Action Against Hunger-USA is part of the Action Against Hunger International network, which provides development and humanitarian response in over 50 countries worldwide in the sectors of nutrition, health, water/sanitation, food security & Livelihood and protection. Action Against Hunger-USA, an independent NGO, currently manages operations in 8 countries: Ethiopia, Somalia, South Sudan, Kenya, Zambia, Uganda, Zambia & Haiti. Action Against Hunger-USA has over $110 million in programs, and approximately 2500 staff based in the various country offices, headquarters in Washington DC and Operational Centre in Nairobi. Additional growth is anticipated.
About the Country Program in Zambia
Action Against Hunger has been operational in Zambia since 2021 implementing both development and humanitarian programmes through a multi-sectoral strategy where Nutrition, Health, Food Security and Livelihoods, WASH and Protection, Gender and psychosocial support are integrated to have a meaningful impact on people\u2019s resilience.
Summary of position
As a member of the Action Against Hunger Lusaka, Zambia team, the Head of Food Security & Livelihoods (HFSL) will provide technical and oversight support to the Food Security, Livelihoods, Resilience, Disaster Risk Management interventions, and be part of the broader Food Security & Livelihoods initiatives at the country and regional levels.
Purpose:
As a member of Action Against Hunger Zambia Technical Team, the Food Security, Livelihoods, and Resilience head if department will provide technical leadership and operational support to the food security and livelihoods portfolio in Zambia for improved food and nutrition security through strategic support and technical guidance to FSL project officers and coordinators in the field. The Food Security, Livelihoods, and Resilience Specialist will be part of the HEARO Food Security & Livelihoods (FSL) initiative of the organization and will be expected to collaborate closely with the FSL technical team from HEARO, HQ and fellow FSL country leads within the region. The incumbent is to help advance Action Against Hunger's mission to save lives and empower Zambian communities achieve food security and resilience in the face of climate change and other increasing food system challenges to reduce hunger.
Engagement:
The Food Security, Livelihoods, and Resilience head of department is expected to facilitate knowledge sharing platforms, promote multi-stakeholder dialogues and dissemination of FSL communication materials, foster new partnerships in Zambia, and engage with international bodies. He or she is expected to advocate for evidence-based policies, nature-based solutions, and increased public investments at country level. The FSL department HoD will also engage with policymakers in Zambia to advocate for the integration of climate smart and cost-effective food security and climate risk assessments into Zambia\u2019s development plans and budgets. And is also expected to explore innovative financing mechanisms, promoting private sector engagement in FSL activities and public-private partnerships for sustainable solutions.
Delivery:
The Food Security, Livelihood, and Resilience HoD will report to the ACF Zambia Program Quality Director for day-to-day quality program delivery and advocacy with technical line to the HEARO Food Security Livelihoods and Resilience Specialist. As a member of the Program technical team in Zambia, Food Security, Livelihoods, and Resilience HoD will collaborate with other technical department leads in the country to help Action Against Hunger country programs save lives and address the underlying causes of hunger.
Key Job Responsibilities
Provide technical and Operational Support to the food security and livelihoods portfolio in the Zambia for improved food and nutrition security. The FSL department lead will be responsible for the following missions:
\u00a7 Support the consolidation, development, and strengthening of Action Against Hunger\u2019s strategic and technical leadership in Food Security and Livelihood at the mission level.
\u00a7 Support needs assessments (including market assessments), Post-Distribution Monitoring, and other surveys primarily for humanitarian programs.
\u00a7 Collaborate with the Logistics and Finance departments in the design and review of humanitarian FSL projects.
\u00a7 Provide technical support and coordination for mission FSL projects.
\u00a7 Assist teams in identifying technical challenges, troubleshooting, and recommending credible and relevant solutions.
\u00a7 Ensure the quality of both internal and external reporting for FSL activities.
\u00a7 Coordinate capacity building for FSL project officers and coordinators on key FSL thematic areas
Multi-Sectoral Collaboration and Stakeholder Engagements
\u00a7 Actively participate in national sectoral coordination and technical forums in Zambia
\u00a7 Develop and maintain strategic sectoral partnerships within the country
\u00a7 Represent Action Against Hunger in engagements with national and international FSL stakeholders, particularly in humanitarian areas.
\u00a7 Participate in coordination meetings, Sector working groups (e.g., Cash Working Group and Food Security Sector Working Group), and clusters, ensuring that Action Against Hunger\u2019s position and protocols are well communicated.
Learning, Innovation, and adaptation:
\u00a7 Support research, technical studies, and innovation related to FSL to enhance program effectiveness and sustainability.
\u00a7 Ensure preparation of quality project reports in a timely manner adhering to timeliness, donor requirements and impact reporting
\u00a7 Support in documentation and sharing of change stories from FSL projects
\u00a7 Ensure timely monitoring and tracking of Zambia FSL project implementation, targets and achievements
\u00a7 Take lead in coordinating FSL project reflection and learning sessions
\u00a7 Represent ACF Zambia in HEARO FSL engagements
\u00a7 Document and promote the Seeds of Hope Implementation framework and Theory of Change
Champion adoption of nature-based solutions and agroecological practices in Zambia to enhance climate change adaptation/mitigation for improved community food security and livelihoods.
