Food Security and Livelihood Manager

Location: Ogoja, Nigeria

Reports to: Senior Manager, Programs

Position Type: Full-time, Fixed-Term

Classification: National employee

Language requirements: English

Eligibility: Must be legally able to work in Nigeria

ABOUT CUSO INTERNATIONAL:

Cuso International is an international cooperation and development organization that works to create economic and social opportunities for marginalized groups. Together with our partners, we are focused on efforts to advance gender equality and social inclusion, improve economic resilience, and deliver progress on climate action. We believe that by sharing skills, we can build better futures. Cuso presently supports programs implemented in Africa, Canada, Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). Find out more at www.cusointernational.org

Cuso International, a Canadian development NGO, is implementing a United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) supported project in Cross River and Benue States called Livelihood Enhancement in refugee settlements and in Refugee Holding Communities in Cross River and Benue States – (B-LIVER) which aims to improve livelihoods, increase income generation and self-reliance through sustainable enterprise development for Cameroonian refugees and host community members in Cross River and Benue States. This will be achieved through the implementation of livelihood interventions covering vocational and technical trainings, setting up of farm hubs, entrepreneurship and business management, life skills and access to agricultural / livestock / fisheries production.

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR:

The Food Security and Livelihood (FSL) Manager is responsible for planning and implementing the food security and livelihood program in adherence with Cuso International and donor guidelines. The FSL Manager will report to the Team Leader while working closely with the Finance and Admin. Manager on admin related issues. The FSL Manager will also provide technical leadership, supervise program staff, and coordinate with other technical heads in the implementation of all program activities ensuring the programs are on time, on scope and on budget. The tasks outlined below are the key responsibilities, but the employee is expected to perform any tasks that are necessary within the context of the evolving needs of the program.

KEY RESPONSIBILITES:

General Responsibilities

• Coordinate activities of the project team to deliver results in line with the approved project plan and budget;
• Manage project resources and adequately align the resources to the program design to ensure the overall objectives are met;
• Ensure that the project budget is spent in line with Cuso International policies and the agreed donor activities;
• Lead preparation of project reports for submission to donors according to the project timeline;
• Develop and maintain close working relationships with key local and state level personnel in government and in the private organizations that have an interest in the project;
• Ensure strict compliance to Cuso International policies and raise any concerns with management;
• Manage activities, including providing support to agricultural and livestock interventions, developing market linkages and value chains, building capacity of local producers, and supporting micro-projects;
• In collaboration with the project field team, take part in the identification, registration, verification and selection of the project beneficiaries, according to defined selection criteria, as well as verification process.
• Provide management oversight to the implementation team, including development of work plans, monitoring implementation and impact, ensuring that program deliverables are completed, supervising implementing staff, and managing the program budget;
• Organize and conduct monitoring visits to the project sites and host visitors and donors, as needed;
• Sensitize key stakeholders, communities and participating households on the project objectives, timelines and on general project activities;
• Work with community stakeholder's committees and collaborate with them in beneficiaries’ identification and selection;
• Provide team members with information, tools and other resources to improve performance and reach objectives.
• Represent Cuso International at donor coordination meetings and with external stakeholders as relevant to the programs as approved by the Line Manager; and
• Identify and engage with technical, private and public-sector partnerships needed to execute program strategies and support the growth and formalization of partnership arrangements as necessary.

Technical Skills

• Initiate market based/ agricultural value chain intervention approach by linking farmer/pastoralist groups to private sector market opportunities;
• Implement and support sustainable agriculture and livelihood projects implementation in project communities;
• Plan and implement food security and livelihood activities such as: setting up of farmer field schools, setting up of farm production hubs and cash based interventions;
• Develop and guide training focusing on improved farming practices (good livestock and animal husbandry,/water resource management and agroforestry practices while working with Extension Agents;
• Ensure that women are involved in project implementation and as beneficiaries in food security/agriculture trainings and are given technical support;
• Provide oversight functions and technical support on cash based programming and ensure proper coordination and targeting;
• Provide ttechnical backstopping/agronomical assistance and follow-ups to all food security and livelihood activities in the program area;
• Supervise training sessions for assisted communities and ensure relevant logistics are in place for program activities;
• Liaise with local authorities, research institutes, partner organizations, NGOs, government bodies and clusters at base level; and
• Coordinate with other Cuso International Units (programs ) and support departments (admin and finance, human resources) to ensure a seamless program implementation both in Cross River and Benue States

