ACORD Livelihoods Thematic Manager Job Vacancy

Position: Livelihoods Thematic Manager

Location: ACORD Headquarters, Nairobi-Kenya

Responsible To: Head of Policy & Advocacy

Organizational Context

ACORD (Agency for Cooperation and Research in Development) is a Pan-African Organisation working for Social Justice and Development in Africa.

ACORD’s response to the challenges of Africa is firmly based on a belief that people themselves are the agents of change and actors of their own development. People’s ability to take action on the causes of poverty is what will transform Africa’s future.

This belief underpins ACORD’s practical work, its research methodologies and policy advocacy. ACORD works in partnership with local civil society and communities and in alliance with other organizations in Africa and the rest of the world.

The ACORD Programming Strategy is organized around 4 themes: Food Sovereignty, Conflict, Gender & other forms of discrimination and HIV/AIDS and developed through twelve (12) Area Programs and a Pan-African Program led from the ACORD Headquarters based in Nairobi.

ACORD approach combines practical activities, research and advocacy. Food Sovereignty is the focus of the Pan-African Program planned to be implemented up to 2010. ACORD is present in eighteen (18) countries in Africa

Job Summary

The Pan Africa program( PAP) on food sovereignty is based on ACORD’s long standing experience on working on livelihood issues in Africa and the growing threat posed by global processes (including global trades agreements and others) on livelihood of marginalised communities such as small farmers, pastoralist and women.

Food sovereignty is the right of people and states to define their own agricultural, labour, fishing and land policies, which are appropriate to their unique circumstances.

Under the supervision of the Head of Policy & Advocacy and as part of the pan Africa program team, the Pan Africa Livelihoods Thematic Manager will play a role of advisor on research and livelihoods & food sovereignty related policy at pan Africa and global levels and provide support to area programs and other themes.

Specific Responsibilities

A. Research , analysis, policy, lobby

• In close collaboration with the Head of Policy & Advocacy, participate actively in development and implementation of the work plan of the livelihoods theme, especially advice on research and policy activities relevant to the expected outcomes as designed in ACORD pan Africa program and strategic plan
• Keep abreast of Research and policies development on food sovereignty, economic and trade justice and feed the PAP and ACORD in general
• Gather relevant intelligence on issues of food sovereignty so as to keep ACORD and its partners on top of the knowledge in the area and inform meaningfully the advocacy and lobby work.
• Analyse existing research, advice on new ones and follow through the process of development with the view to ensuring and managing quality.
• Conduct research when appropriate as agreed in the work plan and Pan Africa programs
• Continuously analyse policy options and advise on preferred choices
• Take the lead in preparing pertinent briefing papers, positions papers and recommendations on current economic, trade justice agriculture policies, and food sovereignty policy
• Technical guidance and feed in of ACORD lobbying and advocacy in development of technical and strategic arguments.

B. Support to Area programs

• Keep all ACORD area programmes and partners( when necessary) informed and updated on relevant development and issues with regards to economic and trade justice and in particular on food sovereignty
• Liaise and consult with area program managers and other interested parties to identify research, policy needs and activities in alignment with ACORD pan African ambitions
• Work with food sovereignty area program focal points and ensure synergy and coalition on issues of pan Africa interest especially with regard to research and policy. Support quality delivery on research carried out in area program with link to pan Africa program outcome.

C. Support advocacy work including popular campaign and lobby

• Prepare advocacy material (e.g. briefing notes for press, popular material)
• Work with the rest of the PAP team to ensure that material produced by ACORD are accurate, understandable for the intended audience and participate in quality assurance
• Support CSOs partners and farmers movements in their technical work and position statements
• Develop synergies within other CSOs, research and policy institutes pertinent to our work and aligned with ACORD interest.
• Attend and represent ACORD in relevant meetings and forum /summit on request by the line manager or the organisation.
• Execute any other activities as judged pertinent for the advancement of the food sovereignty agenda.

Job Requirements

A. Education / Qualifications and Experience

Minimum: Masters in Social Sciences, Sustainable Development or Agricultural Sciences; international relation or law or related science

Experience:

• Minimum of 4 years of experience in Research and policy work in the INGO sector at Pan-African and International level;
• Strong experience in research and policy analysis in area of economic justice, trade and agriculture.

B. Technical Expertise

• Excellent Communication( written and oral ) and Public Relations skills: very good oral expression and writing skills in both languages;
• High level of conceptual, strategic thinking and analysis skills;
• Very good understanding of food sovereignty and economic justice issues specifically at the level of Policy influence in the Pan-Africa scene;
• Highly conversant with Civil Society and Social Movement approaches on food sovereignty work at Pan-African level
• Good organisational, research , negotiation and analytical capabilities
• Ability to identify, obtain and analyze information from variety of sources

C. Required Competencies

• Strategic thinking capacity
• Adaptation skills: ability to work in a multicultural environment, self-directed, resourceful and flexible
• Highly motivated, responsible, self-directed, resourceful and flexible
• High level conceptual, strategic thinking and analysis skills;
• Collaboration and Team work;
• Decision making and problem solving skills;
• Partnership and Negotiation skills
• Innovative skills
• Communicate with impact with various stakeholders
• Able to manage workload and meet deadlines

Remuneration: A competitive international package

Download the application form from this link and apply to:

Human Resources & Organisational Development Manager
ACORD Nairobi, ACK Garden House,
P. O. Box 61216, 00200,
Nairobi, Kenya
Tel: +254 20 2721172, 2721185/86

To apply, please complete the application form attached above and e-mail it with a detailed Curriculum Vitae and cover letter to recruit@acordinternational.org with the Job Title in the Subject Box.

Closing Date: 28th October 2011

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