Job Summary
Chemonics International Inc., a leading international consulting firm based in Washington, D.C., seeks' experienced professionals for the Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET III), the world's premier provider of high quality food security analysis and early warning. Created in response to the 1984 amines in East and West Africa, this $200 million, five- year activity (2012-2016) aims to collaborate with nternational, regional, and national partners to provide timely and rigorous early warning and analysis of potential, emerging, and/or evolving food security issues in order to inform appropriate humanitarian response. The project currently covers 31 countries, with plans to expand over the coming five-year phase. Chemonics International Inc. is looking for individuals who have a passion for making a difference in the lives of people around the world and demonstrate leadership, versatility, and integrity in their work.
Description
Within the context of local livelihoods, FEWS NET professionals in Africa, Central America, Haiti, Central Asia, and the United States monitor a range of relevant data sources (e.g., remote sensing imagery, price and trade data, nutrition information). This information informs a scenario-building process, which is used to project future food security outcomes. FEWS NET then uses a suite of decision support products to communicate this analysis to U.S. government, U.N., national government, and NGO decision makers. These products include regular briefings to senior USAID staff, quarterly Food Security Outlooks, and Food Security Alerts. FEWS NET staff also provides advisory support to regional and country-specific contingency and response planning efforts as well as in-depth studies related to livelihoods, markets and trade, and nutrition.
FEWS NET also aims to strengthen regional and national capabilities in food security monitoring and analysis. This is done through pro-active, hands-on collaboration with partners and counterparts in the various stages of monitoring, assessment, analysis, and information dissemination. The goal is to share FEWS NET knowledge and methods with partners in local, regional, and global food security networks so together, network partners can achieve the global objective of assuring food security for all.
Position Description
The Assistant National Technical Manager (ANTM) , works closely with the National Technical Manager (NTM) to support all FEWS NET activities in Zimbabwe. This position is based in Harare, Zimbabwe. Where , appropriate, the ANTM will also support remote-
monitoring in selected countries. The ANTM is , responsible for supporting the NTM in:
Efficient, focused food security monitoring, early warning analysis, and response planning
Effective communication of this analysis to partners and decision-makers though high quality reports and briefings
Capacity strengthening and network management
The ANTM will assist the NTM to provide quality control for the deliverables of the project and will help ensure that activities and products are delivered in a timely manner.
Activities
The main activities of the ANTM include, but are not limited to assisting the NTM in:
Maintaining a knowledge base composed of, at a minimum, livelihood zone profiles, commodity trade flow maps, sub-national seasonal monitoring calendars, and technical databases covering commodity prices, rainfall, agricultural production, population, historical assistance flows, and nutrition/health;
Developing and updating seasonal monitoring plans;
Providing high quality and effective early warning of threats to food security and supporting efforts to mitigate food insecurity and prevent food crises through the effective communication of actionable food security analysis;
Conducting strategic planning and executing technical activities including early warning, livelihoods and vulnerability assessments, monitoring tools and methods development, capacity development, markets and trade analysis, response planning, and developing/strengthening networks;
Collaborating with national, regional, and international partners in food security' monitoring and analysis through the implementation of the Integrated Phase Classification (IPC) protocols;
Developing and maintaining strong collaborative relations, both formal and informal, with USAID mission/representatives, U.S. Embassy technical contacts, U. N. agency representatives, government ministries, and key international NGOs to facilitate technical exchanges, promote consensus-building, and resolve any potential conflicts;
Working with USAID mission to support broad food security efforts including Feed the Future programs;
Collecting, archiving, analyzing and sharing food security data and information;
Organizing the documentation and files of the project and updating all essential data used in early warning and food security monitoring and assessment;
Conducting regular field assessments of food security conditions, both independently and with partners, especially members of the network;
Developing capacity and consensus with network, partners on technical issues and activities to facilitate joint, coordinated actions to mitigate food insecurity;
Fulfilling monthly reporting requirements including writing food security outlooks and updates and providing regular briefings to the US Government and other partners;
Contributing to other FEWS NET information products required locally and by the Washington-based technical team;
Ensuring current and accurate information on the country page of the FEWS NET website;
Reinforcing network capacity and management at the national and sub-national levels through training and skills transfers, for effective early warning in the country; and
Contributing to FEWS NET methods development and testing.
The Assistant National Technical Manager will work under the supervision of the National Technical Manager. S/He will collaborate with a team of regional technical experts and other technical staff of the area. The ANTM will be required to travel intensely within his/her country of posting, and some international travel in sub-Saharan Africa, Europe, and the United States may be required.
Requirements
Requirements for Assistant National Technical Manager
Qualifications
At minimum, a degree in a discipline that is directly relevant to or provides central skills in food security analysis, including Economics, Agricultural Economics, Agronomy, Nutrition, Climatology,Anthropology, or Social Geography;
Five years of relevant country or regional :: experience in early warning/food security;: information systems, food security analysis, as well as other related fields;
GIS applications and mapping skills;
Excellent computer skills;
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills;
Experience effectively working and coordinating with partners and stakeholders;
Donor coordination experience; and
Excellent analytical and report-writing skills.
The successful candidate must be able to speak, read, and write final reports in English and the local language.
Interested candidates should send their CV and cover letter to:
FEWSNETZimbabweRecruit[at]chemonics.com
Only candidates qualified for the position will be contacted.
Please Register to apply online.