Documentation of Best Practices

• Contribute to the organization of learning events on project practices ad approaches in relation to Food Security and Livelihood interventions in humanitarian context;
• Promote replication of documented best practices on food security and livelihood in humanitarian context in Nigeria.

Monitoring and Reporting

• Develop monitoring systems jointly with Cuso International’s M&E department and provide regular, high-quality reports on program activities, both internally for Cuso International as well as for donors. Demonstrate progress of activities and capture lessons learned;
• Support the design and implementation of relevant surveys, need assessments, data and information collection for on-going monitoring and learning;
• Document lessons learned from review processes to continuously improve the quality of food security and livelihood interventions; and
• Work with Communications to develop contents to highlight successes in the project.

Volunteer Support - National and International

• Review International Volunteer placement documents to support the achievement of food security and livelihood results;
• Facilitate relevant capacity building of international volunteers and national volunteers to contribute to the project results; and
• Provide briefings and ongoing guidance and support to international volunteers for effective provision of technical assistance.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

• Master’s degree in agriculture/ Agriculture Extension Education/ Animal Production, Natural Resource Management, business administration, international development, rural development, agric economics and/or other relevant discipline is mandatory;

• At least 7 years’ relevant project management experience relating to either agribusiness, small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) development or providing training and business advisory services;

• Experience with or knowledge of technology and input supply ecosystem in Nigeria;

• Demonstrated ability to develop and roll out project management systems to facilitate timeliness of delivery, cost effectiveness and compliance;

• Strong financial analysis (e.g., budget management) and project management skills;

• Track record of building and managing strong team and stakeholder relationships with private, public sector and government;

• Extensive knowledge of development issues and understanding of the Food Security, Entrepreneurship development, agriculture and Livelihood issues;

• Experience in setting up farmer field schools, agribusiness hubs/settlements and market development programing and processing centers;

• Previous experience of working in an emergency response focusing on food security and livelihoods;

• Experience implementing donor (e.g. UNHCR, ECHO, DFID, WFP) funded programs;

• Solid interpersonal skills, particularly in networking, working with communities, local civil society and local authorities;

• Commitment to humanitarian principles and action, and to Cuso International’s mission, values and policies;

• Experience facilitating workshops and multiple stakeholder meetings;

• Strong writing and report development skills;

• Must be able to work independently while being a strong team player;

• Experience in the INGO sector;

• Demonstrated capacity to provide strategic direction; and

• Knowledge in designing and delivering capacity building for technical teams.

HOW TO APPLY!

Cuso International is committed to creating and fostering an inclusive culture. We strive to actively celebrate diversity, advance our equitable practices, and drive greater inclusion. We offer a comprehensive employee benefits package and insurance, generous days of paid time off, including vacation, personal days, and sick days, and more.

Please click the "Apply for This Job" button to submit your application by April 19, 2024, at 11:59PM (EST). Expressions of interest should be sent in English. Your résumé and one-page cover letter should demonstrate how you meet all the essential and any desirable qualifications. Please note that a confirmation email will be generated once you submit your application, but it may be directed to your spam or junk folders of your email inbox.

Cuso International is an equal opportunity employer and encourage applications from all qualified applicants. Accommodations will be provided at any stages of the hiring process upon request. Thank you for your interest in Cuso International.

Keywords

Food SecurityLivelihood ManagerAgricultureLivelihoodProject ManagementMarket DevelopmentCapacity BuildingHumanitarianAgriculture ExtensionLivestockAgribusinessSustainable Agriculture