Vacancies at Save the Children

ROLE PURPOSE

The USAID Nawiri project aims to sustainably reduce persistent acute malnutrition in Turkana and Samburu counties. The project is led by the Mercy Corps with other consortium partners including Save the Children. USAID Nawiri will generate evidence on feasible and scalable approaches (what works) in Turkana and Samburu to reduce malnutrition both in the short and long-term. The specific focus of USAID Nawiri is to understand the complex causality of malnutrition, develop homegrown solutions and align the evidence thereof generated to the counties plans through a multi-sectoral approach.

Under the general guidance and direction of the Field Health and Nutrition Advisor, the health and nutrition officer will support implementation, monitoring and evaluation of all health and nutrition activities in the field of the USAID Nawiri project at the County and Sub-County levels.  Coordinate and work closely with County departments responsible for both health/nutrition specific and sensitive interventions, local partners, and communities. Lead implementation of all health and nutrition activities of the project, prepare reports and build capacity of the County staff and respective local communities. Promote best practices in health and nutrition programs and contribute to the overall success of the USAID Nawiri project. The role will also involve close working collaborations and linkages with the other components of the project including Community Health Systems Strengthening; Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health; SBCC; and Health Policy and Advocacy.

In the event of a major humanitarian emergency, the role holder will be expected to work outside the normal role profile and be able to vary working hours accordingly.

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY

Strategic Planning and Programme Development

• Familiarise with NAWIRI’s implementation strategy as informed by phase 1(Learning and research phase). Specifically, support implementation of the Health and Nutrition component of the NAWIRI strategy and ensure that nutrition-sensitive strategies and approaches are integrated into other thematic strategies.
• Support in the development of a county engagement plan that includes skill transfer and capacity strengthening of country government counterparts.
• Build on technical knowledge and understanding of the operations related to nutrition policy and services in Kenya, and how these policies can best work for the needs and peculiarities of Turkana County.
• Ensure that programme activities support and demonstrate good practice in Child Safeguarding
• Using a Child Rights Programming lens, ensure that NAWIRI health and nutrition programme is built around the Theory of Change and is regularly monitored.

Advocacy and Policy Development

• Actively participate in the development, review, dissemination and operationalization of County level policies, legislation, strategies and other initiatives and developments by government and other stakeholders relating to nutrition, health, WASH and/or food security issues.
• Regularly assess and update management about any changes in the operating environment relevant to USAID Nawiri project and Save the Children’s priorities.
• Support development of the County health and nutrition strategy and implementation plan including dissemination of nutrition advocacy messages for the USAID Nawiri project.
• Monitor implementation of nutrition – related components of the advocacy strategy in the County.
• Ensure visibility of the project in the field through participation and sharing of evidence, learning and recommendations from USAID Nawiri work in technical forums and meetings held at Sub – County level. H/She will also pro- actively engage with other implementing partners during coordination meetings.

Programme Quality

• Monitor and provide timely, relevant, accurate input on overall technical aspects of USAID Nawiri Health and nutrition programme work in Turkana/Samburu.
• Work closely with other programme staff and consortium partners to ensure effective sequencing, layering and integration.
• Provide relevant technical training Health facility staff on IMAM, MIYCN, SMART & KAP and monitoring and evaluation as required.
• Prepare quality reports to the Field Health and Nutrition Advisor to facilitate timely submission of technical progress performance reports that are of acceptable quality to the Health and Nutrition Lead.
• Provide input during selection of partners and training of partners on health and nutrition.
• Support the implementation of SBC & Reproductive Health and health education activities at the health facility and the community
• Cultivate teamwork and cordial working relationship with health service providers in service delivery to the beneficiaries
• Support growth monitoring and promotion, IMAM Surge, Family Led MUAC, ICCM_IMAM integration and Health & Nutrition activities at the community and health facility level
• Represent SC in all coordination Meetings at the Sub-County and Community level

Monitoring and Evaluation

• In collaboration with field – based M&E staff, ensure there is adherence to the project M&E framework.
• Participate in collaborate, learn, and adapt (CLA) activities of the programme to ensure all USAID Nawiri interventions are working towards addressing persistent acute malnutrition.
• Routinely monitor child safeguarding issues in the programme and take corrective actions such as modifying programme activities and/or report incidents, when required
• Support timely dissemination of programme findings and lessons learned to key stakeholders at Sub – County level
• Work closely with facility in-charge, CHAs & Nutritionists to generate monthly reports (MOH 713, 715)
• Give weekly updates to SC’s Field Health and Nutrition Advisor.
• Work closely with Health Records and information officers to ensure accurate health & Nutrition from the Health facilities is uploaded
• Strengthen community to Health facilities referrals system
• Collect complaints and feedback during field activities and ensure that these are shared with MEAL officers for updating of the CFRM database.

