National IPC Officer

VA NO. FAO/KBL/PRJ/SC/49-2019

Functional  Title:

National IPC Officer

Type of Contract:

National Project Personnel / Service Contract (NPP/SC)

Grade / Level:

SB-4

Number of Post (s) :

1 (One)

Duration :

12 Months

Extendable / Renewable:

Extendable, Based on Satisfactory Performance and Budget Availability

Probationary Period:

Initial 3 Months

Project / Programme / Unit: 

Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) (OSRO/AFG/906/CHG)

Duty Station:

Kabul – Afghanistan, with frequent domestic travel to provinces

Sub – Station:

Nil

DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES:

Organization Settings:

Through its Country Offices, or FAO Representations, FAO assists governments to develop policies, Programmes and projects to address hunger, food security and malnutrition, and provides technical support for the sustainable development of their agricultural, livestock, animal health, and irrigation and forestry sectors as well as emergency preparedness and response. The activities of the FAO Representation include design and implementation of country-tailored field Programmes, liaison with local donor representatives and active public awareness raising and outreach activities related to the mandate of FAO.

FAO assistance in Afghanistan achieves its objectives through capacity development and direct project implementation in four specific areas of FAO’s technical expertise: 

• Better governance through improved capacity for policy planning, land reform, decentralization, and management of common natural resources;
• Fostering expansion of irrigation and field water management; 
• Intensive agriculture for surplus commercialization, value chains development, and job creation;
• Supporting vulnerable farmers for improved food and nutrition security, resilience, and emergency response to natural and man-made disasters and climate change.

This position is established under the OSRO/AFG/906/CHG Project in Afghanistan, and the duty station is Kabul, with frequent travels to project locations in the provinces covered by the respective project.

Project Background:

Integrated food security phase classification (IPC) is used as one of the major tools to describe the key drivers of food insecurity, phase classification of different provinces according to the food security situation, number of food insecure people and some key recommendations to address the food insecurity faced by vulnerable men, women and children.

IPC in Afghanistan was established by FAO and funded by ECHO from 2011 till 2014, followed by support of EU through EU-MAIL in Transition Project from 2014 that will end in December 2019. IPC is very well established in Afghanistan as one of the major analysis used widely by the humanitarian community. IPC 2019 provided basis for HNO 2020 in terms of number of people in need, priority areas and key drivers of the needs. The current IPC analysis covers current and projected food security situation till March 2020. There is a stronger need to provide updated analysis throughout 2020 to understand the food security situation to guide mid-year review 2020 and to form the basis for HNO and HRP 2021.

IPC secretariat in MAIL, requested FAO to support IPC administrative and financial requirements to meet the demands of the government and humanitarian community in Afghanistan. This support will enable the secretariat in performing the core functions of IPC and to produce IPC analysis on a timely basis to enable donor community and humanitarian actors in making timely decisions by providing actionable knowledge.

Through this project, IPC secretariat will perform multiple activities like, conduction of two national level IPC analysis workshops to come with provincial level food security phase classification, joint field missions to verify the analysis report, capacity building initiatives for government and humanitarian partners and contribution to national level food security and livelihoods assessments.

Purpose of this vacancy announcement:

FAO is looking for qualified national staff filling the position of National IPC (Integrated Food Security Phase Classification) Officer. This position will support the work of “Integrated Food Security Phase Classification” project. The post is located in Kabul with frequent travel to provinces.

Key Result:

The project activities are implemented successfully, timely and effectively in conformity with the objectives of the project. The incumbent is responsible to develop his/her work plan upon joining the duty and based on SMART planning standards and according to project objectives.

Key Objectives:

To lead IPC secretariat under the leadership of MAIL (Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation & Livestock) and FSAC (Food Security & Agriculture Cluster) to implement IPC project as per the proposal and agreed work plan.  Support Technical Working Group and IPC steering committee and lead team of IPC based in MAIL. 

Reporting Lines / Supervision Received/Exercised:

Under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Afghanistan, direct supervision of FSAC Coordinator and technically to the LTO (Lead Technical Officer) in the FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (RAP), Bangkok – Thailand, the incumbent will closely collaborate with the other Project Task Force (PTF) members, FAO staff and national counterparts and will be responsible for performing of below task and responsibilities;

Tasks and Responsibilities:

• Analyze and classify national food security and livelihoods data following IPC (UN’s Integrated Food Security Phase Classification) protocols. District and Provincial level analyses are performed each year for both current and projected time periods biannually.
• Government’s focal point for food security information and coordination with other governmental entities, UN agencies, national and international NGO’s.
• Coordinate and plan food security and IPC activities with IPC regional head office in Bangkok and the global head office in Rome.
• Provide IPC, food security and livelihood training to MAIL workers at both provincial and district levels as part of the capacity building part of IPC project.
• Work closely with key stakeholders, particularly members of the Afghanistan Food Security Technical Team (AFSTT), FSAC partners and national authorities (MAIL, ANDMA, MRRD, etc.), but also, with partners from the nutrition, health, protection and WASH clusters/sectors to support the timely implementation of the projects work plan for the transition of IPC to MAIL and assist the production of reliable food Security data, as and when implemented.
• Assist in the reinforcement and development of analytical capacities of the IRTGs and AFSTT through appropriate training and other capacity building events.
• Support and assist in the district level IPC analysis at assigned regions and prepare reports on a regular basis.

Other Activities:

• Any other similar duties, assigned by the FSAC Coordinator and FAO.

