nutrition Coordinator

Mogadishu, Somalia

The Nutrition Coordinator is the focal point for nutrition programs in Somalia. He/she will be responsible the development and implementation of quality preventative and curative nutrition programs. This includes leading nutrition assessments, writing funding proposals and ensuring nutrition programming is designed as per the country program Strategic Action Plan (SAP). The Nutrition Coordinator will coordinate with all partners, including respective lines ministries at national and regional levels, local implementing partners, UN agencies as well as the Nutrition Cluster. The Nutrition Coordinator will ensure that activities are in line with the priorities set by the Nutrition Cluster and that these activities are integrated within health and WASH services as well as protection and livelihoods and adhere to relevant national and global guidelines. Reporting to the Deputy Director Programs, the Nutrition Coordinator will line mange all nutrition staff, and provide technical support to local implementing partners. The Nutrition Coordinator has significant budget authority to pre-approved limits and is responsible for budget development and management. The Nutrition Coordinator will receive technical support from the regional Nutrition Technical Advisor. The position is based in Mogadishu with regular travel to supervise IRC’s and local partner’s preventative and curative nutrition programs in areas of IRC operations.

Key Responsibilities:

•  Oversee the implementation of Integrated Management of Acute Malnutrition (IMAM) including simplified approaches (the combined protocol, Family MUAC) programs of IRC and local implementing partners as well as nutrition assessments implemented by IRC Somalia.
•  Provide technical supervision and guidance to all IRC nutrition projects. Extend technical support and supervision to the IRC’s implementing partners as the need arises.
•  Ensure that nutrition programs adhere to relevant national and global guidelines and are in line with the priorities set by the Nutrition Cluster and ensure that all nutrition activities are consistent with established best practices.
•  Promote the quality of the IRC’s nutrition programs by setting up an effective and efficient oversight, support, quality assurance mechanisms and checks, reporting systems and processes, and supply management in collaboration with other staff and IRC’s M&E and supply chain Teams.
•  Ensure sound data collection and information management systems are in place for ongoing performance analysis and programmatic action based on data and identified needs.
•  Participate in the design of robust M&E plans and design/adapt nutrition surveillance systems to be integrated within the existing information systems for the IRC nutrition programs in Somalia.
•  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 nutrition assessments, with technical support from the Monitoring and Evaluation advisor and the regional Nutrition Technical Advisor as needed.
•  Lead and coordinate nutrition sector program 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 the nutrition team and other colleagues in the IRC Somalia program.
•  Provide technical support to the nutrition team to ensure that all designed nutrition projects use the IRC’s outcomes and evidence framework.
•  Develop IRC Somalia’s nutrition sector strategy according to prevailing needs and country priorities and aligned with national policies and strategies.
•  Work with other IRC sector leads to actively integrate into health and WASH programs, and work with protection, economic recovery and development, governance, and partnerships to improve integration, effectiveness, and quality of programs.

Management:

•  Provide supportive supervision to the nutrition team to develop work plans to 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 has made to donors and communities.
•  Maintain open and professional relations with team members, promoting a strong team spirit and providing oversight and guidance to enable staff to successfully perform in their positions.
•  Review Budget vs. Actual expenditure for nutrition programs on a monthly basis with staff and set course corrections as necessary.
•  Ensure that periodic data reviews are conducted in coordination with M&E Managers and relevant technical advisors for course correction as needed.
•  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). Conduct performance evaluation of nutrition staff under direct management.
•  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.
•  Oversee the implementation of nutrition sector priorities, ensuring that program growth is in line with country strategic action plan.
•  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.
•  Work closely and coordinate with IRC logistics, finance and grant staff to ensure timely and compliant program activities and expenditures, including active participation in grant opening/closing and review meetings, budget forecasting, development of spending plans and regular review meetings.
•  Ensure a good coordination with the Senior health coordinator, Field coordinators, operations teams, sector coordinators, nutrition managers and nutrition field teams and provide frequent updates
•  Coordinate closely with IRC’s health, ERD, PRoL, WPE, and WASH teams to ensure integrated programming across the sectors as necessary

Representation and Advocacy:

•  Represent IRC in the Nutrition cluster, working closely with UN agencies and local partners
•  In coordination with the Health Coordinator, actively develop and maintain effective working relationships with key stakeholders in Somalia including donors, government actors, UN agencies, international and local NGOs, and other relevant actors.
•  Develop strategic partnerships with local organizations wherever possible.
•  Represent IRC to local communities, government departments, international agencies, local partners and donors as required.
•  Assist in organizing donor site visits by supporting field staff in the smooth design and implementation of agendas and visit activities.
•  Develop evidence-based advocacy points to be presented through the Nutrition Cluster and I/NGO Forums