Economic Security Agronomist

PURPOSE

The EcoSec Agronomist, is to assist EcoSec Coordinator to manage the EcoSec programme in Egypt. S/he contributes to the EcoSec strategies and manages agriculture/livestock linked programmes in line with EcoSec guidelines and delegation strategy. S/he participates in all EcoSec operations directly implemented by ICRC or in partnership with national society and other partner organizations. S/he supports the EcoSec Coordinator in understanding the national agriculture and livestock sector strategies for better implementation of livelihood projects and adaptations or review operational strategies. S/he also reports on the achievements of the EcoSec programme, prepares related plans of action, and provides technical support and coaching to the partners. The EcoSec Agronomist B2 helps EcoSec Co to establish and develop the network of contacts with UN organizations, NGOs and the relevant authorities.

ACCOUNTABILITIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

PROGRAMME MANAGEMENT

• Contributes to analysing the security, socioeconomic, cultural and political environment at the interest of delegation strategies and programme priority areas.
• Analyses agriculture-based livelihoods of affected populations and identify the gaps together with affected populations, in coordination with government authorities and partners. 
• Involves at programme planning, implementing and monitoring of Economic Security programme (emergency response, livelihood support or income generating activities linked to agriculture) within the framework of accountability to affected populations and in accordance with the objectives set by the EcoSec department.
• Based on an analysis of EcoSec’s core components (food consumption/production, living conditions, income support and capacity-building), identifies agricultural related livelihood support areas independently or together with partners organisations.
• Conducts required agriculture, livestock and other assessments and identifies adequate responses (in-kind /cash distributions, livelihood support programs) together with partner organisations. 
• Maintains contacts at all required levels, i.e. external interlocutors such as local authorities, Department of Agriculture and Livestock, suppliers, NGOs/ CBOs that are relevant to the EcoSec programme.
• Oversees, implements and monitors the implementation of all agriculture related programme activities (seed multiplication, seed & tools distribution, rehabilitation of irrigation schemes, drip irrigations, green houses) implemented directly or in partnership with partners.
• Identifies and maintains contact with farmers, farmers cooperatives, certified suppliers of agricultural inputs.
• Collects data by using standard data-collection tools and devices, performs mid-level qualitative and quantitative data analysis, interprets basic quantitative and qualitative data analysis and describes results and produces data visualizations.
• Analyses on data collected using the household economy approach to identify economic security gaps and develop scenarios.
• Interprets market information and uses it to select and design responses linked to value chains.
• Contributes to identifying response options by analysing strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) and assess whether cash or in-kind aid is more appropriate and feasible.
• Liaises with the support departments (Logistics & Finance) for all matters related to the job and performs administrative tasks according to internal procedures (field trip, procurement of agricultural inputs seeds & tools, management of working advances and others)
• Represents the ICRC in meetings seminars and workshops related to the agriculture sector with other humanitarian organisations and governmental authorities.

INSTITUTIONAL REPORTING AND DOCUMENTATION

• Contributes to key strategy, planning and reporting documents for the EcoSec programme (strategic and operational plans and quarterly reports).
• Prepares field visit reports, minutes of meetings and other documents related to EcoSec activities when required.
• Contributes to the weekly operational report (WOR), bi-annual field report (BFR) and other institutional reporting;
• Follow up reporting statistic with colleagues and ensures right reporting is shared.

MANAGEMENT, TRAINING, COACHING AND FACILITATING PROGRAMME STAFF FUNCTIONS

• Provides technical support and competences buildings coaching to partners staffs to achieve the agreed partnership goals linked to programme management and agriculture related skill sets.
• In coordination with EcoSec Co, identify partners programme staff’s training/competency needs and contributes to develop their capacities.

COOPERATION WITH NATIONAL SOCIETY AND PARTNERS

• Coordinates and participates in joint assessments/field visits, programme implementation and reviews with NS and partner organisations in Egypt.
• Coordinates regularly with programme focal persons to monitor the progress of partnership programme.
• Follows the partnership agreements signed with national society and partner organisations.