Food security, early warning, early response (EWER) manager / IMPROVE project

Background

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is the overseas relief and development arm of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. It was founded in 1943 and works in over 100 countries globally. South Sudan has undergone tremendous change in the past six years since the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement. Emerging from years of conflict, the country is beginning to reap the benefits of peace in terms of increased economic growth, improved social services and greater democracy. The post is located in the Program Operations Coordination Unit, in Bor, the state capital of Jonglei.

The EWER Manager will lead the consortium’s livelihoods programs in community-based disaster preparedness practices in vulnerable communities to strengthen community and household resilience to climatic and environmental shocks that affect food security and reports directly to the Agriculture Technical Team.

Jonglei State is subject to extreme natural shocks including droughts, floods and pests, compounded by weak infrastructure and insecurity. An existing CRS early warning methodology already piloted in other Southern Sudan states will be employed in to strengthen community and state level disaster risk reduction (DRR) approaches.

Job responsibilities

- Lead and manage the EWER technical team in Bor and 8 field offices in Jonglei

- Ensure that CRS staff and partners receive the necessary training and technical assistance to achieve program objectives

- Establish and develop linkages between research, university education and extension departments to share lessons learned/best practices with institutions in Jonglei and the region.

- Support the development of boma level DRR planning, emergency contingency procedures, impact mitigation measures and implementation plans to reduce risks contributing to food insecurity;

- Support communities using Food For Asset mechanisms in the development of adaptation and mitigation measures identified in DRR planning process;

- Work with the State Government and project staff and communities to develop an implementation plan and review system for EWER at community and State levels;

- As a member of a multi-disciplinary livelihoods team, provide appropriate and timely input to other technical sectors in order to achieve overall project objectives.

- Track and monitor project progress against set objectives, timelines and budgets and alert the Agriculture Technical Team Leader of any problems in a timely manner

Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff)

These are rooted in the mission, values, and principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and to achieve the desired results.

- Serves with Integrity

- Models Stewardship

- Cultivates Constructive Relationships

- Promotes Learning

Emergency Competencies

These are rooted in the mission, values, and principles of CRS and used by each staff working in emergencies to fulfill his or her responsibilities and to achieve the desired results.

- Communicates strategically under pressure

- Manages stress and complexity

- Actively promotes safety and security

-Manages and implements high-quality emergency programs

Key working relationships

- Internal: Agriculture Technical Team Leader, other sector technical team leaders , managers and field office coordinators, CRS South Sudan Country Representative, Ag & Environment Technical Advisors and technical advisors in Savings & Credit, Gender, M & E etc. Regional Director and Deputy Regional Director for Program Quality in Africa

- External: Jonglei State government ministries and lower level administration officials and community leaders, local and US Catholic agencies, USAID mission, other funding agencies, local/international NGO offices, UN agencies, and the US Agency for International Development/ Office of Food for Peace.

Qualifications and experience

- Graduate degree from a recognised university in a development or livelihoods related field;

- Sound management skills, including a minimum of three years project management experience in an international post- conflict setting, preferably in Africa;

- Demonstrated ability to work closely and effectively with government structures in a developing country context;

- Experience with participatory extension approaches

- Skill in a diversity of partnerships, NGOs, research and government

- Knowledge of agriculture and rural development policy environment

- Strong cross-cultural skills and a demonstrated ability to influence change without direct authority, and to work successfully with farmers and professionals

- Professional working experience in South Sudan, especially in Jonglei, would be an advantage.

Personal/Professional Skills

- Strong leadership and teamwork skills

- Excellent written and oral communication skills

- Vision, and ability to think strategically and innovatively

- Ability to explain advanced topics simply and clearly

- Strong survey and research skills

- Ability to respond practically to challenging situations and tolerate basic field conditions in remote sites

- Good listening ability and strong interpersonal skills, and ability to be diplomatic when the situation demands

Physical Requirements/Environment

Normal conditions akin to office environment; based in a developing country; willingness and ability to travel extensively, up to 40% of time.

Responsibilities of Position

- Staff capacity and technical program assessments;
- Strategy development and leadership;
- Partnership development and operations research with technical organizations and CRS program staff;
- Capacity building and mentoring