VA No.:103552
ABOUT WFP & R4 INITIATIVE
The World Food Programme (WFP) is United Nations frontline agency in the fight against hunger, WFP is continually responding to emergencies. We save lives by getting food to the hungry fast. But WFP also works to help prevent hunger in the future. We do this through programmes that use food as a means to build assets, spread knowledge and nurture stronger, more dynamic communities. This helps communities become more food secure. On average, WFP aims to bring food assistance to more than 80 million people in 80 countries.
WFP Ethiopia is working with the Government and humanitarian partners to strengthen the resilience of Ethiopia’s most vulnerable population and to chart a more prosperous and sustainable future for the next generation. The Country Office also supports programmes that use food assistance to empower women, transform areas affected by climate change and keep children in school. It aims to contribute to Ethiopia’s five-year development agenda, the Growth and Transformation Plan (GTP), through which the Government combats food insecurity.
For the 1.3 billion people worldwide living on less than a dollar a day and depending on agriculture for their livelihoods, vulnerability to climate-related shocks is a constant threat to their food security and well-being. As effects of climate change increase the frequency and intensity of natural hazards rise, with farmers facing a growing risk that these climate-related shocks will destroy their assets. Understanding how to help communities confront and manage this risk, so they can be resilient to climate-related shocks, is critical for addressing global poverty.
R4 Rural Resilience Initiative: R4 has broken new ground in the field of climate risk management by enabling poor farmers to pay premiums for crop index insurance with their own labor. Farmers can access insurance by paying with their labor through Insurance-for-Work (IFW) schemes. When a drought hits, compensation for weather-related losses prevents farmers from selling productive assets and stimulates faster
recovery. IFW schemes are built into either existing government social safety net Programs (PSNP). Assets built through risk reduction activities promote resilience by
steadily decreasing vulnerability to disaster risks over time. Insurance also facilitates access to credit at better rates, serving as collateral. Households can thereby invest in riskier but more remunerative enterprises, as well as in improved seeds, fertilizers and
new technologies to increase their agricultural productivity.
Participants also establish small-scale savings, which are used to build ‘risk reserves’. Savings help build a stronger financial base for investing – but also act as a buffer against short-term needs and idiosyncratic shocks, such as illness and death. To ensure long-term sustainability, R4 contributes to the creation of rural financial markets, by building local capacity and gradually transitioning farmers to pay for insurance in cash.
ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT
Under the general supervision and guidance of the sub office head and functional guidance from the Climate Solutions Team in Addis Ababa, the Monitoring Assistant will support implementation of the R4 Rural Resilience Initiative in Amhara an Tigray regions. Following is a list of the number of position by duty station:
Duty Station | Contract Type | No. of Positions |
Mekelle | FT- G4 | 1 |
Bahir Dar | FT- G4 | 1 |
JOB PURPOSE:
To perform monitoring activities within a specific coverage area and provide reports to support the effective delivery of assistance packages.
DURATION OF POSITION:
One year with possibility of extension
ACCOUNTABILITIES:
DESIRED EXPERIENCES FOR ENTRY INTO THE ROLE:
STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Education: Bachelor’s degree in finance, development economics or related subject
Experience: At least three years relevant working experience of working in Saving and Credit Cooperatives or MFIs is a must, either from a field perspective or from a more marketing or operational management level perspective.
Language: Fluency in both oral and written communication in English.
Knowledge and Skills: