NGO Vacancies for Health and Nutrition Coordinator

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in a great variety of roles around
the world, the International Rescue
Committee’s 8,000-plus staff is a force for humanity and hope. If you’re
skilled and passionate, we’d like to add your energy to ours.

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IRC staff members are restlessly and effectively working for the sake of
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These are Integrity, Service, and Accountability. In accordance with
these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary
Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti
Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.

Job Title:  Health and Nutrition Coordinator

BACKGROUND:  
The
International Rescue Committee, one of the world’s largest humanitarian
agencies, provides relief, rehabilitation and post-conflict
reconstruction support to victims of natural disaster, oppression and
violent conflict in 42 countries. The IRC is committed to bold
leadership, innovation and creative partnerships. Active in public
health, education, livelihoods, women’s empowerment, youth development,
and protection and promotion of rights, IRC assists people from harm to
home.

IRC entered Nigeria in October 2012 in response to a widespread
flood disaster. IRC’s Emergency Response Team, with local partner
CISCOPE (Civil Society Coalition for Poverty Eradication), implemented a
project to support livelihoods and improve WASH in Kogi State from
February to May 2013. This was followed by a 3-month nutrition and food
security program in the same location from October 2013 to January 2014.
The IRC is now in the process of establishing long term presence in
Nigeria.  An office has been established in Yola,  Adamawa State, North
East Nigeria and serves program implementation in four local government
authorities (LGAs). The health and nutrition program currently provides
critical humanitarian assistance to conflict affected people and host
communities. Support is provided through 20 health facilities and 10
make shift internally displaced persons (IDP) camps.  

EDUCATON AND REQUIREMENTS

• Degree in Health, Nutrition or related field e.g. MBChB, Public Health, B.Sc Nutrition etc
• Minimum 5 years experience in primary health and nutrition
  programs in resource poor settings with at least 3 years in project
  management position, experience managing nutrition programs;
  specifically in the Community-based Management of Acute Malnutrition
  (CMAM), Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) and nutrition BCC
  approaches.
• Competent in Windows, MS office programs (MS Word, Excel, Powerpoint), email and database (HMIS, DHIS, EPI-Info) experience.
• Experience implementing health programming in hard to reach areas/displaced communities
• Experience in capacity building and mentoring of health staff
• Demonstrated leadership, communication, and facilitation
  skills; Excellent interpersonal and problem-solving skills; Excellent
  coordination and networking skills; Excellent written and oral English
  skills
• Additional qualities: ability to multitask, ability to handle
  pressure well, ability to improvise, be flexible , and adaptability to
  transitions.
• Experience working in Nigeria/West Africa a plus. Willingness to travel extensively in Nigeria
• Background in conducting situation analysis, health and
  nutrition assessments.  Training and competency in LQAS, SPSS, SQUEAC
  and SMART methodology for conducting surveys is an added advantage.
  Demonstrated skills in quantitative and qualitative research
  methodologies; Knowledge, skills and experience in participatory
  methods, community development and partnership.
• Experience and competency in proposal development, report writing and grant management.

SCOPE OF WORK:

The Health & Nutrition Coordinator (HNC) will be
responsible for the vision, strategy, design, implementation and
management of IRC’s health program in Nigeria, working in collaboration
with the senior management team in Abuja, and directly with the team in
the field. As the focal point for health programs in Nigeria, the HNC
will ensure the implementation of quality primary health care including
nutrition programing in Adamawa state and other IRC locations in
Nigeria. The HNC will provide technical support to the health and
nutrition program for project design, proposal development and
reporting, ensuring that IRC programs are of high quality and that
programs are driven by data and learning, working in conjunction with
other colleagues in the IRC Nigeria program. The HNC will be responsible
for maintaining regular contact with all partners, including the
Federal Ministry of Health, the State Primary Health care Development
Agency (PHCDA), UN agencies and other NGOs, and will also be responsible
for fulfilling IRC strategic objectives for the health sector.

