Emergency Food Security Specialist

Vacancy Announcement – Emergency Food Security Specialist for Zimbabwe

Open to:                -All Foreign Service National Employees – All Agencies
                               Current employees serving a probationary period are
                                not eligible to apply
                               -All Zimbabwean citizens 
                                -All other interested candidates

Position Title:     Emergency Food Security Specialist (FSN Grade 10)

(Starting grade could be lower depending on qualifications and personnel guidelines)
 

Opening Date: October 12, 2009

Closing Date:  October 26, 2009 

Work Hours: 40 hours per week – However, willingness and freedom to spend approximately 50% of the time traveling in Zimbabwe outside of Harare on field trips is an essential component of this position.

The USAID Mission to Zimbabwe has a vacancy for an Emergency Food Security Specialist.  The candidate selected for this position will be employed under a personal services contract and work in the Food for Peace (FFP) Office.   Compensation will be based on qualifications, earning history and personnel management regulations.  Only short listed candidates will be advised on the complete remuneration package. 

SCOPE OF WORK

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE:  This contract will be in effect for 1 year with an option to extend longer.  Exercising the extension option will depend on a FFP determination, in consultation with USAID/Zimbabwe Mission, of the continued need for services, availability of funds, and satisfactory or better performance.

BASIC FUNCTIONS OF THE POSITION:

The Emergency Food Security Specialist for Zimbabwe will monitor household food security and the use of USG emergency food aid commodities provided to Zimbabwe through World Food Programme and Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) partners.  Primary objective will be to ascertain that food aid commodities are targeted and distributed effectively and equitably to improve food security and save lives of the most vulnerable.  The position will be based in Harare but will involve extensive travel.  Contractor should expect to spend a significant amount of time outside Harare.  The candidate will:
 

1. Monitor the food security of households across Zimbabwe.  Participate actively in national food security and vulnerability assessment plans and activities.  30%

2. Monitor the targeting and distribution of emergency food aid commodities to ensure that food is effectively reaching the vulnerable people targeted for assistance in the program agreement, and is not being misappropriated, misallocated or misused. 25%

3. Report findings of field monitoring visits to Food for Peace Officer (FFPO) and work with the FFPO to prepare reports and other communications for FFP/ Washington, and USAID/Zimbabwe, especially highlighting issues that need to be addressed and recommending solutions.  This should include immediate reporting of actual or suspected diversions of food aid.  25%

4. Meet with relevant USAID staff, and appropriate staff of the United Nations (UN) and NGO implementing partners to discuss issues related to the effective targeting and distribution of emergency food aid. 7%

5. Participate in USAID planning and strategy sessions regarding food aid, food security and livelihoods.  Advise on food aid needs and constraints to food aid deliveries.  5%

6. Remain up-to-date on reports regarding the targeting and distribution of international food aid, especially in Southern Africa, and the nutritional or food security situation in Zimbabwe conducted by UN, NGO or FEWS teams, and follow up on any problems that are reported. 3%

7. Review and ground-truth distribution reports and commodity status/loss reports submitted by WFP and NGO partners, and ensure that such reports are submitted in regular and timely fashion, and that copies are shared with concerned Mission staff. 3%

8. Participate in UN-organized food needs assessment trips and related meetings, as required. 1%

9. Participate in and help organize visits of USG officials traveling to Zimbabwe to follow up on food aid related issues. 1%

Language and Communication Skills

The Contractor must possess a high degree of proficiency in both written and spoken English, and be fluent in speaking at least one of Zimbabwe’s major languages, Shona and/or Ndebele.  It is highly desirable that the contractor speak two local languages.

Supervisory Relationship: The Contractor will be supervised day-to-day by USAID/Zimbabwe’s Food for Peace Officer or his/her designee but will be in regular contact with FFP/Washington and the regional office.  Travel plans will be approved by the FFPO.  Reporting should be directly to the FFPO, and any subsequent dissemination of information will be determined by him/her. 

Supervisory Control: The Contractor is expected to take initiative and act independently with little direction, especially while in the field, and represents the Agency well, but will have no authority to make financial commitments on behalf of the USG, unless such authority is specifically delegated.

Selective Factors

In order to effectively carry out the responsibilities of this position, the following knowledge and skills are required:

·   A Bachelor’s degree or higher in agriculture, nutrition, social sciences or economics from an accredited university.  A Masters degree or higher in one of these fields is preferred.

·  3 years progressively responsible work experience in humanitarian assistance, development assistance, food security assessment, or program management with demonstrated ability to work with donors or international NGOs.

·  Sound knowledge of the principles of household vulnerability to food insecurity and methods for identifying the most vulnerable.

·  Extensive geographic knowledge of Zimbabwe and understanding of the diversity of livelihood pursuits in rural and urban Zimbabwe.

· Demonstrated analytical skills and understanding of collection, analysis and interpretation of qualitative and quantitative social science statistics.

· Fluency in English and Shona or Ndebele; fluency in English and at least 2 local languages is highly desirable.

· Ability to effectively communicate findings from field assessments, both verbally and in writing, and develop recommendations for addressing issues that arise from field visits.

·  Basic computer skills, to include knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel, e-mail and internet, skills in SPSS and Arc View mapping software is highly desirable.

· Willingness and freedom to spend approximately 50% of the time, including weekends, traveling outside of Harare.

Selection Process:  After an initial application screening, the best qualified applicants will be invited to a testing process, which will include an oral interview and a written exercise.  The final phase of the selection process is the probationary period of one year.  Medical and security clearances are also required before employment can begin.  Only short listed candidates will be contacted.

Submit Applications via email to:  zimrecruit@usaid.gov

Please indicate Reference: 10-01, Emergency Food Security Specialist in the subject line of the application email. 

(No later than October 26, 2009)

For any queries Contact the HR Office on 252401 or
252420 Ext. 256