Save the Children is the world's leading independent organisation for children. We work in 120 countries. We save children's lives; we fight for their rights; we help them fulfil their potential.
We work together, with our partners, to inspire breakthroughs in the way the world treats children and to achieve immediate and lasting change in their lives.
We have over two million supporters worldwide and raised 1.6 billion dollars last year to reach more children than ever before, through programmes in health, nutrition, education, protection and child rights, also in times of humanitarian crises.
By mid-2013 most of our international programmes will be delivered through a merged operation with 14 000 staff, managed through seven regional hubs and reporting to a relatively small, central office. We're changing to become more efficient, more aligned, a better partner, a stronger advocate, a magnet for world-class people and relevant for the 21st century.
The role
The Head of Food security & Livelihoods (FSL) takes overall responsibility for the strategic direction, growth and coordination of Save the Children International's work on food security and livelihoods in the Somalia/Somaliland programme. As a senior member of the Technical Support Team in the programme, the Head is responsible for leading and overseeing the development and delivery of high quality, innovative, cost effective programmes in FSL both in emergency as well as long-term development, resulting in immediate and lasting change for children. The Head is also responsible for monitoring programme quality, initiating and taking technical leadership in FSL focused studies, documentation and dissemination of innovations and good practices by working together with other members of PDQ team; leading on policy research and advocacy on FSL through networking and collaboration with relevant civil society organisations and other institutions; playing a leading role in establishing, maintaining and expanding donor relations for the sector.
The Head of Food security & Livelihoods (FSL) takes overall responsibility for the strategic direction, growth and coordination of Save the Children International's work on food security and livelihoods in the Somalia/Somaliland programme. As a senior member of the Technical Support Team in the programme, the Head is responsible for leading and overseeing the development and delivery of high quality, innovative, cost effective programmes in FSL both in emergency as well as long-term development, resulting in immediate and lasting change for children. The Head is also responsible for monitoring programme quality, initiating and taking technical leadership in FSL focused studies, documentation and dissemination of innovations and good practices by working together with other members of PDQ team; leading on policy research and advocacy on FSL through networking and collaboration with relevant civil society organisations and other institutions; playing a leading role in establishing, maintaining and expanding donor relations for the sector.
Qualifications and experience
• Post-graduate degree in social sciences; economics; natural resource management or a related field with additional training in food security and livelihoods and project planning and management techniques
• Knowledge of current global and regional debates on sustainable food security and livelihoods models
• Recommended a minimum of eight years of relevant technical experience including at senior level
• Proven experience of developing and managing high quality, innovative and cost-effective technical FSL projects in fragile and insecure environments, preferably in Somalia context and with International NGOs
• Proven experience and skills in research and advocacy and influencing institutional, private and/or corporate donors and writing up high quality donor reports
• Experience of working with local/national governments and capacity building of systems, partners and staff
• Ability to extensively travel for project monitoring and provide on-site technical support to field teams
• Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills including influencing, negotiation and coaching
• Highly developed cultural awareness and ability to work well in an international and matrix management environment with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures
• Strong results orientation, with the ability to challenge existing mindsets
• Experience of solving complex issues through analysis, definition of a clear way forward and ensuring buy in
• Ability to present complex information in a succinct and compelling manner
• Ability and willingness to dramatically change work practices and hours, and work with incoming surge teams, in the event of emergencies
• Fluency in English, both verbal and written, required
• Commitment to Save the Children values
• Post-graduate degree in social sciences; economics; natural resource management or a related field with additional training in food security and livelihoods and project planning and management techniques
• Knowledge of current global and regional debates on sustainable food security and livelihoods models
• Recommended a minimum of eight years of relevant technical experience including at senior level
• Proven experience of developing and managing high quality, innovative and cost-effective technical FSL projects in fragile and insecure environments, preferably in Somalia context and with International NGOs
• Proven experience and skills in research and advocacy and influencing institutional, private and/or corporate donors and writing up high quality donor reports
• Experience of working with local/national governments and capacity building of systems, partners and staff
• Ability to extensively travel for project monitoring and provide on-site technical support to field teams
• Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills including influencing, negotiation and coaching
• Highly developed cultural awareness and ability to work well in an international and matrix management environment with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures
• Strong results orientation, with the ability to challenge existing mindsets
• Experience of solving complex issues through analysis, definition of a clear way forward and ensuring buy in
• Ability to present complex information in a succinct and compelling manner
• Ability and willingness to dramatically change work practices and hours, and work with incoming surge teams, in the event of emergencies
• Fluency in English, both verbal and written, required
• Commitment to Save the Children values
We need to keep children safe so our selection process reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse.
How to apply
Please apply with a covering letter and up-to-date CV to::jobs.57558.4358@savethechildrenint.aplitrak.com
