Job Opportunities at Helen Keller International

Reports To: Finance and Admin Officer

Vitamin A Supplementation (VAS)

• Helen Keller works closely with the Government of Nigeria to ensure high coverage of more than 80% of the target population of children aged 6 to 59 months old with Vitamin A. Helen Keller also supports the national and state-level advocacy, planning, training of health workers, community sensitization and demand creation, delivery of Vitamin A capsules, program monitoring and evaluation. In 2001, Helen Keller integrated Vitamin A supplementation into Community Directed Treatment with Ivermectin (CDTI) as a cost-effective, sustainable strategy and a strong platform for community mobilization.
• Vulnerable groups, including children 6-59 months old and post-partum women within 8 weeks of delivery, were targeted. However, since 2009, Helen Keller aligned with the Federal Government of Nigeria and adopted the bi-annual Maternal Newborn and Child Health Weeks (MNCHW) as a high-impact strategy to distribute Vitamin A capsules alongside other low-cost interventions that have been proven to be highly effective in reducing mortality rates and improving maternal and child health. Helen Keller currently supports Vitamin A Supplementation in Nassarawa and Benue states and has received additional funding from GiveWell to expand the implementation of its VAS program and conduct yearly post event coverage evaluation surveys across four new states in Nigeria (Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Katsina and Taraba).
•  This position reports to the Logistics Associate, who is responsible for vehicle management.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Safely operate vehicles to ensure the safety of all passengers, pedestrians, other drivers and the vehicle in town and on field visits.
• Conduct vehicle checks (daily, weekly, monthly and before/after trips to field), and notify the staff person responsible for vehicle management of any vehicle problems.
• Deliver and pick up passengers and materials/ documents at airports, offices, businesses, etc. in a professional and courteous manner.
• Ensure that vehicles have the appropriate tools to enable users to perform minor maintenance and repairs in the field.
• Clean the vehicle inside and outside when necessary.
• Manage vehicles with care and use them with respect. Drive Helen Keller vehicles in a safe and secure manner in accordance with local law and the policies of the organization.
• Respect local traffic laws and drive within established speed limits.
• Understand the basic operations and maintenance requirements of Helen Keller vehicles. Perform minor maintenance and repair as required.
• Secure the vehicles when not in use.
• Provide support to Helen Keller field office staff and visitors in transporting materials to project sites, including loading and unloading Helen Keller vehicles as required.
• Fill in Vehicle Logbook after each trip with complete information and Fuel Log.
• Accept shifts/schedules as assigned, including weekend and after hours by rotation.
• Other duties as assigned.

Specific Responsibilities
Vehicle Driving:

• Possess a valid local driver’s license.
• Read and understand HELEN KELLER’s Vehicle Management policies and procedures related to vehicle management and driving protocols.
• Respect local traffic laws and drive within established speed limits.
• Deliver and pick up materials and documents at offices and businesses in a professional and courteous manner.

Vehicle Management & Maintenance:

• Conduct vehicle checks (daily, weekly, monthly and for trips), and signal any actual or potential problems to the staff person responsible for vehicle management;
• Ensure that vehicles have the appropriate tools and equipment on board to enable users to perform minor maintenance and repairs in the field.
• Understand the basic operations and maintenance requirements of HELEN KELLER vehicles. Perform minor maintenance and repair as required.
• Carefully assess surroundings before parking, particularly at night. It is the driver’s responsibility to be attentive to potential threats.
• Clean the vehicle inside and outside when necessary.
• Provide support to Helen Keller staff and visitors in transporting materials to project sites, including loading and unloading Helen Keller vehicles as required;
• Fill in log sheets after each trip with complete information and Fuel Logbook.

