Livelihoods Specialist

Position:  Livelihoods Specialist

Reports to: Project Coordinator

Location:  Juba, South Sudan

Travel:   Frequent travel between project sites.

The Near East Foundation (NEF) is seeking applicants for a Livelihoods Specialist to be based in Juba, in South Sudan. For over 100 years, NEF has worked to build a more sustainable, prosperous, and inclusive communities in the Middle East and Africa through economic development and governance initiatives. NEF’s work is organized around three core program areas: Inclusive Economic Development, Climate-resilient Development, and Stabilization and Peacebuilding.

Position Description:

The Livelihoods Specialist is a key member of the Near East Foundation team in South Sudan.  The Livelihoods Specialist will lead capacity building of community associations to design, roll out, operate, monitor and adapt market-informed, accessible, and inclusive lending and livelihoods services. The Livelihoods Specialist will lead and support community-based Master Trainers and Field Coaches to lead on the delivery of the livelihood services.

The project delivers holistic and innovative business and employment services, complementary community development initiatives, and investments in essential services through 19 partner community associations, cooperatives, and non-government organizations in addition to academic and private sector partners. The project strengthens those partnerships through targeted capacity building aimed at partner organizations and associated Master Trainers. The project leverages NEF’s pioneering Siraj livelihoods hubs and services operating in four countries. The project is implemented in Unity, Northern Bahr El-Ghazal, Warrap, and Abyei, and is part of a global multi-country initiative.

The Livelihoods Specialist will work in close cooperation with technical staff, the Country Director, implementing partners, stakeholders, and donors operating in the country.

The Livelihoods Specialist will lead on the following:

• Lead project programing related to increasing livelihood opportunities and priorities;
• Lead on capacity building for 8 community associations and specialized sub-committees in areas related to livelihoods and lending services
• Oversee the roll out, monitoring and strengthening of the livelihoods services under NEF’s Siraj model at community associations
• Oversee the recruitment, capacity building, and ongoing monitoring and coaching of Master Trainers and Field Coaches under the livelihoods services
• Jointly with the Economic Development Specialist, oversee the design, development, implementation and reporting on localized, inclusive (gender, PWD, multi-ethnicity and culture), conflict-sensitive, and displacement-focused market and labor assessments, value chain analysis, ongoing market diagnostic exercises, and CA-led specialized assessments.
• Based on the outcome of the assessments, tailor the Siraj services (business development, business plan development, mentorship, coaching).
• Oversee the delivery of NEF’s Siraj training, coaching and mentorship services delivered by Master Trainers and Field Coaches, including post-financing support
• Oversee the business plans assessment process, including committee formation, evaluation criteria, and evaluation process.
• Oversee the design and roll out of the revolving credit (lending) funds at community associations
• Oversee the blending financing of business plans
• Identify and collaborate with various stakeholders to support inclusive business initiatives between urban and rural communities affected by conflict;
• Contribute to and provide inputs of annual work plan, required project reports, baseline data, tools and indicators for monitoring and evaluation, collection / sharing of lessons learned;
• Provide technical assistance and conflict-sensitive capacity building to project staff, implementing partners, stakeholders and others; and
• Document lessons learned related, evaluate impact and modify approaches as needed.

Key Qualifications:

• University degree in economic development, business development, rural development, agriculture, or a related field

• Excellent understanding and at least five (5) years of experience in conducting value chain analysis, business product development, and marketing and promotion support;

• Demonstrated expertise in devising and implementing economic development programs, particularly business activation programs;

• Demonstrated expertise in facilitation and training in both large, formal settings and strong interpersonal skills for coaching and mentoring in informal settings;

• Experience in displacement affected settings in support of improved livelihoods;

• Professional proficiency in spoken and written Arabic and English.

• Strong computer skills

• Previous experience working with international organizations;

• Demonstrated ability to work with multi-cultural teams

• Develop and encourage new and innovative solutions

• Excellent dispute resolution, facilitation and team building skills

To apply:

The closing date for this application is Thursday, August 18, 2022**.**

This position will be hired on a rolling basis.  Interested candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

Please apply by submitting the following documents in the English language:

1. Cover letter outlining relevant experience and availability
2. Curriculum Vitae
3. List of three references

Applicants are strongly encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Near East Foundation by visiting the NEF website at www.neareast.org.

The Near East Foundation promotes Equal Opportunities for all applicants seeking employment.

Please note only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Pre-employment Checks

Any Employment with the Near East Foundation will be subject to the following checks prior to start date:

• A satisfactory Restricted Party Screening.
• Receipt of satisfactory references.
• Proof of eligibility to work in the national location for this role.