Vacancies at Save the Children

ROLE PURPOSE: 

The Quality Assurance Nurses will be responsible for day-to-day implementation of ICCM+ CMAM operational research project aiming to investigate the implementation of iCCM-CMAM in Turkana, Kenya. Specifically, it seeks to evaluate the capability of trained, supervised, and well-equipped Community Health Providers (CHPs) in correctly executing iCCM-CMAM. The study is expected to provide evidence on the feasibility and effectiveness of iCCM-CMAM in improving access to appropriate care for acutely ill children in remote areas. The findings will inform the Kenyan Ministry of Health and county health management team in guiding practical implementation steps. The role holders will play a critical role in promoting delivery of quality implementation research in collaboration with CHPs, health and nutrition teams within Save the Children, the research consultants and key stakeholders including Turkana county department of health.

SCOPE OF ROLE: 

Reports to: Health Officer

Technical Report : Research coordinator, Save the Children

Staff directly reporting to this post: None

Dimensions: Save the Children has been operational in Kenya since the 1950s, providing support to children through developmental and humanitarian relief programmes delivered both directly and through local partners. Current programming focuses on child protection, child rights governance, education, health, HIV/AIDS, livelihoods, nutrition and WASH.

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:

Programme.

• Provide technical assistance to CHPs towards implementation of integrated community case management and integration with uncomplicated acute malnutrition.
• Support training and mentorship for Community Health Promotors on Integrated Community iCCM, Basic modules, uncomplicated CMAM.
• Supervise routine data collection and commodity accountability by the CHPs and Community Unit CHEWs
• Consolidate activity reports and ensure timely submission to supervisor for onward submission.
• Ensure quality of programme data by interacting often with project data base.
• Closely work with the principal investigator(s) and provide the necessary requirements they need to successfully implement the research.
• Work with MOH to strengthen Community Health Service delivery and the community – facility linkage and referrals.
• Help to provide evidence that a trained CHP can classify, diagnose and treat Pneumonia in children under 5 years by review Pneumonia cases identified by CHPs at house hold level to a certain the Diagnosis.
• Follow-up visits of all children treated by CHPs at home

Monitoring and Evaluation.

• Participate in the design, development and implementation of an M&E framework for health related activities.
• Document the process of implementation, lessons learnt, case studies and good practice to ensure information is widely disseminated.
• With the support of MEAL team ensure project performance is tracked and quality standards adhered to.
• Coordinate regular project monitoring and supervision in liaison with the SCHMTs and project MEAL focal person to ensure quality project implementation according to agreed standards.
• Ensure the compilation of quality and timely activity and monthly reports for the project.
• Collect and manage complaints and feedback in close coordination with MEAL team

Supervision

• Develop a comprehensive plan for supervision of all the field health and nutrition activities to ensure implementation adheres to develop monthly work plans. 
• Support regular review meetings with the community health promoters, sub county community strategy focal person and community health assistants. 

Network and coordinate with the relevant sectors and agencies implementing health activities at national and community level.

• Identify areas of synergy in the field with the Ministry of Health and other implementing agencies working with communities. 
• Come up with a comprehensive plan of activities within the identified areas of synergy with the actors named above.

Implement Community Mobilization Activities.

• Liaise and establish strong links with existing community structures including mother to mother support groups, community units, youth groups, village elders and religious leaders.
• Support community dialogue and action days.

Strengthen Community – Health Facility Referral system and Linkage.

• Work with Ministry of Health to strengthen a referral system at community level and implement activities to strengthen the community –facility linkage. 

BEHAVIOURS (Values in Practice)

Accountability:

• Holds self-accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modelling Save the Children values
• Holds the team and partners accountable to deliver on their responsibilities - giving them the freedom to deliver in the best way they see fit, providing the necessary development to improve performance and applying appropriate consequences when results are not achieved.

Ambition:

• Sets ambitious and challenging goals for themselves and their team, takes responsibility for their own personal development and encourages their team to do the same
• Widely shares their personal vision for Save the Children, engages and motivates others
• Future orientated, thinks strategically and on a global scale.

Collaboration:

• Builds and maintains effective relationships, with their team, colleagues, Members and external partners and supporters
• Values diversity, sees it as a source of competitive strength
• Approachable, good listener, easy to talk to.

Creativity:

• develops and encourages new and innovative solutions
• Willing to take disciplined risks.

