Food Security & Livelihood Officer (FSL)

 About Action Against Hunger (ACF)

Action Against Hunger leads the global movement to end hunger. We innovate solutions, advocate for change, and reach 28 million people annually with proven hunger prevention and treatment programmes. Operating in 55 countries, our 8,990 dedicated staff members partner with communities, governments, and agencies to address the root causes of hunger, including climate change, conflict, inequity, and emergencies. We strive to create a world free from hunger, for everyone, for good.

Action Against Hunger Kenya is part of the Action Against Hunger International network and implements integrated programmes in West Pokot, Isiolo, Tana River, Samburu, Kwale, and Baringo counties.

Project Description – AGROBLUE

The AGROBLUE Project – Promotion of Sustainable Agriculture and the Blue Economy in Kenya is an AICS-funded initiative aimed at improving food security, livelihoods, and climate resilience in Kenya’s coastal counties of Tana River and Kwale. The project targets farmers and artisanal fishers facing low productivity, high post-harvest losses, and limited income diversification, while addressing gender barriers that restrict women’s participation in economic activities. Through integrated approaches, AGROBLUE promotes climate-smart agriculture, sustainable fishing practices, and blue economy opportunities, ensuring institutional sustainability by working closely with government ministries and local stakeholders.

AGROBLUE seeks to increase household incomes and resilience to food crises by introducing small-scale, sustainable food production systems and reducing post-harvest losses through improved handling, storage, and value addition. The project strengthens community capacities, enhances water management, and builds technical skills among extension officers to support farmers and fishers. By fostering gender equality and social inclusion, AGROBLUE ensures equitable access to resources and decision-making for women and youth, ultimately contributing to diversified livelihoods, improved nutrition, and long-term socio-economic stability in Kenya’s coastal region.

  I.        Position Summary

·  Action Against Hunger is looking for Food Security & Livelihood Officer based in either Kwale or Tana River County. The Food Security and Livelihoods (FSL) Officer will provide technical support for the design, planning, implementation (including technical oversight), monitoring, and reporting of Food Security and Livelihoods activities. This role contributes to the effective delivery of high-quality FSL interventions that enhance sustainable, climate-resilient food production and improved household livelihoods.

· We are seeking a dedicated, proactive, and motivated individual to join the consortium in Tan River/Kwale office. The position requires a highly energetic professional who is eager to learn and willing to travel extensively across counties to support mother-to-mother support groups, farmer groups, and community partners.

·  As part of the program team, the FSL Officer will play a key role in implementing FSL interventions, providing agronomic and technical support, and working closely with communities and partners to achieve impactful and sustainable results in climate-resilient food systems.

Purpose:

·         To support the implementation of FSL project activities that are geared towards addressing malnutrition among vulnerable populations through a multi-sector integrated approach and represent the AICS consortium in the FSL coordination forums at the county and sub-county level.

Engagement:

·  Work in collaboration with the communities, local leaders, elders and local authorities and community representatives at all stages of project implementation and represent Action Against Hunger towards partners at the field level.  When applicable: NGOs, local authorities, UN bodies and community representatives (elders, chiefs etc.) to ensure successful implementation of project activities without duplication and resource wastage.

·  Coordinate with the other organizations among them Community Based Organizations (CBOs) local and International NGOs, UN organizations, other partners and National and County Departments (MoA, MoL) at County and Sub County level.

· Represent the organization in county coordination forums like the Cash Technical Working Group (CWG), Agriculture Technical Working Group (AWG), Livestock Working Group (LWG), County Steering Group (CSG), and Multisector Platforms (MSPs) among others.

·  Collaborate with Consortium Director, HOD WASH, Program Managers, Program officers and other departments to deliver AICS project.

Delivery:

· Contribute to the development of detailed project work plans, ensuring that livelihood activities, Nutrition, WASH and gender related activities are fully integrated.

·  Ensure that the project is implemented within the stipulated timeline and by the standards prescribed by the county, national and international standards.

· Train farmer-groups on agri-enterprise establishment, CSA, agro-ecology, support MTMSGs on establishment of kitchen gardens using sustainable agricultural practices, training community groups on crop and animal product utilization and value addition, and VSLAs

· Ensure that the work plans, procurement plans and DIPs are developed at the beginning of the project and the required procurement requisitions are raised as needed.

· Participate in the review of the Budget Follow Ups (BFUs) and ensure that the budget expenditure is as per the work plan and that forecasts are made to reflect the work plans.

·  Participate in project routine monitoring, Baseline and end line surveys, and support distribution monitoring (PDM)

·  Prepare weekly and monthly progress reports, quarterly, semiannual and annual reports according to the AICs Consortium and donor guidelines

· Compile program reports on a timely basis in liaison with other program staff; Weekly SitRep, Monthly (statistical and narrative), Quarterly and annual donor reports.

 II.        Essential job functions.

1.     Project planning, design and implementation - 30%

· In coordination with the Consortium Director and program teams, participate in the design, development, and implementation of Food Security and Livelihoods (FSL) projects.

· Promote the integration of Nutrition and WASH activities—particularly those targeting women and youth groups into all livelihood initiatives to strengthen household dietary diversity and resilience.

· Participate in FSL program planning, organization, and implementation of surveys, assessments, research studies, and post-distribution monitoring activities.

· Establish and maintain positive, cohesive working relationships with communities and direct project beneficiaries, ensuring active listening and inclusion of women and youth perspectives.

· Oversee beneficiary selection for livelihood activities (crop, livestock, fisheries, apiculture, etc.) in accordance with agreed selection criteria.

