Associate Livelihoods Officer

This vacancy is advertised in the frame of the US JPO Programme and is only open to candidates with US nationality. The economic mapping of the East, Adamaoua and North regions highlights several promising sectors with varied characteristics and significant employment potential especially in terms of self-employment opportunities, but not always accessible to refugees and vulnerable host populations. It is dominated by agro-pastoral, forestry, mining and commercial activities.

Although rural livelihoods are not exclusive to agriculture-based activities, they comprise the lion¿s share of rural livelihoods in the regions. But the regions lack sustainable livelihoods talent and experience which could be integrated into a more flexible and demand responsive team approach. UNHCR in the field works through UNV and Associate Protection (non-dedicated staff) teams, who are not necessary attracted to specific themes being worked on in a sustainable livelihoods context.

As regions become more focused on IDA 18/World Bank and at once exposed to the vulnerabilities of food insecure, extreme poverty and climate change, the presence of a livelihoods expert is important in strengthening livelihood outcomes for the rural poor. Despite increasing evidence of UNV and Protection Associate staff improving livelihoods in these regions, this unfortunately has not translated into a great impact to support such claims. The JPO will help build this evidence by supporting a number of interventions in the area of livelihoods and economic inclusion. Through this initiative, it is hoped that the outcomes of its intervention can be shared and made accessible to enhance livelihoods.

The Associate Livelihoods Officer will work under the overall supervision of the Head of Sub Office and in close collaboration with staff from the Programme, Protection and Field units. She/he will provide support as needed for the implementation of the Comprehensive Livelihoods Strategy 2018-2020, anchored on Cameroon Multi-Year, Multi-Partners Protection and Solutions Strategy 2018-2020 and Refugee Livelihoods, Economic Inclusion Global Strategy Concept Note 2019-2023. Externally, she/he will establish and maintain close and effective partnerships with relevant partners and related contacts with stakeholders. She/he proactively seeks out new appropriate livelihood and economic inclusion programming and approaches, including those being implemented by the private sector, development actors and UN agencies, and determine how best to incorporate into UNHCR operation. The incumbent will also ensure UNHCR representation in appropriate regional coordination mechanisms and networks.

Accountability

- Multi-Year livelihoods and Economic Inclusion Strategy 2018-2020 implemented with relevant annual action plan to guide various levels of interventions.
- Community-based strategies developed for sustainable livelihood interventions in UNHCR operation.
- UNHCR Implementing Partners and the Community Refugee groups engaged in livelihood activities are supported and monitored in the field.
- Information collected on legal, social and economic status/development in refugee hosting areas is analyzed to support livelihood activities.
- Network of partners with UN Agencies, private sectors and development actors is developed/strengthened and optimized in the livelihood cooperation and support.
- Impact assessment/evaluation for each livelihood's projects and activities (improved refugee skills level, household income generation, and household employment creation reduced vulnerability) is developed.

Responsibility

- In line with the Global Strategy for Livelihoods, improve and fine tune the local self-reliance strategy, focusing on the development of clear operational plans and livelihoods projects for the upcoming three years, indicating the comprehensive needs and setting clear annual operational targets.
- Ensure dissemination and implementation of internationally accepted standards, policies and guidelines within UNHCR and among partner.
- Together with specialized organizations, set performance baseline targets and monitor impact indicators for the livelihood objectives in the Operations Plan. 
- Provide technical guidance to the operation, in line with UNHCR tools and guidelines for livelihood programming, and ensure technical integrity is maintained.
- Assist in sourcing external expertise (consultancy firms, consultants, deployments under stand-by agreements, and technical counterparts from operational partners) required for livelihood assessments, strategic planning, project design, reviews and evaluations exercises. Monitor the work of technical experts and contribute to reviewing draft reports/outputs, ensuring quality in methodologies used in particular for assessment and analytical tasks.
- Mainstream into livelihoods activities, the use of relevant innovative approaches and the ¿Graduation Model¿ to graduate vulnerable refugees out of poverty and into continued degrees of self-reliance.
- In line with a market-based approach, design and implement livelihoods activities tailor-made to and targeting different segments of the refugee population according to their potential for reaching self-reliance (educational level, work-experience, previous skills training, etc.)
- Support the process of conducting a risk assessment for the livelihoods interventions undertaken by UNHCR and propose risk mitigation alternatives.
- Strategic Communications:  Collect and articulate case studies achievements impacts and lessons learned to various external and internal audiences..
- Continuously monitor changes in the context to guide the directions of the livelihoods programmes; particularly with regards to the transfer of basic services to the government and maintain updated information on issues and policy changes that may affect livelihood opportunities for refugees, as well as ongoing measures by the Government and other institutions that can affect or contribute to the achievement of strategic goals for refugee livelihoods.
- Support the development of a solid monitoring and evaluation system with clear indicators to monitor the impact of the livelihoods programming on refugees.
- Review and provide technical guidance to project proposals submitted by Implementing Partners (IPs), and guide and monitor livelihoods activities/programmes for refugees in line with the global livelihoods strategy.
- Identify opportunities and implement solutions to challenges identified through livelihoods relevant assessments (Household Economy Approach/Baseline, market and value-chain).
- Emphasize the capacity building of IPs through technical assistance, institutional assessment, training and coaching.
- Promote cooperation with national institutions in supporting the inclusion of refugees in e.g. vocational training, access to finance, labour market.
- Support the regular sharing of livelihoods related information among different humanitarian, developmental and governmental stakeholders.
- Perform other related duties as required.

