Livelihoods and Food Security Officer at Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC)

JOB DESCRIPTION

• These strategic locations have allowed NRC greater reach from the north and south parts of the North-East and North Central region and allowed NRC to contribute to bridging the gap between humanitarian aid and development cooperation, including by focusing on equitable access to basic services and strengthening the rights of displaced people and returnees. In addition to the Country Office and the above-mentioned Area Offices, NRC has sub-office structures in Monguno, Mubi, Pulka and Gwoza.
• We are looking for people who are passionate about helping refugees and people forced to flee. 
• If you are those people, the Norwegian Refugee Council in Nigeria is looking for an enthusiastic and passionate Livelihood and Food Security Officer to join our team in Jos, Plateau State. The purpose of the officer position is day-to-day implementation of the livelihood and Food Security Officer at the NRC JOS office. 

RESPONSIBILITIES

Generic responsibilities 

These responsibilities shall be the same for all positions with the same title. The responsibilities shall be short and essential. Details belong in the Work and Development plan.

• Ensure adherence with NRC policies, tools, handbooks and guidelines
• Implement delegated LFS project portfolio according to plan of action
• Prepare and develop status reports as required by management
• Ensure proper filing of documents 
• Promote and share ideas for technical improvement
• Ensure that procurement development and distribution of project materials and equipment are timely and accordance with procedures.
• Involve and inform communities and community leaders about NRC activities and policy 
• Explore and facilitate introduction of new technology, method and approaches in order to improve the quality of the activities.

Specific responsibilities 

• Ensure that projects target beneficiaries most in need, and explore and asses new and better ways to assist
• Coordinate the food security and livelihoods activities according to strategy, proposals, budgets and plans.
• Ensure adherence to NRC policies and donor requirements. 
• Provision of the annual operational plans into monthly and quarterly implementation plans.
• Coordinate with relevant partners working in the same implementation area and to avoid overlaps.
• Supervise, train and develop team of food assistants.
• Prepare periodic progress report and other document as required.
• Conduct livelihood assessment to determine most viable income generating activities, crop and livestock farming, value chain addition and cash for work activities
• Responsible for coordinating with key stakeholders and registration of project beneficiaries. 
•  Coordinate with stakeholders and partners in training of project beneficiaries. 

Critical interfaces

By interfaces, NRC means processes and projects that are interlinked with other departments/units or persons. Relevant interfaces for this position are: 

• Strategy and project planning: livelihoods and Food Security Coordinator
• Area Operations: Finance officer, Logistics officer, Security officer, Protection officer

QUALIFICATIONS

Professional competencies 

These are skills, knowledge and experience that are important for effective performance.

• Experience from working as a Project Officer in a humanitarian/recovery and or development context
• Previous experience from working in complex and volatile contexts
• Documented results related to the position’s responsibilities
• Good command and spoken English
• BSc, HND in Agronomy, Agriculture, Agricultural Economics, Agricultural Extension, Crop Science or related field
• Experience working as an Agricultural Extension Agent.
• Minimum of 3 year working experience in a related position.
• Work experience from the plateau context preferred
• Experience working as in livelihood and food Security humanitarian/recovery context.
• Proven experience in implementing agricultural support programs, income generation activities, Cash for work program and livestock production and management
• Good understanding of climate smart agriculture (CSA)
• Experience of implementing cash/voucher transfers, farming inputs distribution and monitoring of agricultural activities. 
• Experience and understanding of Selection, planning and management (SPM) of income Generation Activities (IGAs) both farm and off farm 
• Experience in beneficiary Skills training and distribution of conditional cash grants or small business start-up kits. 
• Experiment from working in complex and volatile context.
• Able to speak fluent Hausa and English languages
• Ability to work under pressure, independently and with limited supervision
• Ensure proper archiving/filling of project documents
• Highest standard of ethics and integrity
• Ability to work in insecure environments
• Good communication skills
• Ability to speak one additional local language preferred.
• Candidates from Plateau State preferred.

 Behavioral competencies 

These are personal qualities that influence how successful people are in their job. NRC’s Competency Framework states 12 behavioural competencies, and the following are essential for this position:

• Planning and delivering results
• Empowering and building trust
• Communicating with impact and respect
• Handling insecure environment