Household Economic Strengthening / Food Security Specialist at Catholic Relief Services (CRS)

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is an international non-governmental organization supporting relief and development work in over 99 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 nonchurch partners to implement its programs, therefore, strengthening and building the capacity of these partner organizations is fundamental to programs in every country in which CRS operates. CRS has worked in Nigeria for more than 25 years.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Household Economic Strengthening / Food Security Specialist

Job Reference Code: HESFSS3920
Location: Bauchi
Department: Programs / ICHSSAA PHI
Position Band: 7
Reports to: Household Economic Strengthening / Food Security Advisor

Project Summary

• The USAID / Nigeria funded Integrated Child Health and Social Service Award (ICHSSA) is to ensure that Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) are cared for, and protected by their households, communities, and local and state government to reduce their vulnerability to HIV.
• CRS is a member of the consortium with Pro-Health International (PHI) and will be providing technical assistance to the ICHSSA project of PHI in both Adamawa and Bauchi State. CRS urgently require the service of skilled, competent, and seasoned specialist in the field of Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) program who understands the recent development in PEPFAR programming for Children and households susceptible to HIV.
• The ICHSSA project seeks to improve the wellbeing of OVCs and their caregivers in both Adamawa and Bauchi.

Job Descriptions

• The Household Economic Strengthening Technical Specialist will provide technical assistance and accompaniment to CRS-PHI ICHSSA Project in both Adamawa and Benue State.  
• Support ICHSSA Project to develop / enhance and implement a holistic HES strategy, appropriate to the local context that allows PHI to strengthen the capacity of their partner CSOs to provide high quality HES services to enrolled beneficiaries.
• Support the CSO partners to provide HES interventions that is aligned with household economic vulnerability status and designed to improve household resilience to shocks, reduce food insecurity (access and availability) and facilitate household graduation from the ICHSSA program.  
• Work under the supervision of the ICHSSA Deputy Chief of Party.
• Support CSO partners to develop and implement capacity strengthening plans informed by a HES technical capacity assessment
• Support tailored capacity building and mentorship to CSO partners HES Officers based on assessed capacity  
• Collaborate with the Agriculture Institute to strengthen farm-based livelihoods and improve food access and availability among the households enrolled on the ICHSSA Project
• Collaborate with Case Management / Linkages Technical Team to ensure household care plans incorporate economic and food security considerations and promote graduation.
• Conduct joint monitoring and supportive supervision visits with other member of the ICHSSA technical team to CSO to support high quality HES intervention implementation and ensure household care plan are promotive of graduation.  
• Provide capacity building and mentorship to CSO partners with a focus on implementation and management of community-based savings groups, OVCoptimized financial education, market assessment and opportunity identification, value addition along identified value-chains based, entrepreneurship, and microenterprise management based on assessed IP capacity.
• Lead trainings of trainers / trainings in prioritized areas of HES and food security in collaboration with the HES Team.
• Conduct joint supportive supervision with other member of the ICHSSA to CSO Partners to ensure adherence to guidelines and maintain program quality standards.
• For household not yet ready to graduate, support CSO partner to transition households to other programs, especially emerging government social protection initiatives.
• Identify promising practices in HES and food security to document and share across CSO partners.
• Document project results and impacts in various forms, including success stories, promising practices, lessons learned, case studies, client satisfaction, etc.

Minimum Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant field such as Agricultural Science and Extension, Public Health, Development Studies, Social Work or other health related field.
• Master's Degree in a relevant field such as Agricultural science and extension, Public Health, Social Work or other health related field will be an additional advantage.
• Five (5) years of experience in senior program management implementing international development activities in Nigeria, with preference given to OVC and HIV / AIDS / Health / Agricultural activities under a USG funded award in Nigeria.
• At least 3 years’ experience in implementing integrated Community based HES activities S / he must have excellent oral and written communication skills; excellent  analytical skills; and demonstrated experience in the strategic design and implementation of OVC and HIV / AIDS programs.
• Strong track record of HES intervention strategies, understanding of the PEPFAR 9595-95 goals and proven ability to produce demonstrable technical and program results
• Knowledge and understanding of OVC issues, Adolescent challenges and vocation training strategies and policy for HIV Care for Children and OVC Case Management, in addition to extensive knowledge of key actors in these fields

Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff)
These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results:

• Integrity
• Continuous Improvement & Innovation
• Builds Relationships
• Develops Talent
• Strategic Mindset
• Accountability & Stewardship

Required Foreign Language:

• Excellent written and spoken English.  

Required Travel:

• Ability to travel up to 50 % of time

Key Working Relationships:

• Internal: CRS OVC Team, Health System Strengthening unit, CRS Operations team, and Security Managers / Focal Points.
• External: PHI ICHSSA Project, SASCP, SACA, PEPFAR Implementing partners, other donors, SMWASWD; other relevant Ministries and GON entities; Core OVC Technical Working Group and PHI

Application Closing Date
23rd March, 2020.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should download the "CRS Application Form" using the link below, fill and send with a detailed Resume in a single file (PDF Format) indicating "Position" being applied for and the "Job Ref Code" as the subject of the application to: [email protected]

Click here to Download Application Form (PDF)

Click Here for Job Details (PDF)

Equal Opportunity:

• CRS is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, etc. Qualified women are strongly encouraged to apply.

Safeguarding:

• By applying to this job, I understand and acknowledge that CRS requires its staff to treat all people with dignity and respect and to actively prevent harassment, abuse, exploitation, and human trafficking. Further, I understand that if I am a successful candidate, I will be subject to a comprehensive background check, and my personal/professional references will be asked to evaluate my behaviors related to the above safeguarding-related topics.

Statement of Commitment to Protection:

• CRS recruitment and selection procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.