Nutrition Co-ordinator at International Rescue Committee
Sector: Nutrition
Location: Kenya
Employee Type: Regular
Employee Category: Full Time
Background: The International Rescue Committee, one of the world’s largest humanitarian agencies, provides relief, rehabilitation and post-conflict reconstruction support to victims of natural disaster, oppression and violent conflict in 42 countries.
The IRC is committed to bold leadership, innovation and creative partnerships. Active in public health, education, livelihoods, women’s empowerment, youth development, and protection and promotion of rights, IRC assists people from harm to home.
Since 1992, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) has provided life-saving services to refugees and vulnerable local communities in Kenya. Currently, the IRC works in two refugee camps, Dadaab and Kakuma, in northern Kenya.
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) in Kenya serves vulnerable populations in the Turkana region and refugees in the Kakuma, Dadaab (Hagadera) camps and Nairobi.
The IRC implements programs in the areas of integrated primary health care (including nutrition and HIV/AIDS); Water, sanitation and hygiene promotion (WASH); Livelihoods; protection of rights; and, Women’s Protection and Empowerment.
The nutrition program in Kenya consists of refugee (Dadaab and Kakuma) and host community (Turkana-West) programs consisting of Integrated management of acute malnutrition (IMAM) programme for severely and moderately malnourished children under five years at the stabilisation centre (SC) in the camp hospital, outpatient therapeutic programme (OTP) sites and supplementary feeding programme (SFP), Maternal infant and young child nutrition (MIYCN) behavioural change communication through mother to mother support groups and Nutrition support to comprehensive care clients (CCC) ie tuberculosis patients and people living with HIV/AIDS
Scope of Work: The Nutrition Coordinator (NC) will be responsible for the vision, strategy, design, implementation and management of IRC’s Nutrition program in Kenya, working in collaboration with the senior management team in Nairobi, and directly with the team in the field.
The Nutrition Coordinator will provide technical support to the Nutrition program for project design, proposal development and reporting, ensuring that IRC programs are of high quality and that programs are driven by data and learning, working in conjunction with other colleagues in the IRC Kenya program.
The Nutrition Coordinator will be responsible for maintaining regular contact with all partners, including the National Ministry of Health, UN agencies and other NGOs, and will also be responsible for fulfilling IRC strategic objectives for the nutrition sector.
The position is based in Nairobi with 60% frequent visits to the field program sites. S/he reports to the Deputy Director – Programs (DDP).
Key Responsibilities:
Program Management
- Provide technical supervision and guidance of all IRC nutrition projects. Extend technical support and supervision to the IRC’s implementing partners as the need arises.
- Ensure that the nutrition projects in Kenya utilize standardized protocols, policies and guidelines, as outlined by the Ministry of Health and the nutrition cluster. Ensure that all activities are consistent with established best practices.
- In collaboration with the other nutrition program staff, oversee the implementation of nutrition projects, including grant management and budget forecasting and spending in collaboration with other departments.
- Promote the quality of the IRC’s nutrition programs by setting up quality assurance mechanisms and checks in collaboration with other staff.
- Prepare all necessary documentation for Grant Opening, Review and Closing meetings
Technical, Monitoring and program quality
- Provide technical supervision of, and technical support to IRC Kenya nutrition programming activities;
- Oversee the collection and timely reporting of data and statistics for all nutrition programs in line with IRC’s REL (Research, Evaluation & Learning) guidelines and according to internal and donor requirements;
- Ensure that the stated goals and objectives of all nutrition projects are met with strong monitoring and evaluation (M&E) follow up, including any required operational research, with technical support from the Health Information Management team in New York Health Unit and the Country Technical Advisors for nutrition as needed.
- Participate in the design of robust M&E plans and design/adapt health information systems including surveillance systems for the IRC nutrition programs in Kenya
- Ensure sound data collection and information management systems are in place for ongoing performance analysis and programmatic action based on data and identified needs.
- Lead technical assessments as a basis for nutrition program development;
- Monitor evolving needs of the target communities and adjust the programmatic priorities as necessary;
- Coordinate and develop project proposals (logical frameworks and appropriate, realistic and measurable indicators) for the Nutrition Program under the supervision of the Field Coordinator and program director.