Authority

- Negotiate locally with partners on behalf of UNHCR.
- Decide priorities for reception, interviewing and counselling for groups or individuals.
- Enforce compliance of staff and implementing partners with global protection policies and standards of professional integrity in the delivery of protection services.
- Enforce compliance with, and integrity of, all protection standard operating procedures.

ESSENTIAL MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

Eduction/Qualifications:
Graduate degree (equivalent of a Master's) obtained in a recognised institution (listed under www.whed.net), plus minimum 2 years of relevant professional work experience. An undergradute degree (equivalent of a Bachelor's) plus 3 years or a Doctorate degree (equivalent to a PhD) plus 1 year may also be accepted.

Fields: Development Studies (including Development Economics, Finance and Management), Rural Development (including Agriculture & Livestock), Food Science, Natural Resource Management, Microfinance or Urban Policy & Planning, or other clearly related fields.

Work Experience:
-Minimum of 2 years of relevant experience to the function related to gender analysis,  risks and vulnerability assessment; community development and participation; self-reliance; rural small business development and/or microfinance; agriculture/livestock; integrated rural development planning; food security; rapid and participatory rural appraisal.
- Previous experience in poverty reduction programmes, focused on linking safety net programmes (including usage of cash assistance) linked to access to employment and self-employment programme.
- Experience in developing partnership with the private sector (companies and/or business organizations).
- Proven drafting skills are an asset.
- Previous experience in working effectively with international and national NGOs and UN organizations, and with government authorities at national level.

Skills:
-Technical competencies in at least two sub-sectors relevant to livelihood programming e.g. employment promotion, entrepreneurship building, private sector development, local economic recovery/poverty-reduction strategies, social finance,
- Excellent networking skills with private and public sector institutions,
- Excellent computer skills including Excel, Word and PowerPoint,
- Work experience and knowledge of the refugee operation in Central Africa.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCIES

Demonstrated professional exposure to poverty-related issues in developing countries, especially rural poverty and gender analysis.
- Proven experience in planning, implementing, and monitoring livelihoods programmes.
- Experience in working effectively with UN organisations, international and national NGOs, and with government authorities at national level.
- Knowledge about latest development in the livelihoods sector, and in-depth knowledge of at least two technical sub-sectors in livelihoods (e.g. agriculture and livestock, vocational training and technical education, entrepreneurship building, cash assistance, community contracting, employment services, microfinance).
- PLP, People oriented planning, Participatory assessment, OMLP.
- Working experience with refugees would be an asset. Managerial Competencies:

M001: Empowering and Building Trust
M002: Managing Performance
M003: Judgement and Decision Making
M006: Managing Resources

Cross-Functional Competencies:
X001: Analytical Thinking
X004: Negotiation and Conflict Resolution
X008: Stakeholder Management Essential: English, French
Desirable: Working knowledge of any other UN language (Arabic, Chinese, Russian or Spanish). SUPERVISION: The JPO will be under the direct supervision of the manager indicated under 'Supervisor title and position number'. The supervisor will be responsible for the performance evaluation of the JPO. The manager will also ensure that the JPO is provided a thorough induction and orientation briefing, followed by on-the-job training as well as continuous guidance for training/learning opportunities throughout the assignment. In support to the manager, the JPO Unit provides the Supervisory Guidelines upon recruitment/reassignment of the JPO. TRAINING COMPONENTS

Mandatory training courses;
1. Basic Security in the Field
2. Advances Security in the Field
3. Protection Induction Programme
4. UN Course on Harassment, Sexual Harassment and Abuse of Authority
5. Orientation to IPSAS

Recommended training courses:
Livelihoods Learning Programme
CBILP

LEARNING ELEMENTS

The incumbent will be trained on the minimum standards for livelihoods programming, the UN system, and the global refugee protection issues. He/she will become familiar with asylum systems in the world and will be able to analyze the relation between asylum policies and the programmatic dimension. The incumbent will learn how to design, implement, monitor and evaluate livelihoods programmes targeting asylum seekers and refugees. Living Conditions at the Duty Sation

Housing/accomodation: petty Private Rental house

Health care: Regional hospital

Educational facilities: Local schools

Security: There are no major security issues. Cases of petty crimes like snatching of hand bags are often reported. Compliance with the MORSS safety regulations can mitigate most risks.

Other (transport, banks, etc): Bus station, commercial bank, internet and GSM companies are available. Please note that the closing date for applications for this position is Sunday 7 April (midnight Geneva time).