The TOPS Program and FSN Network Core Competency Series

The program aims to generate, capture, disseminate, and apply high-quality information, knowledge, and promising practices in development food assistance programming. Through technical capacity building, a small grants program, and a community of practice, the TOPS Program empowers food security implementers and the donor community to make lasting impact for millions of vulnerable people. The TOPS Program is led by Save the Children, with expertise from its consortium partners: CORE Group (knowledge management), Food for the Hungry (social and behavioral change), Mercy Corps (agriculture and natural resource management), and TANGO International (monitoring and evaluation). The program draws on the experience and expertise of its partners in commodity management, gender, and nutrition and food technology. The TOPS Program Core Competency Series is a resource developed by the TOPS Program and the Food Security and Nutrition (FSN) Network. The series provides explanations of the basic skills and knowledge senior technical staff may possess to carry out their positions effectively. The core competencies may also be used to assess gaps in staff knowledge and prepare capacity-building plans. The series contains core competency lists for various technical areas and positions, including agriculture and natural resource management, commodity management, gender, knowledge management, monitoring and evaluation, nutrition and food technology, and social and behavioral change. Each competency area includes key drivers, core competency areas, and specific skills and knowledge required for effective performance. Agricultural Program Managers lead the overall design, strategy, and implementation of agriculture and natural resource management (ANRM) programs. They should possess knowledge, skills, and abilities on key drivers such as agroecological resilience, market development, improved nutrition, gender equity, and social and behavioral change. The agricultural program manager's core competency areas include ANRM program design and development, technologies to enhance agroecological resilience, agriculture for improved nutrition, market development, ANRM technical extension services, ANRM financial services and insurance, and measuring ANRM impact and using data. The TOPS Program and FSN Network Core Competency Series provides a comprehensive resource for hiring managers, program managers, and program staff to assess gaps in staff knowledge and prepare capacity-building plans. The series can be used to insert competencies into a generic self-rating tool and adapt to specific contexts. The toolkit can be found on the FSN Network website. The TOPS Program and FSN Network Core Competency Series is a valuable resource for food security implementers and the donor community. It provides a framework for assessing gaps in staff knowledge and preparing capacity-building plans. The series can be used to improve the effectiveness of ANRM programs and enhance the resilience of agricultural systems. By applying the core competencies, program managers and staff can improve their skills and knowledge, leading to better outcomes for vulnerable communities.