Regional Food Security Consultant

Job Title: Regional Food Security Consultant
Division/Department: TCEOA
Location: Johannesburg, South Africa with travel in Southern Africa region.
Expected Start Date of Assignment: 15 February 2013
Duration 11 months
Reports to Name Cindy Holleman
Title: Sub-Regional Disaster Risk Reduction Management Coordinator for Southern Africa

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF TASKS AND OBJECTIVES TO BE ACHIEVED
FAO’s Regional Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office for southern Africa (REOSA) works to reduce vulnerability and risk of food insecurity in the region by strengthening the productive capacity and livelihoods of vulnerable groups. A Regional Food Security Consultant is required to assist the regional office in providing technical support to the region in strengthening food security information systems and response. Specifically the Regional Food Security Officer (FSO) will provide technical and coordination support to help strengthen food security information systems in the region, working closely with regional and national partners. The FSO will also work to strengthen FAO Emergency Rehabilitation and Coordination Units (ECRUS) to strengthen food security components of emergency preparedness, risk reduction, emergency response, and early recovery programming, facilitating cross country learning and best practices. The FSO will play a leading role in the Food Security Monitoring, Assessment and Analysis and in the IPC rollout in the region, providing technical and coordination support to the FSNWG, RIASCO, SADC RVAC and NVACs. The Regional Food Security Officer will work under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in South Africa and the Chief, Emergency Operations Service (TCEO), and the direct supervision of the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Coordinator.

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
EXPECTED OUTPUTS
 Lead on the integration of food security issues and provision of technical assistance within the FAO REOSA DRR/M Strategic Programme.
 Co-Chair and provide secretariate support to the Regional Food Security and Nutrition Working Group of Southern Africa (FSNWG), including the provision of technical and coordination support around the FSNWG workplan and activities.
 Work to produce timely and relevant FSNWG Southern Africa Regional Food Security Situation Updates, facilitating regional and country contributions, supporting the analysis, and disseminating information regularly and widely.
 Represent FAO and provide technical support to SADC Regional and National Vulnerability Assessment Committees (RVACs and NVACs), as needed, to strengthen technical assessments and dissemination of information for action.
 Technically support other regional and national early warning information and analysis systems, as required, including those pertaining to seasonal rainfall
Required completion date
Ongoing  forecasting and monitoring, crop performance and crop forecasting and estimations.
 Provide technical support to the multi-agency Regional Inter-Agency Coordination Committee (RIASCO) providing regular food security updates, as well as work to strengthen emergency preparedness and response in the region, especially as it relates to agriculture and food security.
 Provide leadership, as well as lead technical and coordination support to the SADC RVAC IPC Working Group, acting as chair and secretariat as needed.
 Coordinate and manage the FAO IPC Coordinator seconded to SADC RVA Programme, and support in the coordination and technical assistance in IPC Trainings and Events organized through SADC RVAC IPC WG.
 Develop IPC funding proposal, project documents, and project monitoring reports for IPC activities and, manage the FAO IPC budget and activities, as required.
 Provide technical support to the RVAC and NVAC in capacity building, training, lessons learning and institutionalization of IPC.
 Support stakeholder forums for IPC awareness building, training of IPC trainers and facilitators, and IPC application and analysis at country and regional levels.
 Guide and support efforts to identify and catalogue available data and information required for IPC analysis, identify crucial data gaps, and prepare proposals to fill these gaps to facilitate and strengthen IPC analysis.
 In collaboration with the Global IPC Technical Working Group, ensure the consistency of regional IPC activities with global guidelines and initiatives.
 Provide technical support to FAO Country Offices and Emergency Coordination Units (ERCUs) as needed, to strengthen country food security emergency preparedness and emergency response.
 Support the monitoring and evaluation of FAO food security emergency and rehabilitation interventions in order to document, disseminate and promote the exchange of best practices and lessons learned.
 Facilitate and support cross-country learning and training to strengthen food security emergency preparedness and emergency response.
 Undertake other activities, as required and/or requested. REQUIRED COMPETENCIES
Academic qualifications:
 The Consultant will have an advanced degree in a relevant field (Agriculture, Agriculture Economics, Statistics, etc)

Technical Competencies and Experience Requirements
At least 10 years of relevant experience in food security information and analysis (agriculture, nutrition, livelihoods, etc), experience in training and capacity building, excellent quantitative and qualitative analytical skills, excellent computer abilities and communication skills in English.

Ideally, the candidate will have regional experience in southern Africa and experience with the IPC. French and/or Portuguese will be an advantage.

Applications to be submitted to fao-reosa@fao.org