Integrity:

honest, encourages openness and transparency; demonstrates highest levels of integrity

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Kenya Registered Community Health Nurse
• At least two (2) years’ work experience in health and nutrition programming including monitoring and evaluation. 
• MUST be registered with Nursing Council of Kenya.
• Fluency (written and verbal) in English, Swahili, and Local dialects in Turkana County.
• At least two year working experience in a health facility.
• Willing to work in a rural set up and perform house hold visits on a daily basis
• Good inter-personal, report writing and communication skills
• Strong capacity to work with initiative, flexibility and without close supervision
• Ability to meet strict deadlines
• Strong research and data analysis skills. 
• Experience in community mobilisation within the development context. 
• Experience working with programmes on community health strategy and community health services delivery is an added advantage.
• health stakeholders, opinion leaders and integration of donor funded programmes into county plans.
• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills. Demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships with a wide array of organizations.
• Experience of and commitment to utilizing participatory approaches. 
• Excellent oral and written communication skills and a willingness to be respectful, kind, sensitive and empathise with children.
• Good knowledge of the nutrition and health field.
• Proficiency in intermediate computer skills especially basic office applications including MS office (word, excel, PowerPoint, outlook) is a MUST

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ROLE PURPOSE

Save the Children is seeking Nutrition officer for a 5-year USAID Feed the Future Kenya Food Systems Activity (KFS). The five-year Feed the Future Kenya Food Systems (LFS) activity will promote inclusive agriculture-led growth, strengthen the resilience of people and systems, improve nutrition and diet diversity of women and children, as well as integrate cross-cutting themes in Kenya’s North, West and Southeast. The expected impact of this programme is “increased capacity of at risk and climate vulnerable households and communities to anticipate, adapt to, and absorb the impact of shocks and stresses induced by climate change. The FSL Officer will be working in cooperation with the KFS Activity team and in collaboration with local authorities and project delivery partners. In addition, he/she will be tasked on reporting and when requested engaged in monitoring, evaluation and learning activities. The post holder will be based in Isiolo/Kakamega/Makueni.

The Nutrition Officer will be responsible for day-to-day implementation of nutrition intervention in the Feed the Future Kenya Food System (KFS) programme. He/She will play a critical role in promoting the integration of nutrition into the market systems.

In the event of a major humanitarian emergency, the role holder will be expected to work outside the normal role profile and be able to vary working hours accordingly.

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY

Programme Implementation

• Organize trainings for entrepreneurial smallholder farmers (SHFs), village-based advisors (VBAs), food, processors, micro-retailers, and CBOs
• Coordinate nutrition messaging to Feed the Future (FTF) actors. 
• Strengthen Joint MSN coordination forums in the county including establishing them where they do not exist
• Provide technical support to private sector actors, MSEs and entrepreneurs to promote maternal, infant and young child feeding practices and dietary diversity through community campaigns and other channels. 
• Work closely with the technical advisor to implement market system strengthening training , assist in defining training needs, and coordinate training activities.
• Coordinate and maintain strong partnerships with other actors in health and nutrition at county, sub-county and community levels. 
• Promote integration of nutrition in the local food system, market system,
• Provide technical support to entrepreneurs, and micro-entrepreneurs to promote the production or purchase and consumption of diverse, nutritious foods by the communities using income earned from on- and off-farm activities
• Support the government to catalyze local production and consumption of nutritious foods by strengthening the supporting functions, policies, and rules that govern local food systems.

Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability & Learning (MEAL)

• Work with the Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) team and other project staff in monitoring and evaluation of project activities including preparation of monitoring reports, documents and lessons learned.
• Share case studies, human-interest stories, documentaries and other related materials with MEAL Unit
• Carry out regular project monitoring visits and attend facility review meetings to provide support.
• Participate in milestone meetings for monitoring of the progress of the programme such as mid-term reviews, strategy meetings, previews and reviews and annual reviews.
• Ensure exchange and sharing of experience, lessons learnt, best practices and new methods to county officials, programme staff, other SCI partners as well as within the organization in collaboration with the health and nutrition teams.

Contract Duration: 12 months 

Number of Vacancies: 3

Work Location: Isiolo/Kisumu/Makueni

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Degree in nutrition 
• Minimum 3 years of relevant professional work experience in Nutrition Programming.
• Comprehensive understanding of the Food Market Systems, working with private sector and Micro and Small Medium Enterprises
• Effective working relationships with stakeholders from private sector, government agencies, international organisations, donors, academics and opinion-leaders.
• Experience in training and capacity building of Households, farmer organizations and microprocessors among others 
• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills. Demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships with a wide array of organizations
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Good knowledge of the nutrition and health field. 
• Good presentation and persuasion skills.
• Commitment to SCI Values.
• Fluency in English, both verbal and written, required. 
• Commitment to Save the Children values, including willingness to abide by and enforce the Child Safeguarding policy.

