Senior Nutrition Manager at International Rescue Committee (IRC)

Job Title: Senior Nutrition Manager

Sector: Health

Employment Category: Fixed Term

Employment Type: Full-Time

Open to Expatriates: No

Location: Yobe, Nigeria

Job Description

Background/IRC Summary:

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. Offices were established in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe States, in North East Nigeria and are providing critical humanitarian assistance to conflict affected people. 

Job Overview/Summary:

 The Senior Nutrition Manager is the focal point for IRC's primary Nutrition care services in Damaturu, Yobe state and will supervise Nutrition Managers and senior nutrition officers in the other areas of intervention; s/he reports to the Nutrition Coordinator and works closely and supervises other nutrition managers in the three BAY states in the day to day administrative issues. The senior Nutrition Manager ensures the implementation of a quality Nutrition program, in accordance with national and international standards. The Senior Nutrition Manager will identify gaps in Nutrition services and take the necessary steps to address those gaps. S/he provides technical oversight/ assistance in planning, implementing and monitoring of high impact interventions and provides support in system strengthening and promotion of childhood nutrition, with special focus to the most vulnerable and unreached population groups. In addition, provide coordinated support and technical assistance to Health Department and management of on-going programs statewide and establishing nutrition surveillance systems. He/she will directly supervise all nutrition activities in the region which will comprise of CMAM which include outreach activities, 24 hour stabilization center services and Robust Infant &Young child Feeding program and will directly supervise Nutrition staff working in Damaturu in Yobe and supervises other states via the respective nutrition managers. He/she will coordinate nutrition program activities and report to the Nutrition coordinator.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Program Management & Development
• Participate in the development of nutrition sector budgets and following up on their effective implementation.
• Develop nutrition sector work plans for all the IRC nutrition grants. Supervise and coordinate the implementation and monitoring of nutrition project activities in the BAY states in line with proposal targets and work plan timelines.
• Conduct nutritional surveillance in the program sites, including host community and internally displaced persons (IDPs)based on agreed methodologies including surveys, process monitoring, SMART, LQAS, SQUEAC and other rapid methods.
• Work with the field based nutrition staff and community health Volunteers to establish, implement and monitor community based management of acute malnutrition activities, coupled with patient follow up, referrals and education for their better management at community level.
• Coordinate with other IRC departments and implementing partners to develop training curricula and implementation plans for community Health Volunteers (CHV’s).
• Assist in response and management of any nutrition emergencies e.g. acute food shortages and participate in the development of disaster preparedness systems.
• Promote mother infant and young child feeding best practices in various health facilities.
• Oversee implementation and integration of comprehensive growth monitoring program/Mass MUAC screenings at community level and report accordingly.
• Participate actively in execution of operational research and Documentation of Best Nutrition practices in various health facilities/Outreach sites if need be.
• Participate actively in planned program Rapid Nutrition assessment, nutrition surveys and KAP Assessments.
• Monitoring and supervising both IRC and MOH staff seconded to IRC 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 nutrition staff as appropriate.
• Participate in the development of proposals, budgets and concept notes in coordination with the Nutrition Coordinator, DDP, Grants team, and HQ Technical Unit
• Monitor the purchase and use of materials, equipment and supplies
• Monitor and evaluate appropriate implementation of  projects against program objectives and IRC’s Program Framework
• Identify opportunities for program development

Staff Management

• Recruit national staff in conjunction with the Human Resources Department
• Maintain updated job descriptions, conduct interviews, orient new staff to the IRC and the Protection program
• Supervise the nutrition staff directly, providing ongoing leadership to the project team and overseeing implementation and coordination of activity plans to ensure targets are met
• Provide ongoing supervision, leadership, training and technical support and guidance to nutrition staff, and ensure all nutrition staff adhere to best-practice principles in all aspects of program implementation
• Overall responsibility for Nutrition team’s timesheets, work plans, vacation schedules, and staff training/development activities
• Ensure Performance Management System documentation for all staff is in place and followed up regularly
• Build staff capacity in work plan development and reporting to ensure accurate monitoring and documentation of activities
• Recommend and implement a capacity building/development plan for project staff based on documented capacity needs assessments exercise
• Ensure nutrition staff understands and follows IRC and donor Policies and Procedures

Technical Monitoring and Program Quality

• Provide technical supervision of, and technical support to IRC nutrition programming activities
• Ensure that nutrition programs utilize standardized protocols, policies and guidelines, as prescribed by the Ministry of Health and WHO/UNICEF
• Ensure that all nutrition activities are consistent with established best practices
• Oversee the collection and timely reporting of data and statistics for all nutrition programs in line with IRC guidelines and according to internal and donor requirements
• Ensure appropriate follow-up and decision-making on data relevant to IRC nutrition programs
• Ensure good coordination with the health teams and with the Nutrition, Health, and iCCM Coordinator
• Monitor evolving needs of the target communities and adjust the programmatic priorities as necessary
• Conduct nutritional surveillance in the program sites, including host community and internally displaced persons (IDPs)based on agreed methodologies including surveys, process monitoring, SMART, LQAS, SQUEAC and KAP.

Working Relationships:

• Position Reports to:  Nutrition Coordinator
• Position directly supervises:  Nutrition Managers, Senior Nutrition officers, Nutrition M/E Officer
•  Indirect Reporting: SPC
•  Other Internal and/or external contacts: describe the nature of departments or groups the position influences or requires support from to accomplish objectives.

Internal: All other IRC sectors offering integrated services at all intervention areas. Senior area manager, Yobe and all operation services for support.

External:  SPHCDA, UNICEF, WHO, HMB, Federal Ministry of Health, other INGOs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree in Food, Nutrition and Dietetics or Registered nurse or Medical doctor with strong Nutrition Background  from a recognized University.(Masters in Public Health (MPH)/Nutrition preferred)

A minimum of 7 years of professional experience in nutrition, public health, nutrition planning and management and/or in relevant areas of maternal, infant and child nutrition care at program management level is required.

• Knowledge in computer statistical packages such as SMART and basic data analysis skills.
• Experience in designing and implementing nutrition surveys and other methodologies.
• MUST be registered by Nigeria Nutritionist and Dietitians Institute or other relevant Bodies;
• Should be conversant with skills such as SQUEAC, SLEAC surveys techniques.
• Experience in managing a nutrition program in emergencies or among refugee/ displaced populations is an added advantage
• Excellent management skills
• Ability to write clear and concise reports and proposals and to meet required reporting deadlines.
• Able to work independently while being a strong team player.
• Experience supervising health staff in a complex setting; ability to support and build staff capacity.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to live and work under pressure in an unstable security environment.
• Excellent computer skills: MS Word, Excel, Power-point, Epi-Info/SPSS, Outlook and the internet.
• Fluency in English. Skill in local languages will be an added advantage.
• Ready to Travel and work in Yobe and frequent travel to northern Nigeria especially BAMA, Mubi, Monguno, Yola and other hard to reach areas as assigned by the management or delegated by the Nutrition coordinator.

The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct.  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. #LI-DNI