· Engage and coordinate with County government officials to ensure a clear understanding of project objectives, requirements, and provisions.

· In liaison with the Consortium Director, Finance and logistics, and other project Officers to identify funding opportunities and contribute to the development of project proposals addressing county-specific gaps.

· Train farmers on agri-enterprise establishment to increase crop, vegetable, and livestock production, while promoting the adoption of agro-ecology principles.

·   Build farmer capacity in value chain management and value addition, with a focus on food handling, preservation, processing, and reduction of post-harvest losses.

· Promote climate-smart and conservation agriculture practices to mitigate climate change impacts, including tree planting, soil management, and other climate-friendly initiatives.

· Ensure meaningful participation of beneficiaries—especially women, youth, persons with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups—in decision-making processes through management committees, appointed leadership, information sessions, and administrative structures.

·  Create and strengthen linkages between FSL groups (women, youth, and community groups) and financial institutions, farmers’ associations, cooperatives, social services, and private sector partners.

·  Work closely with Nutrition and WASH sector focal persons at both government and program levels to ensure effective integrated programming.

·  Ensure strong participation of communities, government officers, and leaders (community, sub-county, and county levels) throughout project development, start-up, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation phases.

·  In collaboration with the consortium team, contribute to defining and refining technical strategies when required.

2.     Project Monitoring, Evaluation and Data Management - 20%

· Participate in the planning, organization, and implementation of surveys, assessments, and research studies, including post-distribution monitoring (PDM).

· Regularly monitor and evaluate the performance of Food Security and Livelihoods (FSL) projects, providing timely input, feedback, and analysis on the impact of consortium FSL interventions on target communities.

· Support county teams in monitoring food security activities in the field, including conducting market analyses for market-based programming and cash-based interventions; identify challenges and risks, report findings to management, and support project handover to relevant community groups, local authorities, and government structures.

·  Ensure that all beneficiary and assessment data are securely stored within the organization’s database and are accessible to relevant teams in accordance with data protection standards.

· Participate in community-level needs assessments, including household food security assessments, to inform agriculture and food security interventions.

· Conduct capacity assessments of smallholder farmers for agricultural interventions and facilitate private sector engagement, including mentoring and coaching of farmers at the household level.

·  Lead and/or conduct FSL project baseline, midline, end-line, context, and follow-up assessments, as well as surveys as required.

·  Lead Food Security and Livelihoods emergency assessments, response planning, and coordination in collaboration with relevant stakeholders.

3.     Reporting, documentation and communication - 20%

· Coordinate with the MEAL Officer to prepare timely, accurate, and high-quality activity reports, including Weekly Situation Reports (SitReps), monthly (statistical and narrative), quarterly, and semi-annual reports, as well as DHIS2 submissions, in line with the AICS consortium (ACF) and donor reporting guidelines.

·  Document and compile lessons learned, best practices, human-interest stories, and success stories that demonstrate project outcomes and impact.

· Participate in information sharing with program teams, government counterparts, and partners by disseminating activity results and feedback from the field.

· Support Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) focal persons, Agriculture Extension Officers on information and data management related to Food Security and Livelihoods interventions.

·  Enhance project visibility across all project sites by ensuring proper branding of equipment, tools, and materials in accordance with donor visibility guidelines.

·    Maintain comprehensive qualitative and quantitative records of project activities, ensuring data is disaggregated by age, gender, and disability status.

·  Prepare progress updates, quarterly donor reports, project proposals, program reports, procurement plans, and contribute to survey and assessment reports as required.

·   Support Ministry of Health (MoH) and Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) focal persons with information management, data reporting, and use of government reporting systems and software.

4.     Information exchange and cooperation with all Action Against Hunger interventions and external stakeholders - 10%

·   Collaborate closely with all Action Against Hunger departments and sectors to ensure effective integration of program activities across sectors.

·   Strengthen and maintain partnerships with relevant County Government departments and ministries, community structures, beneficiaries, INGOs, NGOs, CBOs, and private-sector actors to support smooth project implementation and maximize impact.

·     Actively participate in county-level coordination forums and platforms related to agriculture, nutrition, WASH, gender, and livelihood resilience.

III.        Finance and Logistics - 20%

·   Prepare monthly cash forecasts in liaison with other program staff, in line with approved work plans and project timelines.

·  Ensure all project expenditures are aligned with approved budget lines and comply strictly with budget limits and donor requirements.

·  Propose and justify anticipated budget realignments or revisions based on field realities and program needs, in coordination with relevant staff.

·  Support the finance officer to review and monitor project budgets, tracking burn rates, and ensuring diligent grant utilization, efficient resource use, and value for money.

·  Perform any other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the supervisor

IV.        Supervisory Responsibilities

·  The FSL Officer position does not have direct line management responsibilities.

V.         Fiscal Responsibility

·  Prepare cash forecasts in line with approved project work plans and proactively address anticipated budget realignments in consultation with the finance officer.

·   Monitor budget expenditure against the spending plan, ensuring diligent grant utilization, timely spending, and value for money.

·  Support the Programs team during monthly Budget Forecast Update (BFU) review meetings by reviewing corrective actions and proposing necessary budget amendments or realignments to the Finance team.

VI.         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 many interruptions. You must be able to proofread your own work accurately so that only minor corrections are needed on an infrequent basis.

·   The job also demands long journeys across Tana River and Kwale counties, in remote areas of the work area, with poor terrain and scorching sun and heat.

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