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ROLE PURPOSE

Save the Children is seeking Nutrition Advisor for the 5-year USAID funded Feed the Future Kenya Local Food Systems Activity (KFS). The five-year Feed the Future Kenya Food Systems (LFS) activity will promote inclusive agriculture-led growth, strengthen the resilience of people and systems, improve nutrition and diet diversity of women and children, as well as integrate cross-cutting themes in Kenya’s North, West and Southeast. The role of Save the Children in this activity will be to identify market-systems approaches in delivering nutrition messaging, diet diversity practices and Social Behaviour Change Campaigns and to lead multi-sectoral nutrition advocacy with relevant Ministries and departments at national and county levels. 

The Nutrition Advisor will support the KFS Regional Hubs on nutrition programming, planning and strategy, attend relevant cluster coordination meetings, and provide direct technical support to the field team throughout activity implementation.

Under the general guidance and direction of the Project Team Lead, the Nutrition advisor will support the Regional Hubs on nutrition programming, planning and strategy. Develop, lead, monitor, and evaluate the nutrition aspects of the Kenya Food Systems Activity including nutrition-sensitive agriculture. The Nutrition Advisor will coordinate and lead in advocacy efforts with county leadership from both nutrition-specific and -sensitive departments and other NGOs. Lead on all nutrition elements of the project and reports, providing capacity building for the county staff. Promote best practice in the nutrition programmes and contribute to the overall success of the Kenya Food Systems project. 

Oversee planning, implementation and reporting of Nutrition activities in KFS zone of influence counties - Garissa, Isiolo, Makueni, Bungoma, Busia, Kakamega, Homabay, Migori and Siaya Counties and, other locations as may be determined by the donor.      

In the event of a major humanitarian emergency, the role holder will be expected to work outside the normal role profile and be able to vary working hours accordingly.

SCOPE OF ROLE AND RESPONSIBILLITY

• Provide technical leadership in nutrition related programming, ensuring that LFS interventions are informed by the most recent evidence and global best practices in nutrition.
• Advise on nutrition messaging to improve diet diversity practices through Social Behaviour Change Campaigns 
• Provide leadership in nutrition-sensitive Agri-culture programming within the activity’s approach including policy priorities, activity planning and execution, etc.
• Facilitate national, regional and county level multisectoral nutrition planning and coordination
• Maintain an overview of the county(ies) nutrition programmes and of the national context, with a view to strategically learn and adapt Local Food Systems Activity in the Counties.
• Give technical support to field officers and government partners.
• Liaise with the technical team members to ensure sequencing, layering and integration.
• Carry out regular monitoring visits, ensuring that project objectives are met.
• Supervise and monitor the development of reporting systems for data collection, do data analysis and follow-up and feedback to relevant staff, partners and other agencies.
• Maintain an oversight of all procurement related to nutrition supplies ordered for the project at field level, supporting the supply-chain staff in the coordination and quality control of nutrition supplies.
• Provide input into the integration of beneficiary participation and accountability in the LFS Activity.
• Serve as the thought leader in nutrition programming demonstrated e.g. by publishing regular knowledge pieces, strategic SBCC approaches and techniques, etc.

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY

Strategic Planning and Programme Development

• Be fully aware of and actively participate in the development and review of the Local Food Systems project implementation strategy.  Specifically lead the operationalisation and implementation of the Nutrition component of the Local Food Systems project and ensure that nutrition strategies and approaches are integrated into other thematic areas.
• Build on technical knowledge and understanding of the operation of multisectoral nutrition policy and services in Kenya, and how these policies can best work for the needs of the Local Food Systems project implementation Counties.
• Ensure that programme strategies support and demonstrate good practice in child safeguarding.
• Using a child rights programming lens, ensure that Kenya Food Systems nutrition programming is built around the Theory of Change and is regularly monitored.

Advocacy and Policy Development

• Work with the consultant to develop the SBCC strategy towards improved nutrition Knowledge, awareness and nutrition practices within counties of operation
• Be fully aware of and proactively engage in the development, review, dissemination and operationalisation of County level policies, legislation, strategies and other initiatives and developments by government and other stakeholders relating to nutrition, health, WASH and/or food security issues. 
• Regularly assess and communicate the implications for Local Food Systems project and Save the Children’s programme and priorities of any changes in the operating environment relevant to this theme.
• Help to clearly articulate the nutrition advocacy messages for the Kenya Food Systems project.  Work with the project team, operations team, the PDQ-I teams, government and partners to develop and update the national and county health and nutrition advocacy strategy and support the implementation plan (with timeline, key outcomes and activities)
• Support and monitor the implementation of nutrition-related elements of the advocacy strategies at county level, including through ensuring that programme staff have relevant advocacy skills and that roles and responsibilities for different activities are clarified.
• Work with SCI policy advisor to Support the SCI health and nutrition lead and system strengthening lead to Develop policy briefs and position papers as and when required related to the nutrition programme in coordination with key programme staff.  This may require technical support from other technical specialists within the Local Food Systems project leadership team.
• Represent and advocate for the KFS activity with County Governments, NGOs and others at the Regional and County levels in both verbal and written communications to ensure that Local Food Systems project work is visible in terms of innovation and quality of implementation. Specifically ensure that evidence, learning and recommendations from Kenya Food Systems project programmes are shared through:
• Active participation in Nutrition Technical Forum meetings at the county level
• Active participation in the Nutrition multi-sectoral Platforms at the county level
• Sharing information for use by the SCI health and nutrition lead to share during Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) meetings at the national level in Nutrition Technical Forum and the respective technical working Groups.
• Sharing information with Child poverty reduction Technical Specialist to be used during Regional Food Security and Nutrition Working Group meetings.
• Ensuring pro-active engagement with the UN Agencies, including through coordination meetings at County(ies) and regional levels.
• Advising field teams to ensure adequate field visibility through technical attendance and technical meetings at sub-county level.