RELATIONSHIPS:

The position is based in Yola with regular trips to IRC’s
health programs throughout Nigeria, with up to 50% of time spent in
project sites. The HNC supervises other health staff as per the Nigeria
health sector organigram, and reports to the Adamawa Field Coordinator. 
The HNC will receive technical support from the Technical Advisor
Health Programs.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Program Management

• Provide technical supervision and guidance of all IRC primary
  health care and nutrition projects. Extend technical support and
  supervision to the IRC’s implementing partners as the need arises.
• Ensure that the health and nutrition projects in Nigeria
  utilize standardized protocols, policies and guidelines, as outlined by
  the Federal Ministry of Health and WHO. Ensure that all activities are
  consistent with established best practices.
• In collaboration with the other health program staff in
  Nigeria, oversee the implementation of health and nutrition projects
  implemented by IRC Nigeria, including grant management and budget
  forecasting and spending in collaboration with other departments.
• Promote the quality of the IRC’s health programs by setting up
  quality assurance mechanisms and checks in collaboration with other
  staff.
• Prepare all necessary documentation for Grant Opening, Review and Closing meetings

Technical Monitoring and Program Quality

• Provide technical supervision of, and technical support to IRC Nigeria health and nutrition programming activities;
• Oversee the collection and timely reporting of data and
  statistics for all health and nutrition programs in line with IRC’s REL
  (Research, Evaluation & Learning) guidelines and according to
  internal and donor requirements;
• Ensure sound data collection and information management
  systems are in place for ongoing performance analysis and programmatic
  action based on data and identified needs.
• Lead technical assessments as a basis for primary health care and nutrition program development;
• Monitor evolving needs of the target communities and adjust the programmatic priorities as necessary;
• Coordinate and develop project proposals (logical frameworks
  and appropriate, realistic and measurable indicators) for the IRC
  Nigeria Health & Nutrition Program under the supervision of the
  Field Coordinator and Country Director.
• Ensure that the stated goals and objectives of all health
  projects are met with strong monitoring and evaluation (M&E) follow
  up, including any required operational research, with technical support
  from the Health Information Management team in New York Health Unit and
  the Country Technical Advisors for health and nutrition as needed.
• Participate in the design of robust M&E plans and
  design/adapt health information systems including surveillance systems
  for the IRC health and nutrition programs in Nigeria

Strategic Planning and Program Development

• Provide supportive supervison to the other health staff to
  develop work plans that guide implementation of approved grants. Support
  the Field teams in the implementation and monitoring of the work plans
  ensuring that activities reflect the commitments IRC made to the donor
  and community.
• In collaboration with the Health Technical Advisor, Nutrition
  Technical Advisor , Field Coordinator and the Country Director, lead the
  development of an IRC Health & Nutrition Program strategy in line
  with IRC Nigeria Strategy Action Plan.
• Oversee the implementation of health sector priorities,
  ensuring that program growth is in line with country strategy action
  plans

Staff development

• Participate in the development of staff development plans for
  health staff based on performance reviews in collaboration with the
  human resources department and contribute to the training of health
  staff (mentoring, on-the-job sessions as well as formal trainings).
  Review performance evaluation of all health and nutrition staff in
  collaboration with their line managers.
• Develop/organize training opportunities to build the capacity
  of the health staff and local partners in order to transfer skills. 
  This includes staff training in program management areas such as
  reporting, budgeting, monitoring, evaluation, and supervision.
• Ensure respect for IRC HR policies during the recruitment process.
• Promote the IRC Way with all supervisees

Coordination, Representation AND ADVOCACY

• In coordination with the Country Director and the Field
  Coordinator, actively develop and maintain effective working
  relationships with key stakeholders in Nigeria including donors,
  government actors such as the PHCDA and LGAs, UN agencies, international
  and local NGOs, and other relevant actors. Establish and maintain
  effective, professional relationships with relevant stakeholders.
• Upon request by the Senior Management in Nigeria, assist in
  organizing donor site visits by supporting field staff in the smooth
  design and implementation of agendas and visit activities.
• Participate in the national  and State level Health and Nutrition Cluster Coordination Mechanisms as needed;
• Participate in internal coordination and management meetings
  to promote effective and efficient information sharing, problem-solving
  and decision making.
• Develop strategic partnerships with local organizations, wherever possible.
• Represent IRC to local communities, government departments,
  international agencies, local partners and donors as required. Establish
  and maintain effective, professional relationships with relevant
  stakeholders.

Reporting:

• Review Budget vs. Actual expenditure for health programs on a monthly basis with staff.
• Review all reports prepared by the health staff and provide
  appropriate feedback to the concerned staff, and ensure that reports are
  written and submitted to concerned bodies in a timely manner.
• Submit timely and accurate reports to the CD as required

Security:

• Ensure health and nutrition staff are trained on, aware of and in compliance with IRC security policies and the local SMP.

Other

• Other relevant duties as assigned.

How to Apply
 
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