Vehicle Safety:

• Manage vehicles with care and use them with respect. Drive Helen Keller vehicles in a safe and secure manner in accordance with local law and the policies of HELEN KELLER.
• Do not accept unknown parcels, baggage or other questionable loads into the vehicles.
• Do not accept unknown riders - particularly individuals carrying weapons, wearing military uniforms, or those linked to conflicts - inside HELEN KELLER vehicles.
• Verify that passengers riding in HELEN KELLER vehicles wear seat belts at all times. Drivers are responsible for enforcing this rule in their vehicles.
• Yield the right-of-way to other drivers, pedestrians, bicycle and motorcycle riders, even if progress is slowed.
• Provide contact location to staff when in the field.
• Notify the staff person responsible for vehicle management of any movement of any vehicle from the office, any deviation from the planned route of travel, or changes of schedule.
• Inform the staff person responsible for vehicle management or Country Director of any danger – immediate or potential – to the security of Helen Keller staff or equipment due to demonstrations / riots in town, roadblocks, requisitions of vehicles by armed persons, shooting, etc. in order to alert staff.
• Ensure the safety and comfort of passengers at all times.

Qualifications

• Secondary-level Diploma.
• 5 years’ experience driving professionally; experience in mechanics desired.
• Valid, current driving license with a clean driving record (no accidents).
• Verifiable references.
• Professional, courteous and punctual.
• Willing to work extended hours and weekends as needed.
• Good working knowledge of all major local road networks and city streets.
• English language skills highly desired.

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Reports To: VAS Coordinator with dotted line responsibilities to Finance Coordinator
Supervises: Logistics Associate and Driver

Scope of the position

• The Finance and Admin Officer’s (FAO) job is to ensure smooth and accurate flow of financial and operational information and also work on designing and implementing financial reports.
• The FAO ensures effective implementation of project activities in the field location within the context of financial, contractual and operating systems.
• He/ she also manages the budget for the state field office/project, develops and implements Helen Keller financial policies and procedures, ensure compliance and works collaboratively with other Finance and projects technical staff to facilitate projects.

Specific Responsibilities

• The Finance and Admin Officer will oversee the operations and finances of the state office.
• Review activity requests and prepare bank vouchers for payments
• Track cash flow and compile retirement receipts and review
• Enter payments and retirements into financial accounting software on daily basis using Quick-Book
• Reconcile all bank account monthly against bank statement and submit to the Finance Coordinator and Head of Finance and Operations for review
• Manages petty cash reconciliation
• Preparation of office running budget
• Check matching expenses for compliance with donor regulations
• Monitor donor budget and prepare all necessary donor reports and submit to Finance Coordinator and Head of Finance and Operations for review and approval.
• Assist with month end reporting package
• Ensure implementation of regulations and procedures for local purchase, procurement and logistics management in collaboration with Logistics Officer(s) and Associate(s).
• Maintain rigorous operations in the field office, communicating regularly with the Abuja office to assure smooth operations.
• Assist technical staff to develop and manage monthly and quarterly activity budgets.
• Implement financial and internal control policies and procedures
• Process supplier invoices
• Ensure transactions are properly recorded and entered into Helen Keller Quick books
• Maintain financial files and records
• Maintain the assets register
• Submit staff time sheets for payroll processing

Qualifications

• University Degree in Business Management or accounting. Postgraduate degree in related field and possession of professional qualification such as ACA or ACCA preferred.
• Strong numeric skills and attention to detail and quality
• Minimum 4 years’ management experience
• Experience with GiveWell / USAID / DFID funded project
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Programs, especially Excel spreadsheets
• Ability to use accounting software (i.e. QuickBooks)
• Demonstrate good judgment and sound financial “common sense”
• Ability to create and monitor budgets
• Understand the principles of adequate documentation and of audit and performance necessary to ensure audit compliance.
• Advanced written and verbal proficiency in English including business terminology.