Strategic, planning and program development
- Provide supportive supervison to the other nutrition staff to develop work plans that guide implementation of approved grants. Support the Field teams in the implementation and monitoring of the work plans ensuring that activities reflect the commitments IRC made to the donor and community.
- In collaboration with the Nutrition Technical Advisor , Field Coordinator and the Country Director, lead the development of an IRC Nutrition Program strategy in line with IRC Kenya Strategy Action Plan.
- Oversee the implementation of health sector priorities, ensuring that program growth is in line with country strategy action plans
Staff development
- Participate in the development of staff development plans for nutrition staff based on performance reviews in collaboration with the human resources department and contribute to the training of nutrition staff (mentoring, on-the-job sessions as well as formal trainings). Review performance evaluation of nutrition staff in collaboration with their line managers.
- Develop/organize training opportunities to build the capacity of the nutrition staff and local partners in order to transfer skills. This includes staff training in program management areas such as reporting, budgeting, monitoring, evaluation, and supervision.
- Ensure respect for IRC HR policies during the recruitment process and promote the IRC Way with all supervisees
Coordination, representation and advocacy
- In coordination with the Deputy Director of programs and the Field Coordinator, actively develop and maintain effective working relationships with key stakeholders in Kenya including donors, government actors, UN agencies, international and local NGOs, and other relevant actors. Establish and maintain effective, professional relationships with relevant stakeholders.
- Develop strategic partnerships with local organizations, wherever possible.
- Represent IRC to local communities, government departments, international agencies, local partners and donors as required. Establish and maintain effective, professional relationships with relevant stakeholders.
- Upon request by the Senior Management in Kenya, assist in organizing donor site visits by supporting field staff in the smooth design and implementation of agendas and visit activities.
- Participate in the national and county/camp level Nutrition Cluster Coordination Mechanisms as needed;
- Participate in internal coordination and management meetings to promote effective and efficient information sharing, problem-solving and decision making.
Reporting
- Review Budget vs. Actual expenditure for nutrition programs on a monthly basis with staff.
- Review all reports prepared by the nutrition staff and provide appropriate feedback to the concerned staff, and ensure that reports are written and submitted to concerned bodies in a timely manner.
- Submit timely and accurate reports to the CD as required
Security
- Ensure nutrition staff are trained on, aware of and in compliance with IRC security policies and the local SMP.
- Other relevant duties as assigned by the supervisor.
Required Qualifications, Experience & Competencies:
- Degree in Nutrition, Msc preferred
- Minimum 5 years experience in nutrition programs in resource poor settings with at least 3 years in project management position, experience managing nutrition programs; specifically in the Community-based Management of Acute Malnutrition (CMAM), Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) and nutrition BCC approaches.
- Background in conducting situation analysis, health and nutrition assessments. Training and competency in LQAS, SPSS, SQUEAC and SMART methodology for conducting surveys is an added advantage.
- Demonstrated skills in quantitative and qualitative research methodologies; Knowledge, skills and experience in participatory methods, community development and partnership.
- Experience and competency in proposal development, report writing and grant management.
- Competent in Windows, MS office programs (MS Word, Excel, Powerpoint), email and database (HMIS, DHIS, EPI-Info) experience.
- Experience implementing nutrition programming in hard to reach areas/displaced communities
- Experience in capacity building and mentoring of health staff
- Demonstrated leadership, communication, and facilitation skills; Excellent interpersonal and problem-solving skills; Excellent coordination and networking skills; Excellent written and oral English skills, Somali
- Additional qualities: ability to multitask, ability to handle pressure well, ability to improvise, be flexible and adaptability to transitions.
Kenyan nationals are encouraged to apply.
International allowances are not available for this position.
Salary and employee benefits are compliant to the Kenyan NGO Sector.
How to Apply
CLICK HERE to apply online
IRC leading the way from harm to home.
IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status or disability.
Disclaimer: Please take note that International Rescue Committee (IRC)
does not ask for any fees in connection with its recruitment processes.
In the event that you receive any request for payment of any sort,
please get in touch with us on Tel: +(254-020) 2727730, Email:
IRCKenya@rescue.org or report to the nearest police.
does not ask for any fees in connection with its recruitment processes.
In the event that you receive any request for payment of any sort,
please get in touch with us on Tel: +(254-020) 2727730, Email:
IRCKenya@rescue.org or report to the nearest police.
