Senior Nutrition Officer at International Rescue Committee

Key Responsibilities

Programme Implementation

• Develop an annual nutrition sector work plan in Dadaab.
• Supervise and coordinate the implementation and monitoring of nutrition project activities in line with proposal targets and work plan timelines
• Conduct nutritional surveillance in the camp based on agreed camp wide methodologies including surveys, process monitoring, SMART, LQAS, SQUEAC and other rapid methods.
• Coordinate with other IRC departments and implementing partners to develop training curricula and implementation plans.
• Assist in response and management of any nutrition emergencies e.g. acute food shortages in the camp and participate in the development of disaster preparedness systems.
• Promote mother-infant and young child feeding best practices in the camp.
• Supervise and monitor the hospital patient’s diet including the special diets for chronic diseases.
• Oversee implementation and integration of comprehensive growth monitoring program.
• Participate actively in execution of operational research in the camp.
• Participate actively in annual nutrition surveys in the camp.
• Plan and actively involve the community in marking recognized nutrition related days.
• Coordinate with UNHCR, WFP other implementing partners and health facilities to ensure maximum effectiveness of the nutrition project.

Human Resources Management

• Monitoring and supervising both national and refugee staff to ensure work is performed efficiently
• Routinely monitor staff performance according to their job description and provide written feedback in a timely manner
• Oversee continuous training programs for the nutrition staff as well as organizing trainings with consultants as per the annual work-plan & budget
• Review personnel issues and concerns of nutrition staff and assist with determining and implementing solutions
• Participate in recruitment of health staff as appropriate
• Recommend promotions, disciplinary action of nutrition staff to the health manager in consultation with the Program Coordinator.

Supply Chain

• Work with the supply chain team to develop accurate and timely quarterly nutrition orders
• Monitor utilization of IRC issued nutrition supplies; monitor and track IRC nutrition sector assets
• Review of all nutrition program purchase requisitions

Monitoring and reporting

• Closely monitor and make sure nutrition performance indicators are within the recommended sphere standards
• Attend meetings concerning nutrition program issues
• Keep the Program coordinator/ nutrition coordinator informed of all developments through regular reports
• Attend all health and nutrition coordination meetings and management meetings in the field.
• Compile weekly, monthly reports and donor reports.

Finance and grant management

• Prepare spending plans for the program based on the available budget
• Attend and participate in monthly budget review meetings, with records of updated expenditure records and spending plans
• Ensure adherence to the nutrition program budget by reviewing expenditure
• Provide recommendations and interventions to correct any identified deviations that impact on budget adherence

Other

Perform any other duty as directed by the supervisor

Key Result Areas

• Successful implementation of the annual nutrition sector work plan as per the proposal targets.
• Monitor and ensure improvement and maintenance of public health nutrition performance indicators as per SPHERE/UNHCR/WHO standards at the camp.
• Promotion of mother infant and young child feeding best practices in the camp.
• Monitor all nutrition program expenditure against budgets and ensure an appropriate burn rate.
• Ensure steady supply of all the nutrition program supplies.
• Ensure nutrition surveillance and assessments are continuously conducted.
• Timely submission of monthly and donor reports.
• Capacity building of nutrition staff.
• Maintain the nutrition team composition as per the budget specifications and structure requirements
• Represent IRC in nutrition meetings and other forums i.e. Nutrition Technical Forums, Health & Nutrition Meetings etc.

Minimum Qualifications:

• MUST have a Bachelor’s Degree in Nutrition and Dietetics or Public Health (with specialization in nutrition).
• MUST be registered and licensed by the Kenya Nutritionists & Dieticians Institute (KNDI)
• A minimum of 3 years of professional experience in nutrition, public health, nutrition planning and management and/or in relevant areas of maternal, infant and child health/nutrition care at program management level is required.
• Experience in designing and implementing nutrition surveys and other methodologies,
• Knowledge in statistical computer packages such as SMART and basic data analysis skills.
• Experience in managing a nutrition program in emergencies or among refugee/ displaced populations an advantage.
• Working in resource poor environment and complex emergencies.
• Strong analytical skills, sound judgment and the capacity to think and plan strategically, including the ability to produce high quality programs through development implementation.