Nutrition Manager (11359) South Sudan
ORGANIZATIONAL DESCRIPTION:
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC offers lifesaving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster. At work today in over 40 countries and 22 U.S. cities, we restore safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted and struggling to endure. The IRC leads the way from harm to home.
BACKGROUND:
The IRC began its health work in South Sudan in 1989, training health workers and making health services available to remote, underserved communities. With the signing of the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement, the IRC began supporting the Government of South Sudan’s efforts to establish health systems. Today, the IRC continues to work closely with the newly formed Republic of South Sudan in strengthening those systems. However, a lack of resources, widespread poverty, and low literacy levels continue to challenge efforts to meet the basic needs of the South Sudanese people. It is estimated that only 25% of the population has access to any kind of health care services, 80% of which are provided by humanitarian and other non-governmental organizations.
The overall goal of this project is to respond to emergency levels of acute malnutrition, child morbidity and mortality in those areas where the IRC is responding. The IRC is implementing the community based management of acute malnutrition and infant and young child feeding programs.
SCOPE OF WORK:
The Nutrition Manager will be responsible for the implementation and management of the Nutrition Program in Guit. The Nutrition Manager will work in close collaboration with the Nutrition Coordinator. This position will be based in Guit and reports to the Field Coordinator.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Program Management & Development
Conduct assessments to determine the needs of IDPs in the target areas
Oversee the implementation of the protection program to ensure the program is implemented according to schedule and budgets, international standards, and that protection program objectives are met
Work closely with other IRC sectors present in the same location and integrate program components to the extent possible
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
Lead technical assessments as a basis for nutrition program development when necessary
Any other duties as assigned by the supervisor to enable and develop IRC programs
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 protection 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
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 teams and with the Nutrition, Health, and iCCM Coordinator
Monitor evolving needs of the target communities and adjust the programmatic priorities as necessary
Grants Management and Reporting
Manage and oversee all the protection grants; develop and maintain work, spending and procurement plans for all projects
Participate in Grants Opening, Mid-Term and Closing meetings
Prepare internal and external reports within agreed deadlines using IRC and donor formats, as required
Assure appropriate and timely spending of grants to achieve program goals, grant reporting contributions, use and distribution of supplies and resources
Representation & Coordination
Develop and maintain effective working relationships with all stakeholders - including community leaders, NGOs, UN agencies, community based organisations and other IRC sectors to enhance cooperation and coordination
Ensure that information from coordination meetings is shared internally and with other sectors, as appropriate
Attend the nutrition coordination meetings or represent the IRC in other relevant forums
KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS:
Position Reports to: Field Coordinator/Manager
Position directly supervises: national protection team
Indirect Reporting: this position has a dotted “support” line to the Nutrition Coordinator
Other Internal contacts: other Program Managers and other Program Coordinators
Other external contacts: Relevant other stakeholders e.g. UN bodies, local and national authorities
JOB REQUIREMENTS:
Nutrition professional with a relative degree in Nutrition or Public Health Nutrition and significant experience in nutrition in emergencies
At least three years professional experience in nutrition IMAM (CMAM) programs
Experience in IYCF, SMART and/or SQUEAC an asset
Excellent management skills
Experience developing staff capacity
Experience working in a multi-cultural setting
Experience in emergencies or working in South Sudan previously preferred
Ability to write clear and concise reports and proposals and to meet required reporting deadlines
Able to work independently while being a strong team player
Competence with Windows, Microsoft Office
Ability to work in unstable security environments
Proficient English written and spoken required, Arabic an asset
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The security level is orange. The situation in Guit is calm at the moment but remains tense and unpredictable as it is close to the front line between opposition and government forces. There has been active conflict in the neighboring county of Rubkona at several occasions and there exists a real possibility for further expansion of the conflict and violence into other areas and other states.
Lodging in field sites range from a tent to a traditional hut to permanent structures. Field compounds have common latrines and showers. All IRC sites have electricity and internet at least several hours per day. Food is the individual’s responsibility.
The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.