About Action Against Hunger (ACF)

Action Against Hunger leads the global movement to end hunger. We innovate solutions advocate for change and reach 28 million people annually with proven hunger prevention and treatment programmes. Operating in 55 countries our 8990 dedicated staff members partner with communities governments and agencies to address the root causes of hunger including climate change conflict inequity and emergencies. We strive to create a world free from hunger for everyone for good.

Action Against Hunger Kenya is part of the Action Against Hunger International network and implements integrated programmes in West Pokot Isiolo Tana River Samburu Kwale and Baringo counties.

Project Description AGROBLUE

The AGROBLUE Project Promotion of Sustainable Agriculture and the Blue Economy in Kenya is an AICS-funded initiative aimed at improving food security livelihoods and climate resilience in Kenyas coastal counties of Tana River and Kwale. The project targets farmers and artisanal fishers facing low productivity high post-harvest losses and limited income diversification while addressing gender barriers that restrict womens participation in economic activities. Through integrated approaches AGROBLUE promotes climate-smart agriculture sustainable fishing practices and blue economy opportunities ensuring institutional sustainability by working closely with government ministries and local stakeholders.

AGROBLUE seeks to increase household incomes and resilience to food crises by introducing small-scale sustainable food production systems and reducing post-harvest losses through improved handling storage and value addition. The project strengthens community capacities enhances water management and builds technical skills among extension officers to support farmers and fishers. By fostering gender equality and social inclusion AGROBLUE ensures equitable access to resources and decision-making for women and youth ultimately contributing to diversified livelihoods improved nutrition and long-term socio-economic stability in Kenyas coastal region.

I. Position Summary

Action Against Hunger is looking for Food Security & Livelihood Officer based in either Kwale or Tana River County. The Food Security and Livelihoods (FSL) Officer will provide technical support for the design planning implementation (including technical oversight) monitoring and reporting of Food Security and Livelihoods activities. This role contributes to the effective delivery of high-quality FSL interventions that enhance sustainable climate-resilient food production and improved household livelihoods.

We are seeking a dedicated proactive and motivated individual to join the consortium in Tan River/Kwale office. The position requires a highly energetic professional who is eager to learn and willing to travel extensively across counties to support mother-to-mother support groups farmer groups and community partners.

As part of the program team the FSL Officer will play a key role in implementing FSL interventions providing agronomic and technical support and working closely with communities and partners to achieve impactful and sustainable results in climate-resilient food systems.

Purpose:

To support the implementation of FSL project activities that are geared towards addressing malnutrition among vulnerable populations through a multi-sector integrated approach and represent the AICS consortium in the FSL coordination forums at the county and sub-county level.

Engagement:

Work in collaboration with the communities local leaders elders and local authorities and community representatives at all stages of project implementation and represent Action Against Hunger towards partners at the field level. When applicable: NGOs local authorities UN bodies and community representatives (elders chiefs etc.) to ensure successful implementation of project activities without duplication and resource wastage.

Coordinate with the other organizations among them Community Based Organizations (CBOs) local and International NGOs UN organizations other partners and National and County Departments (MoA MoL) at County and Sub County level.

Represent the organization in county coordination forums like the Cash Technical Working Group (CWG) Agriculture Technical Working Group (AWG) Livestock Working Group (LWG) County Steering Group (CSG) and Multisector Platforms (MSPs) among others.

Collaborate with Consortium Director HOD WASH Program Managers Program officers and other departments to deliver AICS project.

Delivery:

Contribute to the development of detailed project work plans ensuring that livelihood activities Nutrition WASH and gender related activities are fully integrated.

Ensure that the project is implemented within the stipulated timeline and by the standards prescribed by the county national and international standards.

Train farmer-groups on agri-enterprise establishment CSA agro-ecology support MTMSGs on establishment of kitchen gardens using sustainable agricultural practices training community groups on crop and animal product utilization and value addition and VSLAs

Ensure that the work plans procurement plans and DIPs are developed at the beginning of the project and the required procurement requisitions are raised as needed.

Participate in the review of the Budget Follow Ups (BFUs) and ensure that the budget expenditure is as per the work plan and that forecasts are made to reflect the work plans.

Participate in project routine monitoring Baseline and end line surveys and support distribution monitoring (PDM)

Prepare weekly and monthly progress reports quarterly semiannual and annual reports according to the AICs Consortium and donor guidelines

Compile program reports on a timely basis in liaison with other program staff; Weekly SitRep Monthly (statistical and narrative) Quarterly and annual donor reports.

II. Essential job functions.

1. Project planning design and implementation - 30%

In coordination with the Consortium Director and program teams participate in the design development and implementation of Food Security and Livelihoods (FSL) projects.

Promote the integration of Nutrition and WASH activitiesparticularly those targeting women and youth groups into all livelihood initiatives to strengthen household dietary diversity and resilience.

Participate in FSL program planning organization and implementation of surveys assessments research studies and post-distribution monitoring activities.

Establish and maintain positive cohesive working relationships with communities and direct project beneficiaries ensuring active listening and inclusion of women and youth perspectives.

Oversee beneficiary selection for livelihood activities (crop livestock fisheries apiculture etc.) in accordance with agreed selection criteria.

Engage and coordinate with County government officials to ensure a clear understanding of project objectives requirements and provisions.

In liaison with the Consortium Director Finance and logistics and other project Officers to identify funding opportunities and contribute to the development of project proposals addressing county-specific gaps.

Train farmers on agri-enterprise establishment to increase crop vegetable and livestock production while promoting the adoption of agro-ecology principles.

Build farmer capacity in value chain management and value addition with a focus on food handling preservation processing and reduction of post-harvest losses.

