Urban Livelihoods Specialist - Economic Security (EcoSec) Delegate at British Red Cross

Role Reference: REQ0000014OI
Location: Abuja
Proposed length of assignment: 6 months
Proposed beginning-of-mission date: 1 July 2017
Supervisor: Economic Security Coordinator
Role category/type: ICRC Delegates, International Development

Role Descriptions

• The delegate will be seconded to the ICRC to undertake a needs assessment of urban populations in the cities of Maiduguri (Borno State in the North East of Nigeria) and Port Harcourt (Rivers State, South East of Nigeria).
• The main purpose of the role is to conduct a comprehensive review on the impact of conflict and other situations of violence in urban contexts in Nigeria and to provide recommendations to improve the relevance and quality of ICRC's livelihoods strategies and projects.
• The successful candidate will have experience in conducting baseline studies and field surveys.
• The review will also explore the possibility of and suitability of cash based assistance in livelihoods programmes for urban populations. The delegate will also design such activities where they are identified as feasible.
• Additionally the delegate will be in charge of training and coaching the Nigerian Red Cross Society teams in the branches involved in the delivery of livelihood programmes to ensure that they acquire the necessary competencies.
• This is an exciting opportunity to be part of the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement and to contribute to building its expertise in livelihoods and cash based assistance. This position offers the opportunity to work on a project developed in collaboration with the ICRC and the British Red Cross. This role will entail community facing activities and visits in urban contexts, and will therefore require a high sensitivity to gender and protection related matters.

Function

• Under the supervision of the EcoSec Coordinator, the Urban Livelihoods Specialist supports the delegation to assess and understand the needs of the population affected by the conflict and urban violence in the metropolitan cities of Port Harcourt and Maiduguri including the returnees, resettling IDPs and host communities.
• The specialist will support the delegation to, if necessary, adapt the response options to better address the needs of the affected urban population.

Position within the Organisation

• The Urban Livelihoods Specialist is on a short support mission offered by the British Red Cross to help the EcoSec department better analyse the growing needs of civilians in urban violence contexts. Based in Abuja, the specialist spends 75% of his time in Port Harcourt and Maiduguri sub-delegations.

Main Responsibilities

• Conduct a comprehensive study on the impact of the conflict and other situations of violence in Nigeria on urban livelihoods, particularly in Port Harcourt and Maiduguri cities.
• Recommend and broadly design potential livelihood support programmes that are able to enhance positive livelihood strategies.
• Train and coach the EcoSec and the National Society teams that are involved in the delivery of the EcoSec programmes on urban livelihood interventions.
• Contribute to all relevant institutional reporting including the PfR, BFR, MSR, QER, field reports and other ad hoc reports as necessary.
• As part of its recruitment and selection process the British Red Cross undertakes DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checking of all individuals who regularly work with or have access to children and vulnerable adults.

Main Tasks

• Assess the economic security needs of the affected-populations using a livelihoods and household economy analysis approach.
• Work closely with the protection department on community based protection and ensure the integration of protection in livelihood interventions in Port Harcourt and Maiduguri.
• Contribute to the development of the urban violence strategy for the Nigeria delegation in consultation with the EcoSec and Protection Coordinators and strengthening ICRC Nigeria capacity in responding to urban violence emergencies.
• Assess the feasibility and appropriateness of cash based livelihood support projects and when feasible, design urban livelihoods activities with sensitivity for the safety and well-being of beneficiaries including but not limited to youth, female headed households, the victims of sexual violence and national staff, given the political context.
• Develop indicators and relevant monitoring and evaluation instruments and provide real time technical advice to field officers through on the job training and coaching.
• Contribute to market assessments and analyze and interpret the data collected for the selection of the response option and its design.
• Integrate accountability to the affected population best practices throughout the program cycle design.
• Ensure that the staff assigned to urban livelihood projects in Maiduguri and Port Harcourt acquire the necessary competencies and information.
• Review the adequacy of the internal human resources set-up for the projects in Port Harcourt and Maiduguri and advise the EcoSec Coordinator and sub-delegation management on ways to adapt it according to needs to allow a smooth implementation of the programme.
• Organize and supervise monitoring system for CTP (e.g. encashment, market price monitoring). Collect and analyse data on the impact of the programme on beneficiaries, on market dynamics and on the community within the assisted area.
• Ensure internal communications including:
  • Timely institutional and EcoSec technical reporting.
  • Document lessons learnt throughout the programme.
  • Where applicable, report to ICRC Innovation Project on innovative approaches that have been used, such as the use of electronic means to monitor the programme.
  • Participate to general and internal meetings according to the policy of the Delegation.
• Develop and maintain the coordination with programme partners, especially with the NS and other humanitarian actors and participate in the relevant coordination meetings (Subcluster, working group) in consultation with the head of sub-delegation,
• Ensure project targets are met according to work plan deadlines, and that the project is adequately resourced to carry out effective programming. Oversee course correction with other senior staff as needed.

Place of work

• Abuja, with frequent travel to Maiduguri, Port Harcourt and other operational areas.

Other information
Skills required for the Post:

• University degree in Economics, Business Administration, Agronomy or related field or equivalent experience
• Fluent knowledge of English
• Computer proficiency
• Able to work in hazardous security environment with flexibility to work with unusual schedule with considerable travel if required
• Previous experience in managing humanitarian projects in urban context
• Experience performing baseline surveys will be a major advantage
• Solid understanding of Livelihoods Framework and how conflict induced shocks affect the livelihood assets
• Proven autonomy, dynamic spirit, ability to take initiatives and to be creative
• Successful previous Red Cross Red Crescent experience in post-crisis contexts.

Desirable Skills:

• Management of cash and markets based humanitarian activities
• Ability to develop long-term strategies
• An imaginative, creative, and flexible approach to project design, implementation and monitoring methods.
• Languages required: English
• Languages that would be an asset: Local Nigerian languages

Salary

• £30,056 per annum
• Package Salary, monthly living allowances, accomodation, travel costs, full medical insurance

ICRC Operational & field constraints:

• In line with the principle of neutrality, the ICRC does not assign personnel to a country of which they are nationals - Please indicate which passports you hold in your supporting statement.