Competencies and Knowledge:

• Good communication and interpersonal skills
• Tertiary qualifications in a related field and experience working in a non-profit organization will be an advantage;
• Commitment to accuracy and attention to detail
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to relate to people at all levels internally and externally
• Ability to plan, balance and cope with competing priorities
• Good written and verbal communication skills
• Good standard of IT including experience of using MS Office
• Ability to manage teams, initiate and organize work
• Ability to establish priorities in a time-sensitive environment and meet deadlines.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal and organizational skills
• Ability to work in a team-oriented environment while maintaining an individual workload
• Logical and flexible approach to solving problems, especially when working under pressure
• Monitoring/assessing performance to make improvements or take corrective action

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Reports To: Finance and Admin Officer/HR/Admin. Coordinator

Overall Responsibility

• Under the supervision of the Finance and Admin Officer/HR/Admin. Coordinator, the Logistics Associate will support the proper management of health supplies; ensuring timely delivery of sufficient quantities of health commodities to state, LGA, Ward and facility levels.
• He/she works closely with the finance team, Procurement Officer and HR/Admin. Coordinator to make logistical arrangements, manages state office assets, coordinate the arrangement of materials and equipment to ensure smooth operations of the State office.

Specific Responsibilities

• Arrange for hotel reservations
• Arrange office travels in collaboration with Finance Team
• Provides support to Technical / Program staff in executing programs
• Maintain Helen Keller State assets register/Asset Panda
• Arrange spaces for new employees making sure of availability of desks, chairs etc. i.e. ready for them to use on the start day.
• Coordinate the approved budget for activities making sure that materials, equipment, etc required for the activity are organized and ready for the activity.
• Assist in organizing for the dispatch of goods and equipment whenever required
• Ensure the proper filing of procurement Purchase Requisition Form (PRF)
• Maintain vehicle Log book control and filing
• Office Maintenance follow up
• Purchase of office and program consumables in collaboration with the Procurement Officer
• Prepares/Signs Good Received Note (GRN)
• Receives and Issues inventory/materials
• Maintains office supplies inventory log book/card
• Official physical inventory count
• Maintain generator logbook
• Preparation & submission of monthly fuel consumption reports.
• Receives and sends out mails and correspondences
• Properly code and label all office furniture, equipment and non-consumable inventory
• Keep track of location of all equipment and furniture by projects, including transfers between offices/staff by updating the Asset Panda using the asset transfer form.
• Keep all relevant information including, which project the property belongs, price, make, model, location, user, condition, etc.
• Carry out additional tasks, as requested by the Head of Finance and Operations and Country Director.

Qualifications

• University Degree in Business Management or accounting. Postgraduate degree in related field preferred.
• Strong numeric skills and attention to detail and quality
• Minimum of 2 years’ experience in a similar position
• Ability to work independently and take initiative
• Experience with GiveWell / USAID / DFID or other donor funded project
• Advanced written and verbal proficiency in English including business terminology.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal and organizational skills
• Ability to work in a team-oriented environment while maintaining an individual workload
• Logical and flexible approach to solving problems, especially when working under pressure
• Monitoring/assessing performance to make improvements or take corrective action

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Reports To: M&E Specialist

Overall Responsibility

• The success of the VAS project depends largely on accurate, complete and timely reporting of achievements to donor. Achievement of set targets is of utmost importance.
• Hence, the objective of the M&E Officer position is to provide technical leadership in the roll-out of the M&E plan in the states and generating strategic data for program management, reporting and documentation of best practices.

Specific Responsibilities
Under the supervision of the M&E Specialist, the M&E Officer will:

