Food Security and Livelihoods Officer

Position: 

Food Security and Livelihoods Officer 

Department/Project/Region 

International Programme – DHC Ukraine 

Last revised: 

16.06.2026 

Immediate Superior: 

Partnerships Manager (PsM), Ukraine 

Shall report to: 

Programme Manager (PM), Ukraine 

Function prerequisite: 

The Food Security and Livelihoods Officer (FSLO) has responsibility for providing technical support to and building the capacity of NPA and its civil society partners implementing Food Security and Livelihoods programming. The FSL Officer supports partners with project implementation, monitoring, needs and market assessments, concept notes, proposal development and technical quality assurance. The position will contribute to the development of future FSL programming. The FSL Officer will work closely with local partners throughout the project cycle, ensuring activities are implemented in accordance with humanitarian principles, donor requirements and NPA policies. 

DHC programme and projects in Ukraine include SGBV / Protection / FSL components and are likely to expand in the future to include a broader range of humanitarian, development and resilience programming. The FSLO is formally responsible to - and reports to – the Partnerships Manager and the Programme Manager. FSLO will play an important role in supporting the development of future programming.  

All responsibilities and reporting have to be carried out in accordance with the strategic objectives of NPA as set out in the NPA Strategy, Regulation for Delegation of Authority and other relevant procedures and guidelines in the Quality Management System and Programme Handbook, as well as approved local guidelines and regulations. Any deviation to the above has to be reported to, and approved by, NPA HO. Coordination and administrative follow up of the programme is carried out by the Ukraine Programme Advisor in the NPA Head Office.  

The position is based in Mykolaiv, with travel to project sites and across the country as required and approved by Security Department.  

Responsibilities: 

General responsibilities 

• Provide technical advice and support on Food Security and Livelihoods programming in line with NPA strategies, policies and donor requirements. 

• Support local partners in planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting of FSL activities. 

• Conduct regular monitoring visits to partner projects to ensure quality implementation and compliance. 

• Support programme development through needs assessments, market assessments, context analysis and identification of emerging humanitarian and livelihood needs. 

• Contribute to preparation of concept notes, project proposals and technical inputs for fundraising opportunities. 

• Contribute to programme learning by documenting good practices, lessons learned and recommendations. 

• Strengthen the capacity of NPA staff and partner organisations in FSL programming and humanitarian standards. 

• Perform any other duties assigned by line management. 

Specific duties and responsibilities: 

Policy and Strategy 

• Contribute to the strategic development of NPA's Food Security and Livelihoods programming in Ukraine. 

• Monitor humanitarian trends, food security and livelihood challenges. 

• Provide technical recommendations to improve programme quality and relevance. 

• Ensure FSL interventions are aligned with FSL Cluster, humanitarian standards, localisation principles and NPA strategic priorities. 

Programme quality and protection mainstreaming 

• Provide technical guidance throughout the project cycle for Food Security and Livelihoods interventions. 

• Support partners in planning and implementing activities including livelihoods recovery, agricultural support, cash and voucher assistance, small business recovery, vocational initiatives and other resilience activities where applicable. 

• Conduct regular field monitoring visits to assess progress, identify implementation challenges and provide technical recommendations. 

• Review partner work plans, procurement plans and technical reports related to FSL activities. 

• Support the development and assessment of proposals from existing and prospective partners. 

• Ensure programme implementation complies with donor requirements and NPA quality standards. 

• Prepare monitoring reports, technical updates and recommendations for programme management. 

• Contribute to donor reporting by providing technical inputs, success stories and case studies. 

Capacity development 

• Support partners in strengthening project planning, monitoring, reporting and quality assurance systems. 

• Facilitate learning events and technical workshops on Food Security and Livelihoods programming. 

Other responsibilities 

• Liaise with other agencies and organisations on relevant matters and represent NPA in the Food Security and Livelihoods Cluster, relevant Technical Working Groups and other inter-agency coordination mechanisms, as agreed with the Partnerships Manager and Programme Manager 

• Provide regular updates to programme management on relevant coordination discussions, sector developments, funding opportunities and emerging needs. 

Authority/ Decisions: 

Typical decisions the holder of the positions makes 

Reference is made to the NPA Regulation for Delegation or Authority, Quality Management, DHC Programme Handbook and Guidelines for the NPA Ukraine Office. 

Required qualifications: 

Education: 

Must have:  

• University degree – for example in Agriculture, Economics or Social Studies. 

• Excellent Ukrainian language skills, both written and verbal. 

• Good English language skills, both written and verbal. 

• Good understanding of ICT systems and experience with MS Office applications, including Excel. 

Desirable:  

The following qualifications are desirable and will be an advantage, but are not requirements:  

• Previous experience in humanitarian programming, food security analysis, market assessments or cash programming. 

• Knowledge and understanding of humanitarian aid policies and working with international donors. 

Experience: 

Must have: 

• At least 2 years of proven experience in Food Security and Livelihoods, Early Recovery programme roles. 

• Experience working with local civil society organisations and partners. 

• Experience conducting needs assessments, market assessments and field monitoring. 

• Experience preparing technical reports, concept notes and project proposals. 

• Experience supporting project implementation throughout the project cycle. 

• Understanding of humanitarian principles, accountability and quality standards. 

• Strong analytical, communication and report writing skills. 

• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision. 

• Willingness and ability to undertake regular field travel. 

Other qualifications: 

Position is open to qualified national candidates, or those with the permission to work in Ukraine. 

Personal Competencies: 

• Collaborative approach to work and engagement with colleagues and external stakeholders. 

• Self-motivated with integrity, initiative and ability to work proactively. 

• Appropriate sensitivity to social and cultural diversity. 

• Strong communication, networking and interpersonal skills. 

• Resourcefulness and problem solving ability. 

Additional Considerations: 

The FSL Officer is to abide by the policies and Code of Conduct of Norwegian People’s Aid and represent the organisation in a responsible manner. 

Special consideration should be given to the cooperation with the Management Team in terms of strategic and contextual analysis. 

As the situation in Ukraine is dynamic and the programme is under development, the scope of the position can be revised during the contract period if it is deemed that specific technical expertise is required to build up new programme components.  Such revision will happen ,is responsible for providing technical support to, and building the capacity of, in close dialogue with the position holder.