Food Assistance Specialist , Niger

Plan is one of the oldest and largest children's development organisations in the world. We work in 48 developing countries across Africa, Asia and the Americas to promote child rights and lift millions of children out of poverty. Plan's vision is of a world in which all children realise their full potential in societies that respect people's rights and dignity, our aim is to achieve lasting improvements in the quality of life of deprived children in developing countries. Plan is independent, with no religious, political or governmental affiliations.

About the Role This position is responsible for assessment, response analysis, design and implementation of the Food Security and Nutrition components of Plan’s emergency response. The specialist will need to co-ordinate with other Emergency Response team members and Plan staff, especially Implementation Management, Health and other relevant technical sectors, to ensure a rapid, proportionate and effective response. You will need to ensure response to immediate food security and nutrition issues with simultaneous consideration of longer term needs and possible scenarios. Depending on the situation the specialist may need to take a very active role in technical co-ordination, support and advocacy with the country specific Food Security and Nutrition Clusters and other stake holders and technical agencies relevant to the sector.

Main Responsibilities

Assessment •Provide sectoral leadership and expertise in the assessment. •Ensure integration of all nutrition aspects into food security during all stages including assessment, response analysis and implementation. •Conduct initial rapid assessment of current situation in collaboration with local specialists and affected population; determine priorities and immediate activities and resources i.e. more detailed assessment versus need to address immediate nutritional and/or food security problems. •Conduct thorough response analysis and recommend comprehensive and effective actions for response which may include both food and cash based interventions and recuperative programs to address moderate and severe acute malnutrition. •Represent Plan to food security and nutrition clusters, stakeholders and Governmental and non-Governmental agencies (and military where present) for the purposes of the nutrition and / or food security aspects of the assessment. •Assess in-country resources, human, material and financial for response with relevant staff and agencies and assist in capacity building of national staff.

Program Design •Define aims and objectives of the overall nutrition and/ or food security program. •Select and design most appropriate nutritional and/ or food security interventions based on the outcomes of assessments and the context. •Develop gender analysis of both the external context to inform interventions and internal context to inform systems and structures such as food targets taking into consideration nutritional needs, and ensure gender balance within Plan’s teams especially at field level. •Ensure that issues of protection, gender, livelihoods, DRR and environmental impact, operation and maintenance are factored into the program design. •Ensure Plan’s guidelines and Sphere standards both qualitative and quantitative are considered and any departures documented. •Work in close collaboration with broader Country Office programs to ensure that emergency interventions build upon and link in to longer term programming. •Develop Program Plan, concept papers, and proposals in respect of the above.

Response Management and Implementation •Work closely with the relevant implementation manager(s) to ensure that the implementation of relevant activities are planned and implemented in a phased and prioritised manner in full consultation and co-ordination with all relevant agencies both governmental and non-governmental. •Ensure children and youth, gender, and disability issues are fully considered throughout the project cycle with women & children being enabled to influence decision- making around nutrition and /or food security issues. •Provide technical supervision of nutrition and /or food security activities. •Design and develop appropriate surveillance, monitoring and evaluation systems for nutrition and or food security interventions. •Ensure early and rigorous implementation of quality and accountability mechanisms. •M&E systems should reflect data on the current health and nutritional well being of the population being served. Data can be used from such sources as country office reports, OCHA and/or the UNHCR or similar health information system.

Response Reporting & Evaluation •Evaluate the implementation of Plan food security & nutrition activities and draft recommendations for improved program design •Draft food security & nutrition interventions reports to serve as standalone deliverables or to be included in larger emergency response reports for both donor and internal purposes.

Information and Co-ordination •Provide regular updates to Emergency Response Manager and emergency team on progress, priorities and constraints – verbally and in writing on an agreed frequency. •Engage and follow up with relevant implementation manager(s) •Represent Plan to governmental and non-governmental groups as required. •Support the implementation of, and represent Plan in, food security & nutrition coordination mechanisms including any relevant cluster. •Provide updates and reports on sectoral activities/strategies to donors and other stakeholders.

Human Resources and Administration •Coordinate and/or implement training and briefing of Plan staff and stakeholders on nutrition and/or food security issues.

About you Knowledge, skills and behaviours required to achieve role’s objectives;

Knowledge •Demonstrable knowledge as a result of study, training or practical experience in Food Security and/ or Nutrition with a good understanding of the linkages between food security and nutrition. •Significant humanitarian aid experience in particular with nutrition and/or food security sector applied in emergency response operations •A thorough understanding of situational analysis using the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), program design using different modalities of cash transfer and voucher programming and nutrition survey tools •Familiarity with relevant key donor regulations

Skills •Good written and oral communication skills with a good command of English and French languages. •Excellent organisational, coordination, analytical and problem solving skills •Good IT skills •Excellent skills in developing and managing multiple funding and resources •Experience and ability to live and work in diverse cultural contexts.

Behaviours •Ability to work independently and as a team player. •Honesty and integrity are valued. •Awareness and sensitivity to gender and diversity. •Creative and able to take initiative •Decisive and results oriented

Languages Fluency in French and English required.

Location and Travel This role will be based in the Country Office in Niamey. There will also be a significant amount of travel required to Program areas and within the Region.

Type of Role: Two year contract Reports to: Country Director Salary: Circa US$40,000 - $50,000 per annum plus full expat benefits. Closing Date: 1st June 2012

How to apply:

How to Apply:

To apply for this role please visit our website and submit your application: http://plan-international.org/about-plan/jobs

Reference, anti-terrorism and background checks will be carried out in conformity with Plans Child Protection Policy. Plan operates an equal opportunities policy and actively encourages diversity, welcoming applications from all areas of the international community.