Food Security Livelihood and Nutrition Sector Manager at Smiling Hearts Initiatives International (SHI)

Smiling Hearts Initiatives International (SHI) is a non-governmental, nonprofit organization founded in Nigeria and has been operational since 2016 as Zumunchi Hearts Initiative International before its official registration with the CAC on the 10th October 2018 as Smiling Hearts Initiative International (SHI Int.). SHI Int. is committed to immediate humanitarian relief and support to those in urgent need and also protects dignity of persons affected by natural deserter, violence crime or any other emergency. Independent, private and nonprofit, Nigerian base NGO SHI Int’l (operating under the Nigerian law) respects a strict political and religious impartiality, and operates following principles of non-discrimination, transparency, according to its core values: Compassion, Equality, Diversity, Integrity, Team Work and Responsiveness

SHI Int’l teams are devoted to supporting vulnerable communities throughout the world and accompanying them in building a better future by providing a response adapted to specific needs. We provide aid to populations affected by crisis using an approach that is local and global, multidisciplinary and adapted to each context. By ensuring the link between Emergency, Rehabilitation and Development. SHI Int’l teams guaranty that interventions made in a situation of crisis are useful and sustainable, because only long term support - by remaining in the area post emergency and involving communities - can end the poverty cycle and accompany populations on the road to better society and enhancing good development strongly focusing in the sectors of Education, Protection,WASH, CCCM, Livelihood, Health, Shelter, Psycho-social support, NFI, Food security/GFD, Community Development in the area of operations.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Food Security Livelihood and Nutrition Sector Manager

Locations: Adamawa, Maiduguri - Borno and Yobe
Employment Type: Contract
Funding: Approved
Expected Travel: 50% travel to field locations
Type of Contract: Fixed
Language Requirement: English

Job Description

• The Food Security livelihood and Nutrition Sector Managers (FSL&N) will be responsible for provision of technical leadership to SHI's interventions in the food and livelihood and nutrition sectors in Nigeria.
• The FLS&N Sector Manager will support and promote food security and livelihoods/nutrition response through establishment of sector strategies, technical guidelines, and response mechanisms in collaboration with the other Sectors' Managers to guide SHI Nigeria programming.
• Development of concepts note and proposals to increase the SHI country’s portfolio size through funding opportunities.
• The Sector Manager is expected to facilitate development of quality, gender-sensitive, accountable, and impact-focus interventions on livelihoods, food security, and Nutrition in Nigeria. This includes technical advice, capacity building of staff, community leaders and partners, as well as influencing policy and practice through research, analysis and advocacy and building resilience by linking to longer term programming.
• The position will be based in Maiduguri and report directly to the Team Lead and National coordinator. The position will be for an initial six month with potential extension for long-term as SHI secures more donors' funding.

Detail Responsibilities
Information Gathering, Assessments, Analysis and Technical Guidance:

• Set key priorities, establish key internal and external contacts to understand local food, livelihoods and nutrition issues.
• Lead assessments, information collection, analysis and use of sex- and age-disaggregated data in project design, implementation, and evaluation in order to be more effective in meeting the affected populations’ needs in areas of food security, livelihoods and nutrition.
• Monitor the food and nutrition security outlook in Nigeria and provide clear periodic analysis on the impact and the implications for SHI Nigeria programming.
• Ensure programme quality throughout the programme cycle by providing guidance to teams and ensure proper reporting and accountability to beneficiaries and donors.
• Facilitate integration of emergency food & nutrition security and livelihoods interventions with other sectoral and cross-cutting teams under the resilience/risk reduction framework.
• Streamline needs assessment and analysis tools/processes, including templates, team composition and methodologies, and ensure that they are gender focused and embrace protection issues.
• Guide and manage beneficiary targeting with focus on most vulnerable groups including women, girls and children.
• In the event of further displacement or return in SHI NE Nigeria areas of operation, work with partner organizations to conduct rapid need assessments of the food and livelihoods situation and make recommendations to the SHI Nigeria humanitarian team on how best to respond to those needs programmatically.

