Nutrition Officer at German Agro Action - Welthungerhilfe

Role:
The Nutrition Officer will be based in Nairobi under the general direction and guidance of the Deputy Country Director. The Nutrition Officer will ensure that all food and nutrition security programming is of excellent technical quality, attracts donor funding and contributes significantly to national learning, advocacy and programme development. In addition to advising on the nutritional component of Welthungerhilfe’s projects, the Nutrition Officer will be expected to lead on sectoral assessment, project design and master budgeting, and coordination.
The post holder is expected to provide technical advice and support to project staff to ensure programming objectives with regards to nutrition are successfully achieved. The post-holder shall also contribute to the implementation of the country strategy and actively lead in the development of nutrition security. In most circumstances, the post holder will be expected to mentor and/or provide capacity building for existing programme and project staff.

Key areas of responsibility:

Programme Support
• Build up a Food and Nutrition Security programme and ensure that nutrition security is integrated into Welthungerhilfe’s programme
• As part of the programme department, ensure all programme and project staff receive the necessary and appropriate technical support. In consultation with staff and project managers agree on the range of advice, support, training and/or other assistance required to facilitate high quality programming. This will involve regular visits to Welthungerhilfe’s operational areas.
• To lead in the preparation of situational analyses, background information, policy formulations, establishing indicators etc in Nutrition Security.
• Build on technical knowledge, latest research in the sector and current/previous programming to develop proposals for new programming in close coordination with the programme staff.
• Actively participate in key relevant internal meetings such as Senior Management Team or Area-based meetings as required. Participate in any Donor visit to project(s) within your portfolio as required.
• Lead on multi-sectoral / nutrition technical assessments in coordination with other WHH thematic areas and/or other external sector agencies, ensuring assessment findings are documented and that all assessments include a specific analysis of children’s needs.
• Working with the Head of Projects and the Programme department, develop Nutrition Security integration plans and master budgets and contribute to Welthungerhilfe’s overall Food and Nutrition Security strategy.
• Provide technical checking of Nutrition strategies, assessments and projects as necessary, and proactively promote high quality Nutrition technical approaches within country programmes.
• Working closely with relevant staff, initiate fundraising for the Nutrition sector, including development of high quality concept notes and proposals, and engagement with donors’ technical Advisers.
• Prepare and oversee Nutrition programme implementation to ensure timely delivery of programme activities (for example, monitoring against log frames, individual performance management work plans).
• Review relevant monitoring reports to ensure that nutritional technical aspects are well articulated and captured.

Capacity Building
• Identify learning and training opportunities for Welthungerhilfe staff and partners and work as a mentor and role model for less experienced staff.
• Oversee development and deliver technical training material that will improve aspects of Nutrition work within Welthungerhilfe, at country level.
• Assist in the development of tools for project staff and partners to improve the quality of food and nutrition security work. Where necessary provide technical training for project staff and partners as required.

Representation & Advocacy & Organisational Learning:
• Ensure that Welthungerhilfe’s work is coordinated with efforts of other agencies and Government, and participate in the Nutrition technical forum.
• Take steps to document lessons learned, from Nutrition programmes, for wider dissemination.
• In collaboration with senior programme staff, assist in advocacy activities that target decision-makers at all levels.
• To identify opportunities and material to contribute to Nutrition communications and media work, acting as a spokesperson when required.

To qualify for the position, the person must poses the following:
• At least 5 years of experience in Nutrition programmes in Kenya.
• Bachelor’s Degree level of education in Public Health Nutrition, or a related subject, or equivalent field experience
• Previous experience of Nutrition project management, implementing Nutrition programmes within donor constraints, on time and within budgets
• Experience of and commitment to working through systems of community participation and accountability
• Demonstrated monitoring and evaluation skills
• Proven capacity to supervise, train and coach staff in Nutrition technical skills
• Experience in food security and/or agricultural projects
• Experience of representation and ability to represent Welthungerhilfe effectively in external forums.
• Experience of preparing successful funding proposals for donors
• Ability to write clear and well-argued assessment and project reports
• Excellent communication skills both written and spoken
• Strong influencing skills and experience in advocacy
• Politically and culturally sensitive with qualities of patience, tact and diplomacy
• Be a team player and able to work under tight schedules

Desirable:
• Specific experience of designing and managing ECHO, OFDA, BMZ, DFID and other major donor project.