Senior Livelihoods and Disaster Risk Management Specialist HEA-U, Ethiopia

The Livelihoods and DRM Specialist is responsible for leading the technical strategy for a one-year contract funded by USAID which is designed to promote practical applications of livelihoods information in aiding the decision-making process, both on the emergency response and development planning sides, and building capacity for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) in Ethiopia. S/he will be responsible for providing leadership in developing the technical aspects of the program related to sustainable livelihood interventions, including early warning systems and linking with the on-going capacity building efforts as part of an integrated livelihoods program. A core focus will be to work with and improve government early warning systems and understand the impact of natural and/or man-made shocks on livelihoods, especially the ability of vulnerable populations to cope with these shocks.

This Specialist position is a key position on this program team and will report directly to the HEA-U Chief of Party. The position will be based in Addis Ababa, but will require extensive field travel and supervision across the program areas.

This position is contingent upon donor approval and funding.

What You’ll Be Doing (Essential Duties)

• Work with senior management to provide the strategic direction and quality assurance of program development and implementation in relation to livelihoods, social protection, and DRR/CCA components
• Ensure coordination and synergy with other technical components of the program as well as cross cutting areas of communication, transparency, accountability and institutional strengthening
• Identify sustainable and suitable households and livelihoods interventions and programs that are applicable to program context and have impact on the reduction of food insecurity
• Facilitate training on Household Economy Analysis to Government and Partner staff.
• Lead stakeholder engagement on HEA activities implementation including stakeholder capacity assessment, training and mentorship on field work and utilization of livelihoods information to support emergency assessments, planning and response decisions.
• Coordinate Government-led multi-agency assessment and planning activities, and provide technical support to partner staff as appropriate
• Lead the management of the HEA project monitoring and evaluation systems, including monitoring activity outputs and indicators to report progress.
• Support integration of gender considerations into the HEA livelihoods analysis and product development.
• Represent Save the Children and the project in technical areas that are focused on improving emergency needs assessments, livelihood access and program quality
• Liaise with relevant key stakeholders, such as the National Disaster Risk Management Commission, Ministry of Agriculture and other government and implementation agencies to coordinate and share lessons learned from the project
• Work in collaboration with the COP in the preparation of annual work plans and the production of reports and other deliverables to USAID

Required Qualifications

• Advanced University degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in disaster risk management and sustainable development, or social science, international relations, or related field.
• Minimum five years or more proven experience training on livelihoods and the Household Economic Approach (HEA) to assess malnutrition and poverty, disaster preparedness mechanisms and strengthening early warning systems and procedures, hazard assessment and integration of DRM into development, humanitarian coordination, and facilitating DRM framework development are required
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Fluency in English is required

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior work experience in the region, specifically in Ethiopia is desired
• Demonstrated experience of building capacity in livelihoods and HEA monitoring, analysis and reporting
• Experience with projects that are focused on food security, information sharing/dissemination, poverty mapping, natural disaster and/or famine risk assessment, early warning, and disaster relief is required
• Ability to travel extensively to program locations within Ethiopia as needed

Why you should join the Save the Children Team

Save the Children US offers outstanding benefits that include health, dental, vision and life insurances, pet insurance, short-term and long-term disability coverage, an Employee Assistance Program, 403(b), generous vacation, personal sick leave, family leave, parental/adoption leave, commuter benefits, dress for your day, and much more.

Click here to learn more about how Save the Children US will invest in YOU!

About Save the Children

Save the Children believes every child deserves a future. In the United States and around the world, we give children a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm. We do whatever it takes for children – every day and in times of crisis – transforming their lives and the future we share.

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