Background

In response to the Global Food Crisis and medium-term priorities in the National Poverty Reduction Strategy (PRS), the Government of Liberia developed a National Food Security Strategy and together with the United Nations developed and signed (13 June 2008) a Joint Programme on Food Security and Nutrition (2008-2011). The leadership of the Joint Programme rests with government and will be governed by the Institutional Framework to Support the National FS&N Strategy and its Action Plan. The Joint Programme adopts a two-pronged approach, offering emergency preparedness and response in an effort to tame the current short-term crisis in food prices, and medium-term support to the Government’s PRS priorities. It includes support to policy development, institution building and direct actions to address the different dimensions of food security. The Joint Programme on Food Security and Nutrition involves UN agencies working together to support the Government of Liberia, led by the Ministry of Agriculture with substantial input from other relevant ministries. The key collaborating UN partners are FAO, UNDP, UNICEF, UNIFEM, WFP, WHO, UNMIL (the UN Mission in Liberia), and the World Bank.
 
The day-to-day coordination and administration of the overall programme will be the responsibility of a Joint Programme Manager, located in the Ministry of Agriculture, within the Secretariat to the Food Security and Nutrition Technical Committee (FSNTC). The Secretariat is housed as a separate unit within the Ministry of Agriculture, with own budget and procedures, and reports directly to the Technical Committee through its chair. It acts as a body that gathers inter-sectoral information, analyses it and reports it to the Technical Committee, which then takes up issues with the cabinet and/or the president. The Secretariat also acts as the Food Security Hub for the Mano River Union, which besides Liberia, includes La Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea Conakry and Sierra Leone.
 
The Joint Programme Manager will be responsible for the consolidated reporting on progress of the programme.
The Joint Programme Manager will report to the Head of the RC’s Office.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of key functions:
  • Provide strategic direction and overall management of the FS&N Strategy and the FS&N programme;
  • Support the FSNS Secretariat and coordinate the FS&N Joint Programme;
  • Support partnership building and resource mobilization for the joint programme;
  • Ensure knowledge management. 

Function / Expected Results

Under the direct supervision of the Head of the RC’s Office and general supervision of the DSRSG/RC, the FS&N Programme Coordinator provides strategic direction and overall management of the FS&N Strategy and the FS&N programme:
  • Manages the implementation of the joint programme and ensures that the programme  remains relevant, and is in line with various elements of the programme document including the coordination arrangements and integration of cross-cutting issues;
  • In collaboration with Government, UN and other partners set-up systems for project implementation and support the design of project activities in the first phase;
  • Coordinates the production and dissemination of consolidated results of the joint programme based on progress reports prepared by participating UN organizations;
  • Supports the capacity of the Ministry of Agriculture in the coordination by the Institutional Framework;
  • Develops and periodically reviews the programme’s M & E plan.
Function / Expected Results
 
The FS&N Programme Coordinator supports the FSNS Secretariat and coordinates the FS&N Joint Programme and is responsible for adherence to the following standards:
  • With support from the lead agencies for various outputs, develop and ensure timely preparation of detailed annual plans and budgets;
  • Facilitates the achievement of joint programme results by timely monitoring of the progress of programme implementation and ensures ongoing monitoring and annual reviews of work plans;
  • Monitors the fulfilment of the tasks assigned to the Administrative Agent and lead agencies, in accordance with the joint programme document;
  • Prepares for meetings and supports the Secretariat of the Technical Committee;
  • Supports the three Food Security & Nutrition working groups.
Function / Expected Results
 
The FS&N Programme Coordinator supports partnership building and resource mobilization for the joint programme:
  • Develops a resource mobilization strategy for the Joint Program in collaboration with the Chair of the Technical Committee, Administrative Agent and UN participating agencies;
  • Coordinates linkages with other Programmes and between project activities within the FS&N joint programme and similar projects financed by other donors or partners.
Function / Expected Results
 
The Programme Manager ensures knowledge management focusing on achieving the following results:
  • Application of best practices and lessons learned from similar projects in Liberia as well as from other countries. 
    b. Supports capacity and knowledge building of national counterparts;
Function / Expected Results
 
Perform other tasks as assigned by the Chair of the Technical Committee.
 
Impact of Results
 
The ultimate impact of the Joint Programme Manager’s Results will be her/his contribution to ensuring that all Liberians have reliable access to the food they need and are able to utilize that food to live active and healthy lives. More direct and short term outcomes include:
  • The Ministry of Agriculture performs its role as Chair of the National FS&N Technical Committee in an efficient and effective manner;
  • The Technical Committee receives, through its Chair, timely and adequate information to allow it take appropriate decisions to impact positively on the food security of Liberians;
  • The Ministry of Agriculture respects its commitments in the PRS, related to FS&N;
  • Activities planned under the Joint Programme are fully funded and remain relevant and in line with the National Food Security and Nutrition Strategy;
  • Activities under the Joint Programme are implemented in a coherent, efficient and effective manner.

Competencies

Core Competencies:
  • Demonstrates integrity and commitment to UN principles and values and ethical standards;
  • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
  • Treats all people fairly without favoritism;
  • Working in teams;
  • Self-management, emotional intelligence and conflict management;
  • Analytical and strategic thinking/results orientation;
  • Knowledge sharing.
Functional Competencies:
  • Job knowledge and technical expertise in the area of food security and nutrition;
  • Results-based programme development and management;
  • Administrative and managerial expertise for effective project implementation;
  • Skills in  monitoring and evaluation of development projects;
  • Strong partnership development skills;
  • Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
  • Demonstrates ability to work with various partners while supporting the capacity development in the government;
  • Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills;
  • Fluency in MS Word and other relevant computer applications/MS office application;
  • Proven networking, team-building, organizational and communication skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Education: 
  • Advanced university degree preferably economics, agriculture, public health or a related field.
Experience:
  • A minimum of 7 years of relevant professional experience at international level, preferably with experience in emergency and post-conflict situations;
  • At least 3 years of field experience in design, appraisal and management of food security, agriculture and nutrition related programmes;
  • Experience of working in Liberia is an asset;
  • Knowledge of UN policies, system and procedures is an asset.
Language Requirements:
  • Strong written and spoken English skills. Working knowledge of French is considered an advantage.