Program Officer at Helen Keller International

Objective of the Program Officer Position:

1. Ensure quality implementation of the project
2. Monitor Project Progress and document the achievements
3. Strengthen Coordination with project stakeholders
4. Facilitate timely provision of project supplies and commodities.

Specific Objectives

County Health System Strengthening

• In liaison with the County DOH and Partners develop joint work plans for key activities as stipulated in the project document.
• In liaison with the county department of health undertake periodic capacity assessment across the health facility staff and structure OJT and Mentorship sessions to the health facilities based on specific needs.
• Work closely with the MOH and undertake targeted capacity building for County teams on various aspects of the nutrition program to enhance program implementation.
• Participate in coordination meetings at the County level with the MOH and Partners including NTWG, CNTF, and any other.
• Coordinate with the other nutritional NGOs, CIFF, UNICEF, WFP, other partners and MoH at County and Sub County level.
• Support development of County work plans with the S/CHMTs and schedule joint supervisions to enhance quality programming.
• Support community Health Strategy and Community Resilience activities
• 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, sensitization sessions for community members among others.
• Support MOH to develop, implement and monitor Social Behaviour Change Communication Strategies in Kisumu County.
• Support the MOH to develop a practical community feedback mechanism geared at improving quality of service delivery at the County level.
• Supports the nutrition team in the implementation of community approach through regular contact and exchange with the community leaders,
• Ensure quality implementation of the project.

Develop monthly activity workplan and track the progress regularly.

• Ensure activities are implemented within the approved budget.
• Develop quality monthly, quarterly, and annual project performance reports to share with donors and relevant stakeholders.
• Ensure integration of project plans in the County health and nutrition annual work plan (AWPs) by actively participate in County planning and coordination meetings.

Monitor Project Progress and Document the achievements.

• Document human interest stories, and best practices from the project implementation for learning and duplicating in other project areas.
• Conduct day to day monitoring of the project and provide feedback to improve project performance.
• Plan and implement project data reviews, document findings and recommendations and work with counties to implement the remedial actions agreed.
• Compiles program reports on a timely basis in liaison with other program staff; Weekly SitRep, Monthly (statistical and narrative), Quarterly
• In collaboration with the Program Manager prepare progress reports, donor reports, proposals, Program reports project procurement plan and contributes to survey reports (PECS).
• In collaboration with Program Manager and coordination team; contribute in defining technical strategy when required.
• In liaison with the program manager develop project proposal to address County specific gaps
• Support MOH focal persons on information, data management and reporting through the DHIS2.
• Participate in the planning, organizing and implementation of surveys, assessments and research studies including post distribution monitoring.

Organize project coordination forums with external and internal stakeholders.

• Represent Helen Keller Intl in county coordination forums.
• Organize county project inception meetings, project planning, project closure meetings and other relevant forums that facilitate project implementation and feedback sharing.
• Ensure effective communication and networking is developed and maintained through partnership and collaboration with MOH (S/CHMT), INGOs, NGOs, CBOs and the UN and other partners within implementing counties.
• Act as the focal communication point for the project in the counties assigned.
• Work in collaboration with the communities and local leaders at all stages of project implementation

Facilitate timely provision of project supplies and commodities.

• Through respect of Helen Keller procurement processes and procedures, make timely request for supplies and commodities as detailed in the project procurement plan.

Finance, Logistics

• Manage activity budget to ensure all expenses are within the approved limits and meet HKI standards regarding financial management, accountability, and good governance.
• Prepare cash forecast in liaison with the other program staff in line with the work plans.
• Ensure the expenditure is as stipulated in the budget lines and strict adherence to the budget limits.
• Propose anticipated budget realignment in line with field realities.
• In liaison with the Program Manager and the Finance and administration officer Monitor budget spending in line with spending plan; ensure diligence in grants utilization including timely spending and value for money.
• Support the Program manager in monthly budget reviews and suggesting amendments to Finance.
• Any other roles as assigned by the supervisor.

Qualifications

• A Bachelors degree in Food Nutrition and Dietetics, Nutrition, Nursing, Public Health nutrition option or equivalent
• At least 5 years of experience in public health programs
• Excellent written and spoken English and Swahili.
• Good knowledge of HiNi, vitamin A supplementation and deworming programs policies and strategies in Kenya.

Competencies

• Demonstrated experience working with the Ministry of Health, County Department of health, health care workers and community health volunteers.
• Demonstrated experience in coordination and management of nutrition and health projects.
• Conversant with the HiNi Package
• Experience in training of health workers and Community Health Volunteers on various nutrition modules.
• Experience in nutrition counselling to caregivers and community
• Experience in conducting community dialogs.
• Ability to analyze data and produce quality reports
• Demonstrated experience in preparation of donors’ proposals, budgets, and reports
• Able to priorities clearly, oversee multiple tasks, and set clear objectives to be achieved
• Commitment to accountability principals and knowledgeable of quality assurance.
• Knowledge of computer applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and MS Outlook.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision
• Capacity to work under pressure and manage personal stress levels.
• Creative, open-minded, flexible, and self-learner.
• Team Player with good interpersonal skills

The deadline of application is 7th August 2023