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Livelihoods and Rural Finance Specialist, Combating Exploitative Child Labor in Areas of Liberian Rubber Production

POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT

Livelihoods and Rural Finance Specialist, Combating Exploitative Child Labor in Areas of Liberian Rubber Production

Effective with the release of this position announcement, Winrock International is recruiting applicants for the position of Livelihoods and Rural Finance Specialist for an upcoming child labor elimination program in Liberia. The responsibilities, duties, and qualifications are described in the attached position description. Position is contingent upon receipt of donor funding.

GENERAL:

Winrock International is a nonprofit organization that works with people in the United States and around the world to empower the disadvantaged, increase economic opportunity, and sustain natural resources. By linking local individuals and communities with new ideas and technology, Winrock is increasing long-term productivity, equity, and responsible resource management to benefit the poor and disadvantaged of the world. SALARY: The annual salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. Excellent benefits. APPLICATIONS: Applicants should go to the Jobs link at www.winrock.org or email winrockjob@gmail.com and submit a current resume and cover letter referencing Liberia CL Livelihoods Specialist by August 12, 2012. If submitting via email, please specify Liberia CL Livelihoods Specialist in the subject line. Qualified Liberian nationals or West Africans, especially those residing in Liberia are strongly encouraged to apply. Early applications will be greatly appreciated.

Winrock would like to thank all applicants for their interest but only candidates who meet all requisite criteria and are short listed will be contacted.

EEOE/AA.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

POSITION TITLE: Livelihoods and Rural Finance Specialist LOCATION: Liberia UNIT: Empowerment & Civic Engagement REPORTS TO: Project Director

PROGRAM SUMMARY:

The Livelihoods & Rural Finance Specialist will be responsible for providing leadership in developing the technical aspects of the program related to sustainable livelihood interventions, including household economic strengthening, identifying rural and micro-finance or other savings and loans programs as part of an integrated livelihoods program to reduce the incidence of child labor and enhance livelihoods in rubber-growing areas of Liberia. The position is contingent upon receipt of donor funding.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES: • Provide strategic leadership of all programmatic activities concerned with livelihoods, income generation, and rural financing. • In coordination with a team, develop and oversee implementation of livelihood work plans/targets, budgets, and reports. • Coordinate strategy and activities with any implementing partners, national & local government authorities involved in and responsible for economic development. • Manage and mentor senior staff in rural finance and livelihoods. • Coordinate closely on the data collection to measure impacts, incomes, household and business investments, and savings. • Serve as technical lead in at least four of the following areas and supervise staff and/or consultants in the remaining areas: agricultural value-chain development, public-private partnership, enterprise development and incubation, child labor prevention; workforce development for legally aged working children; vocational education/training, microfinance access, nutrition, youth and women’s empowerment, or land tenure/property rights.

QUALIFICATIONS AND BACKGROUND:

Education: Bachelor’s degree required (MBA or master’s degree preferred) in economics, agriculture/horticulture, environmental sciences or gender in development. Supplemental training in income generation/entrepreneurship, monitoring and evaluation, HIV/AIDS, gender analysis/mainstreaming, microfinance preferred.

Work Experience:
• Minimum three years experience working in projects promoting livelihoods interventions in areas including skills training, micro-lending, micro-savings, employment generation, alternative/additional income generation, youth employment, and social protection for donor-funded development programs required. • Must possess an understanding of child labor issues and experience working successfully with government ministries engaged in promoting improved livelihoods for households and the provision of social protection services, as well as experience working with employers’ organizations, trade unions, or comparable entities. • Experience managing integrated US Government programs and budgets strongly preferred. Demonstrated technical expertise in four of the following areas: agricultural value-chain development, public-private partnership, enterprise development and incubation, vocational education/training, microfinance access, nutrition, youth and women’s empowerment, land tenure/property rights, and child labor prevention. • Basic knowledge of child labor issues in the agriculture sector (especially rubber) in Liberia/West Africa.

Skills: • Strong skills in financial management, writing, monitoring and evaluation required. • Excellent written and oral communication skills in English required, proficiency in Liberian English preferred.

How to apply:

Applicants should go to the Jobs link at www.winrock.org or email winrockjob@gmail.com and submit a current resume and cover letter referencing Liberia CL Livelihoods Specialist by August 12, 2012. If submitting via email, please specify Liberia CL Livelihoods Specialist in the subject line. Qualified Liberian nationals or West Africans, especially those residing in Liberia are strongly encouraged to apply. Early applications will be greatly appreciated.