Background 

According to the Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP) 2023, an estimated 4.3 million people need humanitarian aid in Niger. 3 million people have been targeted by the humanitarian response plan. NRC Niger set-up an Area Office in Niamey in 2019 covering field offices in Tillaberi, Maradi, Tahoua and has been established as a full-fledged country programme since June 2023 to contribute to the protection challenges faced by displaced populations.

NRC Niger is looking for a Livelihood and Food Security (LFS) Specialist who will lead the design, development, and quality implementation of the LFS programme in Niger in close collaboration with the other technical program departments. The Specialist will also support the program implementation in close collaboration with Area Managers under the supervision of the Head of Program (HoP). The LFS Specialist as part of a technical matrix structure has the overall technical responsibility of the Livelihoods and Food Security (LFS) Core Competence (CC) in Niger. This position has a threefold focus:

1. Livelihood Provisioning / Meet Basic Needs: provide first line response to ensure that immediate survival food needs are met, and livelihoods assets restored.
2. Livelihoods Protection: avert erosion of productive assets and protect affected households against further effects of risks and crisis by ensuring risks are identified and anticipatory actions to protect livelihoods taken.
3. Livelihoods strengthening: Support affected households and communities promoting recovery and resilience through the participation in livelihood opportunities that contribute to their self-reliance and durable solutions.

What you will do:

The purpose of the Livelihoods and Food Security (LFS) Specialist position is the technical development of the LFS core competency, strategic direction and quality assurance, as well as ensuring the technical capacity of Livelihoods and Food Security (LFS)staff, local partners and the development of funding proposals. The LFS Specialist is responsible for mentoring, training and capacity building of staff and local partners in the Livelihoods and Food Security ( LFS ) technical capacity. The Livelihoods and Food Security (LFS) Specialist is responsible for providing specialist advice and guidance to the LFS team, local partners, Head of Programme and CC specialists at operation level in ensuring that optimal LFS programme strategies, systems, policy, tools and practices are in place. The Specialist is also responsible to further develop strategic partnerships with local actors.

• Adapt NRC Niger climate change and environment strategy into Livelihoods and Food Security (LFS) programming, ensuring contextual relevance and sustainability.
• Contribute to the implementation of cash, market approach and safe and inclusive programming (SIP) minimum standards throughout Livelihoods and Food Security (LFS) programs, with capacity building, guidance and inter-departmental engagement.
• Propose and implement innovative solutions tailored to the Niger context to contribute to build resilience through livelihoods and food security and integrated programming.
• Adapt NRC programme approaches to livelihood provisioning and livelihood protection to the specific contexts to support self-reliance in vulnerable displacement-affected families and communities.
• Regularly visit project sites with LFS staff to assess quality and relevance of the response and to provide on the job learning to staff. As necessary, advise reorientation of activities and work plans to ensure that project objectives are achieved.
• In coordination with monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) staff, design and implement appropriate MEL system, methodologies and tools (including baseline, mid-and end-evaluations) for livelihoods programming to measure quality programming and evaluate impact, cost-effectiveness and relevance of specific activities. Oversight on the quality control of LFS data reporting on GORS.
• Develop and pilot tools and methodologies to better contribute, engage and foster food security participants and communities in the targeted areas.
• Collaborate with all Core Competency Departments for integrated and timely responses to identified needs through the NRC Project Cycle Management (PCM) cycle.
• Lead context, risks and needs analyses household vulnerability, food security, climate-impact, and market assessments, ensuring data-driven decisions together with other CCs, and advise the Country Programme in appropriate and relevant actions required ensuring data-driven decisions.
• Responsible for ensuring that best practices within LFS are identified, documented and disseminated within the country operation and the programmatic recommendations from field visits, evaluations, etc are addressed.
• Collaborate in the fundraising/resource mobilization for the increase iof Livelihoods and Food Security (LFS) portfolio through identification of funding opportunities and technical development of proposal with LFS components
• Lead the coordination and collaboration between local actors and partners, external authorities, donors and NRC

