Purpose / Scope of Work: 

The success of this nutrition project depends largely on timely implementation of achievements and achievement of set targets. Hence, the objective of the Program Associate position is to provide technical support in the roll-out of the project planned activities in the state which include program management, reporting, and documentation of best practices. 

Management and Functional Relationships: 

Under the supervision of the State Nutrition Coordinator, and technical leadership from the Program Manager, the Program Associate will develop and manage program interventions.

Job Responsibilities:

The Program Associate will support the daily implementation of both nutrition-sensitive and specific interventions that contribute to the early detection, referral and management of acute malnutrition in the state. Activities will include the supervision of community-level nutrition screening and referral of children 6-59 months diagnosed with severe acute malnutrition, counter-referral across key services for the management of acute malnutrition, promotion / education on optimal Maternal, Infant and Young Child Nutrition (MIYCN) practices and Homestead Food Production (HFP) for caregivers, monitoring through supportive supervision and participation in planned nutrition reports, surveys and assessments. The Program Associate will also support capacity building for community volunteers, health workers, and Nutrition Focal Persons. The program associate will support actively in program documentation and report writing. 

Technical Capacity

• Participate actively in the development detail implementation plan and track activity progress in collaboration with M&E associate. 
• Responsible for monitoring and supervision of the day-to-day implementation of nutrition and related activities and ensuring it is in accordance with the agreed work plan.
• Support capacity-building activities for field-level nutrition staff including on-the-job training and supportive supervision.
• Work closely and collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders to ensure the achievement of concrete and sustainable results.
• Supervise IMAM activities such as community mobilization, routine MUAC screening and referral
• Supervise IMAM facility activities – Out-patient therapeutic services in the selected PHCs
• Supervise activities aimed at promoting appropriate Maternal, Infant, and Young Child Nutrition (MIYCN) Practices and Homestead Food Production (HFP) to improve household dietary diversity and multiple micronutrient supplementation (MMS) of pregnant women.
• Regularly monitor and ensure that the nutrition team in the field has the necessary tools (i.e., data collection tools, job aids, IEC materials, etc.) and supplies required for quality implementation of planned nutrition activities.
• Promote water and sanitation activities in the targeted communities.
• Support the establishment of communal and individual home gardens. 
• Participate in nutrition assessments and surveys planned in the catchment area.
• Participate in periodic program monitoring and evaluation activities including baselines, end lines, midterm reviews, lesson learning exercises, and compilation of success stories.
• Ensure timely submission of quality weekly and monthly nutrition activity reports.
• Perform any other duty as assigned by the state team or nutrition program officer.

Qualifications Required

• Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in nutrition and Dietetics, or other related fields. 
• Minimum of (2) years’ experience in nutrition and CMAM/IMAM programming or related sectors
• Previous experience working in the project states. 

Success Profile 

• Able to work with minimal supervision and able to meet up set deadlines.
• Ability to use the Internet and computer software such as Microsoft Office, Outlook etc
• Must possess good interpersonal skills and be a good team player.
• Demonstrate excellent personal integrity and confidentiality.
• Ability to speak the local language is highly desirable and an added advantage.
• Willingness to travel to remote areas.

go to method of application »

Scope of the Position

The Nutrition Program Coordinator will provide collaborative technical leadership for the project in Bauchi. The position will work under the direct management of Program Manager of the Live Saving Nutrition Project.

Specific Responsibilities

The Nutrition Program Coordinator will be responsible for the following:

• Provide technical guidance and support to achieve timely, high-quality project deliverables and meet project objectives and donor requirements.
• Develop and maintain detailed tracking tools for the utilization of the RUTF at the facilities in Bauchi state.
• Develop and maintain detailed tracking tools for children enrolled into the CMAM program in Bauchi state.
• Follow up with health facilities and care givers to track progress of SAM children enrolled in the program Bauchi state.
• Work with the communication team to track and develop success stories for the program 
• Guide the technical aspects of the project. Ensure that activities are implemented in compliance with the best practices inscribed in IMAM guidelines. 
• Provide guidance and support to the health facility teams delivering the intervention in Bauchi state.
• Develop annual, quarterly and monthly work plans for the project.
• Develop and submit routine reports, timely. 
• Coordinate with nutrition program officers to provide weekly activity progress report. 
• Coordinate with the key government and non-government stakeholders across the states to ensure seamless implementation of the project. 
• Draft monthly financial forecast and quarterly financial need forecast in line with the detailed project activity plan/Monthly activity plans and send it to Program Manager
• Support sound monitoring and joint supervision of program activities in close collaboration with other programs.
• Participate in the Nutrition Technical Working Group (TWG) meetings.
• Participate in the state to plan for special events like World Breast Feeding (WBF) week, Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (MNCH) Week etc.
• Undertake other duties as required

Required Competencies

• Superior technical knowledge and experience in one or more of the following areas: public health nutrition (including prevention and treatment of acute malnutrition, adolescent health and nutrition, maternal/infant/child health and nutrition). 
• Superior leadership, management and communication skills–this includes professional experience interacting with donors, host country governments and other relevant stakeholders.
• Strong interpersonal skills and experience working effectively in teams and cross-cultural settings. 
• Excellent time management and personal organization skills.
• Ability to respond rapidly to shifting implementation scenarios.
• Comfortable working in a matrixed, integrated work environment. 
• Confident giving and receiving feedback in a direct, professional manner. 
• Capacity to direct multiple long and short-term activities simultaneously with minimal supervision.
• Ability to work effectively with local government and NGO stakeholders.
• Skilled in fostering new and effective partnerships facilitating meetings and effectively participating in technical working groups. 

Qualifications

• Education: Degree in public health nutrition or a related field and a minimum of 5 years work experience or equivalent combination of skills and experience.
• Experience: Prior experience working in complex nutrition programs, preferably with direct experience in Nigeria
• Knowledge of nutrition and other public health related areas.
• Demonstrated experience working and/or collaborating with government ministries and other development partners in multi-sectoral nutrition programming. 
• Substantial institutional and staff expertise in implementing complex capacity building programs, in resource-constrained environments.
• Strong experience and demonstrated success in coordinating activities with multiple stakeholders to optimize use of limited resources, including development of joint work plans.
• Excellent capacity building and coordination skills. An ability to delegate responsibilities effectively and coach and mentor staff from different cultures.
• Ability to respond rapidly to shifting implementation scenarios. An ability to work in challenging and changing environments, and to see through challenges to find solutions; an ability to maintain balance when under stress.
• Experience working effectively in partnership with staff, collaborating organizations, consortiums, international donors and agencies, host country governments and ministries and other relevant stakeholders.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft software packages: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook.
• Excellent English language skills, both written and spoken with strong presentation skills. Ability to prepare and disseminate project findings, success stories, and other documents effectively.

go to method of application »