Chemonics International Job in Kenya for Regional Food Security Specialist

Regional Food Security Specialist – Markets and Trade

Chemonics International Inc., a leading international consulting firm based in Washington, D.C., seeks experienced professionals for USAID’s Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET III), the world’s premier provider of high quality food security analysis and early warning.

Created in response to the 1984 famines in East and West Africa, this $200 million, five-year activity (2012-2016) aims to collaborate with international, regional, and national partners to provide timely and rigorous early warning and analysis of potential, emerging, and/or evolving food security issues in order to inform appropriate humanitarian response.

The project currently covers 31 countries, with plans to expand over the coming five-year phase. This position is based in Nairobi, Kenya.

Chemonics International Inc. is looking for individuals who have a passion for making a difference in the lives of people around the world and demonstrate leadership, versatility, and integrity in their work.

Position Description

The Regional Food Security Specialist-Markets and Trade (RFSS/MT) will work with the Regional Technical Manager (RTM), other Regional Food Security Specialists in the Regional office, the country teams in the region, and partners to design, execute, and coordinate regional activities in the markets and trade technical area. The main activities of the RFSS/MT will include, but are not limited to:

• Monitoring, analysis, and reporting: Gather and analyze market information and draft analytical reports from a regional perspective.
• Compile market data including staple food prices, cross-border trade flows, and crop production estimates.
• Monitor and analyze market and policy developments across Eastern Africa including gathering information on national programs, regional trade, cross border trade and working with country technical managers in 10 countries.
• Contribute to, edit, and assist staff in country offices and at partner organizations with gathering, analyzing, and writing about the impact of markets on food security.
• Contribute to the write up of the regional monthly food security outlooks and outlook updates. Coordinate FEWS NET’s participation in field assessments in the region and contribute to assessment reports.
• Technical capacity development and guidance: Provide technical assistance and guidance on market information and analyses pertaining to food security analysis, early warning, and food assistance decision support.
• Design and coordinate activities to build and maintain an up-to-date knowledge base on regional markets for food commodities, livestock, and other key income-generating goods such as charcoal and cash crops.
• Share successful experiences and best practices in market monitoring, communication of market information, and institutional strengthening with FEWS NET country and regional teams in other regions.
• Leadership, representation, and liaison: Contribute to the identification of priority markets and trade activities. Monitor and contribute to activities undertaken outside FEWS NET that aim to enhance capabilities in market monitoring, early warning, and food assistance decision support.
• Liaise with regional partners to exchange information and promote a dialogue on market and institutional issues. Bring together efforts from food security partners to improve the quality of market and food security information.

Qualifications

• At minimum, a Master’s degree in a discipline that is directly relevant to food security analysis and the analysis of staple food markets such as agricultural economics, economics, rural development, international trade, etc.
• At a minimum, 5 years of relevant country or regional experience in early warning/food security information systems, food security analysis, as well as other related fields;
• Demonstrated ability to work and coordinate effectively with regional partners and stakeholders;
• Excellent computer skills; Ability to use databases and statistical software;
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills;
• Excellent analytical and report-writing skills;
• Excellent ability to collect data on markets and to analyze markets using both qualitative and econometric techniques.
• Excellent command of written and spoken English;
• Ability to speak local and regional languages (Arabic, Amharic, Somali, Kiswahili, and French) in addition to English will be an asset.

Additional desired qualifications

• Experience with the Household Economy Approach (HEA);
• Experience working with USAID;
• Good GIS and mapping skills; and
• Supervisory, management, and donor coordination experience.

Interested candidates should send their CV and cover letter to:

kenyarfssmt@gmail.com by Wednesday, March 28, 2012.

Only candidates qualified for the position will be contacted