Job Title: Nutrition Manager
Requisition ID: req9378
Location: Maiduguri, Borno
Sector: Health
Employment Category: Fixed Term
Employment Type: Full-Time
Open to Expatriates: No
Description
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 Nutrition Manager is the focal point for IRC’s primary Nutrition care services in MMC and Jere –Borno State and will supervise Nutrition officers and senior nutrition officers in the other areas of intervention; s/he reports to the Nutrition Coordinator.
The Nutrition Manager will directly supervise the implementation of HERON grant and ensure a quality Nutrition programming, in accordance with national and international standards.
The 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 DFID (HERON) nutrition activities in the State 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 Roles and 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 Borno 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.
Provide capacity building to MOH staffs in health facilities and support reporting on CMAM online report and DHIS
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 and Nutrition teams at field level
Monitor evolving needs of the target communities and adjust the programmatic priorities as necessary
Attend internal and external sector coordination meetings (IRC, WFP, UNICEF, LGA, STATE and federal sector meetings and update the Nutrition coordinators and Heron Team lead from time to time on key discussions.
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.
External: SPHCDA, UNICEF, WHO, HMB, Federal Ministry of Health, other INGOs.
