Senior Program Associate, Nutrition

Results for Development (R4D) is a leading non-profit global development partner. We collaborate with change agents around the world — government officials, civil society leaders and social innovators — to create strong systems that support healthy, educated people. We help our partners move from knowing their goal to knowing how to reach it. We combine global expertise in health, education and nutrition with analytic rigor, practical support for decision-making and implementation and access to peer problem-solving networks. Together with our partners, we build self-sustaining systems that serve everyone and deliver lasting results. Then we share what we learn so others can achieve results for development, too.

We have a unique and vibrant culture at R4D. Diversity, equity and inclusion are at the heart of our work environment and help advance our mission. Diversity—of ideas, identities, perspectives and backgrounds—is vital to who we are and what we do. We seek people who embrace these values and will help reinforce them. Our work culture is collaborative, creative and entrepreneurial. We operate based on trust and respect. Teams across the organization frequently collaborate on programmatic work and support each other in continuously building a better R4D.

Practice:

R4D’s Nutrition Practice works with global and country change agents to find solutions to complex challenges that impede progress towards achieving the global goals for nutrition. Our sub-practice area on evidence generation and translation for nutrition supports the development of user-centered data tools and approaches and advocates for improved data in nutrition.

Opportunity:

R4D is seeking a highly motivated and dynamic Senior Program Associate (SPA) to play a key role within the Global Nutrition practice, providing technical, program management, and communications support to a range of projects, with a focus on the Evidence Generation and Translation sub-practice. The SPA will focus on the projects listed below but may also support other projects, as needed, at R4D:

• DataDENT 2.0, a three-year initiative (2022-2025) that builds on the accomplishments and lessons of DataDENT 1.0, continues to work toward the ultimate goal of strong nutrition data value chains within and across LMICs and seeks to maximize the potential of data to support effective multisector nutrition policies and programs. R4D’s role includes:
  • Lead the costing and financing components that support the strategic plans or frameworks developed for national multisectoral nutrition data coordination in Ethiopia and Nigeria
  • Support to the Nigeria Governors Forum to implement the scorecard indicator for nutrition budget and expenditure tracking across all states
• Support to the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) to Invest in Nutrition for Economic Growth. R4D provides technical guidance, evidence, and analytical tools to the MCC to support the design and implementation of their nutrition investments across the phases of compact development and implementation.

This position will report to the Global Nutrition Associate Director. This is a US-based position that allows for a hybrid office/remote work environment and can be based in any US state that R4D is currently registered.

Responsibilities

• Participates fully as a member of R4D by contributing, assisting, and participating in projects, activities, and initiatives as requested by management
• Support the design and implementation of high-quality research activities (e.g., desk review, conducting key informant interviews, survey design, data coding and analysis), using both qualitative and quantitative methods
• Assist in developing written content for projects including writing journal articles, reports, IRB proposals, blogs, or presentations
• Support dissemination of work including through organizing webinars as well as presentations to internal and external audiences
• Support change agents in countries where the team is working by liaising with partner organizations and assisting in coaching and facilitation activities
• Monitor and facilitate the execution of deliverables through collaboration with implementing partners, funders, and other technical partners, including creating and executing workplans
• Provide support on a range of operational tasks including developing contracts, invoice processing, and recruitment of other staff and consultants
• Engage as a member of the team, and contribute ideas to guide longer-term learning exchange planning and design
• Performing other duties as necessary

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with 3 years’ relevant work experience OR Master’s degree with 1 year of relevant work experience in public health, public policy, economics, international development, international nutrition, or other related field of study.
• Demonstrated track record of analyzing quantitative and qualitative data, and independently developing analytical products.
• Ability to think and solve problems in a structured and logical manner.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to build relationships with a wide variety of stakeholders in multicultural environments.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including demonstrated ability to develop compelling presentations and written reports.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a geographically disbursed team, including working across a wide range of time zones, and deliver high-quality results within a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• High level of proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, PowerPoint, and Word.
• Willingness to periodically travel domestically and internationally, per project need
• Fluency in oral and written English.
• Experience working (or supporting work) in LMICs (Low- and Middle-Income Countries) preferred, but not required.