• Provide technical input in the development of an integrated State VAS project plan in collaboration with the Head of Nutrition Programs and M&E Specialist.
• Take lead in the implementation of VAS state M&E plan and reporting formats for indicators and targets in collaboration with the M&E Specialist.
• Establish system for flow of information from service-delivery points to the VAS central data base and ensure timely M&E technical support to all implementing health facilities.
• Take lead in building the capacity of health units’ M&E staff and relevant health and community workers in collection, summarization, analysis and presentation of M&E data.
• Manage the roll-out of the project M&E data quality assurance system including quarterly data quality audits.
• Assist the M&E Specialist to coordinate the establishment/strengthening of one state M&E system that informs policy and practice.
• Ensure state-of-the art database management practice at the state.
• Analyze M&E data on a monthly, quarterly and annual basis and flag action areas to the project management.
• Work with M&E Specialist/Head of Nutrition Programs to document and publish best practices.
• Guide staff and implementing partners in preparing their progress reports. Together, analyse these reports in terms of problems and actions needed. Prepare consolidated progress reports for project management to submit to the relevant bodies, in accordance with approved reporting formats and timing.
• Prepare monitoring reports, analyze them for impact evaluation and identify the causes of potential bottlenecks in project implementation.
• Guide the regular sharing of the outputs of M&E findings with project staff, implementing partners and primary stakeholders.
• Make regular reports to the project team highlighting areas of concern and preparing the documentation for review at meetings.

Qualifications

• Postgraduate Degree in Statistics, Epidemiology or related field with focus on monitoring and evaluation and/or Biostatistics.
• At least 2 years hand-on-experience in monitoring and evaluation with very good analytical, presentation, communication and reporting skills.
• Significant experience in developing monitoring plans and/or management information systems 2 years of which spent working with NGOs in an African setting.
• Excellent inter-personal, multi-cultural and team building skills.
• Strong computer skills particularly in spreadsheets, database and statistical applications.
• Significant experience working in HIV/AIDS, Nutrition and NTDS programs in Nigeria.
• Excellent writing skills, oral and written communication skills and fluency in English

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Reports to: VAS Coordinator

Background

• Helen Keller International is a global health organization dedicated to eliminating preventable vision loss, malnutrition and diseases of poverty. Cofounded by Helen Keller - and guided by her fierce optimism and belief in human potential - the organization delivers life-changing health solutions to vulnerable families where the need is great but access to care is limited.
• In the US, Africa, and Asia, Helen Keller’s proven, science-based programs empower people to create opportunities in their own lives and build lasting change.

Vitamin A Supplementation (VAS)

• Helen Keller works closely with the Government of Nigeria to ensure high coverage of more than 80% of the target population of children aged 6 to 59 months old with Vitamin A. Helen Keller also supports the national and state-level advocacy, planning, training of health workers, community sensitization and demand creation, delivery of Vitamin A capsules, program monitoring and evaluation. In 2001, Helen Keller integrated Vitamin A supplementation into Community Directed Treatment with Ivermectin (CDTI) as a cost-effective, sustainable strategy and a strong platform for community mobilization. Vulnerable groups, including children 6-59 months old and post-partum women within 8 weeks of delivery, were targeted.
• However, since 2009, Helen Keller aligned with the Federal Government of Nigeria and adopted the bi-annual Maternal Newborn and Child Health Weeks (MNCHW) as a high-impact strategy to distribute Vitamin A capsules alongside other low-cost interventions that have been proven to be highly effective in reducing mortality rates and improving maternal and child health. Helen Keller currently supports Vitamin A Supplementation in Nassarawa and Benue states and has received additional funding from GiveWell to expand the implementation of its VAS program and conduct yearly post event coverage evaluation surveys across four new states in Nigeria (Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Katsina and Taraba).

Job Responsibilities

• Under the supervision of the VAS Coordinator, the Nutrition Program Officer implements, monitors and evaluate Helen Keller Nigeria’s nutrition programs and projects in accordance with national protocols and policies.

Technical Capacity:

