Regional Food Security Advisor

Vacancy No: 2013-139-fld

Date of issue: 29 September 2013
Original published date: 5 September 2013

Application Deadline: 12 October 2013
(13 day(s) until closing deadline)

Republished (Currently accepting applications)

Place of assignment: Nairobi, Kenya

Accompanied status: Accompanied with Spouse and Children

Organization Unit/Department/Division: Reg. Rep. East Africa, Nairobi

Duration of assignment: 24 months

Background:

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world's largest humanitarian network, reaching 150 million people each year through its 187 member National Societies. The Organisation acts before, during and after disasters and health emergences in order to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people. Our work is guided by seven fundamental principles (humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity and universality) and by Strategy 2020, which voices our collective vision and determination to move forward in tackling the major challenges that confront humanity in the present decade.

Organizational Context:

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies is a global humanitarian organization, which coordinates and directs international assistance following natural and man-made disasters in non-conflict situations. Its mission is to improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity. The Federation works with National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in responding to catastrophes around the world. Its relief operations are combined with development work, including disaster preparedness programmes, health and care activities, and the promotion of humanitarian values. The organization also works to combat discrimination and violence, and promote human rights and assistance for migrants.

The Federation has been responding to food insecurity in Africa since the major famines of the mid 1980s and initially made food security a committed strategic priority at the 5th Pan African Conference in Ouagadougou in September 2000. Since this time, a large number of Africa National Societies have been actively engaged in initiatives to reduce food insecurity. Since 2000, a large number of African National Societies have been actively engaged in initiatives to reduce food insecurity. Many Eastern African National Societies have so far implemented food security programmes, designed to improve the availability, access and utilization of food in communities. The International Federation regards these three components as interrelated and essential for achieving food security. Africa is the continent most at risk from food insecurity, due to various socio-economic, political, climatic etc. factors. African National Societies (ANSs) made a collective commitment to address root causes of food insecurity through their Pan Africa Conferences of 2000 (Ouagadougou Declaration) and 2004 (Algiers Plan of Action). These commitment were further reinforced by the Federation's Governing Board (GB) decisions in 2003 (Geneva) and the GB Special Session which was conducted in Addis Ababa in 2007. Based on these governance commitments and declarations, and under the overall guidance of the Pan Africa Coordination Team (PACT), the Secretariat has launched a Long term (2008 - 2012) Food Security Initiative for Africa, in Addis Ababa in April 2008, that has recently been revised (the new FSI is from 2013 to 2017, aligned with the Africa DM Framework).

The Federation Eastern Africa Region covers 15 National Societies (NS) of Burundi, Comoros, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Rwanda, Seychelles, Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda. The East Africa Regional Programme's vision for the Eastern Africa Region NS is to build up well-prepared, stronger, more efficient National Societies, able to reduce risks and respond to the high level of humanitarian demands in the region posed by small, medium and large-scale disasters. In 2013, the Regional Programme guides National Societies in the region to align themselves further to IFRC Strategy 2020, the Hyogo Framework for Action (FfA) as well as the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), as they develop or review their DM and food security strategies. Food security is a priority for National Societies in the Eastern Africa Region. The Regional Office also reinforces National Societies' disaster risk reduction programmes as potential and sustainable solutions for improving community resilience capacities and coping with climate change.

Purpose of position:

The overall purpose of the Food Security Advisor post is to strengthen the quality of IFRC work to address food insecurity in relief, recovery, and longer-term resilience building in the region. He/she will provide co-ordination and technical guidance to the Federation in order to enhance their capacity in developing and delivering effective food security responses. He/ she will also be responsible to support operational research to pilot innovative drought risk mitigation programs to improve RCRC response, while positioning east African RCRC within the movement, as well as within regional & global humanitarian spheres.

The Food Security Advisor will be responsible for closely monitoring the changing context and needs in the region and capturing and transferring good practice and lesson learning, so encouraging quality and consistency of approach. The post will provide specific support to IFRC disaster responses and longer term activities in the Region while ensuring better RCRC early warning and more effective RCRC early action.
The Food Security Advisor for Eastern Africa region will provide technical support for the implementation of the Africa Food Security Initiative and she/will share the key lessons & learning from the region, in coordination with the Africa Food Security Coordinator.
He / she reports to the Regional Programme Coordinator for East Africa and works closely with the regional technical units, with the Zone and in coordination with African National Societies of the region and with PNS.

How to apply:

For more details on the position and instructions on how to apply, interested persons need to log ontohttps://jobnet.ifrc.org/public/hrd-cl-vac-view.asp?jobinfo_uid_c=3374&va...