Senior Nutrition Program Officer at PATH

We seek to recruit a Senior Nutrition Program Officer who will establish systems for the increase of access to human milk banks, support Partnership building and networking, coordinate Project implementation and deliverables, support Advocacy and communication work on human milk banking, support operations research and other related assessments. The Program Officer will also work in close collaboration with PATH’s core human milk banking team, as well as in-country technical experts, implementation partners and policy makers. This position is based in Nairobi.

Specific duties and responsibilities

Coordinate Project implementation and deliverables

• Develop high level of technical competency in the field of human milk banking, neonatal nutrition, and systems strengthening for integrated essential newborn care through engagement with technical leaders and in-depth technical review.
• Develop work plans integrating it to national infant nutrition and newborn care systems, priorities and policies.
• Develop activity plans and timelines for the project.
• Manage work plans, proactively managing changes in project scope and creating contingency plans in a constantly changing environment.
• Manage budgets and work with finance to team to ensure compliance with donor requirements.
• Facilitate project management and ensure timely and appropriate implementation of project activities.
• Coordinate stakeholder and technical committee meetings to plan and review implementation as well as share new information on the project.
• Support the establishment of the HMB in Pumwani Maternity Hospital within Nairobi, County.
• Support establishment of quality control systems.
• Support research and monitoring and evaluation of project activities.
• Document and disseminate information on all aspects of the project.
• Draft project reports, presentations and other documentation with project teams.
• Contribute to documentation of experience and lessons learned.

Support Partnership building and networking

• Coordinate partner activities and manage sub grantees.
• Provide TA to partners where necessary.
• Manage relationships with the Pumwani Maternity Hospital as well as relevant county and national MOH officials and partners.
• Facilitate learnings from global technical leaders to foster collaboration and mentorship.
• Represent Kenya as a global human milk banking team member for PATH, to be viewed as a global leader in this field.

Establish systems for the increase of access to human milk banks

• Plan, coordinate and conduct consultative meetings with stakeholders.
• In consultation with global and national technical and policy, leaders facilitate and lead the revision t of Kenya specific national guidelines and operating procedures for establishment and operation of a human milk bank.
• Facilitate collaboration with global human milk bank policy and technical leaders, to inform the establishment of a human milk bank in Kenya.
• Work closely with PATH global human milk banking teams to utilize and adapt existing resources and pilot systems strengthening tools to enhance quality and robust implementation.
• Facilitate the development of training tools for national and provincial stakeholders and adapt behavior change communication materials as appropriate.
• Provide communication and information to partners on the processes required for the establishment of the human milk banks.

Support operations research and other related assessments

• Work with the research partners and provide the necessary support for the OR.
• Facilitate meetings with stakeholders.
• Coordinate the planning and implementation of assessments.

Support Advocacy and communication work on human milk banking

• Facilitate the development of communication and advocacy plan.
• Support the development of communication materials for awareness raising.
• Coordinate advocacy and awareness meetings and events at the national and county level.

Identification of new areas of project development

• Develop strategic plans as well as long-term strategies for the expanding human milk banking activities in Kenya.
• Work with other sections/projects to see how human milk banking can be integrated into their programming.
• Contribute to identification of future funding mechanisms and writing of proposals for scaling up human milk banking activities in Kenya.

Required Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree and equivalent professional experience.
• Master’s Degree in a relevant discipline will be an added advantage.
• Minimum seven years of experience and demonstrated skills in designing and implementing child health, nutrition, or development projects with multiple objectives and associated activities.
• Demonstrated experience of managing milestone-based projects within budget and time constraints.
• At least three years in a role that involved regular communication with the Kenyan MOH at national, county and/or sub county levels and joint planning, implementation, and evaluation of activities.
• Robust technical knowledge of maternal and child nutrition is essential.
• Strong understanding of holistic child development and the role played by responsive caregiving, health, nutrition, early learning, and protection/security in ensuring appropriate development.
• Demonstrated ability to work with the Kenyan MOH at county and sub county levels and extensive knowledge of the Kenyan health system is essential.
• Excellent interpersonal and negotiation skills with a demonstrated capacity to solve problems with energy, flexibility, attention to detail, and a positive attitude.
• Ability to work with various technologies (computers, mobile phones, etc.) and proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills, including presentation, training, and facilitation skills.
• Excellent organizational skills, ability to manage several major activities simultaneously, and work in a complex environment with short deadlines.
• Must have current legal authorization to work in Kenya.
• PATH is dedicated to building an inclusive workforce where diversity is valued.

Must have current legal authorization to work in Kenya.

PATH is dedicated to building an inclusive workforce where diversity is valued.