Senior Project Officer - Nutrition

The Senior Nutrition Project Officer is responsible for the overall management and technical direction of the Management of At-risk Mothers and Infants under six months (MAMI) care pathway , Community-based Management of Acute Malnutrition (CMAM) and Maternal, Infant, and Young Child Nutrition (MIYCN) approaches  targeting vulnerable IDPs and host communities. Reporting to the Emergency Coordinator and provides supervision to the partner's Nutrition Officers, Nutrition Community Mobilizers, MiYCN counsellors. The Nutrition SPO will undertake the following responsibilities related to project cycle management, technical direction, and program development

• →Technical/Administrative, Program Quality and Implementation
• →Ensure quality and timely field level implementation of the Nutrition program against set objectives, targets, and work plans
• →Advise and assist Partner nutrition team in developing project specific strategies, tools, systems, and plans.
• →Develop activity workplans for the Nutrition programme and ensure proposed activities are developed in coordination with other sectors-internally and externally with other implementing partners.
• →Ensure that nutrition programs utilize international best practices, policies, and guidelines, in line with Ministry of Health and WHO/UNICEF
• →Oversee the collection and timely reporting of data and statistics for all nutrition programs in line with CRS guidelines and according to donor requirements.
• →Actively monitor programs/projects through field visits, surveys and/or exchange of information with partners to assess progress, identify bottlenecks and take timely decisions to resolve issues and/or refer to relevant officials for timely resolution.
• →With support from the line supervisor, and MEAL department and nutrition team, lead the development of routine monitoring tools for tracking project progress, as well as necessary IEC materials to strengthen MAMI, CMAM ,MIYCN-E and SBCC activities advocacies in the community.

 Program Development and Strategic Planning

• →Contribute to and support in carrying out the situation analysis for the nutrition sector to ensure timely and current data on maternal and child nutrition are available for the designing, development, and management of nutrition projects.
• →Identify opportunities for program and proposal development in line with the CRS's and donor guidelines.
• →Work in coordination with Procurement and Admin units to track Nutrition programme procurements, delivery and distribution at the field level.
• →Participate in proposal writing and budget development processes for nutrition program
• →Lead technical assessments as a basis for nutrition program development when necessary to monitor evolving needs of the target communities and adjust the programmatic priorities as necessary.

• Ensure the capacity building of CRS nutrition team and partner staff through on-the-job training, technical guidance and coaching sessions while ensuring staff performance evaluation plans are developed
• Ensure appropriate support to the nutrition team by regular field visits and provide targeted technical feedback 
• Develop capacity building plans and strategies and identify relevant training opportunities for CRS and partner staff to advance knowledge and skills in nutrition.
• Monitor staffing needs and assist the recruitment of local staff and support staff development through mentoring to enhance the capacity of project and partner staff
• Develop a process for ensuring quality and safety of nutrition related activities and products

• Represent CRS at nutrition sector working group meetings and coordination forums UN, international and national NGOs for nutrition coordination as needed at the LGA and state level
• Ensure good coordination with other CRS partners staff, nutrition field teams and provide frequent feedback and updates
• Develop new and manage existing relationships with key stakeholders and potential collaborators for nutrition programs.
• Good understanding of Nutrition sector reporting requirements, templates and timelines.
• Review and highlight opportunities for Protection, safeguarding and Gender mainstreaming in the proposed Nutrition activities; And follow up to ensure, nutrition team integrate the protection principles during activity design and implementation.

• Support the development of field-based reports to CRS, Nutrition sector and/or external donors, as necessary.
• Develop reporting templates for supervisees to aid in tracking progress of programme activities and key indicators
• Conduct any other programming responsibility delegated by the supervisor.

Required Languages - English

Travel - Must be willing and able to travel up to 40 %. 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Observation, active listening and analysis skills with ability to make sound judgment
• Good interpersonal skills and the ability to interact effectively with diverse groups
• Proactive, results-oriented and service-oriented
• Solid analytical, writing skills, and communication skills.
• Sound knowledge and skills in training and facilitation.
• Team spirit and excellent interpersonal relations 
• Good coordination, creative and innovative skills.
• Should be very adaptive and responsive, due to the fragile nature of Programme context.
• Great writing and review skills to develop and review high-quality success stories.

• B.Sc. Nutrition / Public Health / BSc or equivalent required. Masters preferred.  
• 6 to 8 years of work experience in community development, mobilization and management of MAMI ,CMAM and MIYCN-E projects in emergencies, preferably Northeast or Northwest Nigeria.
• Experience in conducting nutrition assessments and an understanding of nutritional surveillance and information systems
• Excellent communication skills and a willingness to be respectful, kind, sensitive and empathize with all beneficiaries
• Willingness and capacity to be flexible and accommodating when faced with difficult and frustrating working conditions
• Demonstrable ability at report writing, budget review and concept note development.
• Experience in participatory action planning and community engagement.
• Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).

• Personal Accountability – Consistently takes responsibility for one’s own actions. 
• Acts with Integrity - Consistently models values aligned with CRS Guiding Principles and mission.  Is considered honest.
• Builds and Maintains Trust - Shows consistency between words and actions.
• Collaborates with Others – Works effectively in intercultural and diverse teams.
• Open to Learn – Seeks out experiences that may change perspective or provide an opportunity to learn new things.

• Lead Change – Continually looks for ways to improve the agency through a culture of agility, openness, and innovation.
• Develops and Recognizes Others – Builds the capacity of staff to reach their full potential and enhance team and agency performance.
• Strategic Mindset – Understands role in translating, communicating, and implementing agency strategy and team priorities.

CRS is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all people who interact with our work. We uphold the highest standards of safeguarding and expect all staff and partners to respect and protect the dignity and rights of everyone from any form of harm, abuse, harassment, or exploitation. All staff are required to follow CRS’s safeguarding policies and procedures and to complete mandatory safeguarding e-learning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.