Other

• Participate actively in PDQ programme meetings, planning and review activities, providing enhanced insight into nutrition programming.
• Actively participate in key relevant internal meetings such as Programme Review Meetings or Area- based meetings as required. Participate in any donor visit to project(s) within the country office portfolio, as required.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in Nutrition, Clinical Medicine and Nursing (preferred), or other related health sciences.
• At least 2 years demonstrated experience in implementation of health and nutrition programmes with preference given to nutrition programming in arid and semi-arid land (ASAL) settings.
• Excellent understanding of the nutrition sector within the Kenyan context, particularly maternal, new-born and child nutrition issues including system approach to ending persistent acute malnutrition.
• Clear understanding of nutrition resilience, hunger and food security issues in Kenya, particularly in the context of Turkana county.
• Strong commitment to capacity building of county staff and partners with willingness to adopt a participatory and consultative approaches.
• Good interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate and negotiate clearly and effectively at all levels with County government, local partners and community members while taking into consideration cultural and language difficulties.
• Strong results orientation, with the ability to take initiative and challenge existing mind-sets.
• Excellent written and verbal skills in English, with ability to draft quality reports. Excellent verbal skills in Swahili; Knowledge of the local language and context will be a distinct advantage
• Attention to detail, accuracy and timeliness in execution of assigned responsibilities
• Ability to work in challenging and changing environment, and to see through challenges to find solutions.
• Ability and willingness to dramatically change work practices and hours, and work with incoming surge teams, in the event of emergencies.
• Qualified candidates from Turkana county are encouraged to apply.
• Commitment to Save the Children values, including willingness to abide by and enforce the Child Safeguarding policy.

Closing date: 5 May 2022

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The Regional Program Operations Advisor will support the regional operations team and country offices with strategic operations initiatives, leading the following processes with a regional lens: Embedding the Project Management Methodology ‘PMM’ procedures and tools across country programs in the region and leading the rollout of the PRIME system; Risk Management, Global Assurance Audits, and supporting countries on sustainability initiatives, fit for purpose structures and applicable operating models. This entails working with country offices in the management and execution of these operation control processes, providing guidance and capacity building and ensuring high-quality final products are produced. The post holder will produce reports and analysis to support the Regional Operations department in improving risk management, control reviews and structural changes across the region.

Furthermore, the Regional Program Operations Advisor; will support the roll out of regional capacity building; training and mentoring initiatives that are coordinated through the regional office in liaison with other functions in the Region. The post-holder will work with country office Directors of Program Operations and other associated staff in identifying and supporting (including direct training/mentoring) capacity building needs that will ensure quality and timely programming in Country Offices. In order to be successful, you will bring/have:

Essential

•  At least 5 years demonstrable experience in role with similar responsibly for risk management, process improvement and change management.
• A University Degree in a related field
• Significant experience implementing Audit findings, change management and system improvements.
• Able to manage a high workload and meet tight deadlines
• Ability to work effectively to elicit information from a variety of stakeholders and to adapt this into concise materials in English to support and promote the work of Save the Children.
• Excellent facilitation and team building skills.
• Excellent and proven communicator able to communicate to a wide range of audiences.
• Builds capacity with hands on practical approach and can demonstrate experience of training.
• Resourcefulness, flexibility, good organisational skills and the ability to prioritise and to meet deadlines.
• Good understanding of children's issues, rights, development and humanitarian issues, and the ability to relate Save the Children's work within this context.
• Ability to work effectively with people from different nationalities, cultures, ethnic and religious groups across the region
• Willingness and the personal circumstances to be able to travel regularly around the region (average of one week a month, sometimes more)
• Competent IT skills and experience of using email and Internet

Desired

•  Experience of working for or with Save the Children, or a related rights or development organisation
• Understanding of the development issues and/or work experience in East Africa region
• Basic competence in one or more of the major languages in the region
• Experience of operating multimedia equipment including digital cameras, video recording equipment, web cams, and voice recorders.
• Experience of tailoring communication and advocacy messages for a variety of decision-makers and high-level audiences.

Closing date: 11 May 2022