Nutrition Intervention Assistant at Mercy Corps

General Position Summary

The Nutrition Intervention Assistant will be responsible for the technical support in the implementation of RRA nutrition component aimed at ensuring interventions results in the desired Activity targets. The Nutrition Intervention Assistant will be responsible for providing support for all activities related to Nutrition Sensitive and Specific models and market systems development under the Rural Resilience activity. S/he will support in implementation strategies and coordination with the Intervention leads and the leadership of RRA activities in Adamawa State. The position will provide support to all RRA staff, providing them with technical assistance where necessary, and ensuring that common strategies and approaches are applied consistently in all communities. S/he will coordinate closely with the Monitoring and Results Measurement team to ensure that systems are in place to track, analyze and report results. The selected candidate will keep abreast of the latest research and evolutions in the field of market/value chain development and integrate new ideas and approaches as appropriate, seeking additional technical assistance as needed and ensuring effective working relationships with collaborating agencies.

Essential Job Responsibilities

• The Nutrition Intervention Assistant will support the work of the Senior Nutrition Officers and coordinators who identify and manage agribusiness, association, and government partners.
• Support the development of partnerships with market actors, including but not limited to food processors, traders, financial services, and business development services providers, associations, and government institutions by supporting the competition, selection, and negotiation processes.
• Assist the Senior Nutrition Officers and coordinators with the development of scopes of work, budget analysis, reviewing backup documentation and administrative tasks.
• Coordinate across teams to develop monitoring and evaluation targets and submit reports on a weekly basis.
• Support the management of strong relationships under ongoing partnership by coordinating communications, participating in field visits, supporting the procurement of goods and services needed by RRA partners, and coordinating events.
• Monitor the implementation and execution of technical assistance and grants provided by RRA, and work with the Senior Intervention Officers, Coordinators and MRM to collect, review and analyze data.
• Contribute to regular reporting on activities. Perform any other duties assigned by the Senior Intervention Officers and Coordinators.

Intervention Management

• Ensure the appropriate communication of clear intervention guidelines, expected outcomes, timeframe and workplan to all relevant parties.
• Assist the Compliance and Sub Award and EIF managers in the development of relevant grant agreements, MoUs, ToRs and any other administrative requirement for nutrition-related efforts.
• Conduct regular field visits to ensure proper implementation of activities.
• Remain aware of developments in the relevant sectors/markets/commodity chains.
• Work with the monitoring and results measurement team to design appropriate tools for monitoring the progress of interventions within the various market sectors. Also, liaise with the monitoring and results measurement team on the conduct of impact assessments for ongoing interventions.
• Identify priority areas for interventions that will change as opportunities pass or are realized and new ones emerge.

Stakeholder Management

• Represent the RRA in selected fora, and markets, displaying courtesy, tact, consideration and discretion in all interactions with partners, other members of the Activity, and with the public.
• Understand how the political economy impacts rural markets, and how changes in the functioning of markets may impact the political economy.
• Maintain contacts with key stakeholders to increase synergies.
• Assist in establishing contacts with national and regional institutions, stakeholders and participants that would contribute to the successful implementation of market activities.
• Coordinate activities with consortium partners, sub-grantees, private sector partners, local government and other implementers, as well as with other Mercy Corps programs.
• Represent Mercy Corps externally at relevant conferences, workshops and other convenings.

Security

• Work closely with the country team’s security focal point to develop and maintain systems that promote the safety and security of all team members.
• Ensure that programs are designed and implemented with a clear analysis and understanding of security.

Knowledge and Experience

• BA/BSc required.
• 2+ years working in designing and delivering development works, agribusiness and enterprise development.
• Ability to foster commitment and build capacity among project teams and partners around gender and youth development.
• Excellent organizational, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Experience working in consortium multiple organizational partnerships
• Experience with Monitoring and Evaluation systems and research 
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Spoken and written proficiency in English.
• Ability to facilitate meetings, effective presenter, and open collaborator.