Nutrition Officer

Action Against Hunger-USA is part of the Action Against Hunger International network, which provides humanitarian relief in more than 50 countries worldwide in the sectors of nutrition, health, water/sanitation, and food security. Action Against Hunger-USA, an independent NGO, currently manages programs in 7 countries: Ethiopia, Kenya, South Sudan, Somalia, Tanzania, Uganda, and Haiti. Action Against Hunger-USA implements more than $60 million in programs annually, and approximately 1,500 permanent employees based in New York City, Washington D.C, Nairobi, and country offices. Additional growth is anticipated.

Action Against Hunger has been present in Kenya since 2001 and is a transformative leader in nutrition security for improved quality of life among vulnerable communities. Action Against Hunger wants to contribute to the optimal functional performance of National, County, and Community systems through strategic partnerships for innovative nutrition-sensitive and nutrition-specific interventions to achieve its impact. The organization recognizes gender equality as central to its core strategy towards realization of effective and sustainable outcomes on nutrition, WASH and surveillance interventions. Action Against Hunger is currently implementing activities in West Pokot, Mandera, Samburu, Isiolo, Trans Nzoia, Kakamega, Bungoma and Busia counties.

1. Summary of position

We are hiring two Nutrition Officers based in West Pokot and Isiolo County under UNICEF project to work closely with MOH and other stakeholders in the implementation of different nutrition programs geared at improving maternal and child nutrition of deprived communities through strengthened nutrition resilience, enhanced health system strengthening and improved evidence based advocacy and providing technical support to the department of health to implement nutrition emergency response actions.

The incumbent work closely with several line ministries (Health, Agriculture, and Water), National Drought Management Authority and health and Nutrition Partners in the County to scale up nutrition emergency response geared towards improving the health and nutrition status. Work with the Nutrition Manager, program staff, S/CHMT members to ensure that program activities are on time on the scope and within the budgets as stipulated in the various program documents.

Purpose:

The nutrition officer role is to support the implementation of nutrition project interventions in the Counties that are geared towards addressing acute malnutrition among vulnerable populations through a multi-sector integrated approach.

Engagement:

The Nutrition Officer works with other program staffs, the Nutrition program manager, field coordinators and program officers to ensure project activities are implemented according to the plans and specifications.

The position holder is expected to participate in coordination meetings at the County level with the MOH and Partners including NITWG, CNTF, CSG.

Coordinates with the other nutritional NGOs, UNICEF, WFP, other partners and MoH at County and Sub County levels.

Represent the organization in county coordination forums, Multisector Platforms (MSPs) and work with other nutrition partners at the county to build synergies with Action Against Hunger programming.

Delivery:

Participate in development of the project work plans and spending plans and share with the program manager or field coordinator for review and input. Ensure that the project is implemented within the stipulated timeline and by the standards a prescribed by the county, national and international standards. Timely development of procurement plan at the inception of the project and the required procurement requisitions are raised as needed.

Develop the first drafts both qualitative and quantitative monthly, quarterly and annual project reports for both internal and the donor and participate in project monitoring, surveillance assessment activities like joint supportive supervision, Routine Data Quality Assessment (RDQA), Coverage Surveys and SMART surveys.

Essential job functions

1. Support community Health Strategy and Community Resilience activities

• In liaison with the Community Strategy Focal persons at the County and Sub County level, support CHS activities at the community level including community dialogue and action days, sensitization sessions for community members among others
• Work closely with MOH to offer technical support and sustain Mother to mother support groups for improved MIYCN practices.
• Support MOH to develop, implement and monitor Social Behavior Change Communication Strategies in the County
• Support the MOH to develop a practical community feedback mechanism geared at improving service delivery at the County level.
• Supports the nutrition team in the implementation of community approach through regular contact and exchange with the community leaders,

