Deputy Country Representative
he Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET) Early Warning Team (EWT) seeks a full-time deputy country representative (DCR) based in Guatemala City, Guatemala. FEWS NET is an integrated set of activities funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and is intended to provide timely, accurate, evidence-based, and transparent food security early warning information and analysis.
Chemonics International (Chemonics) implements the FEWS NET EWT, a team charged with integrated emergency food security analysis through a Washington-based technical office and more than 20 field offices.
The Guatemala DCR will work closely with the Guatemala country representative (CR) to undertake activities in the project office, provide quality control for the deliverables of the project, and will help ensure that activities and products are delivered in a timely manner.
Responsibilities
The main responsibilities of the Guatemala DCR include, but are not limited to:
Technical Activities
• Supporting the effective execution of technical activities in the national office including: early warning analysis, livelihoods and vulnerability assessments, markets and trade analysis, monitoring tools and methods development, capacity strengthening, and network development/enhancement
• Maintaining and updating a knowledge base composed of, at a minimum: livelihood zone profiles, commodity trade flow maps, sub-national seasonal monitoring calendars, commodity price data, nutrition data, and other technical data covering levels of rainfall, climate change, agricultural production, population, historical assistance flows, migration, remittances, labor etc.
• Developing and updating seasonal monitoring plans
• Providing high-quality and effective early warning of threats to food security and supporting efforts to mitigate food insecurity and prevent food crises through the production of actionable, evidence-based food security analysis
• Conducting regular field assessments of food security conditions, security permitting, both independently and with partners, in areas of most concern to FEWS NET
• Fulfilling monthly reporting requirements, including writing Food Security Outlooks (FSO), FSO Updates, the Price Watch, Market and Trade outlooks, seasonal monitors, and Key Messages, contributing to Food Assistance Outlook Brief reports, and providing regular briefings to the US Government and other partners in the country
• Organizing project documentation and files and updating all essential data used in food security early warning monitoring and assessment, including through inputs into the FEWS NET Data Warehouse, in line with the guidance provided by the Washington-based technical team
• Participating actively and collaboratively in country-level Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) analyses, as applicable, in line with IPC protocols
• Contributing to other FEWS NET information products required locally, regionally, and by the Washington based technical team
Partnership, Representation, and Network Development
• Collaborating with national, regional, and international partners in food security monitoring and analysis through participation in the implementation of the IPC
• Developing and maintaining strong collaborative relations, both formal and informal, with USAID Mission representatives, US Embassy technical contacts, UN agency representatives, government ministry staff, and key international and local NGO colleagues to facilitate technical exchanges, promote consensus building, work to resolve technical disagreements, and facilitate joint, coordinated actions to mitigate food insecurity
• Playing a leading role in collecting, archiving, analyzing, and sharing food security data and information
• Reinforcing partnerships through network development/enhancement at the national and sub-national levels by focusing support to address identified gaps and strengthen shared opportunities, including providing training and skills transfers for effective early warning in the country.
• Representing FEWS NET at regular and ad hoc formal and informal meetings within FEWS NET’s national food security networks, as designated by the CR
Management
- Supervising, mentoring, and supporting the professional development of technical and administrative staff in the field office, as delegated by the CR
- Supporting national recruitment efforts for technical and administrative staff in the country, as needed
Qualifications:
- Proficiency in written and spoken English and Spanish is required; local language skills relevant to the region are desirable
- Bachelor’s degree in a discipline relevant to the work of FEWS NET, such as economics, agricultural economics, agronomy, nutrition, climatology, anthropology, or social geography is required; advanced university degree (Master’s degree or higher) is desirable
- At least two years of relevant experience (with Ph.D.), four years of relevant experience (with a Master’s degree), or six years of relevant experience (with a Bachelor’s degree) is required. Relevant experience includes working on food security information systems, food security analysis, early warning, or other related fields; experience working with UN agencies and/or NGOs is desirable
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills are required, including demonstrated ability to coordinate productively with diverse partner stakeholders (e.g., UN, non-governmental organizations, host government entities) and multidisciplinary, multicultural teams, and to work effectively with remotebased colleagues
- Excellent computer skills (e.g., Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint) are required; ability to effectively use statistical software packages and/or GIS applications is desirable
Application instructions:
The Deputy Country Represntative position will remain open for applications through 11:59 p.m. EST on November 30th, 2022. A full scope of work for this position and information can be found at www.fews.net/vacancies. Applications can be submitted by clicking on the green "Apply here" button.
All application materials, including responses to the general information form, CVs, and cover letters, should be provided in English. No telephone inquiries. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
For applicants located in the EU, please see Chemonics Data Privacy Notice linked here: https://chemonics.com/eu-recruiting-data-privacy-notice/