\u00a7 Promote the conservation and restoration of natural ecosystems like forests and wetlands, for enhanced resilience to climate change impacts.
\u00a7 Scale up sustainable farming practices like agroforestry, regenerative agriculture, and conservation agriculture that mitigate climate impacts and enhance food security.
\u00a7 Support communities in developing and implementing context-specific nature-based solutions like watershed management and soil conservation.
\u00a7 Integrate biodiversity conservation into climate adaptation and food security strategies, recognizing the interconnectedness of ecosystems.
\u00a7 Promote sustainable land management practices soil erosion, desertification, and land degradation.
\u00a7 Develop and promote climate-smart livestock management practices that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve resilience.
Business Development Support
The Food Security, Livelihoods, and Resilience head of department will:
\u00a7 Work closely with the other key departments in the Country Office(Program Quality, Business development, MEAL among others) to identify and pursue funding opportunities in FSL.
\u00a7 Support ACF Zambia in mobilization of resources for adaptation to climate change through international mechanisms like the Adaptation Fund and Green Climate Fund.
\u00a7 Explore and champion innovative financing mechanisms like public-private partnerships, blended finance, and climate-smart agriculture investments.
\u00a7 Participate in FSL technical scoping activities, new project design, and proposal development.
\u00a7 Ensure that FSL proposals and projects align with donor requirements and strategies.
Supervisory responsibilities:
Technical supervisory line to FSL Project Coordinators and Project Officers in the field.
Gender Equality Commitments
Foster an environment that supports values of women and men, and equal access to information. Provide a work environment where women and men must be evaluated and promoted based on their skills and performance Respect beneficiaries\u2019 women, men, boys and girls regardless of gender, sex orientation, disability, religion, race, color, ancestry, national origin, age or marital status, Value and respect in all cultures.
Physical demands
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to sit for long periods and to concentrate on work, including typing, and turn out heavy volumes of work accurately, within short time frames under stressful situations in the context of a moderately noisy office with many interruptions. Must be able to proofread own work accurately so that only minor corrections are needed on an infrequent basis.
To travel to the field, the employee must attest to a level of physical fitness capable of enduring physically difficult, highly stressful situations which may include the necessity to walk long distances, to eat a limited diet and/or to reside in potentially uncomfortable housing or tents. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Working Conditions, Travel and Environment
The duties of the job require regular job attendance of at least five days per week. Must be available to work outside normal office hours or on the weekends as required.
Must be able to travel as required for standard domestic and international business purposes. While performing the duties of this job in the field, the employee may be exposed to precarious settings under high security risks and/or very basic living conditions and outside weather conditions, as well as infectious dieseases.
Requirements
Required Skills & Experience
A master's degree in agronomy, environmental sciences, biology, or any other relevant discipline related to Food Security and Livelihoods (FSL) and Emergency Response Programs for natural or conflict-related disasters. A minimum of 5 years of experience in the FSL sector within the field of humanitarian cooperation, particularly in challenging contexts. Possess proven experience and expertise in managing large-scale FSL programs and demonstrate a strong understanding of humanitarian project cycle management, including donor reporting rules and compliance. Solid knowledge of humanitarian aid and development practices and excel in synthesizing, analyzing, and writing. Proactive, creative, and autonomous, capable of managing a significant workload and working effectively under pressure.
Required Skills and Competencies
Experience working in humanitarian and development contexts, recovery and rehabilitation as well as with national governments, regional bodies, UN agencies and INGOs. Excellent knowledge of technical fields related to Food Security & Livelihoods includes excellent working knowledge of food security, Market systems and nutrition sensitive resilience. Sound analytical and technical competence in the subject matter of food security and livelihoods Field experience in FSL programming, including agro ecology, value chain analysis, income generation, emergency food assistance, COD, HEA, etc. Strong analytical and writing skills are essential. Knowledge and experience in assessment and research methods. Strong organizational skills and technical review/writing of detailed technical documents. Excellent interpersonal skills, ability to work both independently and as a member of a team Excellent written and verbal English communication skills. Capacity to represent the organization in various fora. Genuine interest in and commitment to the humanitarian principles of Action Against Hunger
Benefits
All candidates should apply online at https://careers.actionagainsthunger.org/ Action Against Hunger-USA provides all staff with an attractive salary & benefits package. We provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees & qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, ancestry, national origin, age, handicap, disability, marital status, or status as a veteran. Action Against Hunger-USA complies with all applicable laws governing nondiscrimination in employment.
Application Process.
Interested? Then apply for this position by clicking on the apply button. All applicants must upload a cover letter and an updated resume and both must be in the same language as this vacancy note. Closing date for applications: May 27, 2025.