Nutrition Manager at Rural Agency for Community Development and Assistance (RACIDA)

Reports to: Project Manager
Job Location: Rhamu- Mandera County
Available Slots: 1
Contract Details: One (1) Year Fixed Term Contract. Renewable Subject to Availability of Funds & Performance

Nutrition Manager, as part of the RACIDA programme implementation team, will provide technical guidance as well as hands on support to Mandera North, Mandera West ,Lafey Banissa and Mandera East Sub-County Health Management Teams to strengthen their capacity and skills in the implementation of High Impact Nutrition interventions (HINI) through the integrated health systems strengthening approach and work with community groups to build their resilience and strengthen their knowledge and capacity in health and nutrition services and appropriate child care taking.

Main Duties & Responsibilities:

RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Technical
   1. Take lead in quality and timely field level implementation of the Nutrition programme against set objectives, targets, and work plans
   2. Conduct field assessments, regular nutrition programme evaluations, rapid assessments, identifying potential needs, designing and implementing response plans
   3. Ensure IEC materials and key messages in nutrition for the targeted beneficiaries, through pamphlets, posters, etc. are in place
   4. Coordinate with the Monitoring and Evaluation Manager on trainings and implementation for Nutrition Surveys
   5. Design nutrition programme monitoring workplan with the Monitoring and Evaluation Manager in accordance with donor expectations of the set programme objectives and targets
   6. Ensure programme implementation in the field is in adherence with national protocols/guidelines, and donor requirements
   7. Demonstrated knowledge of the MoH protocols/guidelines in Nutrition, including knowledge of the National Nutrition Action Plan (NNAP), County Nutrition Action Plan (CNAP), as well as Baby Friendly Community Initiative (BFCI) Implementation Guidelines along with the coordination and implementation structure
   8. Assess team capacity gaps to identify training needs of staff and develop training program to meet these needs
2. Project Management
   1. Lead the nutrition team and supervise nutrition programme implementation
   2. Lead the project team to design a supervision plan for trained Community Health Volunteers (CHVs) to monitor the implementation of the emergency project activities
   3. Develop nutrition activity work plans based on the program annual work plan and implement activities in a timely manner
   4. Ensure implementation of nutrition activities is well coordinated with Agriculture and WASH sector activities
   5. Coordinate with the M&E manager in compiling monthly, quarterly, and semi-annual nutrition reports and data analysis and management
   6. Coordinate with the M&E manager to review nutrition reporting indicators and reporting tools
   7. Coordinate with the finance depart and line managers to ensure the appropriateness of financial, administrative and supply documentation; verify that Nutrition programme expenditures are within allotments and that data is consistent with the programme information and database. Follow up on queries or initiate corrective action on discrepancies
   8. Ensure exchange of information, experience, identify new strategies and courses of action to accelerate and improve delivery of services and achieve Nutrition programme requirements and objectives.
   9. Conduct field visits to monitor programmes and conduct periodic programme reviews with Government counterparts and other partners
   10. Collaborate with Communication and Programme teams to ensure development of effective Nutrition communication materials and strategies to support advocacy and l SBCC efforts
   11. The nutrition program manager is responsible for implementing and supervising the nutrition program on the field, in adherence with national protocols/guidelines, and in collaboration with local partners.
   12. Prepare program recommendations for inclusion in formal programme documentation, and new approaches, methods and practices
   13. Contribute to development of nutrition project proposals and project budgets.
3. Coordination
   1. Participate in donor and stakeholder meetings, as well as collaborate and build strong relationships with other implementing partners
   2. Encourage discussion with stakeholders as to how nutrition can be more effectively addressed at the county level
   3. Participate in quarterly sector review meetings with government counterparts.
   4. Actively participate in the Nutrition technical working groups.
   5. Provide government authorities with technical support and guidance to plan and organize training programmes for the purpose of capacity building and programme sustainability
   6. Coordination with other departments (food security and livelihood, Water Sanitation and Hygiene, logistics, administration).

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

1. Nutritionist with advanced degree in public health or related discipline preferred
2. Demonstrated 5+ years’ experience in Nutrition program management and implementation
3. Strong experience and knowledge of wasting programming, treatment methods and screening
4. Highly developed technical competencies in nutrition in emergencies, including Maternal, infant and young child Nutrition in Emergencies (MIYCN-E), Baby Friendly Community Initiatives (BFCI)
5. Significant experience working in ASAL in nutrition programmes in a humanitarian context and previous first phase emergency response experience
6. Previous experience of nutrition project management and programme coordination, implementing nutrition programmes within donor constraints, on time and within budget
7. Experience of working with a diverse team and building relationships quickly, with a wide range of people, both internally and externally
8. Demonstrated monitoring and evaluation skills
9. Ability to work both in an advisory and a hands-on implementation capacity
10. Proven capacity to supervise, train and coach staff.
11. Highly developed writing skills (e.g. at level for producing an assessment report or proposal during a short time period)
12. Strong communications skills (both written and verbal) at a level appropriate for high level external representation (lobbying, presentations) and ability to tailor communications to different audiences
13. Politically and culturally sensitive with qualities of patience, tact and diplomacy
14. The capacity and willingness to be extremely flexible and accommodating in difficult and sometimes insecure working circumstances