What we are looking for:

• Minimum 4 years of experience within a humanitarian/recovery context
• Experience from working in complex and volatile contexts
• Minimum 3 years of Livelihoods and Food Security expertise (as Specialist or Project Manager), with a specific focus on basic economic security (Food production inputs, Tools/equipment inputs, Income generation initiatives, Social Safety Net).
• Documented results related to the position’s responsibilities
• Knowledge and skills in market analysis, cash-based interventions and market-based programmes
• Knowledge about own leadership skills/profile
• Fluency in English and French is required, both written and verbal

Context/specific skills, knowledge and experience:

• Knowledge of the Sahel context specifically
• Experience in more than one NRC LFS focus (see background section) and technical knowledge in the following thematic areas:
  • Household and livelihoods capacities and vulnerability analysis
  • Food security assessments
  • Emergency Food assistance
  • Promotion of improved food production and processing
  • Market based approach/programming and market assessments
  • Assets creation
  • Income generation & diversification
  • Financial inclusion
  • Business and value chain development
  • Integrated risk reduction and anticipatory actions related to livelihoods (livelihoods protection)
  • Environment and climate change crosscutting
  • Experience in the Private Sector. Social Impact, Corporate Social Responsibility, green jobs is an asset
• Knowledge, experience and skills with market based and integrated programming, both at household food security and livelihood analysis
• Experience with start-up or expansion of new programmes
• Experience in drafting and encouraging implementation of policy/strategic guidance, and developing practical tools and resources
• Experience in capacities assessment and team capacity building
• Experience in working with and development of local partners
• Experience in developing professional networks, partnerships and externally representation is required
• Experience designing relevant assessments and multi-sectoral needs assessments and analysis is required
• Experience and ability to work in a matrix structure

Behavioural competencies:

• Handling insecure environments
• Strategic thinking
• Empowering and building trust
• Influencing
• Initiate action and change
• Achieving results through others

Please find the full job description here.

Female candidates are strongly encouraged to join our work culture that empowers every employee to share ideas and take responsibility. At NRC we think outside the box. We encourage ideas and give responsibility to all employees at all levels, to help solve the complex issues that we face. You will have many opportunities to be heard and take the initiative.

***This position is open to candidates who have the legal right to work in Niger. Please note that we are unable to provide work permits or visa sponsorships for this position 

DEADLINE TO APPLY: 27/2/2025

What we offer:

1. Contract of 12 months
2. Grade 9 in NRC scale
3. Location: Niamey with travels involved
4. An opportunity to match your career to a compelling cause
5. A chance to meet and work with people who are the best in their fields

Find out more about the benefits of working for NRC

Important information about the application process

• Internal candidates only: please click on the suitcase icon labelled “I am an employee” to be redirected to NRC’s internal careers site.
• When creating your profile, include your full name as given on your passport. Complete all the system-required fields for experience, employment history and education.
• Submit your application and CV in English or French, taking care to attach your latest CV.
• Applications that do not meet the minimum standards in terms of experience or qualifications will generally not be considered. Unsolicited applications not related to this specific job advertisement will not be considered.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. We receive many applicants for each vacant position.
• If you have any questions about this role, please email cwa.recruitment@nrc.no with the job title as the subject line.

Why NRC?

The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is an independent humanitarian organisation helping people forced to flee. Our 15,000 staff work in crises across 40 countries, providing life-saving and long-term assistance to millions of people every year.

Watch this short video to see NRC in action.

We are looking for people who are passionate about helping refugees and people forced to flee. Are you one of those people? If you are, NRC offers you the opportunity to:

• do demanding and professional work, often in challenging contexts
• join a work culture that empowers every employee to share ideas and take responsibility
• be part of a welcoming and supportive community committed to human dignity

Learn more about NRC