Localization Advisor

Overview

Drive Action Against Hunger's localization strategy and practices.

You have:

• At least 10 years’ working experience supporting localization function in humanitarian context.
• Experience of working on Localization and Local Partnership issues/challenges within INGOs.
• Experience of work with local civil society organizations and/or local authorities in the global south.
• Experience of working within a large complex international humanitarian or development organization.
• Programmatic/operations experience at country-level in the humanitarian/development sector.
• Fluent in English (verbally and in writing).
• Bachelor’s degree in project Management, Development studies or any related Social Science.
• Master’s degree in related field is an added advantage.
• Strong organization and time management skills.

Description

Action Against Hunger-USA is part of the Action Against Hunger International network, which provides humanitarian relief in over 40 countries worldwide in the sectors of nutrition, health, water/sanitation, and food security. Action Against Hunger-USA, an independent NGO, currently manages operations in 8 countries: Kenya, South Sudan, Cambodia, Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia, Haiti and Somalia. Action Against Hunger-USA has approximately 2000 staff based in the various country offices, Head Quarter in New York City and Operational Centre in Nairobi. Additional growth is anticipated.

Position: Localization Advisor

Department: Operations- Evaluation, Accountability & Learning (ELA)

Reports to: Deputy Head of MEAL Services (UK )/Head of ELA (Network).

Job Location: The role can be based in the UK,in the Action Against Hunger Regional Office in Nairobi or in any Country Office where Action Against Hunger has presence provided the successful candidate has proof of eligibility to work from preferred location

JOB PURPOSE

Action Against Hunger is committed to changing the way we work so that we better recognize, respect and strengthen the leadership and capacity of local and national actors. To support this a revised Local Partnerships Policy was approved in 2023. As we work to strengthen our Local Partnership approach, we are also further exploring what Localization means to us in practice and re-thinking our role as an international actor.

We recognize that there is not a ‘one size fits all’ approach to Localization and while certain efforts may be appropriate in some contexts, they won’t work in others. Similarly, what might work for some INGOs, might not necessarily work for Action Against Hunger. It is therefore important that this process is built on the practices, experiences and views of Action Against Hunger staff and especially those working closest with the people, communities and the local actors we work with.

This Project is part of Action Against Hunger’s international Evaluation, Learning and Accountability (ELA) Project - an international Project funded by the Action Against Hunger Network to strengthen evaluation, learning and accountability across the organization. The Project is led by the ELA Team, which sits in Action Against Hunger UK’s Operations Department. The ELA Team works in close cooperation with international Working Groups representing Action Against Hunger staff across the Network.

We are looking for a Localization Advisor to join the ELA Team and take the lead on driving Action Against Hunger’ Localization movement in cooperation with an international Working Group(s). The Localization Advisor will play a critical role in turning plans and policies into practice through the provision of operational and programmatic expertise on Localization and Local Partnership.

We’re looking for an individual who is familiar with the Localization agenda and has experience working in a large, complex international humanitarian/development organization. Experience in-country and/or experience in organizational change processes is desirable. The candidate should be interested in discussions around accountability and passionate about making meaningful changes across the organization in order to strengthen accountability and improve the sector as a whole.

Benefits

Action Against Hunger-USA provides all staff with an attractive salary & benefits package. We provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees & qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, ancestry, sexual orientation, national origin, age, handicap, disability, marital status, or status as a veteran. Action Against Hunger-USA complies with all applicable laws governing nondiscrimination in employment.

Application Process.

Interested? Then apply for this position by clicking on the apply button. All applicants must upload a cover letter and an updated resume and both must be in the same language as this vacancy note. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Requirements

KEY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Lead the delivery of the Localization and Local Partnership work stream including development of a global strategy and framework for the Network, ensuring ongoing project management, associated monitoring, reporting and risk management, and production of impactful, user-friendly content products.

· Coordinate working groups for the work stream with representatives from across Action Against Hunger Network, ensuring clear roles, responsibilities, and effective sharing of knowledge and resources

· Ensure that operations expertise from across the Network is consulted in the development of the different priorities and objectives, e.g. through engagement of Country Office and HQ colleagues, Technical Reference Groups, International Management Groups, etc.

· Lead the development of the Localization strategy and framework

· Support the Network through the HQs to implement the Local Partnership Policy

· Develop a monitoring framework for the Localization and Local Partnerships work streams

· Work with individual Country Offices in supporting the implementation of the policy (e.g. adapting existing strategies to the new policy)

· Collect learnings on Local Partnership and share with the Network.

2. Document and share Localization and Local Partnership practices across the Network

· Identify, mobilize, and build relationships with the Country Offices to document and

share Localization and Local Partnership Practice

· Work with selected HQs and countries to understand their current state and direction of travel - mapping out the framework for how countries will get to where they want to be, the operational changes required to get there and the support that they would need to achieve this (guidance, resourcing, systems etc.)

