Agriculture/Livelihoods Specialists at Catholic Relief Services (CRS)

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is an international Non-Governmental organization supporting Relief and Development work in over 100 countries around the world. CRS programs assist persons on the basis of need, regardless of creed, ethnicity or nationality. CRS works through local church and non-church partners to implement its programs. Therefore, strengthening and building the capacity of these partner organizations is fundamental to our approach in every country in which CRS operates.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Agriculture/Livelihoods Specialist

Location: Maiduguri, Borno
Department: Program     
Reports To: Agriculture/Livelihoods Program Manager
Job Band: D-1
Effective Date: 01 April 2017

Job Summary

• The Agriculture/Livelihoods Specialist will work closely with the Agriculture Program Manager and the Seed System Specialist to deliver needed capacity building and technical assistance for beneficiaries on the project.
• S/he will lead planning, implementation and monitoring of all agriculture/livelihoods activities that layer humanitarian response with longer-term development.
• This includes program support in beneficiary selection and registration, community mobilization, monitoring and evaluation of project activities, coordination, and reporting.

Primary Responsibilities
Program Quality and Program Management :

• Lead the direct implementation of all agriculture, markets and other livelihoods program activities. This includes providing technical direction, developing work plans, monitoring implementation and impact, ensuring that project deliverables are completed.
• Work with CRS the Agriculture Program Manager, the Seed System Specialist, the Agriculture/Livelihoods Officer and MEAL Team in:
  • Designing and applying criteria for beneficiary selection
  • Designing systems for beneficiary identification and registration
  • Designing systems for MEAL and reporting
  • Training and overseeing teams in implementing the above systems
  • Ensuring sound livelihoods activities and monitoring progress against performance indicators.
• Implement monitoring systems jointly with the MEAL officer and provide regular reports on program activities and donor reports. Ensure capitalization of activities and lessons learned.
• Conduct surveys, need assessments, data and information collection for the development of on-going and future proposals.
• Assist in the design and implementation of other complementary agriculture/livelihoods interventions (including SILC activities, improved irrigation facilities, storage facilities, etc.), as needed
• As delegated by the Agriculture Program Manager, liaise with equivalent PMs in other locations to ensure sharing of lessons learned, tools and systems.
• Record keeping of all records related to Agriculture/Livelihoods activities.
• Ensure effective and transparent use of financial resources in compliance with CRS and donors policies and procedures.
• Ensure all interventions adhere to CRS’ Gender Policy and Do No Harm.
• Conduct any other programming responsibility delegated by the Agriculture Program Manager.

Representation and Coordination:

• In coordination with NRC, work will informal settlements land to raise awareness as well as definition of land use terms and land use duration to prevent potential conflicts between land owners and project participants.
• Liaise with local officials, consortium members, international and local NGOs and civil society organizations, local religious leaders and other community members to ensure support for and acceptance of CRS.
• Maintain close relationship with other humanitarian and development organizations, human right organizations, and local partners.
• Participate in local coordination mechanisms.

Key Working Relationships

• Supervisor: Agriculture/Livelihoods Program Manager 
• Supervisee: None
• Key internal relationships: Emergency Coordinator, CRS Maiduguri Program & Project Managers, Other CRS Northeast Agriculture/Livelihoods and MEAL team members
• Key external relationships: NARS, NGOs, Informal Settlements land owner, IDPs, Host Households, farmer organizations, farmer cooperatives and private sector 

Qualifications
Essential:

• BA/S or equivalent in relevant field such as Agriculture or Rural Development
• 3-5 years of agriculture/markets/livelihoods experience in emergency contexts
• Strong technical background in a broad range of livelihoods and early economic recovery interventions
• Demonstrated capacity in technical support and coordination
• Excellent communication and inter-personal skills
• Demonstrated experience and abilities in donor and host government representation at field level, in capacity building of local staff and local government, in negotiation, and monitoring
• Effective multi-tasking, organizational capacity, prioritization skills are necessary
• English (written and spoken) is required
• Demonstrated attention to detail, ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines and work independently and cooperatively with team members is essential.

Agency-wide Competencies (for all 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 Relationship
  • Promotes Learning

Application Closing Date
29th March, 2017.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should download the "Application Form Below" and send with a detailed 3-page resume in a single file word document to: vacancies.ne.nigeria@crs.org The position title must be expressly stated as the subject of the email quoting reference number EMER031417

Click here to download Application Form (MS Word)

Note: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.