Nutrition Officer At Action Against Hunger USA

Action Against Hunger is a leading humanitarian organization fighting hunger worldwide. Our mission is to save lives by eliminating hunger through the prevention, detection, and treatment of malnutrition, especially during and after emergency situations of conflict, war, and natural disaster. In Kenya, we are committed to enhancing compliance and accountability in all our operations to ensure the efficient and ethical use of resources. Action Against Hunger has been present in Kenya since 2001 and is a transformative leader in Food security and nutrition for improved quality of life among vulnerable communities. The organization recognizes gender equality as central to its core strategy towards realization of effective and sustainable outcomes on nutrition, health, WASH and surveillance interventions. Action Against Hunger is currently implementing activities in West Pokot, Mandera, Samburu, Isiolo, Tana River, Nairobi and Baringo counties.

1. Job Summary

The role of Nutrition Officer is to Work closely with MOH, department of social services and other stakeholders in the implementation of NICHE project by providing technical support to the department of health to implement Baby Friendly Community Initiatives including training of health workers and CHPs, Community sensitization, monitoring and supervision of interventions.

The incumbent will ensure coordinate CHPs conduct bi-weekly health education in the households for NICHE beneficiaries, ensure timely and quality reporting of NICHE/BFCI activities and manage coordination of NICHE activities among all stakeholders in Mandera County.

Purpose:

The role of Nutrition officer is to coordinate the implementation of the NICHE project by working with departments of health and social services and other stakeholders in Mandera County. Ensure linkage, synergies and complementarity with other sectorial interventions, i.e. FSL, WASH as well as proper coordination, consultation and information sharing with partners.

Represent Action Against Hunger in all coordination at the county and sub county level, collaborate with other implementing partners, INGO, UN bodies and the local communities to ensure successful implementation, no duplication and resource wastage and smooth running of the NICHE projects.

Engagement:

Work in collaboration with the communities, local leaders, elders and local authorities at all stages of project implementation and represent Action Against Hunger towards partners at the field level when necessary: NGOs, local authorities, UN bodies and community representation (elders, chiefs e.t.c).

Collaborate with nutrition manager and other department in the field team to contribute in defining technical strategy when required to ensure the NICHE projects are integrated.

Delivery:

Work with the Nutrition program manager to prepare progress reports, quarterly donor reports, provide inputs for proposals development, Program reports and NICHE project procurement plan and contributes in survey reports as well as compile program reports on a timely basis in liaison with other program staff; Weekly SitRep, Monthly (statistical and narrative), Quarterly and annual donor reports.

II. Essential Job Duties

• To implement and monitor IMAM and MIYCN interventions at community and health facilities
• In collaboration with MOH, support BFCI capacity building of health care workers and other stakeholders during the implementation period through mentorship, coaching, OJT and classroom training for quality program implementation
• In liaison with the County MOH and other partners, develop joint work plans for key activities as stipulated in the project document
• In liaison with the MOH, undertake periodic capacity assessment across the health facilities and community health units to identify gaps for structured OJT sessions based on identified needs
• Support the development of County work plans with the S/CHMTs and schedule joint supervisions/DQAs to enhance quality programming
• Participate in coordination meetings at the County and sub-county level including NICHE technical working group, CNTF, CSG and any other
• Compile program reports on a timely basis in liaison with other program staff; Weekly SitRep, Monthly (statistical and narrative), Quarterly and annual donor reports
• In collaboration with the Nutrition Manager, prepare progress reports, quarterly donor reports, proposals, program reports, project procurement plan and contribute to development of survey reports.
• Support MOH focal persons on information, data management and reporting through the KHIS and NICHE monitoring information system
• Collaborate with all other departments and sectors within Action Against Hunger to ensure the projects are integrated
• Collaborate with other partners, MOH (S/CHMT), INGOs, NGOs, CBOs and the UN working in Mandera to ensure smooth running of projects.
• In liaison with the Community Strategy Focal persons at the County and Sub County level, support CHS activities at the community level including community dialogue and action days, and sensitization sessions for community members among others.
• Work closely with MOH to offer technical support and sustain Mother to mother support groups for improved MIYCN practices.
• Support MOH to develop, implement and monitor Social Behavior Change Communication Strategies.
• Supports the nutrition team in the implementation of a community approach through regular contact and exchange with the community leaders.
• Work in collaboration with the communities and local leaders at all stages of project implementation
• Support the documentation process for the program outcomes/impact including human-interest stories, lessons learnt, best practices among others.

III. Supervisory Responsibilities

• In liaison with county health management teams, the incumbent will work closely with MOH in supervising CHPs at community level

IV. Fiscal Responsibility

• Prepare cash forecast in liaison with the other program staff in line with the work plans
  • Ensure expenditure is as stipulated in the budget lines and strict adherence to the budget limits
  • Propose anticipated budget re-alignment in discussion with the program manager
  • In liaison with the Nutrition Manager, monitor budget spending in line with spending plan; ensure diligence in grants utilization including timely spending and value for money.

V. Physical Demands

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to sit for long periods and to concentrate on work, including typing, and turn out heavy volumes of work accurately, within short time frames under stressful situations in the context of a moderately noisy office with interruptions.
• To travel to the field, the employee must attest to a level of physical fitness capable of enduring physically difficult, highly stressful situations which may include the necessity to walk long distances, to eat a limited diet and/or to reside in potentially uncomfortable housing or tents.
• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

VI. Working Conditions, Travel and Environment

• The duties of the job require regular job attendance at least five days per week. Must be available to work outside normal office hours or on the weekends as required by contact with the missions, mission security, or other obligations.
• Must be able to travel as required for standard domestic and international business travel as well as to the missions if appropriate. While visiting the field, the employee may be exposed to precarious settings under high security risks and/or very basic living conditions and outside weather conditions, as well is to infectious diseases.

VII. Gender Equality Commitments & Zero Tolerance to Abuse

• Foster an environment that reinforces values of people of all genders equal access to information.
• Provide a work environment where people of all genders must be evaluated and promoted based on their skills and performance.
• Promote a safe, secure, and respectful environment for all stakeholders, particularly for children, beneficiaries, and members of staff.
• Help to prevent any type of abuse including workplace harassment and sexual abuse and exploitation.
• Respect beneficiaries’ women, men, children (boys and girls) regardless of gender, sex orientation, disability, religion, race, color, ancestry, national origin, age, or marital status.
• Value and respect all cultures.

VIII. Required Qualifications

• Minimum three (4) years working experience in community Nutrition programs.
• University degree in Nutrition related field from a recognized institution.
• Training in IMAM/MIYCN/BFCI/CBFCI /BFHI will be an added advantage.
• Registered with KNDI.

IX. Required Skills & Experience

• Experience working with an INGO and fluent in local language will be an added advantage
• Comprehensive understanding of MIYCN/BFCI programming
• Understanding of main donor requirements
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Good analytical and report writing skills
• Experience in community mobilization/engagement
• Extensive ICT proficiency with knowledge in basic computer applications – Excellent influencing and negotiation skills
• Demonstrated capacity to provide technical leadership
• Monitors progress against milestones and deadlines
• Ability to train, mentor and coach a team – a team player