Responsibilities

The main responsibilities of the RTSS-LH include, but are not limited to:

Providing regional leadership for the identification, review, and compilation of appropriate livelihoods data, by supporting national offices in maintaining a livelihoods knowledge base composed of, at a minimum, livelihood zone profiles and maps, sub-national seasonal monitoring calendars, and technical databases relevant to maintain livelihoods profiles and/or baselines in presence countries within the region.

Contributing to the identification of priority HEA livelihood activities in line with the strategic orientation of the DST’s work, including directly carrying out monitoring activities through field assessments in presence countries monitored by FEWS NET within the region.

Providing high quality and effective early warning of threats to food security and supporting efforts to mitigate acute food insecurity and prevent food crises through the effective communication of actionable, evidence-based HEA food security analysis.

Providing HEA livelihoods-related inputs into monthly reporting requirements in a timely and high quality manner, including conducting, interpreting and sharing outputs from Outcome Analyses and other livelihoods analyses to contribute to Food Security Outlooks (FSOs) and FSO Updates

Collaborating with regional and international partners in food security monitoring and analysis through the implementation of the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) or Cadre Harmonisé (CH) protocols, including providing technical support in the use of HEA within those protocols.

Under the direction of the Livelihoods Advisor, helping establish and/or maintain systematic, timely, high-quality, and efficient HEA livelihoods data compilation and management processes among country, regional, and home office staff. Supporting the collection, organization, and storage of primary and secondary livelihoods data and information for submission to the FEWS NET Hub and USG. Liaising with FEWS NET DST project staff and partners to facilitate timely data flows.

Contributing to the regular collection, organization, and storage of data as set out by the FEWS NET Senior Management Team in collaboration with the FEWS NET Data, Knowledge, and Learning Hub (Hub).

Collaborating closely with the FEWS NET Knowledge Base (KB) mechanisms to support their work especially in the following areas: contributing to country prioritization and HEA baselines implementation strategy in collaboration with the LH Advisor; linking the KB mechanism to key HEA partners and working groups within the region; supporting initial baseline activities and validation workshops; supporting closeout and transition plans after the conclusion of KB baseline activities; developing a plan to facilitate the DST’s and partners’ use of completed baselines in subsequent years after conclusion of KB activities – as directed by the DST LH team.  .

Liaising with other technical sectors of FEWS NET, including the Quality Assurance and Methods sector and Data sector, as well as other FEWS NET mechanisms (namely the Hub), to enhance the functionality of various livelihoods data domains in the central storage for HEA livelihood products.

Collaborating with other regional technical specialists to ensure alignment between conflict, M&T, agroclimatology and livelihoods assumptions.

Supporting the Livelihoods Advisor in meeting the USG’s expectations on timely delivery of decision support products, which include, but are not limited to: responding to urgent questions within one day; providing briefings within one week of request; and contributing livelihoods analyses to requests for acute food insecurity analysis in ad hoc countries that fall within region of coverage that will be delivered within one week of USG’s request.

Providing consistent technical assistance and guidance to FEWS NET country offices within the region on how to gather and analyze livelihoods-related information as it pertains to food security analysis, early warning, and food assistance decision support. This may include assistance with the design and implementation of food security assessments, livelihoods studies, and with the improvement of monitoring methods. The RTSS-LH may also be asked to lead or engage in food security assessments in the region, including partner assessments.

At the direction of the Livelihoods Advisor and in collaboration with the Knowledge Management, Communications, and Capacity Development Senior Specialist and Network Development Advisor, supporting building the skills of colleagues at the home, regional, and country offices, on livelihoods analysis, including processes for the review and use of HEA livelihoods’ data. Capacity development initiatives include conducting training, developing guidance, and supporting the development of e-learning modules.

Closely collaborating with HEA partners within the region, as well as other mechanisms of the FEWS NET 8 project (e.g. Save the Children International and the KB project) to enhance the capabilities of partners and regional network members in HEA food security monitoring and early warning. Seeking collaboration with regional partners that enhances the quality of the DST’s food security monitoring; collaborating with partners to improve the quality of livelihoods’ information.

Under the supervision of the Livelihoods Advisor, and in collaboration with the RTL, support the design, execution, and monitoring of annual work plan activities that relate to the livelihoods sector.

As needed, the RTSS-LH will be expected to contribute to the FEWS NET DST’s decision support efforts to identify as early as possible potential or emerging food security crises. The RTSS-LH will be expected to demonstrate the ability to respond quickly to sudden increases and decreases in analysis needs globally by, under the direction of the Livelihoods Advisor, re-orienting work plans and initiating new lines of monitoring and reporting outside of traditional areas of coverage.

Assisting the RTL in carrying out a predetermined set of technical, management, and representational functions of the regional office, upon request and in coordination with the Livelihoods Advisor.

As needed, for limited periods of time, and with the agreement of the RTL, the Livelihoods Advisor and the senior management team (SMT), the RTSS-LH may be expected to serve as acting-RTL.

Any other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Qualifications

Minimum five years of experience relevant to the work of FEWS NET, such as economics, agricultural economics, agronomy, nutrition, climatology, anthropology, or social geography is required.

Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent work experience) in a discipline relevant to the work of FEWS NET, such as economics, agricultural economics, agronomy, nutrition, climatology, anthropology, or social geography is required. An advanced university degree (Master's degree or higher) in a discipline relevant to the work of FEWS NET, such as economics, agricultural economics, statistics, or social geography is preferred.

Proficiency in written and spoken English and a secondary language is required. The required second language is French for West Africa; Arabic for Middle East and Europe; and Spanish for Latin America and the Caribbean. Other local language skills relevant to the region are desirable.

Proficiency and extensive experience in Household Economy Analysis (HEA) is required.

Previous experience with the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) or Cadre Harmonisé (CH) is preferred.

Demonstrated ability to effectively conduct assessments, focus group discussions, key informant interviews, and analyze information from relevant sectors using both qualitative and quantitative methods is required.

Demonstrated leadership capacities and an ability to work independently, when necessary is required, as are strong organizational skills.

Demonstrated analytical and report-writing skills are required.

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills are required, including demonstrated ability to coordinate productively with diverse partner stakeholders (e.g., UN, non-governmental organizations, host government entities) and multidisciplinary, multicultural teams, and to work effectively with remote-based colleagues.

Excellent computer skills (e.g., Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint) are required; the ability to effectively use statistical software packages and/or GIS applications is desirable.