Resilience and Livelihoods Technical Advisor (RLTA), USAID/Niger Resilience Food Security Activity (RFSA)

Summary

Save the Children is seeking a Resilience and Livelihoods Technical Advisor (RLTA) for the upcoming USAID/Niger Resilience Food Security Activity (RFSA). The goal of the Activity is to improve food and nutrition security and resilience among poor and chronically food insecure households and communities in a sustainable manner. The RLTA will provide technical support regarding the livelihoods skill-building and asset transfer components of the graduation approach. They will be responsible for working with the GA Advisor to ensure cohesion across all components of the graduation approach and that interventions are sequenced, layered and integrated appropriately at all levels of implementation within the RFSA activity. The RLTA will also be responsible for ensuring that strategies to achieve sustainable livelihood development results with urban focus are technically sound, up-to-date, of proven efficiency, and able to be implemented in local settings. The RLTA will report to the Chief of Party and will provide technical leadership and have responsibility for all activities associated with improving the livelihoods outcomes of target populations. This position will be based in Niger for the anticipated five-year period of performance (exact location TBD). Hiring is contingent upon USAID approval of the candidate and award of the project to Save the Children. This position is unaccompanied.

What You’ll Be Doing (Essential Duties)

• Lead development of the activity sustainable and resilient livelihoods strategy and ensure Livelihoods analysis recommendations are integrated into activity work plans.   
• Provide technical guidance for the overall cross-cutting and strategic integration of market based, gender and youth inclusive approaches into activity design
• Lead the rapid start-up and implementation of activities in target communities along with partners, private sector, other donor funded projects and government stakeholders. 
• Lead the livelihoods skills-building and asset transfer components of the graduation model, in close collaboration with the GA Advisor.
• Demonstrated commitment to the prevention of sexual exploitation and harassment (SEPH)
• Lead on developing private sector partnerships relevant to successful graduation of target households as well as improved market systems to support economic activity in close collaboration with GA Advisor.
• Ensure coordination with other sector interventions for effective layering and sequencing.
• Work with Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) staff to oversee and coordinate formative and operations research using participatory methodologies to strengthen local capacity and to design high-impact interventions based on the social and cultural contexts in target areas.
• Update the activity livelihoods strategy annually alongside the activity work plan using formal and informal feedback.
• Prepare project reporting on resilience and livelihoods activities, ensuring that updates and progress on related indicators and successes are included in activity reports and annual work plans. 
• Work with and support MEAL staff to develop context-specific indicators for resilience and livelihoods, measure outcomes, and collect and analyze data. 
• Build capacity of activity and partner staff in resilience and livelihoods principles and in activity interventions. 
• Represent Food Security, Livelihoods, Markets and Financial inclusions aspects of the activity to external stakeholders, such as the donor, government institutions, partners and stakeholders; disseminate learnings and best practices; and participate in technical working groups, including the food security and nutrition cluster at national and regional level. 
• Ensure alignment and consistency of all economic focused interventions with national policies and multi-sectoral nutrition strategies.

Required Qualifications

• An advanced degree (master’s) in agriculture, economic development, business administration, development studies or related discipline.
• A minimum of six years of relevant experience at the community level is required, with preference for experience working in West Africa and especially Niger.
• An in-depth understanding of all components of livelihood development including selection, planning, and management of small businesses; livelihood resilience and diversification strategies; establishment of market linkages; and engagement with the private sector.
• Experience in developing livelihoods skills-building programs, including curriculum development, implementation, and adaptation in response to monitoring and evaluation.
• Experience in asset transfer programming, cash transfers preferred.
• Experience with value addition, market systems, and environmental and cultural constraints to livelihoods.
• Demonstrated experience with the development and enhancement of sustainable livelihood skill-building programs including on-farm, off-farm, and/or non-farm livelihoods, from self-employment to small business creation.
• Demonstrated experience in resilience programming in dynamic and uncertain contexts characterized by drought, displacement, and insecurity.
• A broad range of technical experience including livelihoods, climate change adaptation, gender, and social inclusion. Specific experience on graduation programming is preferred.
• Experience and skills in organizational change processes.
• Proven track record of working with a range of key stakeholders including relevant government agencies, private sector companies, trade associations, vocational technical training entities, etc. 
• Demonstrated problem solving skills, collaboration experience, creativity and willingness to innovate. 
• Prior experience with USAID/BHA or Feed the Future programming as well as understanding of USAID policies and procedures.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to lead and work effectively in team situations. 
• Fluency in English and French required.

Qualified Nigerien candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.