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Equality is the common thread in our work and projects, both internally and externally. We recognize that our team of colleagues can become even more diverse, and that only with a diverse team can we gain a broad perspective on the world. Therefore, we want to encourage everyone who hesitates to apply, no matter the reason. Our aim is to create an environment where everyone not only feels welcome, but where diversity is embraced and celebrated. Let’s strive together to build a team that offers a rich variety of perspectives, enabling us to achieve an inclusive and inspiring work environment.
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Job description
The Thematic advisor Agrobiodiversity, nutrition an local food plants will be part of the GREEN Climate Resilient Communities Unit (CRC). The CRC unit supports the interest of 500 million smallholder farmers and indigenous communities that feed 90 percent of the population in the developing world. When their crops fail, millions go hungry. They are on the frontline of climate change, living in some of the most vulnerable landscapes. Our programs and partners support them to voice their demands, find local solutions, promote agro-ecology, and locally led adaptation, manage natural resources sustainably, protect their land rights and achieve food security.
The CRC’ seeds for resilience program based on the former SD=HS program, supports smallholder farmers – especially women, and youth – to have the capacity to access, develop and use plant genetic resources – in conjunction with agro-ecological practices and land rights – to improve their food and nutrition security. The seeds program fosters women’s leadership, support rural communities and their allies to voice their demands and influence government and private sector decisionmakers. The program is implemented in countries in Africa, Latin America and Asia and has activities at global level related to influencing, knowledge creating and linking& learning.
The role of the Thematic advisor Agrobiodiversity, nutrition and local food plants is to share local, traditional and other knowledge and experiences to promote local adoption and scaling of sustainable agro-ecology practices and local varieties that increase nutritious diets, income and livelihood opportunities. To achieve this you are asked to build and strengthen the networks and cooperation with national (farmer) organizations, rural communities, national agriculture research institutes and their allies; support smallholder farmers, especially women, to gain agency and skills; enhance agro-ecology practices and the cultivation, developing and use of local food plants (LFP) and neglected and under-utilized species (NUS); develop, share and innovate materials for mutual capacity-strengthening.
You will report to unit head of CRC as line manager and to the seeds for resilience program manager on program delivery.
Key responsibilities
- Provide internal and external (thought) leadership on the development, diffusion, learning and implementation of knowledge of the program on agro-ecology production, nutrition and use of LFP and NUS.
- Project manage the daily implementation of parts of seeds program, to ensure realization of the related parts of these projects in close cooperation with country offices and partner organizations.
- Take responsibility for the assigned budgets related to agrobiodiversity, nutrition and local food plants, elaborate proposals for the planning of the effective and efficient use of these resources, monitor the expenditures and reports on this to the project lead.
- Engage, advise and influence external and internal stakeholders (from a global perspective) on agrobiodiversity, seeds and local food plants within a context of climate change of selected seeds related programs.
- Design knowledge publications, ensure quality of documentation and training materials; share these with program stakeholders internally and externally; lead the exchange, learning, evaluation, and innovations related to agrobiodiversity, nutrition, and local food plants.
- Develop new integrated program elements and reach out to donors and partners for joint fundraising related to agrobiodiversity, nutrition, and local food plants.
- Ensure that the program follows Oxfam Novib’s organizational priorities especially regarding systemic change, gender and youth participation and feminist leadership.
Required skills and experience for the position
- Master’s degree in agrobiodiversity or comparable related field
- Strong understanding of and experience in developing strategies to improve food security and enhance production through agrobiodiversity and use of LFP and NUS within the context of the climate and biodiversity crisis in the Global South preferably in sub-Sahara Africa.
- At least 5 years of experience working with local organizations in biodiversity, agriculture and nutrition to improve the livelihood of local communities and especially women and youth.
- Experience in working with and from a gender transformation perspective.
- Strong written and oral communication and advisory skills, including training/facilitation skills, with proven ability to build relationships with a diverse range of local, national, and global stakeholders.
- Demonstrated ability to deliver results in complex multi-disciplinary structures, prioritize under pressure, meet deadlines, and hold yourself and others to account.
- Fluency in English, both verbal and written; Fluency in French and Spanish would be an asset.
Working at Oxfam Novib
- All our work is guided by our core values: Empowerment, Accountability, Inclusiveness, Courage, Solidarity and Equality.
- At Oxfam Novib, we work according to the Feminist Principles – Oxfam Policy & Practice.
- Oxfam Novib is committed to offer you a motivating work environment at our offices in The Hague.
- Working from an Oxfam office in the global South can be considered based on candidate’s background and possibility to travel to program countries and the Netherlands.
- Qualified candidates residing in the Netherlands, or other EU/EEA countries and who are willing to relocate to the Netherlands at their own expense and responsibility, are encouraged to apply.
- Oxfam Novib is unable to provide visa sponsorship at this time.
- We offer a one-year contract from start (including a 1-month trial period), with the possibility to extend.
- Oxfam Novib offers an attractive and honest benefits package, including a year-end allowance and yearly pay increase from the Collective Labor Agreement. Moreover, we offer complementary options to choose from. The salary range for this position is set in scale 10 with a salary range between € 3.469,- and € 5.339,- gross depending on experience, based on 36 hours a week.
- We are currently working hybrid (50% in the office in The Hague and 50% at home).
- Oxfam Novib is based on the power of difference. That is why we aim to attract a diverse mix of talented people who share our standards, values and principles, and who are committed to preventing and eliminating any type of misconduct.
- We have an active policy against sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, any form of abuse of power or lack of integrity and financial misconduct. This subject will be covered in our application and selection process.
How to apply
- Do you believe that this is the job you are looking for? Then we would love to meet you! Please send your resume and cover letter via our application portal Thematic advisor Agrobiodiversity, nutrition and local food plants (32- 36 hours/week) Job Details | OxfamNovibP.
- If you have questions regarding the position, please contact the program lead seeds for resilience, Eco Matser, eco.matser@oxfamnovib.nl
- Only applications received before the closing date of the 24th of June 2024 and submitted via our application portal will be considered.
- This job opening is posted internally and externally, simultaneously. Internal candidates are given preference if they possess sufficient qualifications, or these can be obtained in the short term. We believe it’s important in our organization that our employees are offered maximum opportunities for growth in new themes and competencies. Priority for internal candidates supports this.
- At the time of a contract offer, it is necessary for Oxfam Novib to request valid references. Our candidates will be subject to appropriate screening checks, including criminal records and terrorism, financial checks, or integrity screenings/references.
- Oxfam Novib reserves the right, to its sole discretion, not to make agreements regarding this job opening, make an agreement in a lower level, or make an agreement with an amended job description.
