Food Security and Livelihood (FSL) Officer

About the Organization

Save the Children stands as a globally recognized leader in humanitarian and development efforts, with a workforce of approximately 25,000 dedicated professionals operating in over 100 countries. Founded on the belief that every child deserves a future, the organization works tirelessly on the ground to provide life-saving healthcare, quality education, and essential child protection services. By 2030, Save the Children is committed to achieving three historic breakthroughs: ensuring no child dies from preventable causes before their fifth birthday, guaranteeing all children have access to quality basic education, and ensuring that violence against children is no longer tolerated.

The impact of Save the Children is felt in the most challenging environments across the globe, from active conflict zones to areas recovering from natural disasters. Their approach is rooted in long-term sustainability, working hand-in-hand with local communities, government ministries, and partners to build systems that protect and empower children. By focusing on systemic change and evidence-based interventions, the organization ensures that their work has a lasting positive effect on the development and well-being of the next generation.

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are core to the organizational identity of Save the Children. They understand that to reach every child, their team must reflect the diversity of the communities they serve. This commitment to inclusivity drives their recruitment and operational strategies, ensuring that the organization remains a safe, welcoming, and empowering place for all. By fostering a culture of mutual respect and continuous learning, they enable their staff to tackle complex challenges with innovation and empathy.

Save the Children is a steadfast champion for diversity and proactively encourages qualified women and individuals from underrepresented groups to apply for all open positions. They recognize that bringing more women into leadership and field-level roles is essential for creating more effective, inclusive, and equitable programs. The organization offers a unique opportunity for professionals to align their careers with a noble mission, contributing to a global movement that prioritizes the rights and potential of children above all else.

Professional growth at Save the Children is multifaceted, offering staff access to global best practices, technical training, and exposure to diverse humanitarian contexts. Whether working in logistics, programming, or specialized technical fields, employees are provided with the tools and mentorship necessary to excel. Joining Save the Children means becoming part of a global community that values professional excellence as a critical means to achieving humanitarian impact.

Job Description and Strategic Impact

The Food Security and Livelihood (FSL) Officer is a vital position responsible for the day-to-day implementation and evaluation of projects supported by Save the Children in the Afar region. This role is inherently strategic, as it ensures that life-saving resources—ranging from food security interventions to emergency livelihood support—are delivered effectively to the most vulnerable populations. By managing the implementation of program activities in assigned woredas, the FSL Officer acts as the frontline representative of the organization’s commitment to community resilience and child rights.

The strategic importance of this role lies in the officer’s ability to ensure that beneficiary selection processes are transparent, accurate, and fair. In the context of pastoral areas, where resources can be scarce and needs highly dynamic, the FSL Officer’s work in coordinating cash transfer modalities and monitoring activities directly dictates the success of the intervention. This is a role that requires a high degree of accountability, as the officer must not only implement programs but also ensure that beneficiary feedback is collected, documented, and utilized to improve future project performance.

In a “day-in-the-life” of this position, the FSL Officer will balance field-level supervision with administrative planning. This includes organizing sensitization meetings with communities, training data collectors on monitoring tools, and maintaining precise master lists of beneficiaries. The role offers profound opportunities for career development, as it requires the incumbent to coordinate across multiple internal units—including finance, MEAL, and logistics—while also navigating external relationships with local government and implementing partners.

The professional impact of this role is tangible. Through the effective management of livelihood programs, the FSL Officer contributes directly to the stability and economic well-being of families, which is foundational to the health and education outcomes of the children in those households. This position is ideal for a candidate looking to master the complexities of emergency response and community mobilization within a large-scale, international NGO structure.

Furthermore, the FSL Officer plays a critical role in capacity building. By mentoring community facilitators and working closely with local ministries, the officer helps to strengthen the local systems and institutional knowledge base. This commitment to development ensures that even after the project concludes, the communities have a greater capacity to manage their own food security and livelihood challenges, fostering long-term independence and resilience.

Job Positions and Requirements
  1. Food Security and Livelihood (FSL) Officer

Educational Qualification: BA/BSc degree in Agriculture, Livelihoods, Rural Development, Economics, or a related field of study.

Work Experience: At least 2 years of proven professional experience in livelihoods, Climate Smart Agriculture, NRM and DRR, food security, or emergency livelihood interventions in NGOs or similar organizations, particularly in pastoral areas.

Job Location: Semera, Ethiopia

Salary: Negotiable/Per Scale

No. Required: 1

Employment Type and Compensation

This position is a contract-based engagement, designed to support the implementation of specific projects within the Semera field office. Save the Children provides a competitive compensation package that recognizes the specialized technical experience required for this role. In addition to a salary, the organization offers a rewarding work environment characterized by professional development, cross-functional collaboration, and the opportunity to make a meaningful, lasting difference in the lives of children and their families.

How to Apply

To apply for this position, interested candidates should submit their application through the official portal of Save the Children. Please include a copy of your CV and a cover letter that explicitly details your relevant experience in food security and livelihood programs, as well as your current remuneration and salary expectations.

Please note that scanned copies of academic certificates, professional licenses, or other documentation are not required during this initial application phase. Applicants are encouraged to focus on creating a clear, comprehensive CV that highlights their experience in pastoral contexts and proficiency in the required language.

Original documents will only be required for verification purposes during the final stages of the interview process. This ensures that the initial application process remains accessible and streamlined for all qualified candidates.

Please be aware that due to the high volume of interest in Save the Children vacancies, only shortlisted candidates who best meet the qualification criteria will be contacted for follow-up. We appreciate your patience and your dedication to the organization’s humanitarian mission.

Interested candidates should submit their application via the online link provided as the primary channel to ensure that all information is captured securely in the recruitment database.

Application Deadline

9 June 2026

Official Application Link / Contact

www.savethechildren.net/careers