GOAL NGO Global Livelihoods Advisor Job Vacancy

GOAL is an emergency and development NGO established in 1977, currently operational in 12 countries world-wide. GOAL is currently mid-cycle on a 5 year strategic plan covering the period 2007-11.

GOAL is implementing an integrated programmatic approach to development with livelihoods a key intervention. Livelihoods interventions are located in urban and rural development programmes and livelihoods is a key emergency intervention for GOAL in food insecure environments.

GOAL is focused on livelihoods interventions in rural communities and in urban settlements
and also has a particular focus on livelihoods for out of school youth in urban settings.

GOAL is particularly interested in expansion of sustainable and innovative approaches to livelihoods in urban and rural settings. The Livelihoods Advisor will be involved in setting strategies and policy for GOAL in relation to livelihoods programmes to improve future effectiveness and impact and will assist in the process of ensuring that all programmes are well planned, implemented and monitored such that they result in maximum benefit for their target communities.

Closing date: 01 Oct 2010
Location: Kenya
Reporting To: Operations Manager
Contract Length: 1 year

General Objectives of the Position:

1. To develop and expand GOAL’s overseas Livelihoods programmes
2. To develop GOAL Livelihoods Strategy
3. To work with other members of GOAL’s technical team to roll out standardised monitoring and evaluation frameworks which will promote an integrated programme approach and improve the quality, efficiency and impact of GOAL country programmes.
4. To give direction to field staff so that programmes are completed within set timeframes and budgets and to an internationally acceptable high standard.
5. To promote consistent improvement in the quality of GOAL’s overseas programming.
6. Provision of support to GOAL staff on training and development in order to improve technical capacity across programmes and within the organisation
7. To promote lesson learning and adaptation of new approaches to further enhance programme delivery

Key Responsibilities:

Provision of technical support to country programmes

1. To provide technical support and advice to GOAL field and HO staff.
2. To undertake documentation of information from past and current programmes in order to retain knowledge. The advisor will also compile case studies that help inform on work achieved and that serve as guidance for future programmes. The advisor will further manage the on line best practice website for livelihoods programmes.
3. To develop GOAL Livelihoods field guidelines in consultation with field staff and roll out to fields
4. To undertake review of surveys, proposals and reports to donors and provide input on the strategic planning of future programme direction.
5. To keep up to date on developments in the livelihoods sector and disseminate relevant updates in staff in-country as well as other relevant members of the technical team.
6. To conduct regular field visits to review and report on progress of Livelihoods interventions; specifically in relation to efficiency and effectiveness and to determine future programme development with a view to programme expansion and development. The number of field visits required will depend on pre-agreed priorities but can be expected to involve between 6-8 overseas trips per year each lasting an average of 3 weeks.
7. Provide updates in all country reports on progress on the mainstreaming of HIV and gender within livelihoods interventions and provide guidance and support to field teams to ensure mainstreaming of these key issues.
8. Provide feedback to the field team and HO on key recommendations following completion of a technical visit.
9. Spearhead the development and implementation of organisational policy and strategy in relation to sustainable, cost effective livelihoods interventions.
10. To review the current programme activities and plan appropriate, sustainable, future interventions based on local needs and capacities.
11. To reinforce the community approach adopted by GOAL: working in partnership with communities in order to identify the needs of the population and to support GOAL’s interventions;.
12. Provide support in relation to development and implementation of GOAL’s approach to Environment Mainstreaming and Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR)

Provision of technical support and advice for GOAL Emergency Responses

1. Participate in emergency assessments and/or the review of assessment reports and advise on the most appropriate way to ensure that the livelihoods needs can be addressed within any GOAL planned response.
2. Participate in the setting up of emergency programmes as required and provide relevant technical training and practical support until appropriate staff can be recruited.
3. Ensure the establishment of appropriate programmes and assist in the planning of an appropriate exit strategy from the outset of any emergency response in coordination with the Emergency Manager.

Participate in the Development and rollout of Standardised Monitoring and Evaluation Frameworks

1. Participate in the regular monitoring and periodic evaluation of GOAL’s livelihoods components of GOAL’s integrated country programmes.
2. Assist in the development of common reporting frameworks and data-bases across country programmes in order to develop standardised M&E frameworks across country programmes.
3. Develop links between the livelihoods components and other sectors of country programmes in order to promote GOAL’s integrated programme approach.

Organisational and Policy Development

1. Keep up to date with best practise and recent developments and disseminate to other members of the technical team and in-country management.
2. Represent GOAL in external sectoral frameworks as appropriate-facilitate the exchange of technical information and identify opportunities for cooperative work and joint ventures with other agencies.
3. Support GOAL in- country management in maintaining effective collaboration with donors and specifically build relationships with relevant focal points within donor organisations.
4. Participate in relevant discussion groups as required in order to assess future policy development.

Training and Development

1. Develop the capacity of the operations department to provide the relevant support in order to more effectively manage and support country programmes with livelihoods programmes.
2. Support the recruitment, training and briefing of field livelihoods staff for relevant country programmes.
3. Identify relevant Livelihoods related courses both in-country and elsewhere and recommend appropriate staff to attend

Requirements: (educational, language, etc.)

* Relevant professional qualification (MSc.) with specific focus on livelihoods (diploma, masters degree).
* Minimum 5 years relevant experience with at least 2 years working in developing countries.
* Experience in working with disadvantaged communities and involving them in participatory approaches.
* Experience in working on agriculture and livelihoods programmes in developing countries and a strong academic and practical knowledge of both disciplines.
* Familiarity with dealing with donor and government offices in relation to development programmes.
* Proficient in preparation of proposals and reports and having good writing, communication and computer skills.
* Fluent in written and spoken English.
* Willingness to travel extensively.

Desirable Skills Include:

* Additional languages (French, Spanish, Arabic, Swahili,..)
* Expertise in geophysics, hydrogeology, drilling programmes.
* Experience in recruitment and personnel management.

GOAL has a Staff Code of Conduct and a Child Protection Policy which have been developed to ensure the maximum protection of programme participants and children from exploitation.

Any candidate offered a job with GOAL will be expected to adhere to these policies any job offer made is also subject to police clearance.

How to apply

Send CV and cover letter to applications@goal.ie