Food Security Cluster/Sector Coordinator

Organizational Setting

Since its endorsement by the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) in December 2010 and its functional set-up in April 2011, the global Food Security Cluster (gFSC) has been successful in creating a conducive environment for global partners to discuss food security operational and policy matters. It has been instrumental in developing tools and providing guidance and support to countries affected by humanitarian crisis.
The gFSC is led by FAO and WFP. Over 40 international non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and the international Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) are active members at global level. The cluster focuses on coordination of food assistance and livelihood humanitarian interventions.
Overall, food security is the largest sector in humanitarian response, as it represents 35% of funding requirements through the global humanitarian appeal. The average profile of a country food security cluster is a group of 68 partners targeting two million food insecure people and managing a sector appeal of US$ 250 million yearly.

The Food Security Cluster/Sector Coordinator will work impartially with all members of the Food Security Cluster (FSC) and represents all members of the group equally, and as a whole. S/he will work closely with cluster lead agencies, the UN Humanitarian/Resident Coordinator office and the Office of Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) or their designated official especially inter-cluster coordination team, and with all other humanitarian stakeholders (Government where possible, NGO’s, INGO’s, research partners, Donors etc.).

Reporting Lines

The Consultant reports to the FAO Representative and closely collaborates with WFP Country Director.

Technical Focus

The Food Security Cluster/Sector Coordinator (CC) is one of the core Food Security Cluster (FSC) Coordination team members and plays a vital role in ensuring timely, coherent and effective food security interventions by mobilizing stakeholders to respond in a coordinated and strategic manner to a humanitarian crisis. The role of the Food Security Cluster Coordinator, as set out in the IASC Generic Terms of Reference and the main core functions, is to lead food security coordination along with the support team (includes an Information Management Officer (IMO), but may vary according to country specific situation) and a wide range of stakeholders in:
• Facilitating a timely, coherent effective and coordinated food security response by mobilizing stakeholders in a strategic manner Enhancing coordination through the reinforcement of linkages and synergies between relevant food security actors as well as between humanitarian and development partners
• Ensuring that food security is appropriately represented in the overall humanitarian response
• Supporting service delivery
• Informing strategic decisions of the Humanitarian Coordinator (HC) and Humanitarian Country Team (HCT)/Country Management Team (CMT)
• Coordinating and Planning Cluster strategies, including contingency planning and preparedness
• Monitoring and Evaluating Cluster/Sector performance
• Building national and FSC members capacity in relevant areas
• Supporting advocacy for food security needs
• Accountability to affected people

Tasks and responsibilities

• Co-organize action/output oriented bi-monthly Cluster meetings and feeding that to national cluster.
• Co-represent the cluster at provincial Inter-Cluster Coordination Group (ICCG) and at the CCCM Cluster Service Providers Meeting.
• Provide orientation to Partners about the Cluster strategy and conduct trainings as required.
• Participate and support food security needs assessment and analysis.
• Engage in inter-cluster activities to include the development or review of assessment tool e.g. multi-sectoral needs or site assessments and rapid response missions whenever necessary.
• Co-coordinate with partners to harmonize the process of beneficiary selection and implementation of synergies between food assistance to livelihoods interventions.
• Co-coordinate with national/local authorities, state institutions, local civil society and other relevant actors as needed.
• Contribute to development of cluster plans, objectives and indicators that directly support realization of the overall response’s strategic objectives.
• Contribute to development and coordinate implementation of various cluster recommended technical standards, SOPs and protocols for avoiding duplication and identifying gaps.
• Disseminate information concerning strategic decisions, plans and recommendations made by cluster and CLAs to the provincial partners.
• Contribute to the Humanitarian Needs Overview (HNO) through identification of needs, severity, geographical scope, and Persons in Need, supporting the National FSC Coordinator and IMO, and in consultation with the cluster partners.
• In coordination with the National FSC coordination and the other FSC co-coordinator, undertake planning and strategy development by contributing to the Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP) through coordinating the design of the response strategy and log frame, in consultation with the cluster partners (for Consultants only) ; support the review of FSC partners projects submitted on the HPC online system, based on the agreed inclusion criteria (where relevant).
• Follow up on the implementation of response plans and strategies.
• Ensure that cross-sectoral issues such as gender, age, early recovery, accountability to affected populations (Linha Verde Complain and Feedback Mechanisms and others), protection, environment and HIV & AIDS are mainstreamed and appropriately reflected in all FSC programmes.
• Provide updates on the status of the provincial cluster coordination while highlighting key challenges and lessons learnt.
• Support identification of capacity-building needs and opportunities for Food Security partners and contribute to capacity building.
• Contribute to advocacy on behalf of the cluster, cluster members, and affected people.
• Collaborate with the IMOs and act as the focal point for ensuring that 5Ws data/information/matrices of interventions are completed and regularly updated (for consultants only).
• Participate in any relevant meetings on IM, cash working group and community engagement (for consultants only).
• Regularly, share cluster updates with the partners.
• Monitor and report on cluster activities and needs.
• Ensure the use and application of common standards (e.g. SPHERE standards and CHS), and harmonization of programmatic responses (SOPs on modality of delivery, maintain close liaisons with gFSC as required on relevant issues.
• Support fundraising efforts and activities for the cluster coordination itself as well as for the Cluster partners and projects.
• Support and follow up the Nampula Food Security WG response actions and coordination efforts to assist the IDP living in host communities or relocation sites.
• Carry out any other relevant duties regarding FSC coordination by the supervisor and/or as requested by CLAs and National Cluster Coordinator.
• Review and update the livelihood strategy of the FSC for the IDPs crisis response in the three northern provinces.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree in food security, agriculture, economics, humanitarian affairs, or related field (for Consultants only).
• Minimum 5 years of relevant experience in humanitarian response, in food security related topics at a mid or senior level.
• Working knowledge ((level C) of English and/or Spanish and limited knowledge (Level B) of the other FAO language. For PSA, working knowledge (Level C) of English or Spanish.

FAO Core Competencies

• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

• Ability to work and plan at both operational and strategic level;
• Limited knowledge (Level B) of Portuguese is highly desirable;
• Understanding of the international humanitarian response architecture, including humanitarian principles, coordination mechanisms, humanitarian reform and action, and funding mechanisms (e.g. Humanitarian Programme Cycle – HPC, Central Emergency Response Fund and Flash Appeals, Pooled funds);
• Ability to work under pressure and adapt to an evolving and complex humanitarian context.
• Ability to express and summarise ideas orally and in writing in a diplomatic and inclusive manner;
• Ability to interact with a number of different stakeholders and represent the FSC in strategic meetings and discussions;
• Ability to lead workshops, meetings and to present outcomes in behalf of a group of stakeholders;
• Good understanding of FS Assessments, Survey
• Willingness and ability to work in difficult environments, in often stressful time- critical situations ;
• Formal training in Cluster Coordination or previous Cluster experience is desirable.
• Experience with inter-agency coordination is desirable
• Cultural and Gender awareness and sensitivity

Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• FAO does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview, processing)
• Please note that FAO will only consider academic credentials or degrees obtained from an educational institution recognized in the IAU/UNESCO list
• Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/
• For more information, visit the FAO employment website
• Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.