Nutrition Project Manager at Catholic Relief Services (CRS)

Band:               8

Department:     Programs

Reports To:      Markets Program Manager II

Location:          Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria.

Job Ref Code: NPM090119

Full JD Link:    https://goo.gl/7dVBnB

 Project Background:

 Since the crisis in Northeast Nigeria escalated in 2013, the food security situation has continued to worsen. Emerging data of June 2016 has revealed that the severity of the food and nutritional crisis is well beyond emergency thresholds in Borno State.  The Federal Government has declared a food and nutritional crisis in Borno, where over 750,000 people are severely food insecure; including 180,000 in Maiduguri’s outskirts, 120,000 camp residents and approximately 275,000 IDPs in newly reopened areas. A growing number of people are in urgent need of food assistance, and alarming rates of acute malnutrition have been reported.  Given the unfolding large-scale emergency in the north-eastern Nigeria, CRS has scaled up in Yobe and Borno states with multisectoral programming including cash transfer programming via e-vouchers; nutrition, protection, shelter/WASH and agriculture.

CRS is looking for the strong candidate with skills in nutrition to manage the designing/conceiving, and implementation of CRS nutrition program in North East Nigeria.

 Primary Job Responsibilities

The Nutrition Project Manager (PM) is responsible for the overall management and technical direction of CRS nutrition program targeting vulnerable IDPs and host communities in NE Nigeria. Reporting to the Markets Program Manager II with accountability to the Nutrition Officers, and Nutrition Community Mobilizers, the Nutrition PM will undertake the following responsibilities related to project cycle management, technical direction, and program development:

Technical/Administrative, Program Quality and Implementation

• Ensure quality and timely field level implementation of the Nutrition program against set objectives, targets and work plans
• Advise and assist CRS nutrition team in developing project specific strategies, tools, systems and plans.
• Ensure that nutrition programs utilize international best practices, policies and guidelines, in line with Ministry of Health and WHO/UNICEF
• Oversee the collection and timely reporting of data and statistics for all nutrition programs in line with CRS guidelines and according to donor requirements
• Actively monitor programs/projects through field visits, surveys and/or exchange of information with partners to assess progress, identify bottlenecks and take timely decisions to resolve issues and/or refer to relevant officials for timely resolution

 Program Development and Strategic Planning

• Contribute to and support in carrying-out the situation analysis for the nutrition sector to ensure timely and current data on maternal and child nutrition are available for the designing, development and management of nutrition projects.
• Identify opportunities for program and proposal development in line with the CRS's and donor guidelines
• Participate in proposal writing and budget development processes for nutrition program
• Lead technical assessments as a basis for nutrition program development when necessary to monitor evolving needs of the target communities and adjust the programmatic priorities as necessary

 Capacity Building and Supervision

• Ensure the capacity building of CRS nutrition team and partner staff through on-job training, technical guidance and coaching sessions while ensuring staff performance evaluation plans are developed
• Ensure appropriate support to the nutrition team by regular field visits and provide targeted technical feedback
• Develop capacity building plans and strategies and identify relevant training opportunities for CRS and partner staff to advance knowledge and skills in nutrition.
• Monitor staffing needs and assist the recruitment of local staff and support staff development through mentoring to enhance the capacity of project and partner staff
• Develop a process for ensuring quality and safety of nutrition related activities and products

 Coordination and Representation

• Represent CRS at nutrition sector working group meetings and coordination forums UN, international and national NGOs for nutrition coordination as needed at the LGA and state level
• Ensure a good coordination with other CRS partners staff, nutrition field teams and provide frequent feedback and updates
• Develop new and manage existing relationships with key stakeholders and the potential collaborators for nutrition programs;

 Reporting

• Support the development of field-based reports to CRS and/or external donors, as necessary
• Conduct any other programming responsibility delegated by the supervisor

Qualifications and Skills:

• Master's Degree in Public Health, Nutrition, or related field
• 3-5 years of experience in nutrition program implementation with an international humanitarian NGO
• Experience with nutrition in emergencies (CMAM, IYCF-E, data collection), preferably in the Nigerian context
• Experience in conducting nutrition assessments (SMART, KAP surveys) and an understanding of nutritional information systems
• Proven experience in project design and implementation, proposal-writing, budgeting and financial management in nutrition
• Strong understanding of the humanitarian emergency operating context, including Sphere, the humanitarian system, donors, security, and program management.
• Demonstrated commitment to gender responsive programming.
• Excellent organizational, analytical, oral and written communication skills.
• Team-oriented and strong interpersonal skills
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and to organize and prioritize a variety of initiatives

Key Working Relationships:

Internal: Markets Program Manager, Nutrition Officers, CMs, Emergency Coordinator, MEAL Coordinator.

External: Partner staff, relevant nutrition stakeholders e.g. UN bodies, local and INGOs, local and national authorities

Travel: Willingness to travel about 50% of the time.

Note: These positions are contingent upon the availability of funding

How to Apply:

Interested candidates should download the CRS Application Form using the link (https://bit.ly/2B9iJB9), fill and send with a detailed resume as one document in pdf indicating position being applied for and the Job Ref Code as the subject of the application (e.g. Program Assistant – Borno, PAB181018)

Completed applications are to be sent to vacancies.ne.nigeria@crs.org Deadline for submission is COB (i.e. 5:00pm), January 22, 2019.

Equal Employer Opportunity:

“CRS is an equal –opportunity employer, does not discriminate based on race, color, religion and we are committed to gender sensitive programming and management’. etc.

Qualified women are strongly encouraged to apply”

Statement of Commitment to Protection:

‘’CRS’ recruitment and selection procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation’’