• Liaise with the nutrition unit of the State Ministry of Health (SMOH) or State Primary Health Care Development Agencies (SPHCDA) to develop costed nutrition strategic work-plans.
• Support the state in advocating for timely allocation and release of funds to implement the bi-annual Maternal Newborn and Child Health Weeks.
• Support the state in assessing personnel, logistic and commodity needs towards effective microplanning
• Support training of health personnel at State, LGA and Ward levels and facilitate training of independent monitors prior to the VAS campaign
• Provide technical assistance to the state and support implementation of nationwide bi-annual VAS through Maternal Newborn and Child Health Weeks.
• Analyze, interpret and present program data in useful formats and disseminate findings to relevant stakeholders to promote timely decision making and course correction
• Work closely with the State to conduct yearly Post Events Coverage Surveys after the VAS campaign, analyze results and share findings with relevant stakeholders for course correction during subsequent campaigns
• Maintain regular communication with other state nutrition program partners
• Facilitate program planning and review meetings on Vitamin A supplementation
• Collaborate with the state and partners to develop /roll out IEC / SBCC strategies and tools to support nutrition programs
• Actively participate in key relevant national and state level nutrition technical forums
• Work closely with State Nutrition Officers to strengthen technical reporting in accordance with defined reporting schedule and program indicators
• Track program progress using mutually agreed indicators, targets, and recommend remedial action to keep programs on course
• Contribute to and support the maintenance of an updated database of technical program reports including site visits, monthly reports, quarterly and annual reports
• Participate in research to increase VAS coverage and other nutrition interventions
• Support the capacity building of nutrition program officers on relevant nutrition interventions
• Support the implementation of other relevant nutrition activities beyond the Vitamin A Supplementation project such as healthy lifestyle project, infant and young child feeding, community management of acute malnutrition, food fortification, food security e.t.c.
• Perform any other duty as assigned

Qualifications Required

• Minimum of Master's Degree in Nutrition or Food and Dietetics
• Or Bachelors’ in Nutrition plus a Master’s in Public Health or similar related field
• Minimum of 2 years’ experience

Competencies Required:

• Demonstrates technical knowledge pertaining to job requirements
• Prior experience working in the field of VAS will be an added advantage
• Able to work under pressure minimal supervision and able to meet up deadlines
• Ability to use the Internet and computer software such as Microsoft office
• Must possess good interpersonal skills and be a good team player
• Ability to analyze and interpret program data using SPSS or STATA statistical software
• Demonstrated excellent personal integrity and confidentiality
• Ability to speak the local language is highly desirable and an added advantage

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Reports to: Head of Nutrition Programs

Background

• Helen Keller International is a global health organization dedicated to eliminating preventable vision loss, malnutrition and diseases of poverty. Cofounded by Helen Keller - and guided by her fierce optimism and belief in human potential - the organization delivers life-changing health solutions to vulnerable families where the need is great but access to care is limited.
• In the US, Africa, and Asia, Helen Keller’s proven, science-based programs empower people to create opportunities in their own lives and build lasting change.

Vitamin A Supplementation (VAS)

• Helen Keller works closely with the Government of Nigeria to ensure high coverage of more than 80% of the target population of children aged 6 to 59 months old with Vitamin A. Helen Keller also supports the national and state-level advocacy, planning, training of health workers, community sensitization and demand creation, delivery of Vitamin A capsules, program monitoring and evaluation. In 2001, Helen Keller integrated Vitamin A supplementation into Community Directed Treatment with Ivermectin (CDTI) as a cost-effective, sustainable strategy and a strong platform for community mobilization. Vulnerable groups, including children 6-59 months old and post-partum women within 8 weeks of delivery, were targeted.
• However, since 2009, Helen Keller aligned with the Federal Government of Nigeria and adopted the bi-annual Maternal Newborn and Child Health Weeks (MNCHW) as a high-impact strategy to distribute Vitamin A capsules alongside other low-cost interventions that have been proven to be highly effective in reducing mortality rates and improving maternal and child health. Helen Keller currently supports Vitamin A Supplementation in Nassarawa and Benue states and has received additional funding from GiveWell to expand the implementation of its VAS program and conduct yearly post event coverage evaluation surveys across four new states in Nigeria (Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Katsina and Taraba).

Job Responsibilities

• Under the supervision of the Head of Nutrition Programs, the VAS Coordinator oversees the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of Helen Keller Nigeria’s Vitamin A Supplementation programs in all supported states in accordance with national protocols and policies.

