managers and Project Coordinators on technical strategies, approaches and best practices in LFS
11. To identify, facilitate and stimulate innovative approaches to programming in the country office, including collaboration with other countries in the region where relevant.
12. Write and review relevant reports, ensuring they are of high quality and technically accurate.
13. Conduct reporting and documentation of relevant experiences and actively participate in M&E activities through the PCM, including regular review of M&E data through the GORS platform.
14. Assist in recruiting staff for Livelihoods & Food Security CC, together with HR and Regional Managers, and develop and implement a capacity development strategy for them.
15. Lead the monitoring and analysis of policy issues affecting the LFS sector and advise management and the policy and advocacy team on the formulation of key messages.
16. Represent the NRC LFS CC in sector-specific coordination platforms and in all other meetings at the request of the line manager.
17. Proactively engage in processes with external stakeholders (including donors, working groups, consortia) to prepare the NRC for funding opportunities, to scale up high-impact interventions, to test innovations and to disseminate best practices.
18. Develop a robust risk assessment, risk mitigation/management plans, risk monitoring systems and maintain an up-to-date risk register on the MBA in collaboration with relevant CC, protection, support and security colleagues.
19. Provide a technical capacity building approach and concrete plans for project leaders and project managers.

Download the detailed job description for more information about the position.

What you bring

• Minimum 7 years of experience in the field of Livelihoods and Food Security in a humanitarian/recovery context, preferably with communities affected by displacement
• International experience as an LFS in a country other than that of one’s nationality is preferred
• Experience working in complex and unstable contexts
• LFS Core Competence Expertise (Food Aid, Food and Agriculture Systems, Business, Entrepreneurship and Employment)
• Documented results related to the responsibilities of the position
• Knowledge about own leadership skills/profile
• Fluent English, both written and spoken

Context/specific skills, knowledge and experience:

• Political and cultural awareness
• Contextual knowledge and/or previous experience in the Middle East region is an advantage
• Experience in a similar position or role in similar contexts is an advantage.
• Experience in both humanitarian and development work and transitioning between the two extremes of the spectrum is an advantage.
• Solid experience in leading livelihoods and food security assessments, particularly in protracted crises, is required
• Experience in leading multi-sector market assessments and analyzing the findings is an advantage
• Experience in designing and implementing innovative, market-oriented income-generating activities in both urban and rural contexts.
• Extensive experience in resilience programming, including natural resource management and nutrition-sensitive programming, is required.
• Experience in financial inclusion including small business support, value chain analysis, private sector engagement, M4P approaches and savings groups is an advantage.
• Experience in setting up innovative partnerships with external actors
• Excellent engagement and representation skills at all levels, both internally and externally, are required.

What we offer

Female candidates are strongly encouraged to join our work culture that empowers every employee to share ideas and take responsibility: At NRC, we think outside the box. We encourage ideas and give responsibility to all employees at all levels to solve the complex problems we face. You will have many opportunities to be heard and take initiative

• Location: Sana’a, Yemen
• Starting monthly allowance of NOK 54,713
• Travel: 50%
• NRC is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to diversity without distinction in age, gender, religion, ethnicity, nationality and physical ability.
• We think outside the box, encourage ideas and give responsibility to all employees at all levels. You will have many opportunities to be heard and take initiative.

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About us

The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is a global humanitarian organisation that helps people on the run.

Join us as we help millions of people in places where others cannot, by tackling some of the world’s most dangerous and difficult crises. Bring your skills and dedication to an organization known for delivering high-quality aid and advocating for the rights of refugees and displaced people.

At NRC, we empower employees at all levels and encourage professional growth and innovative teams. You can expect a supportive culture and open dialogue with management. We are committed to diversity, equality and inclusion.

Together we save lives and rebuild the future.

Safeguarding is central to NRC’s work. We expect all employees to:

• treat everyone with respect and dignity

• contribute to creating a safe environment for everyone

• never engage in any form of exploitation, intimidation and in particular sexual exploitation, abuse and sexual harassment (SEAH)

• always report. NRC has a zero tolerance policy regarding inaction against exploitation, abuse and SEAH