Nutrition Governance at Catholic Relief

Marsabit (REF:2019/054) Isiolo (REF:2019/081)

Background:

CRS, representing a consortium of international non-governmental organizations, local implementing partners and research institutions has submitted a proposal to USAID Office of Food for Peace (FFP) to implement a 5-year Development Food Security Activity (DFSA) in Kenya. CRS has named its proposed program Mfumo Imara Lishe Endelevu (MILE). The overarching goal of this multi-sectoral activity is to sustainably reduce levels of acute malnutrition in Kenya’s arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs), focusing on Isiolo and Marsabit counties. The activity will be implemented in two phases:

• Phase I (1.5-2 years) Research, test approaches and collaboratively design a context-sensitive, multi-sectoral activity that sustainably reduces acute malnutrition.
  Phase II (3- 3.5 years): Activity Implementation and System and Institutional Strengthening

Job Summary:

As a member of the MILE project team, the Project Officer - Nutrition Governance will support MILE efforts to strengthen Marsabit county government to deliver a workforce that can deliver integrated service through strategic planning, capacity-building for priority health interventions and strengthening of governance, appropriate regulation and education capacities. S/he will build effective working relationships with county government nutrition and public health counterparts, and local institutions. Through accompaniment, coordination and on-the-job support s/he will support efforts to build preparedness of county government and other local institutions to assume financial and technical responsibility for maintaining reductions in acute malnutrition after the MILE project implementation period is over.

Specific Responsibilities:

• Participate in multi-sectoral stakeholder engagement and coordination with relevant county and community-based government of Kenya (GOK) staff, key stakeholders and other local institutions. Engage in technical working groups and other multi-sector platforms to enhance communication of goals and objectives, obtain buy-in, enhance awareness and ensure collective engagement.
• Provide ongoing support of linkages between MILE activities and GOK’s strategic plans at county levels (e.g. Kenya Ending Drought Emergencies Framework, County Integrated Development Plans (CIDPs)). Incorporate strategies to address governance and systems-related drivers of acute malnutrition in the county into MILE activity design.
• Along with the County M&E specialist and System strengthening specialist, support county government counterparts to use available nutrition and other relevant sector information for decision making, program planning, and performance and results monitoring.
• Contribute inputs to transition plan from MILE Phase 1 (Research and Collaboration) to Phase 2 (Activity Implementation).
• Utilize tools and materials designed to effectively measure capacity improvements
• Along with the County M&E specialist, identify and monitor key metrics to measure institutional strengthening
• Along with System Strengthening Specialist, identify of capacity strengthening needs through ongoing capacity assessments using agreed upon tools and procedures of county government, partner organizations, and other local stakeholders

Typical Background, Experience & Requirements:

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Nutrition, Public Administration, International Development or other relevant fields.
• Minimum of 3 years of work experience in project support, with at least 2 years’ experience related to nutrition and/or systems strengthening.
• Demonstrated technical expertise in one or more of the following areas: policy reform, service coverage, clinical nutrition, stakeholder coordination, and/or related areas of system strengthening.
• Experience with conducting gender analyses, assessments and evaluations and other gender-related research, including applying data collection tools and methodologies.
• Experience in participatory action planning and local government engagement.
• Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).

Personal Skills

• Observation, active listening and analysis skills with ability to make sound judgment. Good relationship management skills and the ability to work closely with local partners, local government, and community members.
• ability to exercise diplomacy and tact as demonstrated in previous roles that have required communication with a broad and diverse set of partners
• Attention to details, accuracy and timeliness in executing assigned responsibilities.
• Ability to work in challenging and changing environments, and to see through challenges to find solutions.
• Proactive, results-oriented and service-oriented.

Required/Desired Foreign Language:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English; ability to draft and edit reports.
• Excellent verbal communication skills in Kiswahili.
• Dialects local to Marsabit/Isiolo County a plus.

Travel Required 50% of the time to the sub counties

Key Working Relationships:

Supervisory: none

Internal: County Systems Strengthening Specialist, County Research Coordinator Marsabit/Isiolo, County M&E Specialist, NRM Governance Officer

External: MILE consortium members, County government of Marsabit/Isiolo staff especially Ministry of Health, Ministry of Agriculture, other related government bodies and authorities, Local Implementing partners and private sector service providers

Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff):

These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results.

• Integrity
• Continuous Improvement & Innovation
• Builds Relationships
• Develops Talents
• Strategic Mindset
• Accountability and Stewardship

Disclaimer: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.

***Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. We welcome as a part of our staff people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need. CRS’ processes and policies reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.