Head of Food Security & Livelihoods Unit Concern Universal Dhaka, Bangladesh

Concern Universal Bangladesh

Job Description

Job Title: Head of Food Security & Livelihoods Unit

Project: Cross-border Transfer of Agricultural Technologies, Institutional and Market Development

Project period: September 2012 – December 2014 (28 months)

Location: Based in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Frequent travel to Jamalpur District, Bangladesh and Assam State, India.

Reporting to: Country Director, Concern Universal Bangladesh

Responsible for: 1 Assistant Project Manager, 3 Project Officers

Background:

Concern Universal is an international development organisation tackling poverty from the grassroots. We create opportunities for people around the world to improve their lives and shape their own futures. By building skills and connecting people at all levels in society, we help communities deliver practical solutions with long term impact.

Concern Universal has been working in Bangladesh since 1993. Our work has grown steadily and our programme has evolved into a coherent portfolio of development activities directly benefiting more than 1.2 million of the poorest and most vulnerable population. We have a track record of successfully designing and implementing projects across five sectors: food security & livelihoods, health, disaster risk reduction, institutional capacity building and human rights.

Despite the significant progress that has been made towards poverty reduction, Bangladesh remains one of the least developed countries in the world. With a high population density and extreme vulnerability to natural disasters, around 37% of the population lives below the national poverty line.

Building upon previous project experience in Bangladesh, Concern Universal has secured a grant contract with the European Union (EU) to improve food security and nutrition for the poorest and most vulnerable in South Asia. The three year, €3m project, titled “Cross-border Transfer of Agricultural Technologies, Institutional and Market Development” in Bangladesh and India will support 15,000 smallholders in Bangladesh and 5,000 in India, as well as other rural market actors and governmental extension agents, through the provision of agro-technical training, assets and working capital transfer, institution building, and marketing training. The similar agro-ecological, cultural and economic features of the adjacent project areas will be utilized to achieve cross-border learning, which will also be disseminated to a wider audience through regional conferences and media outreach.

Concern Universal is implementing the project with Dhaka Ahsania Mission (DAM), a large Bangladeshi NGO with whom we have partnered for many years, and RGVN, a specialist Indian NGO. In addition, Helvetas Swiss Intercooperation (HSI) are providing technical support to the project.

Job Summary:

This is an exciting opportunity, leading the implementation of a major, cross-border food security project in support of 20,000 smallholders in Bangladesh and India and developing the scope and profile of Concern Universal Bangladesh’s Food Security & Livelihoods Unit.

Reporting to the Country Director, the Head of the Food Security & Livelihoods Unit is responsible for the overall planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting of the EU-funded project. S/he is also responsible for coordination of the project partners and will liaise with person(s) assigned by the local European Union Delegation in Bangladesh. S/he will manage the human, financial and other resources available to the Project and is responsible for creating and nurturing a team that will successfully implement the Project. S/he will be expected to travel to the field frequently and spend a significant proportion of her/his time in the field working with project participants and other stakeholders. The post-holder will also be responsible for developing, through proposal writing and donor liaison, further initiatives within the Food Security & Livelihoods Unit.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

Overall:

1. To coordinate the preparation of project reports and documents as per donor’s requirement through the Country Director.

2. To represent Concern Universal and the Project in relevant national and other coordination forums.

3. To lead the development of new interventions as part of Concern Universal’s programme development process, through proposal writing (including budgeting) and negotiation of grant contracts.

4. With assistance from the Country Director and the Finance & Administration Manager, to ensure adherence to EU, Government of Bangladesh and Concern Universal laws, rules, policies and procedures.

Specific:

1. To manage the entire project in close collaboration with partners.

2. To support, manage and motivate the project team to achieve the project overall and specific objectives.

3. To develop project strategies and implementation plans in collaboration with partners.

4. To develop monitoring tools for project management.

5. To finalise guidelines and training modules both for staff development and beneficiaries’ capacity building.

6. To meet regularly with the project Management Team, provide project updates and adjustment of activity plan as and when required.

7. To participate in a comprehensive review process of the project to ensure that the project goal and objectives are achieved.

8. To liaise effectively with Finance, Administration and HR units.

9. To ensure effective integration of the cross-cutting issues into the project in close collaboration with colleagues in Concern Universal and our partners.

10. To maintain close relations with all stakeholders and establish effective linkages with similar NGOs/ institutions and Government departments to share lessons learnt.

Qualification and Experience:

1. At least postgraduate degree in Development Studies, Agriculture, Business Administration, or other relevant disciplines.

2. At least 5 years experience in project cycle management with extended periods of residence in developing countries.

3. Proven track record in agricultural, livelihoods, cash or asset transfer projects.

4. Experience in working with partnership with local NGOs, local government.

5. Successful track record in proposal writing (including budgeting, designing work plans etc); familiarity with proposal formats of major multi/bilateral donors is a strong advantage.

6. Proven experience of, and commitment to, participatory methodologies to development.

7. Working experience in Bangladesh and/or the South Asia region is an added advantage.

Skills and Competencies:

1. Experience and understanding the operations and practice of NGOs, donors (particularly the EU is a must) and government agencies

2. High level of coordination, networking and interpersonal communication skills

3. Strong training, coaching experience, skills and knowledge

4. Ability to work collaboratively and effectively with a wide variety of people of different backgrounds, education levels and professions

5. Ability to work under pressure and to manage multiple tasks

6. Excellent report writing skills

7. Budgeting and financial management skills

8. A strong interest and desire to work with poor rural communities and spend time in the field.

9. Demonstrated organisational skills

10. Stand alone self-starter with a positive and adaptable disposition

Terms and Conditions

Status: Accompanied.

Salary: Grade ST Salary Range £22,260 to £29,050 per year.

Benefits: Accommodation, insurance, flights, local allowance, annual medical examination, dependent’s and school fees allowances.

Duration of contract: Permanent.

All applicants must complete an application form. CVs will not be acknowledged or accepted. For an application form and other information about CU please visit our website www.concern-universal.org .

Completed application forms should be submitted to

olivia.sawyer@concern-universal.org

Deadline for receipt of completed application forms is 31st August 2012 – initial applicants need not apply

Initial telephone interviews for shortlisted candidates are scheduled to take place week commencing 10/09/12; panel interviews will take place shortly thereafter.

The successful candidate will ideally be expected to take up appointment within 1 month of offer of post.

CU is committed to equal opportunities.