Regional Programme Advisor Food Justice, West Africa at Oxfam

Job Purpose

The Food Justice Programme Advisor will work with the Regional Head of Programs and other regional pillars to lead and coordinate the work on food justice pillar at regional level and supporting countries in this sector. This position will inform research, analysis of trends and contribute to developing Oxfam’s policy positions, frameworks and programs on agricultural policy, social protection mechanisms and equitable access to resources; manage the regional projects and campaigns (GROW), and give a technical expertise on livelihoods, as well as directly support the country teams to improve programs quality, in maintaining an updated and valuable analysis of the food security and livelihoods situation in the country. The post-holder is expected to work closely with associated regional partners and allies, and other programme teams towards common objectives to mutualise resources (among Oxfam confederation), and to contribute to national and international advocacy and campaigning work on food justice in West Africa.

Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities

Analysis and research for advocacy and programmes

• Work with the HoP and other regional staff (Gender, Humanitarian, Equality, EFSVL, WASH research, etc.) to develop regular briefings and analysis of food security and livelihoods in West African, to inform country teams and senior managers, as well as programme and advocacy staff.
• Provide in depth analysis on structural issues to better understand the ways of solving in sustainable manner Food insecurity in West Africa, and how Oxfam could better invest to do so in longer-term programming with partners.
• Provide guidance and support to programme managers on how to formulate or integrate advocacy objectives in programme design processes
• Carry on research on agri budget, PPPs, social protection , food reserve and/or land, with a focus on main regional value chains (such as rice and milk/dairy) and how to mobilize new audiences to support food justice in WAF

Coordination of regional projects, advocacy and Campaigns

• Manage the regional GROW Campaign in West Africa, linked with country, pan African and global level, integrating all components: lobby, research and evidence building, alliances, media and public mobilisation to achieve the objectives. .
• Develop and manage partnerships with key regional civil society networks, including those representing producers and pastoralists, women rights organisations, think-tanks,...in order to implement joint GROW Campaign
• Undertake external representation and influencing towards governments, donors, ECOWAS, WAEMU, CILSS and UN agencies, including participation at major regional political and policy making events and engagement in key policy making processes to reinforce the impact of the regional policies in countries
• In the event of a food crisis, work closely with emergency programme teams to ensure to provide the necessary analysis, policy support and coordination with national leads to ensure an effective advocacy response.
• Act as a spokesperson Oxfam in the media on issues of food justice
• Ensure that programme activities and processes are documenting for wider learning and knowledge development
• Manage regional grants implemented by partners and/or Oxfam, in coordination with the countries involved
• Build and implement a MEAL system of different projects integrated in a Food justice pillar one

Thematic Support to country programmes and partners

• Provide support and advice to country programmes in WAF working on food justice, ensuring effective strategies and coherence with the regional approach.
• Provide expertise in terms of research, influencing, campaigning or communication to support countries and regional members on food justice issues: PPP, green funds, social protection, value change
• Support the development of new resilient rural economy programmes based on family farming, with a strong emphasis on the role of rural women, providing technical advice to ensure advocacy initiatives are a full part of any proposal, as part of Oxfam’s One Programme Approach.
• Support, influence, and actively participate in the development of food security programmes at national level, working in close collaboration with programme managers and other technical specialists
• Ensure that the work under this programme takes women’s needs and rights into account – through analysis, advocacy, partnership support and programme activities
• Coordinate the available resources from all Oxfam confederation to feed the needs of support in countries and region

Fundraising

• Actively participate in the development of national proposals to donors, ensuring the integration of advocacy and programme components.
• Develop relevant proposals to donors for regional and multi-country initiatives, and actively seek donor support for such initiatives.

  Technical Skills, Experience & Knowledge

  Essential

  · A university degree Technical Skills, Experience & Knowledge

  Essential

  · A university degree

relevant to food security, agriculture, land, forests, or natural resource management, or related to political science or other relevant social sciences

· Proven specialist expertise in at least two of the following areas: food security and livelihoods, agriculture policies markets and value chains, resilience, land, and proven ability to analyse complex contexts and food security data and analysis at national, regional or global levels

· An understanding of how to use policy analysis, research, lobbying, public campaigning, media, communications and alliance-building to influence a political agenda, proven experience of engaging with and influencing decision-makers, and sound political judgment and sensitivity in both development and humanitarian contexts.

· Fluency in written/oral English or French and working knowledge of the other one

· Enthusiasm for and commitment to Oxfam International’s values and mission, and commitment to promoting gender equity and the interests of marginalised people in all advocacy work

· Ability and willingness to travel including in remote and conflict affected areas

Desirable

· Experience of developing and managing fundraising proposals

· Knowledge of food, trade, markets, marketing and agricultural systems practised in West Africa

· An understanding of African, preferably West African campaigns, movements and civil society organisations, and of the functioning and relationships of key players in development, including Southern governments, donor governments, international institutions, and civil society

· Knowledge of recognised minimum humanitarian standards (Sphere, code of conduct) and understanding of Disaster Risk Reduction Frameworks

Key Behavioural Competencies (based on Oxfam’s Leadership Model)

Competencies

Description

Decisiveness

We are comfortable to make transparent decisions and to adapt decision making modes to the context and needs.

Influencing

We have the ability to engage with diverse stakeholders in a way that leads to increased impact for the organisation We spot opportunities to influence effectively and where there are no opportunities we have the ability to create them in a respectful and impactful manner.

Humility

We put ‘we’ before ‘me’ and place an emphasis on the power of the collective, nurture the team and play to the strengths of each individual. We are not concerned with hierarchical power, and we engage with, trust and value the knowledge and expertise of others across all levels of the organization.

Relationship Building

We understand the importance of building relationship, within and outside the organization. We have the ability to engage with traditional and non-traditional stakeholders in ways that lead to increased impact for the organisation.

Listening

We are good listeners who can see where deeper levels of thoughts and tacit assumptions differ. Our messages to others are clear, and consider different preferences.

Mutual Accountability

We can explain our decisions and how we have taken them based on our organizational values. We are ready to be held to account for what we do and how we behave, as we are also holding others to account in a consistent manner.

Agility, Complexity, and Ambiguity

We scan the environment, anticipate changes, are comfortable with lack of clarity and deal with a large number of elements interacting in diverse and unpredictable ways.

Systems Thinking

We view problems as parts of an overall system and in their relation to the whole system, rather than reacting to a specific part, outcome or event in isolation. We focus on cyclical rather than linear cause and effect. By consistently practicing systems thinking we are aware of and manage well unintended consequences of organisational decisions and actions.

Strategic Thinking and Judgment

We use judgment, weighing risk against the imperative to act. We make decisions consistent with organizational strategies and values.

Vision Setting

We have the ability to identify and lead visionary initiatives that are beneficial for our organization and we set high-level direction through a visioning process that engages the organization and diverse external stakeholders.

Self-Awareness

We are able to develop a high degree of self-awareness around our own strengths and weaknesses and our impact on others. Our self-awareness enables us to moderate and self-regulate our behaviors to control and channel our impulses for good purposes.

Enabling

We all work to effectively empower and enable others to deliver the organizations goals through creating conditions of success. We passionately invest in others by developing their careers, not only their skills for the job. We provide freedom; demonstrate belief and trust provide appropriate support. We give more freedom and demonstrate belief and trust, underpinned with appropriate support.