Technical Capacity:

• Ensures the overall management and implementation of Helen Keller Nigeria’s Vitamin A Supplementation project across Nassarawa, Benue, Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Katsina and Taraba, and any other state the organization expands to in the near future
• Provide technical support to the governments at National and State-level to implement the bi-annual Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Weeks.
• Coordinate with Helen Keller’s’ Nutrition Program Officers to liaise with the nutrition unit of the State Ministry of Health (SMOH) or State Primary Health Care Development Agencies (SPHCDA) to develop costed nutrition strategic work-plans and detailed implementation plans.
• Support the development of activity budgets for the VAS project across all Helen Keller-supported states
• Support states in advocating for timely allocation and release of funds to implement the bi-annual Maternal Newborn and Child Health Weeks.
• Support the state in assessing personnel, logistic and commodity needs towards effective microplanning of the VAS campaign
• Support training of health personnel at State, LGA and Ward levels and facilitate training of independent monitors prior to the VAS campaign
• Collaborate with Helen Keller’s M&E Specialist to analyze, interpret and present program data in useful formats and disseminate findings to relevant stakeholders to promote timely decision making and course correction
• Work closely with the State and Nutrition Program Officers to conduct yearly Post Events Coverage Surveys after the VAS campaign, analyze results and share findings with relevant stakeholders for course correction during subsequent campaigns
• Maintain regular communication with other state nutrition program officers and partners
• Facilitate program planning and review meetings on Vitamin A supplementation
• Coordinate with Nutrition Program Officers to collaborate with the states in developing /rolling out IEC / SBCC strategies and tools to support nutrition programs
• Contribute to the development of policy documents and the review of national MNCHW guidelines and training manuals
• Actively participate and contribute to key relevant national and state-level nutrition technical fora, meetings and workshops
• Coordinate with Nutrition Program Officers to and State Nutrition Officers to strengthen technical reporting in accordance with defined reporting schedule and program indicators
• Track program progress using mutually agreed indicators, targets, and recommend remedial action to keep programs on course
• Ensure, in collaboration with the Finance department regular budget tracking, monitoring and reporting to avoid underspend and/or overspend
• Collaborate with Helen Keller Nigeria’s Communication’s and Media Officer to document success stories, lessons learned and achievements on the VAS project.
• Ensure timely and quality reporting to GiveWell and the maintenance of an updated database of technical program reports including site visits, monthly reports, quarterly and annual reports
• Participate in research to increase VAS coverage and other nutrition interventions
• Facilitate the capacity building of Nutrition Program Officers on relevant nutrition interventions
• Regularly go on field trips to provide technical support to nutrition staff at State-level and monitor the progress and implementation of the VAS project
• Support the implementation of other relevant nutrition activities beyond the Vitamin A Supplementation project such as healthy lifestyle project, infant and young child feeding, community management of acute malnutrition, food fortification, food security e.t.c.
• Provide technical support in drafting Terms of Reference (TORs) / Job Description (JDs) for relevant nutrition positions
• Participate in preparing interview questions, recruitment of nutrition staff and perform staff evaluation
• Participate in and contribute to regular program update meetings with other members of Helen Keller’s nutrition team
• Perform any other duty as assigned

Qualifications Required

• Minimum of Master's Degree in Nutrition, Food and Dietetics, Public Health or any other relevant Management / Social Sciences
• Or Bachelors’ in Nutrition plus a Master’s in Public Health or Management Sciences or similar related field
• Minimum of 4 years experience

Competencies Required:

• Demonstrates technical knowledge pertaining to job requirements
• Demonstrated managerial capacity to lead projects and supervise other staff
• Prior experience working in the field of VAS will be an added advantage
• Able to work under pressure minimal supervision and able to meet up deadlines
• Ability to use the Internet and computer software such as Microsoft office
• Must possess good interpersonal skills and be a good team player
• Ability to analyze and interpret program data using SPSS or STATA statistical software
• Demonstrated excellent personal integrity and confidentiality
• Ability to speak the local languages of the states where Helen Keller is implementing the VAS project is highly desirable and an added advantage