Specialist, Livelihood and Food Security; LIFT Project

FHI 360 is a global development organization with a rigorous, evidence-based approach. Our professional staff includes experts in health, nutrition, education, economic development, civil society, environment and research. FHI 360 operates from 60 offices with 4,400 staff in the U.S. and around the world. Our commitment to partnerships at every level and our multidisciplinary approach enable us to have a lasting impact on the individuals, communities and countries we serve–improving lives for millions. We seek qualified candidates for the position of Specialist, Livelihood and Food Security in Washington, DC.

Position Description:

The Livelihood and Food Security Technical Assistance (LIFT) Project is designed to work in close collaboration with US Government (USG) agencies, implementing partners and other key players to improve their capacity to design, implement and integrate sustainable, market-driven interventions to strengthen livelihoods, food and nutritional security. LIFT aims to heighten the impact of work done through USAID, PEPFAR, Feed the Future, USDA, CDC and the Peace Corps, as well as national governments, civil society and the private sector. LIFT’s ultimate goal is to support the food security of vulnerable households, particularly those affected by HIV/AIDS, by improving their livelihoods and economic circumstances.

Under the guidance of the Technical Director, the Technical Specialist strengthens LIFT’s capacity to offer cutting-edge technical assistance in economic strengthening, livelihoods and food security to the US Government and its implementing partners by: identifying local and external technical assistance providers, overseeing their work and contributing to LIFT technical assistance activities in the field. The Technical Specialist supports the development of learning materials, tools, and guidelines for project staff and consultants, as well as technical assistance recipients; conducts training and stakeholder engagement activities; and contributes to LIFT’s global leadership agenda by documenting and disseminating project learning, and building partnerships with related initiatives and networks globally and in specific countries.

Responsibilities include:

• Develop, conduct, manage and/or backstop research and technical assistance activities related to economic strengthening, household livelihoods and food security. These include recruiting/assembling teams of LIFT partner staff and local and expatriate consultants to implement technical assistance activities and direct provision of follow-on technical assistance. Participating in technical assistance activities will involve international travel.
• Contribute to the development of an evidence base around sustainable market-led economic strengthening for food security by engaging in research activities, identifying lessons learned from technical assistance activities and assisting in the documentation of evidence-based learning.
• Respond to requests from USAID for programmatic and technical information to support US Government policies, strategies and reporting related to economic strengthening and food security. Provide policy-related guidance and technical assistance, as required.
• Represent LIFT in national and international conferences, workshops, expert panels and similar venues.
• Identify opportunities to disseminate LIFT learning products, tools, methods and evidence to clients, other donors, practitioners and academics.
• Support development of Scopes of Work for field assistance activities and consultants.
• Monitor field activities and support the timely completion of objectives.
• Ensure that LIFT develops and maintains relationships with related projects, organizations and networks, such as FANTA-3, International Food Policy Research Institute and Famine Early Warning Systems Network and others.

Minimum Requirements:

Master’s degree plus 7 years of relevant experience. Proven technical knowledge in food security, economic strengthening or a related technical field. Thorough familiarity with USAID and US Government processes and regulations, preferred. Experience working with USAID Missions and USG partners in the field, preferred. Experience working with and managing technical specialists and multi-disciplinary teams. Experience with or knowledge of programmatic approaches used in one or more of the following areas: market-driven small and micro enterprise development; rural and urban livelihoods; orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) well-being; agricultural production, value chains and marketing; informal financial services and microfinance; and/ or food security. Understanding of household economics for vulnerable households and the impact of hazards and shocks such as HIV/AIDS. Experience working and living in developing countries, particularly those with substantial levels of poverty helpful. Demonstrated ability to coordinate diverse consortia of organizations to achieve common objectives, including the ability to achieve group consensus on objectives. Strong intercultural communication skills. Excellent verbal and written English language skills; French or Swahili language desirable. Excellent problem-solving skills; ability to analyze information. Demonstrated ability to manage multiple tasks and responsibilities.

FHI 360 has a competitive compensation package. Interested candidates may register online through FHI 360's Career Center at www.fhi360.org/careercenter or through the Employment section at www.fhi360.org. Please submit CV/resume and cover letter including salary requirements. Please specify source in your application.

AA/EOE/M/F/V/D