· Gather evidence of the types of Localization and Local Partnership activities our policies/processes/requirements support, and the activities they hinder

· Support mapping and analysis of HQ and Country Office Localization activities, investments, and milestones

· Documentation and sharing of case studies with the Network

· Supporting the uptake of learnings and recommendations drawn from case studies

3. Actively promote organizational learning around including Localization, Local Partnership, community engagement and the Core Humanitarian Standard

· Contribute to knowledge management, sharing and learning across the ELA work streams ensuring the representation and visibility of Country staff and partners’ voices

· Support and promote a bottom-up approach to learning across the Action Against Hunger Network

· Represent Action Against Hunger UK at external working groups related to ELA priorities

· Stay informed about the latest developments around Localization and related topics and bring this knowledge and learnings to the working groups and wider Network

4. Support, where required, the other lines of work led by the ELA Team (including community engagement, International Strategic development, CHS), and stay informed and promote links where needed

· Identify, coordinate, and ensure alignment with other related work streams that sit outside of the ELA remit (e.g., Operations, Finance and Risk, HR and Governance, Decolonization) and communicate implications for this work

· Act as a positive role model, exhibiting leadership and celebration of diversity and inclusion within your team and with others

· Collaborate effectively as a member of the Evaluation, Learning and Accountability Team, developing and delivering aligned work plans and supporting shared objectives

· Be a collaborative member of the UK HQ

The above list of key duties is not exclusive or exhaustive and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post.

The job will involve international travel, in line with our International Environmental Framework. And finally, you’ll need to adhere to our Code of Conduct and organizational policies and protocols

REQUIRED SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

· Experience of working on Localization and Local Partnership issues / challenges within INGO’s

· Experience of work with local civil society organizations and/or local authorities in the global south

· Experience of working within a large complex international humanitarian or development organization

· Programmatic/operations experience at country-level in the humanitarian/development sector

· Knowledge of the Core Humanitarian Standard on Quality and Accountability (CHS)

· Experience managing stakeholders with varying priorities to achieve a common goal and meet tight deadlines.

· Experience in solving complex issues through analysis, definition of a clear way forward and ensuring buy in

· Demonstrated ability to develop and manage productive relationships with wide range of stakeholders, including country offices and senior leadership ensuring buy-in to a shared vision and project.

· Experience of challenging yourself and others to review and question the effectiveness of standard approaches and a role model and demonstrates a positive acceptance of change

· Strong organization and time management skills. Ability to plan ahead and prioritize competing tasks.

· A demonstrable personal and professional commitment to uphold the principles and practices in relation to equality, diversity and inclusion and the vision, mission and values of Action Against Hunger

· A willingness to undertake overseas travel

· Fluent in English (verbally and in writing)

DESIRABLE

· Experience working on organizational change processes

· Working knowledge of French and/or Spanish language (verbally and in writing)

· Familiarity with organizational learning theory and practice

· Lived experience of Action Against Hunger priorities and countries of operation

Required Qualifications and Professional Experience

· Bachelor’s degree in project Management, Development studies or any related Social Science

· Master’s degree in related field is an added advantage

· At least 10 years’ working experience supporting localization function in humanitarian context.

Supervisory Responsibilities

None

Gender Equality commitments

· Foster an environment that supports values of women and men, and equal access to information.

· Provide a work environment where women and men must be evaluated and promoted based on their skills and performance

· Respect beneficiaries’ women, men, boys and girls regardless of gender, sex orientation, disability, religion, race, color, ancestry, national origin, age or marital status,

· Value and respect all cultures.

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 interruptions.

· To travel to the Countries/field, the employee must attest to a level of physical fitness capable of enduring physically difficult, highly stressful situations, which may include the necessity to walk long distances, to eat a limited diet and/or to reside in potentially uncomfortable housing or tents.

· The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Working Conditions, Travel and Environment

· The duties of the job require regular job attendance at least five days per week. Must be available to work outside normal office hours or on the weekends as required.

· Must be able to travel as required for standard domestic and international business travel as well as to country offices when require. While visiting the country offices, the employee may be exposed to precarious settings under high security risks and/or very basic living conditions and outside weather conditions, as well is to infectious diseases.

· All Action Against Hunger-USA employees are required to engage with and follow the performance management program in place.

Commitment to Safeguarding

• Responsible for fully understanding and adhering to Action Against Hunger’s safeguarding policy, PSEA and child safeguarding policies as well as its Code of Conduct and Charter of Principles.

• Respect all policies during professional as well as private time and ask for clarification if needed.

• Accomplish tasks in a way not to harm children, vulnerable adults and other communities we serve, or expose them to risk of abuse and exploitation.

• Report all safeguarding concerns according to the applicable reporting system.

• Create and maintain an environment free of abuse and exploitation

All employment offers with Action Against Hunger are conditional upon the receipt of satisfactory references and the signing our code of conduct, Safeguarding Policy with a particular focus on Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse and Child Safeguarding. This position will also be subject to robust reference and background screening checks.

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Potential interview questions

Added 2 years ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: actionagainsthunger.org