Position Overview:
In anticipation of a multi-year food security/ resilience program, the IRC is seeking an experienced professional to lead the program’s livelihoods activities. The Livelihoods Specialist will report directly to the Team Leader who is responsible for the overall delivery of economic programmes including the agricultural value chain and youth and women employment initiatives. The Livelihoods Specialist and team will provide support to rural farmers in Zimbabwe to facilitate market linkages, sustainably improve yields, increase farmers’ income, reduce malnutrition and sustain land and water use. The candidate should be experienced in and aware of approaches that address inequitable allocation of agricultural resources within rural households especially those which occur between women and men. Technical expertise in irrigation systems development and management will be a significant added value.
The ideal candidate will have demonstrated experience in managing livelihoods initiatives, understanding the need to comprehensively address production and environmental conservation to improve livelihoods in a sustainable and equitable manner. The Livelihoods Specialist will work with the IRC’s HQ-based agricultural advisors to design and implement interventions appropriate to the Zimbabwe context in both agricultural and agro pastoralist systems and in particular those which look at improving opportunities and decision making within households over use of resources (land, inputs and credit). The candidate will need to take a long-term view to ensure that the methods promoted to and devised with program beneficiaries will lead to improved production without resorting to unsustainable practices that cannot be maintained beyond the life of the funding. Links with research agencies as well as private companies that promote and practice sustainable agriculture are encouraged. The candidate will be required to manage teams and budgets under the Team Leader and senior management in the country program.
Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
This position is contingent on the IRC being awarded funding.
Location and Expected Duration:
Zimbabwe (field and HQ), 3 years
Expected 3 years, contingent on successful application for funding
Required Qualifications:
· At least 10 years of relevant experience in similar contexts;
· Masters’ degree or equivalent in agriculture, natural resource management, agricultural economics, rural development, water management or relevant social sciences and other fields.
· Demonstrated experience in designing and managing livelihoods programs for rural communities in sub-Saharan Africa particularly Southern Africa
· Experience in monitoring rural livelihoods projects
· Technical expertise or past experience in irrigation systems development and management will be a significant added value.
· Excellent knowledge of English and good report writing skills. Working knowledge of Shona/Ndebele will be an added advantage.
Application Procedure:
This will be a rolling application, with no set deadline. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible by submitting CVs and cover letter to Zimbabwe@Rescue.org.
HOW TO APPLY:
Zimbabwe@Rescue.org