The project “Agriculture and Food Information System for Decision Support (AFIS) for South Sudan” is a three year project, started in January 2013 and funded by the European Union (EU) with an additional funding from the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) through a delegated cooperation arrangement with the EU.
AFIS is the core initiative of an FAO South Sudan programmatic area. Capacity development of the relevant Government of South Sudan (GoSS) institutions is the primary AFIS objective, while improving the information quality/quantity and promoting its use by decision makers. However, the dramatic and far-reaching crisis which began in mid-December 2013 has deeply affected the project implementation context.
Acute information gaps, access limitation and poor/lost institutional capacity is having severe impact on the information systems and flows in the most affected states (Jonglei, Unity and Upper Nile, or Greater Upper Nile region). Additional capacity is necessary to ensure the project remains fully relevant to the changed context and its resources generate the highest possible impact.
Objectives to be achieved by the Consultant
The Consultant will work under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative for South Sudan, the direct supervision of the AFIS Chief Technical Advisor (CTA) and the technical support of the AFIS Team, and in liaison with other FAO programmes/projects in South Sudan.
Close inter-stakeholder coordination and co-leadership with the WFP VAM team is an overarching AFIS Project policy. At state level, multiple activities in the areas of both information systems and capacity building are being implemented by several partners and inter-agency forums – including the Food Security and Livelihood (FSL) and Nutrition Clusters. The Consultant will ensure full compliance with the AFIS coordination and partnership policy at state level.
Considering the decision making requirements to address widespread food insecurity and the prevailing constraints in terms of institutional context and technical capacity, the Consultant will:
Closely monitor the food security situation in the area:
· Provide updates and analysis of household/area food security and general food security situation, including monthly Early Warning reports;
· Organize and lead EW validation monthly meetings at state level, possibly through the Food Security and Livelihood Cluster;
· Lead and coordinate multi-partner food security assessments including crop and livestock assessments, Food Security Monitoring System (FSMS) surveys (2-3 per year), SMART nutrition surveys, and other similar initiatives undertaken in the area;
· Establish and develop a network to collect rainfall, market and other field data relevant to the AFIS country-wide information system;
· Present food security updates and provide briefs to humanitarian forums, UN and donor missions taking place at local level;
Lead the IPC process at state level:
· Lead and coordinate data review, consolidation and validation in preparation for the national IPC workshops;
· Participate in the national IPC workshop (2-3 times per year);
· Organize restitution of the national IPC to all stakeholders at state level;
In case of acute crisis, in close coordination with local WFP teams:
· Assist the humanitarian/development partners in the coordination of assessment of the impact of the crisis and needs assessments;
· Ensure timely dissemination of information to all partners involved in relief and early rehabilitation activities;
· Support technical consensus building and the coordination of appeals and response planning;
Support the rehabilitation of FAO/AFIS infrastructure:
· Assess the infrastructure requirements to re-establish a fully functional office;
· Identify needs for information gathering – equipment, focal persons, training;
· Where situation allows, fully establish information gathering infrastructure and capacity based on the needs identified while working closely with FAO Operations Team and Field Offices;
Perform other related duties as required.
Minimum requirements
· Hold a degree in Food Security, Agriculture, Natural Resources Management, Rural Development or Social Sciences
· At least five years of working experience with food security information and analysis
· Good knowledge of the working environment of the UN, NGOs and the government
· Excellent command of written and spoken English
· Good communication, writing and presentation skills
· Excellent networking skills to promote partnership and team work
· Working experience in complex emergencies is an asset.
The consultant should have demonstrated experience with food security analysis methods, information systems, partnerships, and capacity building. Moreover, the consultant should have direct experience with contexts of complex crisis and challenging working conditions – e.g. Level 3 Emergency.
HOW TO APPLY:
Interested applicants are required to create an online Personal Profile form (PPF) in iRecruitment. To create the PPF, please follow the instructions available at: http://www.fao.org/employment/irecruitment-access/en/
The PPF should be sent via e-mail to : VA-FAOSS-2014@fao.org
Deadline for application: 19 of November 2014
Applications received after the closing date will not be given consideration. Only short listed candidates will be contacted.
