Food Security Expert/Officer

Job Title: Food Security Expert/Officer  

• Organization: Save Your Holy Land Association (SYHLA)

• Duty Station: Tigray Region, Yechila Abergele Woreda, Yechila Town 

• Duration: One year with a high possibility of extension

• Number Required: 1

• Gender: Female or Male 

• Reports to: Project Manager

Organizational Profile: 

Save Your Holy Land Association (SYHLA) is a non-profit, non-religious, non-partisan, humanitarian, peace, and development-oriented civil society organization in Ethiopia. Registered under the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, SYHLA operates to improve the social, economic, and physical well-being of youth and the community at large. Established in December 2001, SYHLA collaborates with individuals, communities, and institutions to drive positive societal changes across various sectors, including health, education, humanitarian response & recovery, peacebuilding, climate change, and eco-tourism.

Project Overview: 

SYHLA, in collaboration with the Eshet Children and Youth Development Organization and funded by UN Women, will launch the “Empower HER: Crisis-Resilient Women Leading Food Security” project. This initiative aims to empower women to take a leading role in food security planning and response within crisis-affected areas of the Tigray and Afar regions. The project is dedicated to narrowing gender disparities in food security through comprehensive capacity building, advocacy efforts, and active community engagement.

Purpose of the Role: 

The Food Security Expert/Officer will play a crucial role in implementing and coordinating the Empower HER: Crisis-Resilient Women Leading Food Security project. This position requires expertise in food security programming, crisis response, and gender-sensitive approaches. The Officer will work closely with gender specialists, women’s networks, community leaders, and local stakeholders to ensure effective planning, implementation, and monitoring of food security activities.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Technical Expertise:

   • Provide technical leadership on food security, nutrition, and resilience-building strategies.

   • Develop and implement gender-responsive food security and nutrition education programs.

2. Project Implementation:

   • Participate in the target selection process. 

   • Facilitate the establishment of women’s networks and platforms for food security planning and response.

   • Support the implementation of Gender-Responsive Cash Transfer programs.

   • Coordinate workshops and community campaigns on gender-responsive nutrition practices.

3. Capacity Building:

   • Train women’s network leaders and members on food security planning, response, and advocacy.

   • Build the capacity of local stakeholders in crisis coordination, conflict resolution, and resilience-building.

4. Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, and Reporting:

   • Prepare activities TOR and submit to her supervisor for review and approval. 

   • Prepare and implement weekly, monthly, and quarterly reports for submission to the Project Manager.

   • Monitor project activities and provide regular updates on food security outcomes.

   • Conduct assessments to measure the impact of interventions and ensure alignment with project goals.

   • Follow up regularly with women’s groups and platforms, compiling reports on their activities and outcomes.

5. Advocacy and Networking:

• Collaborate with local media outlets and influencers to amplify advocacy campaigns.

• Represent the organization in relevant forums, networks, and working groups related to food security.

PSEA and Safeguarding Concerns: 

SYHLA is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all individuals, especially vulnerable populations such as children and adults at risk. Our commitment includes creating and maintaining a safe environment for all individuals involved in their activities. We have robust PSEA and safeguarding policies and procedures in place to prevent and respond to incidents of harm, abuse, or exploitation, and all employees and partners working with them must rely on these policies. SYHLA also has rigorous recruitment practices, including background checks and references, to ensure that individuals working with vulnerable populations are suitable and safe to do so. As part of this commitment, the organization will check the candidate’s background and references during the recruitment process.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Agriculture, Food Security, Nutrition, Development Studies, Sociology, Social Work, or related fields.

• Minimum of 4 years (Bachelor’s) or 2 years (Master’s) years of progressively responsible experience in food security,  nutrition, and gender response humanitarian programming, preferably in humanitarian or development contexts.

• Strong understanding of gender issues and proven experience in implementing gender-responsive approaches.

• Experience in project management, including planning, implementation, monitoring, and reporting.

• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to work effectively in multicultural settings.

• Fluency in English; proficiency in the local language of the region is mandatory.

Key Competencies:

• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build effective relationships with stakeholders.

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team, with a proactive and results-oriented approach.

• Commitment to gender equality, women’s empowerment, and human rights principles.

• Flexible and adaptable to changing priorities and able to thrive in a fast-paced environment.

How To Apply

Interested applicants who fulfill the minimum requirements are invited to apply and submit your signed application letter, updated CV, and non-returnable photocopies of all academic credentials, and testimonials within Seven (7) consecutive days from 

the date of announcement to syhla201@gmail.com. 

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for a written test and interview. SYHLA will not cover any recruitment costs. For assistance, contact +251 967647060.

Note: Strong young women are strongly encouraged to apply!