Regional Agronomist 196 views0 applications

What we do

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) works worldwide to provide humanitarian assistance to people affected by conflict and armed violence. We take action in response to emergencies and at the same time promote respect for international humanitarian law. We are an independent and neutral organization, and our mandate stems essentially from the Geneva Conventions of 1949. We work closely with National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and with their International Federation in order to ensure a concerted, rational and rapid humanitarian response to the needs of the victims of armed conflict or any other situation of internal violence. We direct and coordinate the international activities conducted in these situations.

Purpose

The ICRC defines Economic Security (Ecosec) as the status of an individual, household or community that is able to cover its life and livelihoods obligatory expenditures in a viable manner, consistent with its environment, culture and customs. Within its global Economic Security approach in conflict affected countries, the ICRC implements Relief, Livelihood and Rehabilitation Programs in order to improve, restore or maintain food and economic security at household level. To achieve this objective, the Economic Security unity uses a combination of different interventions and modalities, such as cash and voucher programs, microeconomic initiatives, agricultural and livestock programs, and relief items distributions.

The Regional Agronomist for West Africa provides support and guidance within their field of expertise either remotely or in person. S/he develops global policies, tools, guidelines and training modules for the Economic Security Unit’s Agronomy programme and contributes to the strategic development of related technical files at regional level and in support to the HQ

Main Responsibilities

Thematic Support

• Monitors and provides regular regional situation analysis to the Regional Management and the EcoSec Unit in relation to field of expertise.
• Liaises with fellow Regional Specialists (both EcoSec and non-EcoSec) for in-depth regional situation analysis.
• Collaborates as necessary with regional peers to develop common projects and objectives to enhance the ICRC’s response to affected populations.
• Engages actively with the relevant communities of practice to continuously review and share knowledge, literature and information relevant for the Agronomist community regionally and globally.
• Proposes and develops specific institutional files of interest to the EcoSec Unit, devising a roadmap for action; conducting research; writing briefs, articles and policy papers.
• Designs, organises and delivers trainings and workshops as required and agreed with GVA counterpart. Provides coaching to specialist staff as required.
• Ensures the integration of new EcoSec strategies in their field of expertise in Delegations, according to priorities and strategies developed by or jointly with the EcoSec Unit. Also ensures that Delegation level strategies are raised to the Unit and integrated into the global EcoSec Strategy and relevant.
• In close collaboration with the Agronomist Focal point in Geneva and Regional Agronomist in Nairobi, and maintaining constant contacts with relevant Organizations (Ex: FAO, CIMMYT) at regional level, disseminates updates on the ongoing Fall Armyworm (FAW) infestation in Africa, and other emerging phytosanitary treats.

Global Thematic Issues

• Contributes to the development of ICRC/EcoSec strategies and policies in relation to the area of expertise.
• Documents and actively participates in reflections operationalising issues of institutional importance (in relation to the Institutional Strategy 2019-2022 and beyond).
• Contributes to the development of guidelines, training material and other technical tools in relation to the area of expertise and in support of other EcoSec specialists.
• Contributes to the adaptation and adoption of EcoSec global strategies and policies.

Regional Networking

• Develops and maintains a Regional network of external contacts (private, public, non-governmental) in agriculture, and represents the ICRC in relevant working groups, clusters/sectors, regional meetings and fora

Operational Support (Field & Desk Support)

• Coaches Delegation agronomists and/or the Delegation in developing relevant strategies, plans of action and programme adjustments.
• Maintains an overview of regional approaches and programs in area of expertise to ensure exchange of experiences and lessons learnt between Delegations.
• Supports Delegations in programme-level assessments, monitoring and evaluations (including use of relevant tools) in agronomy.
• Coaches new Agronomists in the Region in ICRC approaches to agriculture, including methodologies, standards and guidance applied.
• Supports EcoSec Agronomist teams in representing the ICRC with relevant authorities in case of challenging negotiations.

Desired profile and skills

• University degree or equivalent in agricultural engineering;
• Excellent written and oral command of French and English is desired; any other language knowledge (e.g. Arabic, Spanish, Russian) is an asset;
• A masters’ degree in a field relevant to tropical agriculture (both plant or animal production) and/or agro-economics is an asset;
• Minimum 5 years field experience in the context of rehabilitation or development programs, working with farming or agro-pastoral communities;
• Professional field experience in international humanitarian work abroad in emergencies is a very strong asset;

Skills / Qualities

• Sound understanding of the project cycle management, establishing appropriate (SMART) objectives and indicators is required
• Good organizational, managerial, planning, reporting skills;
• Possessing good capacity to analyse and summarise complex situations; ability to take relevant decisions within a given framework and communicate them with diplomacy and negotiate when necessary;
• Strong capacities to train, coach and motivate a team of agronomists;
• Readiness and capacity to work in a multidisciplinary team involving other sectors linked to the protection and assistance of people affected by conflict, and collaborating with Red Cross and Red Crescent movement’ members;
• Strongly motivated by humanitarian work;
• Ready to work in difficult contexts and spend time in the field, or to support programs without direct access to the affected population;
• Excellent ability to work under pressure in a potentially dangerous environment;

Our operational & field constraints

• In line with the principle of neutrality, the ICRC dœs not assign personnel to a country of which they are nationals
• First 6 months without family posting
• Candidates must be in good health and will have to do a medical check-up prior to departure in the field
• Candidates must possess a driving license (for manual transmission vehicles)
• Deadline of application 23.06.19
• Starting date : As soon as possible

What we offer

• Rewarding work in a humanitarian and multicultural environment
• A two-week orientation course and other opportunities for further in-house training
• Attractive social benefits
• Length of assignment: 24 months
• Join an ICRC talent pool and be considered for future assignments elsewhere