Regional Resilience and Livelihoods Specialist Dakar

What we do

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) works worldwide to provide humanitarian assistance to people affected by conflict and armed violence. We take action in response to emergencies and at the same time promote respect for international humanitarian law.  We are an independent and neutral organization, and our mandate stems essentially from the Geneva Conventions of 1949. We work closely with National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and with their International Federation in order to ensure a concerted, rational and rapid humanitarian response to the needs of the victims of armed conflict or any other situation of internal violence. We direct and coordinate the international activities conducted in these situations.

Role description

The ICRC defines Economic Security as the status of an individual, household or community that is able to cover its life and livelihoods obligatory expenditures in a sustainable manner, consistent with its environment, culture and customs. Within its global Economic Security approach in conflict affected countries, the ICRC implements Relief, Livelihood and Rehabilitation Programs in order to improve, restore or maintain food and economic security at household level. To achieve this objective Economic Security uses a combination of different interventions, such as cash and voucher programs, microeconomic initiatives, agricultural and livestock programs, and relief items distributions.

The Regional Resilience and Livelihoods Specialist supports ICRC delegations in Sahel, West Africa and in Lake Chad countries. S/he conducts in-depth livelihood assessments, integrating analysis of resilience of populations facing the double vulnerability of armed conflict and climate risk. S/he proposes suitable interventions, in close coordination with other ICRC departments (including Health, Water and Habitat and Protection), to help affected populations build resilience against the double conflict/climate shocks. S/he actively contributes to the development of an institutional resilience and livelihoods policy and strategy, and builds and maintains a network of actors active in these domains.

In addition, s/he manages EcoSec programs and staff in the regional delegations of Abidjan (Ivory Coast) and Dakar (Senegal), ensuring coherence of the programming and that activities are conducted in accordance with EcoSec standards and procedures.

Main responsibilities

As Resilience and Livelihoods Specialist

• Analyzes livelihoods and resilience of affected populations in the countries covered;
• Conducts in-depth livelihood and resilience assessments and programs reviews;
• Identifies, develops and disseminates tools and methodologies adapted to ICRC field operations to facilitate the design and implementation of livelihood support and resilience interventions;
• Supports delegations in the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of livelihood and resilience activities;
• Collaborates with other ICRC departments to develop integrated interventions to build resilience of affected populations;
• Contributes to the development of institutional policy and strategy in the fields of livelihoods, climate risks and resilience;
• Develops synergies with the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement;
• Develops and maintains a network on resilience and livelihoods with other stakeholders (public or private);
• Maintains links in the Region with members of the donor community interested in the resilience field;
• Attends regional forums on themes of institutional interest such as food security, resilient agriculture and livestock, transhumance, cash transfers, climate change migration, etc.;

As Program Manager

• Supervises the implementation of EcoSec programs in the regional delegations of Abidjan and Dakar;
• Contributes to the analysis and planning of EcoSec programs for the Delegations’ annual planning exercise;
• Organizes economic security assessments to identify humanitarian needs and responses;
• Ensures timely institutional reporting and statistics on activities;
• Hires, coaches and supervises the staff, and directly contributes to strengthening or developing their capacities

Other

• Participate in internal/external workshops and seminars, and EcoSec-related forums
• Promote the principles of the Red Cross and of international humanitarian law;
• As a representative of the ICRC, maintain contact and negotiate with government authorities – civilian and military – in order to carry out the work as effectively as possible.

Desired profile and skills

• University degree in economics, agronomy or equivalent field;
• Confirmed experience in livelihoods and resilience analysis;
• Experience in advocacy and policy work an asset;
• Ability to disseminate new concepts, tools and skills and to coach and accompany staff and colleagues in their application
• Previous experience in managing humanitarian projects, including those in relation with core components of economic security, such as food consumption, food production, income support, living conditions and capacity building;
• Professional experience in international humanitarian work and field missions abroad, especially in emergencies;
• Experience of work with the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement is a strong asset;
• Sound understanding of the project cycle, establishing appropriate (SMART) objectives and indicators is required;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills;
• Very good organizational, managerial, planning, reporting skills;
• Excellent command of French and English is desired; knowledge of local language is an asset;
• Fully conversant with word processing and spreadsheet software;

• Strongly motivated by humanitarian work;
• Ready to work in difficult contexts and spend time in the field, or to manage programs without direct access to the affected population;
• Possessing good capacity to analyse and summarise complex situations;
• Excellent ability to work under pressure in a potentially dangerous environment;
• Strong capacities to manage and coach staff members;
• Ability to take relevant decisions within a given framework;
• Open-minded and adaptable, empathic and diplomatic;
• Readiness and capacity to work in a multidisciplinary team involving other sectors linked to the economic security, and collaborating with Red Cross and Red Crescent movement' members.

Our operational and field constraints

• In line with the principle of neutrality, the ICRC does not assign personnel to a country of which they are nationals
• Candidates must be in good health and will have to do a medical check-up prior to the departure in the field
• Candidates must possess a driving license (for manual transmission vehicles)
• Candidates must be prepared to accept unaccompanied postings (i.e. no spouse, partner, children or dependents) for the first two missions (minimum 12 months each) or total of 24 months

What we offer

• Rewarding work in a humanitarian and multicultural environment
• A two-week orientation course and other opportunities for further in-house training
• Generous social benefits
• Length of assignment: 24 months, extendable
• The opportunity to join an ICRC talent pool and be considered for future assignments elsewhere

Deadline of Application 30.11.17