Strategy and Program Development:

• Lead the CO program and program support teams in development of Food & Nutrition, and Livelihood strategy and appropriately guide SHI’s programming and practices in this sector. Ensure that the strategy is informed by sound analysis, with consultations with teams and concerned stakeholders.
• Support preparation and development of concept notes/proposals and lead in discussion with relevant stakeholders in the area of food & Nutrition, and livelihood security including donors, peer agencies and sector managers. Ensure the proposed activities/interventions align with the best practices in the food security/livelihood and nutrition sectors.
• Provide technical guidance and close monitoring of partner organizations’ food security & livelihoods related activities.
• In the event of further displacement or return in SHI NE Nigeria areas of operation, work with partner organizations to review on-going programming and make recommendations to the SHI Nigeria humanitarian team on how best to adjust the programs.
• Display technical and organizational leadership in sectoral activity commensurate with the role as a primary resource person for emergency food security and livelihoods on the SHI Nigeria team.
• Coordinate SHI Nigeria’s Food Security response and early recovery activities across a wide range of actors, including local partner organizations, donors, INGOs and UN/Cluster agencies to ensure consistency and avoid duplication in programming.
• Provide technical support to partners and humanitarian team members in relation to food security & livelihoods components of the emergency response.
• Lead the process of developing beneficiary targeting strategy and its roll out and implementation.

Monitoring, evaluation, accountability and reporting:

• Provide technical support on developing new MEAL tools to be used by the team to ensure that relevant information is being collected to inform strategy and implementation, and to ensure accountability and learning.
• Guide on technical standards in operation reports (internal/ for donors).
• Guide the team in planning and analysis in the baseline, mid-term review and final evaluations.
• Ensure project learning is captured, consolidated and disseminated.
• Guide field staff in effective monitoring on project outcomes/impacts, and render advice for fine-tuning plans where required.

Capacity-building:

• Conduct capacity gap assessment and identify learning and training opportunities for SHI staff and partners and work as a mentor and role model for less experienced staff.
• Provide emergency response related training modules and capacity building (where necessary) directly to staff and partners in food security & livelihood related topics.

Coordination, Representation, Advocacy and Learning:

• Actively represent SHI Nigeria in food security, agriculture, and livelihood sector/cluster discussions and activities.
• Ensure that SHI work is coordinated with efforts of other agencies and Government, and take a leadership role within Inter agency Coordination forums, ensuring the specific needs of women and girls are being addressed. This may involve taking the lead in coordination working groups.
• In collaboration with senior programme staff, assist in advocacy activities that target decision-makers at all levels.
• In collaboration with the Emergency Food Security and Livelihoods team, feed in learning, experiences and evidence to relevant global advocacy objectives.
• Contribute to knowledge building and sharing good practices within Nigeria, Headquarters and other offices, and globally.

Qualifications

• Advanced University Degree or equivalent in Agriculture, Nutrition or other relevant fields.
• 3 - 5 years of international experience in food security, agriculture, and livelihoods, including experience in emergency response and recovery following natural/man made disasters.
• Experience working in partnership with local organizations.
• Experience in quality concept note and proposal development for multiple donors.
• Excellent computer skills (Microsoft Office).
• Proficient analytical skills that demonstrate an understanding of the current concepts, priorities, and issues in programme monitoring, data collection and evaluation.
• Experience in assessment, program design & evaluation and technical training and support.
• Demonstrated technical expertise in leading food and livelihood security and nutrition sectors.
• Experience working with major international donors, particularly USAID, ECHO, and DFID.

Technical Competencies required for this position are:

• Excellent computer skills (Microsoft Office).
• Proficient analytical skills that demonstrate an understanding of the current concepts, priorities, and issues in programme monitoring, data collection and evaluation.
• Skills in technical proposal writing, designing and implementing food security programmes.
• Ability to communicate ideas in a culturally-sensitive manner and conducive to their practical application.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply

Application Deadline 30th March, 2023.

Note

• SHI is an equal opportunity agency with great attention to gender as such female candidates are highly encourage to apply
• There are individuals who may use SHI’s name and trademark in emails and on websites in an attempt to solicit fees from interested job-seekers. Some examples of these fees are placement fees or migration processing fees. SHI does not use recruiting or placement agencies that charge candidates an up-front fee of any kind.
• Occasionally, SHI does employ recruiting or placement agencies to help us identify candidates for specific employment within SHI. If you’re contacted by a legitimate recruiting or placement agency, there should be no charge to you. If you suspect that you have been a victim of fraud from someone purporting to be SHI, please contact us at: [email protected]
• SHI is an equal opportunity organization with high regards to Gender, as such qualified female candidate are highly encouraged to apply