Nutrition Project Manager

Location

Starting Date & Initial Contract Details

June 2021. Full time, 24 months.

Role Overview

Develop, lead, monitor and evaluate the assigned nutrition project(s). This involves effectively managing and reporting on the projects in line with the objectives, time frame and budget with a focus on nutrition system strengthening, training and coordination. Providing technical support, leadership and strategic direction, other important aspects of the role include managing and training nutrition staff to meet quality standards in nutrition delivery, encouraging beneficiary participation, liaising with other stakeholders and managing and training nutrition staff, and anticipating, planning, and contributing to the development of new nutrition project proposals and reports.

Project Overview

In Leer, Medair operates up to 7 nutrition sites (5 static and 2 mobile) where GAM breaches the emergency threshold, ensuring provision of all required elements of CMAM. The goal is to assist in reducing morbidity and mortality in vulnerable communities in Leer.

Our Culture

Key Activity Areas

Nutrition Project Management

• Manage the assigned nutrition project(s) in order to meet the project objectives within budget and within the allotted time frame and report promptly any operational concerns to line manager and country nutrition advisor (e.g. projected failure to meet objectives; increased beneficiary needs; projected spending on project budget).
• Provide strong leadership of the assigned nutrition project(s), working to ensure short, mid and long-term positive impacts and outcomes for the beneficiaries, local nutrition authorities (where applicable) and local nutrition staff.
• Contribute to development and implementation of an appropriate and effective nutrition strategy including proactive, responsible exit planning in consultation with other nutrition staff and field managers.
• Set clear objectives and indicators for nutrition activities in collaboration with the country nutrition advisor, nutrition staff, field managers and, where appropriate, with the local communities.
• Continuously monitor and supervise nutrition activities, evaluating progress through outputs and impacts using both quantitative and qualitative data, and involving the nutrition team in analysis and taking appropriate action.
• Provide input into the integration of beneficiary participation and accountability in all aspects of the project.
• Ensure accurate and timely reporting of activities according to Medair, donor and other time frames and formats.
• Develop new proposals, linked to the assessed needs and gaps and the Medair country strategy.
• Ensure adherence to COVID-19 nutrition cluster and MOH guidelines in nutrition project implementation.

Staff Management

• Line-manage the Nutrition Manager(s) of the assigned project(s), including day-to-day management, development and training, appraisals, etc. It may also be necessary to line manage other nutrition project staff.
• Facilitate regular meetings to assist information sharing between project staff, to ensure all staff members are aware of project objectives and current work plans and to provide the opportunity for feedback.
• Provide coaching and technical supervision to staff to develop ownership & full responsibility for nutrition activities.
• Assess the training needs of nutrition staff and ensure that appropriate training is conducted.

Financial Management

• Manage the nutrition budget for the assigned project(s) and ensure all expenses are according to budget and meet the Medair standards with regard to financial management, including accountability and good governance.

Communication and Coordination

• Develop and maintain appropriate, regular, transparent and supportive communication structures with the assigned nutrition team, Medair in-country and GSO health and nutrition managers and advisors and other relevant stakeholders (e.g. beneficiaries, community leaders, local and national government officials, UN agencies and other NGOs), with the objective of ensuring good cooperation and partnerships.
• Participate in nutrition coordination meetings, Medair internal trainings and other working groups or meetings as required, representing Medair and feeding back to the nutrition staff and field managers on relevant issues.

Logistics

• Support the logistics activities of nutrition staff, particularly in relation to the purchasing of medicines, supplies and equipment for the assigned nutrition facilities and activities.
• Liaise, as necessary, with the nutrition, health, logistics and finance staff to ensure items are procured, transported, stored, managed and accounted for correctly.
• Submit timely requests to nutrition partners (UNICEF, WFP) to release core pipeline nutrition supplies and monitor supply provision. Ensure nutrition buffer stocks procured and available to prevent programme stock outages.
• Ensure that all the programming supplies are procured in time for the smooth running of the nutrition activities.

Quality Management

• Promote and use the Medair intranet, Medair people and other operating procedures, ensuring that all standardised formats are used and guidelines are followed.
• Ensure nutrition projects are implemented in line with donor proposals and requirements and in accordance with Medair, donor, country and international standards i.e. Sphere and HAP standards.

Team Spiritual Life

• Reflect the values of Medair with team members, local staff, beneficiaries, and external contacts.
• Work, live, and pray together in our Christian faith-based team settings. Fully contribute to the rich spiritual life of your team, including team devotions, prayers, and words of encouragement.
• Encouraged to join and contribute to Medair’s international prayer network.

This job description covers the main tasks that are anticipated. Other tasks may be assigned as necessary.

Qualifications

• Higher level qualification in nutrition or in relevant field as nursing/midwifery/doctor/community-based training.
• Strong working knowledge of English (spoken and written).

What is the ROC and why is it required?

Experience

• 2 years post-qualification professional experience in a relevant field.
• Management experience in a nutrition / health context.
• 2 years’ experience working in a nutrition / health programme in a developing country, preferably in an emergency context with experience using the CMAM model (desirable).
• Experience implementing BCC projects specifically participatory mothers’ groups including MIYCN in emergencies (desirable).
• Ability and willingness to manage project implementation.
• Knowledge and experience of nutrition / primary health care principles and management.
• Team-player with good inter-personal skills. Willingness to support others and to share workload.