Livelihood Advisor

International Medical Corps is a global, humanitarian, nonprofit organization dedicated to saving lives and relieving suffering through health care training and relief and development programs.

Established in 1984 by volunteer doctors and nurses, International Medical Corps is a private, voluntary, nonpolitical, nonsectarian organization. Its mission is to improve the quality of life through
health interventions and related activities that build local capacity in underserved communities worldwide. By offering training and health care to local populations and medical assistance to people at highest risk, and with the flexibility to respond rapidly to emergency situations, International Medical Corps rehabilitates devastated health care systems and helps bring them back to self-reliance.

PROGRAM BACKGROUND

The Care, Access, Safety and Empowerment (CASE) program is a funded by USAID for a period of five years to respond to the needs of survivors of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) in the provinces of North and South Kivu in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

The program seeks to ensure access to quality health, psychosocial support and access to justice to survivors of GBV through direct service provision in partnership with the DRC government, local nongovernmental organizations, International organizations and the UN. CASE program is implemented in consortium with American Bar Association, which provides legal services to survivors.

As part of service delivery and empowerment of survivors, CASE seeks to strengthen the economic integration of survivors through livelihood activities. The position of Livelihood Expert is created to enable design, coordination and implementation of sustainable livelihood activities that will reduce vulnerability to, and hence risk of, SGBV.

JOB SUMMARY

The Livelihoods Expert (hereinafter “the Expert”) will design, implement and monitor livelihoods projects of benefit to survivors and communities at risk of SGBV in target communities in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Based upon initial assessment of needs of these individuals, the Expert will design for implementation diverse and sustainable income-generating activities that respect the anonymity of SGBV survivors within larger community structures. The Expert will be strongly encouraged to consider Village Savings and Loan (VSL) and related microcredit-themed modalities.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Program Management
   • Provide technical leadership and support to livelihoods and agricultural projects, ensuring IMC’s livelihood programming fit into the community and state plans.
   • Provide technical leadership on the development of livelihood activities including income generation, Village Savings and Loan practices as prioritized by communities through technical best practices and targeted trainings.
   • Conduct a livelihoods assessment including a market survey to identify relevant livelihood practices, identify potential livelihood sub sector implementation challenges and make recommendations to strengthen the livelihood sub sector.
   • Review and strengthen the four-year livelihoods strategy for the CASE program outlining sustainable livelihood approaches to be incorporated during the CASE project lifetime.
   • Develop a detailed livelihood work plan and after final approval from the COP and GBV advisor, coordinate implementation of livelihoods activities for the first year of project implementation in the four field sites.
   • Build the capacity of national livelihood project officers through structured training and mentorship to implement quality and sustainable livelihood activities.
   • Coordinate with external partners to identify markets for income generating products produced by the beneficiaries of the livelihood project.
   • Develop and ensure (in coordination with the Monitoring and Evaluation Manager) timely and smooth monitoring of program progress and impact and make program adjustments accordingly.
   • In coordination with the M & E manager ensure all program reports are comprehensive, accurate and within schedule; weekly reports, monthly reports, quarterly reports and annual reports.
   • Develop a staffing plan and, in collaboration with the HR manager, interview and hire all additional national staff
2. Representation
   • Attend coordination meetings which are relevant to country programs
   • Represent the organization at task force meetings, assessment missions, camp coordination meetings, UN coordination meetings, INGO coordination meetings as appropriate
   • Contribute to the creation of a positive image and overall credibility of the organization, notably through the application of the organizations Code of Conduct, ethics, values and stand-point with regard to internal and external actors
3. Human Resources Management
   • Supervise staff to ensure their smooth and effective operations
   • Assist in the selection and training of qualified program staff and recommend promotions, disciplinary action and termination of staff in consultation with the Program Coordinator, Country Director and Finance Director
   • Ensure compliance to local labor laws including working hours
   • Maintain open lines of communications with all field staff
4. Training/ Capacity Building
   • Determine training needs for subordinate staff
   • Train national staff to increase their responsibilities in order to build capacity and ensure sustainability of programs
   • Advocate and plan for professional development for all subordinate staff
5. Working Relationships
   • Maintain frequent communication with Program Coordinator to ensure program activities and objectives are communicated
   • Work with Logistics staff to ensure the coordination of programs supplies are within budgeted targets
   • Attend coordination meetings which are relevant to country activities
   • Interface with national government and relevant agencies as necessary
6. Security
   • Ensures application and compliance of security protocols and policies

SKILLS AND REQUIREMENTS
• Masters degree in rural development, agriculture, economics, social development or other related degree
• Experience designing and implementing livelihoods programs sensitive to the needs of SGBV survivors and communities at risk, at least half of which in sub-Saharan
• Experience of implementing livelihood programs including IGA, VSLA, micro credit projects
• Experience in conducting research and in particular livelihood assessment
• Experience strategic development
• Experience of managing and supervising staff
• Experience working in coordination with Local NGOs, governments, UN agencies and international organizations
• Familiarity with USAID Cooperative agreements
• Experience designing and implementing livelihoods programs sensitive to the needs of SGBV survivors and communities at risk, at least half of which in sub-Saharan
• Experience of implementing livelihood programs including IGA, VSLA, micro credit projects
• Experience in conducting research and in particular livelihood assessment
• Experience strategic development
• Experience of managing and supervising staff
• Experience working in coordination with Local NGOs, governments, UN agencies and international organizations
• Familiarity with USAID Cooperative Agreements

LANGUAGES

• Ability to read, write, analyze and interpret, technical and non-technical in the English language.
• Fluency in French is required
• Fluency in Swahili a plus
• Ability to effectively present information and respond appropriately to questions from senior managers in the field and HQ, counterparts, senior government and rebel leaders and other related regional players
• Able to work on his/her own initiative
• Excellent writing and oral skills
• Organized and structured in his or her work
• Flexible and able to think creatively
• Able to develop connections and relationships with local government and non-government organizations and with decision-makers
• Able to motivate, inspire and build capacity of staff and local community
• Able to work collegially and with respect for tight deadlines
• Ability and willingness to live in an unaccompanied post in a high security environment

CONDITIONS

• Accommodation, food and transportation provided by the organization
• Medical Evacuation service and competitive benefits provided by the organization
• Further information regarding security and situation on the field available during the interview process
• While performing duties of the job, the employee frequently works in precarious and remote places. The employee is usually employed in areas of civil strife, which often result in an unstable security environment. Regularly work in outdoor extreme weather conditions

HOW TO APPLY

To officially begin the application process, please visit our website and go to our “Careers” page. Find your desired position, click on the position title and complete the application at the bottom of the job description.