Executive Secretary, Sustainable Agriculture & Food Security- NYC

Organization: United Methodist Committee on Relief

Position Title: Executive Secretary, Sustainable Agriculture & Food Security

Location: 475 Riverside Drive, New York, NY, 10115, US

Hours and Compensation: Full time

Application Deadline: rolling, December 7, 2013

Organization Overview

Reports to: Associate General Secretary, International Disaster Response

UMCOR provides humanitarian relief and disaster response in the United States and internationally. Our efforts are targeted in places where natural disasters, war, or conflict have done so much damage that communities are unable to recover on their own. While UMCOR is not a first-response organization, we stand ready to accompany communities in need over the long haul of their recovery, until they are well on their way to establishing a “new normal” after a crisis.

Sharing knowledge is the primary goal of UMCOR’s Sustainable Agriculture and Development (SA&D) program. UMCOR SA&D offers livelihood training to rural communities in Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Democratic Republic of Congo, Mozambique, and most recently, Zimbabwe. We work with local partners and communities in these countries to ensure that the program is relevant to the people we serve, farm-centered and field-based.

UMCOR SA&D emphasizes economic and environmental viability and sustainability. Training and education empower farmers to take care not only of their families, but of the land while promoting independence and self-reliance. For example, when farmers learn beekeeping or livestock husbandry, they create resources that can be used for generations to come.

UMCOR now seeks an Executive Secretary to manage the grants portfolio, maintain donor and partner relationships, and provide technical guidance across all units in the SA&D sector.

Responsibilities

Duties include but not limited to:

• Manage the portfolio of grants associated with the sector of sustainable agriculture, food security, livelihoods and economic development
• Maintain contacts and relationships with related partner organizations, include the possible participation in meetings, site visits and other coordinated efforts
• Facilitate organizational learning and awareness of global issues and policies related to sustainable agriculture, food security, livelihoods and economic development and assist with the development of organizational strategy as related to the related sectors
• Provide technical support and guidance to UMCOR partners and field offices in grant, proposal, and program development and implementation (including granting of UMCOR private funds, as well as contributing to institutional donor proposal development)
• Work with UMCOR colleagues across all units (including Global Health, International Disaster Response and US Disaster Response) to ensure comprehensive, integrated approaches to sustainable agriculture, food security, livelihoods and economic development in the USA and globally.

Qualifications

• Strong technical understanding of the sector of sustainable agriculture, food security, livelihoods and economic development;
• Strong skills in grants management (including ability to review grant applications for technical strength and cultural appropriateness, provide feedback and guidance, negotiation, oversight, monitoring and evaluation of grantees’ performance and project impact);
• Understanding of US Government policies and international standards and trends in the related sectors, and ability to interpret and articulate these within UMCOR’s mission and approach to the work;
• Ability to interact with a diverse group of partners and peers with diplomacy, professionalism and integrity in a fast-paced and often complex environment, while ensuring that UMCOR’s mission and stance towards sustainable agriculture, food security, livelihoods and economic development is maintained;
• Cross-cultural communication skills, foreign language skills a plus (especially French, Spanish, and Portuguese) Requirements Bachelor’s degree required, Master’s Degree strongly preferred. (Extra years of directly-related experience may replace years/level of education.) Preferred degree focus: international development, international economics, agriculture or related field. 3-5 years’ experience managing grants and/or programs or projects in the sector of sustainable agriculture, food security, livelihoods and economic development, or related fields. Years of experience may be replaced by education, volunteer experience, etc. Experience working with a faith-based organization strongly preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree required, Master’s Degree strongly preferred.(Extra years of directly-related experience may replace years/level of education.) Preferred degree focus: international development, international economics, agriculture or related field.
• 3-5 years’ experience managing grants and/or programs or projects in the sector of sustainable agriculture, food security, livelihoods and economic development, or related fields.  Years of experience may be replaced by education, volunteer experience, etc.
• Experience working with a faith-based organization strongly preferred.

How to Apply

If you are eligible to work in the United States and meet the minimum requirements, please submit your cover letter, resume and complete the position related questions on our website at http://ch.tbe.taleo.net/CH07/ats/careers/requisition.jsp?org=GBGM&cws=1&rid=213.Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with hiring at the earliest possible date. This job will remain open until filled. No phone calls please. We appreciate your interest in the United Methodist Committee on Relief.

The General Board of Global Ministries is an Equal Opportunity Employer.