Expected Outputs:

• Write project inception report
• Capacity building-Training for the relevant IPC Regional Technical Group (IRTGs) members at Regional level and trainings for IPC stakeholders organized and performed, in coordination with the FSAC and MAIL.
• Conduction of 2 IPC acute food insecurity analysis workshop and producing the IPC products, (Current and Projected) food security phase classification maps and brief reports and sharing it with development / humanitarian community members.
• Translation of IPC manual into two local languages and its printing, including translation of IPC training modules.
• Write and finalize the Semi-annual progress report and Terminal Report of the project
• Submit a comprehensive End of Assignment Report

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS (TECHNICAL SKILLS AND QUALIFICATION)

Education:

• Advanced university (Master’s Degree) degree in food security, agriculture, statistic, economics, management or any other closely related field.

Work Experience and Additional Skills:

• At least 7 (seven) years of extensive and demonstrated experience in IPC, emergency food security and livelihoods and data analysis with UN agencies, national and international NGOs and Government of Afghanistan;
• Familiarity with the office computer software used by the Organization especially in Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word and Outlook);
•               Previous work experience with UN is an advantage;

Technical/Functional Skills:

• Working experience with ministries, national institutions, national and international NGOs and UN agencies in food security, and livelihoods sectors in Afghanistan;
• Strong interpersonal and communication, reporting and presentation skills, analysis and interpretation of data, ability to work in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity
• Ability to deal with political, technical, and people management challenges, administer budgets and work effectively with all staff and with groups involved in the project;
• Experience in multi stakeholder analysis, and in mobilizing or creating awareness about development projects;
• Experience in organizing stakeholder meetings or workshops with national participants;
• Experience in conducting capacity building activity to the staff and communities; 
• Demonstrated ability to work as an effective team member in complex multi-cultural environments;
• Demonstrated initiative and ability to deliver results within deadlines;
• Understanding of the purpose and functional of technical programmes, operational guidelines and Programme/project management procedures, preferably those adopted by the United Nations and/or FAO;
• Working experience with ministries, national institutions and the rural sector in Afghanistan;

Language Skills:

• Good knowledge of the national/local languages (Dari and Pashto) and proficiency in English language;

COMPETENCIES:

• Core competencies: FAO core competencies include: Understanding FAO’s mandate and its global context; planning, organizing, and delivering quality results; communicating to build understanding and support; working together in teams and partnerships; engaging in continuous learning.
• Operational Effectiveness: Working independently, structuring tasks, establishing priorities and adhering to deadlines. Show a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail. Contribute ideas and suggestions for process improvement.
• Client Orientation: Focus on results for the client. Attend to inquiries from internal and external clients in an effective, timely and courteous manner. Treat clients with courtesy and respect even when working under pressure. Express a high level of professionalism.
• Interpersonal Communications and Teamwork: Work effectively and efficiently with staff at all levels, listen to others and openly share own ideas. Express sensitivity, cultural empathy and respect for diversity. Productively handle differing views and opinions and strive for achievement of shared goals. Respond positively to feedback.
• Knowledge Exchange and Learning: Share own knowledge and promote a learning culture within the work environment. Actively work towards professional development, including personal learning.  Apply newly acquired skills and support flexibility within the work environment.

REMUNERATION:

• The remuneration for the post of National IPC (Integrated Food Security Phase Classification) Officer is between USD 1,947 to 2,723 (SB-4, Step 1 to 3) monthly based on the salary history, qualification and experience of the candidate.
• The selected candidate will also receive an additional 8.33% monthly salary as pension benefit/coverage on a monthly basis.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINE:

Interested Afghan nationals should complete the FAO Personal History Form (PHF) and submit it along with their application letter and CV to the email address below, clearly mentioning the vacancy number and post title (National IPC Officer - FAO/KBL/PRJ/SC/49-2019) in the subject line of the email, otherwise your email will not be considered for further process.

FAOAF-vacancies@fao.org

NOTE: Applicant who failed to attach the FAO Personal History Form (PHF) to their Application will not be considered for further process.

The above required documents can also be submitted in writing (marked “Confidential” and clearly indicating on the sealed envelope the Vacancy Announcement number and position title) to: the Assistant FAO Representative (Administration), FAO Representation, Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock, Jamal Mina, Opposite Kabul University, Kabul, Afghanistan.

The FAO PH Form can be downloaded using the following internet link:

http://www.acbar.org/applicationform

The last date for receiving applications is 09 January 2020. Please note that applications received after closing date will not be given consideration. Only short listed candidates whose applications respond to the above criteria will be contacted for test/interview.

GENERAL INFORMATION:

• FAO is committed to achieving workforce gender diversity
• Qualified females are strongly encouraged to apply
• People with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply
• All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality
• The incumbent may be re-assigned to different activities and/or duty stations depending on the evolving needs of the Organization
• Candidates endorsed in the selection process for this vacancy announcement will be considered for the FAO NSHR Roster for a period of two years. The Roster is used to fill other similar positions at the same or lower grade, and in the same or another duty station inside the country;
• FAO reserves the right not to make an appointment, to make an appointment at a lower grade, or to make an appointment with a modified job description.
• Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency.

ADDITIONAL NOTES:

• FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing).
• Candidates who wish to apply for the positon should indicate their preferred duty station(s) in their application letter (or email).
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for the interview/test.
• Application received after closing date will not be given consideration.
• Please make sure to sign the first page of your PHF while applying for the vacant post.
• Do not forget to write the post title and VA number on subject of your email.
• Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments;
• Email will only be sent to the interviewed candidates.