Food Security Program Manager

Solidarités International is an international humanitarian aid organization which provides assistance to populations who are victims of armed conflict or natural disaster. For 26 years, Solidarités has concentrated its action on meeting three vital needs: water, food and shelter. By carrying out emergency programmes, Solidarités acquired experience end expertise in the fields of access to drinking water and sanitation.
In Horn Africa, Solidarités is currently implementing food security, water and sanitation project in Kenya, South Sudan and Somalia. We are seeking a qualified person to fill the following position:

Position: Food Security Program Manager
Location: Dadaab, with frequent visits to Afmadow, Somalia
Report to: Field Coordinator
Technical links with: Food Security Coordinator, Kenya/Somalia
Supervisor to: Field Food Security Staffs

Position Objective:
The Food Security Program Manager is a key person who will be responsible in managing the whole food-security component of the program


Key responsibilities
Program realization 
To assess the political, social and security context in the region, identify the key trends To be responsible of the coherence of the Program in regards to the population needs and logical framework proposed. contribute to a Program strategy adapted to the organisation strategy and the context To plan activities and resources in time, according to the objectives of the Program To ensure adherence to the budgets with objectives and activities settled jointly with the financial staff in the field on in the headquarters

Management 
To recruit and train the staff under its direct responsibility. Recruitment will be organized under the supervision of the Field Coordinator. To motivate and manage the team. To prepare job descriptions of the team under his responsibility. To evaluate skills and performances of the staff under his responsibility, every 6 months. To organize with his team a detailed planning of activities. To organize the collection of information with his team.

Follow up of current program 
To implement the proposed Food Security activities. To undertake an initial assessment of the feasibility of the proposed activities, when required. To propose alternative appropriate and cost effective activities relevant to the area. To be responsible of the progress and the quality of the work for the food security activities. To control the evolution of the food security component (progress indicator, relevance and efficiency) and to adjust activities and processes (see sections about budget account and human resources management). To ensure periodic assessments of the food security component and to adjust if necessary to the needs in collaboration with the WASH Officer.To contribute to the capitalisation of tools and reports.

Logistic / Administration 
To prepare purchases’ requests for his field (tools and materials) in link with the Administrator, concerning food security activities. To schedule movement and transport needs. To validate access to working places in the intervention area in terms of security, for his staff and himself, in link with the field coordinator. To validate movements in and out of stocks, concerning food security activities. To follow the program budget lines, prepare Food Security budget forecast and insure budget is matching with expenses To set and follow up needs in terms of cash flow forecast for the food security component.

Activities
Nb: This list will evolve during the course of the project IDPs and agro-pastoralists farming activities including strengthening local seeds production systems Livestock restocking Support to alternative livelihoods including poultry production, honey production, donkey carts and cash-for work programs Nutrition awareness program Training/ capacity building

Evaluation / reporting 
Make sure indicators as specified in the logical frame are used according to the sources specified Participate to need assessments Propose new activities according to need assessments for the area covered Monitor regularly the nutritional and food security situation in the area and develop monitoring tools Evaluate success of project and its impact at the end of all projects


Qualifications 

Bachelors Degree in Agriculture, or other technical field relevant to Food Security/Livelihoods.


Experience
 Minimum 3 years of experience in Food Security/Livelihoods project management in a similar position
 Minimum 2 years of experience within an NGO or similar agencies
 Proven experience in project cycle management in the NGO context
 Proven experience of working directly with communities and developing community driven projects
 Experience in team management and planning

Person Specification:
Skills/Competencies
 Understanding and interest in emergency humanitarian situations
 Knowledge and Understanding of the humanitarian actors
 Team leader and coordination ability
 Ability to propose and put into action new ideas
 Ability to negotiate
 Excellent communication skills and writing capacity
 Calm and diplomatic
 Strong working capacity
 Strong taste for very challenging situations
 Ability to work in a multicultural team
 Good knowledge of the project management cycle and methodology
 Ability to understand and prioritize the perspective of beneficiary communities during the planning and implementation of project activities
 Good stress management skills
 Adaptability to security rules and behavior guidelines

Languages:
 Fluency in English and Somali languages
 Knowledge of French and/or Kiswahili languages is an added advantage

IT Skills:
 Excellent knowledge of Food Security/Livelihoods technologies and approaches used in humanitarian contexts
 Excellent Computer skills (Word, Excel, Outlook)

How to apply:
Send a cover letter and CV with 3 references to the following email address: jobapplication@solidarites-kenya-som.org. Please indicate the job title and location in the email subject line.

Qualified persons with Somali background will have high consideration for an interview opportunity.
Deadline for applications: 27th July 2012. Please note that only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for interview.

SOLIDARITES INTERNATIONAL is an equal opportunities employer