SENIOR TECHNICAL ADVISOR - SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE

CARE is a leading humanitarian and development organization dedicated to fighting poverty and social injustice with a special emphasis on human rights, gender equality and women and girls.

CARE works in a variety of contexts from protracted crises to stable development settings and recognizes that a good comprehensive assessment of the underlying drivers of food and nutrition insecurity point to poverty, gender inequity, non-inclusive governance, poor adaptation to climate change and the inability to manage other economic and political shocks and stressors. The importance of each of these factors will vary by context. To address these drivers, CARE pursues a two-pronged approach that focuses on a sequence of `nutrition-specific` and `nutrition-sensitive` interventions. Both pathways address humanitarian responses to acute shocks as well as developmental interventions that strengthen capacities and institutions to achieve food and nutritional security. Both pathways progress from externally derived support during emergencies, to household and community-led solutions, to systemic policy and institutional support for food and nutrition security solutions.

The Food and Nutrition Security (FNS) Unit leads CARE`s work globally in this important area and has the overall goal of ensuring that households, women, and girls/children realize just and sustainable food and nutrition security (CARE Food & Nutrition Security Strategy 2014-2019). To achieve this goal, the FNS Team has four strategic objectives with three cross-cutting themes:

- SO1: Increase capacity to prepare for, respond to, and adapt to climate change and economic and political shocks and stresses;

- SO 2: Strengthen sustainable smallholder agricultural systems to improve food and nutrition security for producers, workers and consumers;

- SO 3: Improve nutritional status of women, infants and children;

- SO4: Promote good governance and rights to ensure equitable and sustainable food and nutrition security for women and marginalized/particularly vulnerable groups.

The cross-cutting themes are:

- Promoting women`s empowerment & gender equality

- Promoting good governance and right to food

- Promoting resilience

The Pathways program is an anchor initiative under the FNS portfolio which seeks to empower poor women smallholder farmers and to increase their productivity in more equitable agricultural systems at scale across six countries. CARE is looking for a Senior Technical Advisor, Sustainable Agriculture who will spend the majority of his/her time supporting the Pathways program. As a member of the matrixed FNS structure, he/she will also contribute significantly to FNS priorities and programs, and reporting directly to the Pathways Team Leader. The STA for Sustainable Agriculture will primarily:

(1). Provide direct technical assistance and guidance in the area of Sustainable Agriculture and Climate Change  to Pathways Program Countries and to other strategically-important Country, Regional and Global long-term projects and programs that contribute to the Food and Nutritional Security of CARE’s identified impact groups.

(2). Support the development of tools, systems, processes and approaches that continuously improve technical excellence and better coordination at the project, program and global levels in the area of integrated Sustainable Agriculture and Climate Change.  

(3). Contribute to the execution of the research, learning and advocacy themes prioritized by the FNS Unit through the projects and programs s/he supports as well as from his/her own experience and knowledge and learning from other parts of the organizations and in the sector in general.

(4). Support resource mobilization efforts to advance CARE`s work in the area of Food and Nutrition Security.

Responsibilities and Tasks:

• Provide technical assistance and guidance to improve program quality and impact
• Lead development of tools, system, processes and approaches
• Contribute to the FNS Unit Research, Learning and Advocacy priorities
• Support resource mobilization efforts within the Pathways program and others initiatives to advance CARE`s work in the area of Food and Nutrition Security
• Perform other duties as assigned

Qualifications (Know-How):

• Master’s degree in relevant areas such as agronomy, crop science, soil science, agri-business or other agriculture-related field etc.
• At least 7-10 years of professional and practical experience in tropical agriculture, involving significant field work in developing countries in Africa and South Asia
• Experience working with a wide-range of stakeholders to develop common agendas and action
• Demonstrable ability to shape and provide technical advice in order to ensure sustainable agriculture is addressing underlying causes of climate change, poverty and marginalization of relevant impact groups
• Track record of collaboration with research and other technical institutions and in the development of partnerships with local and international civil society and government organizations
• Ability to work well in a team which is diverse and geographically separated.
• Experience developing and applying organizational learning strategies into program design and implementation
• Knowledge of sustainable and climate smart agriculture practices in both crop and livestock production
• In-depth knowledge of participatory extension systems and approaches including Farmer Field Schools, Participatory Learning and Action, Farmer Participatory Research, Action Research amongst others
• Proven effectiveness in provision of high quality technical assistance to a wide range of sustainable Agriculture programs.
• Value Chain Analysis and Development in agriculture and non-agriculture sectors with a gender lens
• Excellent and Advanced verbal and written English skills, particularly communication and presentation skills for diverse audiences including conducting training events for adults and professionals
• Ability to effectively manage multiple priorities (multi-tasking) and drive results in a timely manner

To apply for this position, please visit our website here:  http://ch.tbe.taleo.net/CH05/ats/careers/requisition.jsp?org=CAREUSA&cws=1&rid=2521

Our diversity is our strength; we encourage people from all

backgrounds and experiences, particularly women, to apply.

CARE USA is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.

The closing date for this posting, if listed, is approximate. Job postings may be removed from CARE`s career website at any time.