Promote climate-smart and conservation agriculture practices to mitigate climate change impacts including tree planting soil management and other climate-friendly initiatives.

Ensure meaningful participation of beneficiariesespecially women youth persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groupsin decision-making processes through management committees appointed leadership information sessions and administrative structures.

Create and strengthen linkages between FSL groups (women youth and community groups) and financial institutions farmers associations cooperatives social services and private sector partners.

Work closely with Nutrition and WASH sector focal persons at both government and program levels to ensure effective integrated programming.

Ensure strong participation of communities government officers and leaders (community sub-county and county levels) throughout project development start-up implementation monitoring and evaluation phases.

In collaboration with the consortium team contribute to defining and refining technical strategies when required.

2. Project Monitoring Evaluation and Data Management - 20%

Participate in the planning organization and implementation of surveys assessments and research studies including post-distribution monitoring (PDM).

Regularly monitor and evaluate the performance of Food Security and Livelihoods (FSL) projects providing timely input feedback and analysis on the impact of consortium FSL interventions on target communities.

Support county teams in monitoring food security activities in the field including conducting market analyses for market-based programming and cash-based interventions; identify challenges and risks report findings to management and support project handover to relevant community groups local authorities and government structures.

Ensure that all beneficiary and assessment data are securely stored within the organizations database and are accessible to relevant teams in accordance with data protection standards.

Participate in community-level needs assessments including household food security assessments to inform agriculture and food security interventions.

Conduct capacity assessments of smallholder farmers for agricultural interventions and facilitate private sector engagement including mentoring and coaching of farmers at the household level.

Lead and/or conduct FSL project baseline midline end-line context and follow-up assessments as well as surveys as required.

Lead Food Security and Livelihoods emergency assessments response planning and coordination in collaboration with relevant stakeholders.

3. Reporting documentation and communication - 20%

Coordinate with the MEAL Officer to prepare timely accurate and high-quality activity reports including Weekly Situation Reports (SitReps) monthly (statistical and narrative) quarterly and semi-annual reports as well as DHIS2 submissions in line with the AICS consortium (ACF) and donor reporting guidelines.

Document and compile lessons learned best practices human-interest stories and success stories that demonstrate project outcomes and impact.

Participate in information sharing with program teams government counterparts and partners by disseminating activity results and feedback from the field.

Support Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) focal persons Agriculture Extension Officers on information and data management related to Food Security and Livelihoods interventions.

Enhance project visibility across all project sites by ensuring proper branding of equipment tools and materials in accordance with donor visibility guidelines.

Maintain comprehensive qualitative and quantitative records of project activities ensuring data is disaggregated by age gender and disability status.

Prepare progress updates quarterly donor reports project proposals program reports procurement plans and contribute to survey and assessment reports as required.

Support Ministry of Health (MoH) and Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) focal persons with information management data reporting and use of government reporting systems and software.

4. Information exchange and cooperation with all Action Against Hunger interventions and external stakeholders - 10%

Collaborate closely with all Action Against Hunger departments and sectors to ensure effective integration of program activities across sectors.

Strengthen and maintain partnerships with relevant County Government departments and ministries community structures beneficiaries INGOs NGOs CBOs and private-sector actors to support smooth project implementation and maximize impact.

Actively participate in county-level coordination forums and platforms related to agriculture nutrition WASH gender and livelihood resilience.

III. Finance and Logistics - 20%

Prepare monthly cash forecasts in liaison with other program staff in line with approved work plans and project timelines.

Ensure all project expenditures are aligned with approved budget lines and comply strictly with budget limits and donor requirements.

Propose and justify anticipated budget realignments or revisions based on field realities and program needs in coordination with relevant staff.

Support the finance officer to review and monitor project budgets tracking burn rates and ensuring diligent grant utilization efficient resource use and value for money.

Perform any other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the supervisor

IV. Supervisory Responsibilities

The FSL Officer position does not have direct line management responsibilities.

V. Fiscal Responsibility

Prepare cash forecasts in line with approved project work plans and proactively address anticipated budget realignments in consultation with the finance officer.

Monitor budget expenditure against the spending plan ensuring diligent grant utilization timely spending and value for money.

Support the Programs team during monthly Budget Forecast Update (BFU) review meetings by reviewing corrective actions and proposing necessary budget amendments or realignments to the Finance team.

VI. Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job the employee is required to sit for long periods and to concentrate on work including typing and turn out heavy volumes of work accurately within short time frames under stressful situations in the context of a moderately noisy office with many interruptions. You must be able to proofread your own work accurately so that only minor corrections are needed on an infrequent basis.

The job also demands long journeys across Tana River and Kwale counties in remote areas of the work area with poor terrain and scorching sun and heat.

Required Skills:

Proven experience working in the Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs) of Kenya with farmer groups smallholder farmers womens groups and other marginalized and vulnerable populations. Strong knowledge of food systems approaches including agro-ecology climate-smart agriculture value chain development water harvesting technologies farmer field schools approach and household food production with proficiency in digital literacy and use of modern agronomic tools. Solid understanding of the linkages between food systems nutrition and public health including familiarity with county and sub-county health and agriculture structures. Strong computer skills with demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Word. Ability to work effectively in challenging environments with minimal supervision manage multiple priorities and deliver quality results within tight timelines. Demonstrated capacity to engage constructively with local authorities government counterparts and local partners. Excellent organizational coordination and report-writing skills.

Required Education:

Bachelors degree in general agriculture Agronomy Agriculture Education and Extension Agriculture Economics Agribusiness Agriculture and Human Ecology Animal Science Business Development and Marketing and any other related field