1. Reporting and Program Development

• Compiles program reports on a timely basis in liaison with other program staff; Weekly SitRep, Monthly (statistical and narrative), Quarterly
• In collaboration with the Nutrition Program Manager prepare progress reports, quarterly donor reports, proposals, Program reports project procurement plan and contributes to survey reports.
• In collaboration with Program Manager and coordination team; contribute in defining technical strategy when required.
• Participates in the analysis and drafting of activity reports and evaluation of the project.
• In liaison with the program manager develop project proposal to address County specific gaps
• Support MOH focal persons on information, data management and reporting through the DHIS
• Participate in the planning, organizing and implementation of surveys, assessments and research studies including post distribution monitoring

1. Information exchange and cooperation with all Action Against Hunger interventions and external stakeholders

• Collaborate with all other Action Against Hunger departments and sectors to ensure the projects are integrated
• Collaboration with other Partners, MOH (S/CHMT), INGOs, NGOs, CBOs and the UN working in this area to ensure smooth running of projects.
• Work in collaboration with the communities and local leaders at all stages of project implementation

1. Finance, Logistics

   • Prepare cash forecast in liaison with the other program staff in line with the work plans
   • Ensure the expenditure is as stipulated in the budget lines and strict adherence to the budget limits
   • Propose anticipated budget realignment in line with field realities
   • Participate in the review of the Budget Follow Ups (BFUs) and to ensure that the budget expenditures is as per the work plan and that forecasts are made to reflect the work plans.
   • In liaison with the Program Manager and the Filed Coordinator Monitor budget spending in line with spending plan; ensure diligence in grants utilization including timely spending and value for money.
   • Support the Program manager in monthly budget reviews and suggesting amendments to Finance
   • Any other roles as assigned by the supervisor

2. Supervisory Responsibilities

• No direct supervisory roles

1. Fiscal Responsibility

• Ensure all payment requests have clear supporting documents before being submitted to the finance officer or base admin for payments.

1. Physical Demands

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to sit for long periods and to concentrate on work, including typing, and turn out heavy volumes of work accurately, within short time frames under stressful situations in the context of a moderately noisy office with many interruptions. Must be able to proofread own work accurately so that only minor corrections are needed on an infrequent basis.
• The job also demands long travel to remote areas of the work area, with poor terrain and scorching sun and heat.
• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. Working Conditions, Travel and Environment

• The duties of the job require regular job attendance at least five days per week. Must be available to work outside normal office hours or on the weekends as required.
• Must be able to travel as required for standard domestic and international business travel as well as to the country offices if appropriate. Based on the country office needs, the time spent on field trips will be a minimum of a 60% of his/her working time. While visiting the field, the employee may be exposed to precarious settings under high security risks and/or very basic living conditions and outside weather conditions, as well is to infectious diseases.

1. Gender Equality Commitments & Zero Tolerance to Abuse

• Foster an environment that reinforces values of women and men, and equal access to information.
• Provide a work environment where women and men must be evaluated and promoted based on their skills and performance.
• Promote a safe, secure, and respectful environment for all stakeholders, particularly for children, beneficiaries, and members of staff.
• Help to prevent any type of abuse including workplace harassment and sexual abuse and exploitation.
• Respect beneficiaries’ women, men, children (boys and girls) regardless of gender, sex orientation, disability, religion, race, color, ancestry, national origin, age, or marital status.
• Value and respect all cultures.

1. Required Qualifications and Professional Experience

• Degree in BSC. Food Nutrition and Dietetics, Public health nutrition option, nursing and any other related course.
• At least 2-3 years of experience in a similar position
• Registered with Kenya Nutrition and Dietetics Institute

1. Required Skills & Competencies

• Conversant with the HiNi Package
• Experience in training of health workers and Community Health Volunteers on various nutrition modules.
• Experience in nutrition counselling to caregivers and community
• Experience in conducting community dialogues
• Fluent in English and Kiswahili
• Excellent knowledge in Computer skills
• Good communication,
• Teamwork player