Senior Regional Technical Advisor: Economic Empowerment

World Vision is an international Christian relief, development and advocacy organisation working in almost 100 countries world-wide to create lasting change in the lives of children, families and communities to overcome poverty and injustice.

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION:

This role is pivotal in the provision of overall strategic direction and technical guidance in the design, implementation, monitoring and reporting of economic empowerment and Livelihoods programmes across East Africa countries within the WVI economic empowerment framework, models and approaches. This role involves collaborating with multiple country teams providing technical and operational support and ensuring Quality Assurance of implementation on a sampling basis. assesses capacity gaps in FO’s and carries out ToFs on project models as relevant. The technical advisor will lead promote and supports learning and organize regional learning opportunities in the sector.
The role leads the development of external engagement and resource mobilization efforts. conducts period Market analysis and informs Field offices positioning and engagement with external actors, markets.
Participates in the various sector specific working groups, global and international forums, provide thought leadership and share World Vision work through publication and presentations in regional and international conferences.
The ideal candidate will have prior experience in economic empowerment programming, market system development, business management, SME value chain development in a multi country context or more than one country. Th position will be based in any of the nine countries within East Africa and will report to the Strategy and Program Quality Director.

Major Responsibilities
Technical Leadership

Lead in the development of regional Livelihood and economic empowerment guidance (Technical Guidance)
Provide technical support to field offices in the design of Technical Programmes), concepts, proposals
Contribute to the development of innovative approaches to address challenges of poverty with a focus to increase sustainable household income
Build capacity and conduct training to staff on identified gaps.
Coordinate and collaborate with the global leadership Livelihoods and economic empowerment team to develop, review global R&L standards, project models, and other technical guidance.
Lead work to and advance integration of economic empowerment and Livelihoods interventions in key WV strategy and programming processes and products, (National Office Strategy Toolkit, OIOS Indicators Compendium, Project Models, and Sustainability Driver

Resource Mobilization

Support FOs to explore and pursue multilateral, bilateral and private funding opportunities,
Assist SO, GC and RO GAM staff to identify priority countries for specific donors for Livelihood and economic empowerment opportunities,
Analyse the strengths and capacities of NOs for opportunities. Assist in proposal reviews
Support preparation and reviews of capability statement, at regional and national office level,
Review concepts/proposals for multi-country projects

External Engagement

Lead and contribute to WV's regional external engagement on Livelihoods and economic empowerment
Build WV’s external reputation as a leading contributor in Llivelihoods and economic empowerment programming through networking, partnering, advocacy, world-class publication, and other approaches.
Support significant NO-level donor and technical partner engagements for resource development and information sharing
Strengthen the linkages and collaboration between WV's Livelihoods and economic development programming and; Vision Fund International; Other parts of WV's ministry that can improve the contribution to Livelihood and economic empowerment programming to child well-being (including the teams responsible for gender, Safeguarding child and adolescents’ participation, Sponsorship, and F&D

Evidence and Learning

Build the evidence base for the effectiveness of WV’s Livelihood and economic empowerment programming and publications
Provide leadership in mainstreaming and scaling up promising economic empowerment practices with special focus on integration, value chain and market linkages
Establish and provide regional technical leadership to the Livelihood and economic empowerment community of practice and specialists across the national offices
Identify operations research (OR) and implementation research (IR) priorities in the region. Support OR and IR design
Identify and disseminate good practices/learnings/innovations coming from NOs in the region

Nexus Approach

Strengthen the integration of appropriate economic empowerment approaches in the implementation of humanitarian emergency peacebuilding contexts
Conduct and support joint analysis, strategic planning, programming and joint learning (field trips, evaluations etc.) within the humanitarian, development, and peacebuilding projects
Collaborate and complement WV humanitarian and development staff at Field Offices to find solutions, to if/when possible, prevent conflict, violence (and population movement) through top notch livelihood interventions.

Collaboration And Cross Functional Work

In collaboration with M&E, Communications review Our Impact annual reports and provide feedback as needed
Provide technical support and review for process monitoring of OIOS outcome and impact in collaboration with regional and NO DME teams for all grant-funded and sponsorship programs
Together with advocacy director, ensure FOs understand economic and livelihood advocacy issues that may require campaign inputs for strategy and TPs
Work with HEA team to support FOs in planning and mitigating disempowerment related emergencies.

Other Responsibilities

Attend and participate in weekly chapel services and daily devotional meetings.
Carry out additional responsibilities and projects as assigned, including administrative and planning functions.

Requirements

Experience working in more than one country and or providing oversight to multi country livelihood or economic empowerment programs.
At least 5 years of experience in managing Livelihood and Economic empowerment programs/projects in developing countries.
At least 7 years, business development services, experience in SME finance
Proven track record engaging with agribusiness to design and roll out products and services targeting small holder farmers, knowledge of the interaction between SME growth. Understanding of markets, and market systems, value chain development and VSL implementation, target production, brokerage, partnerships skills, Knowledge and approaches
Excellent skills required in program design, monitoring and evaluation, managing by results reporting and documentation
Significant bi-lateral, multi-lateral donor grant experience
Proven track record of growing communities of practice and influencing senior field stakeholders (Eg. Operations Directors, Head of Mission etc) is vital.
Experience in development of projects, training materials, conducting training (face to face and online) and providing technical assistance.
Preferred candidates should be committed to travel to Field Offices for days/weeks and spend time with Field Office technical teams in the field. Hands on support is a critical part of this role.
Master's degree in business management- Marketing options, Economic Development, and or related Livelihood field.
Bachelor in business management, economics, Agriculture livestock, cooperative management. A deep knowledge of the economic empowerment approaches, markets and market system, value chains development Trade related issues that affect the region, with significant experience working in the region.
Strong project management skills, including experience with research and development of programming models
Excellent writing skills as shown through technical documents, thought pieces, and proposals
Experience leading a task force or community of practice or learning.
Strong understanding of global strategies and frameworks on trade and market systems
Knowledge on legal international conventions related to economic development and Livelihoods.