Programme Quality

• Monitor and provide timely, relevant, accurate input on overall nutrition technical aspects of the Kenya Food Systems project’s work in the implementation counties 
• Liaise with Health and Nutrition lead to ensure all health and nutrition and other programme staff receive the necessary and appropriate technical support. In consultation with Health and Nutrition lead agree on the range of advice, support, training and/or other assistance required by the other arms of Kenya Food Systems project to ensure sequencing, layering and integration. 
• Assist in the development of tools for project staff and partners to improve the quality of nutrition work. Where necessary provide – or ensure the provision of - technical training for project staff and partners as required (nutrition education, Behaviour change communication, conducting nutrition surveys and assessments, other monitoring and evaluation).
• Where external consultants (local or international) are required to technically support or monitor and evaluate projects, ensure the consultants adhere to the TOR and that quality is maintained throughout the work. 
• Generate quality first draft reports to donors to ensure that technical debates are well articulated, and reports are of acceptable quality before submission. 
• Provide input on partner selection and provide technical coaching of partners in nutrition.

Monitoring and Evaluation

• In collaboration with the project M&E Lead and engagement with field-based MEAL staff, ensure the project M&E frameworks are adhered to. 
• Participate in the design of the Collaborate, Learn and Adapt methodology of the programme implementation to ensure Local Food Systems interventions are working to address malnutrition.
• Regularly review and monitor programmes for child safeguarding issues.  Take corrective action in modifying programme activities and/or report incidents.
• Ensure the active dissemination of programme findings and lessons learned through the production of high-quality materials and their effective dissemination to key stakeholders. 

Other

• Participate actively in PDQ programme meetings, planning and review activities, providing enhanced insight into nutrition programming.
• Actively participate in key relevant internal meetings such as Programme Review Meetings, Senior Management Team or Area-based meetings as required.  Participate in any donor visit to project(s) within the country office portfolio, as required.   

Ensure the recruitment, training and supervision of nutrition programme staff in technical areas of expertise as appropriate and ensure availability of appropriate professional development opportunities. Provide feedback on the performance of key programme staff through regular consultation with, as well as through structured performance management processes.

Contract Duration: 12 months 

Work Location: Isiolo/Kisumu

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Nutrition professional with a master’s degree in nutrition or equivalent.
• Min 7 years of experience implementing nutrition programmes with at least 5 years of working at an advisory level in nutrition for international NGOs or the private sector in Kenya. 
• Excellent understanding of the nutrition sector within the Kenyan context
• Excellent understanding of market systems development approach to ending malnutrition.
• Experience in working with the private sector, MSEs and entrepreneurs, farmers, aggregators, food processors, and micro-retailers on nutritional improvement 
• Experience in promotion nutrition education among adolescents and schools
• Behaviour change communication 
• Clear understanding of and proactive approach to nutrition resilience, hunger and food security issues in Kenya.
• Proven representation and advocacy skills.
• Strong commitment to capacity building of county staff and partners with willingness to adopt a participatory and consultative approaches.
• Experience with nutrition programming in Arid and Semi-Arid (ASAL) and Non ASAL in Kenya is preferred.
• Experience writing donor reports especially USAID.
• Strong writing skills, including experience in writing, capacity statements and position papers. 
• Good interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate and negotiate clearly and effectively at all levels, considering cultural and language difficulties. 
• Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills including influencing, negotiation and coaching.
• Highly developed cultural awareness and ability to work well in an international environment with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures.
• Strong results orientation, with the ability to challenge existing mindsets.
• Experience solving complex issues through analysis, definition of a clear way forward and ensuring buy-in.
• Ability to present complex information in a succinct and compelling manner.
• Ability and willingness to dramatically change work practices and hours, and work with incoming surge teams, in the event of emergencies.
• Fluency in English, both verbal and written, required. 
• Commitment to Save the Children values, including willingness to abide by and enforce the Child Safeguarding policy.