Regional Nutrition and Health Senior Advisor

Job Description

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The purpose of the position is to provide highly specialized nutrition and health technical support and coordination of nutrition/health including emergency nutrition and health related interventions in the region. Through frequent field visits within the region, technical advisor provides technical support in the implementation of integrated food and nutrition security, health technical programs in FO’s, to include M&E and advocacy. Conducts Quality Assurance of implementation on a sampling basis. Assesses capacity gaps in FO’s and carries out ToFs on project models as relevant. Promotes and supports nutrition and health related interventions and learning as well as organizing regional learning opportunities. Contributes to continuous improvement of nutrition and health programming by translating learning into evidence-based practice. Contributes to resource mobilization efforts through developing nutrition and health capability statements and assisting in program design for funding proposals. Maintains situational awareness of potential hazards which may lead to public health nutrition emergencies in the region.

Defining standards and sharing best practices and assets, establishing linkages and networking with partners and institutes working on nutrition and health, provide thought leadership and share World Vision work through publication and presentations in regional and international conferences.

Coordinate with the health and nutrition working group and the global nutrition center of expertise (NCOE). The position will be based in any of the nine countries within East Africa and will report to the Strategy and Program Quality Director.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

35% Technical Leadership

Contribute to development of regional health and nutrition strategic guidance (Technical Guidance) Contribute to FOs’ technical programs development and roll out with focus on child well-being through peace, protection and opportunity. Provide technical support to Nutrition and health initiatives (both developmental and emergency nutrition) in NOs in the region. Provide leadership in mainstreaming and scaling up promising nutrition /health practices with special focus on integration. Supports assessment, monitoring and evaluation processes to monitor input, outcome and impact across the region on nutrition/health programming using selected regional nutrition /health indicators of Our Promise CWBO5&6 Build capacity and conduct training in nutrition assessment, design and implementation, monitoring and evaluation methodologies (such as SMART, CMAM, OTP databases, SMART for ENA surveys) Provide on the site technical support for existing and new CMAM projects and update the technical support and funding matrix for CMAM implementing countries. Provide technical support for successful implementation of emergency and developmental nutrition/health research projects and publications Coordinates capacity building roll out plans for maternal Child health and establishing nutrition approaches and implementation of core intervention project models (ttC/CHW, PD/Hearth etc).

20% Resource Mobilization

Support FOs to explore and pursue multilateral, bilateral and private nutrition funding opportunities, Work with WV NCoE on the global CMAM funding tracking system in relation to EAR Assist SO, GC and RO GAM staff to identify priority countries for specific donors and nutrition/health opportunities, and analyze the strengths and capacities of NOs for opportunities. Assist in proposal reviews Support preparation of detailed nutrition capability statement, or as part of general health capability statement at regional and national office level, Review concepts/proposals for multi-country nutrition and health projects

10% External Engagement

Assist in planning annual external engagement strategy Liaise with regional nutrition/health partners, stakeholders and institutions, including UN agencies, NGOs, corporate, Support significant NO-level donor and technical partner engagements for nutrition/health resource development and information sharing

10% Evidence and Learning

Identify nutrition operations research (OR) and implementation research (IR) priorities in the region. Support OR and IR design Identify and disseminate nutrition good practices/learnings/innovations coming from NOs in the region Support NO nutrition staff to develop conference abstracts and publications

5% Nexus Approach

Strengthen the implementation of the Nexus Approach by ensuring integration on humanitarian/development/peacebuilding initiatives. These efforts include stronger and more focused joint analysis, strategic planning and programming and more joint learning (field trips, evaluations etc.) between humanitarian, development, and peacebuilding actors. Focus on working in collaboration and complementarity between humanitarian and development actors and knowing that Field Offices will become more and more affected by the climate change, food insecurity, extreme poverty might lead to more conflicts over the scarce resources and the presence Work with humanitarian, development and peace actors to find solutions, to if/when possible, prevent conflict, violence (and population movement) to happen.

15% Collaboration and cross-functional work:

In collaboration with M&E, Communications review Our Impact annual reports and provide feedback as needed Provide technical support and review for process monitoring and some outcome and impact M&E in collaboration with regional and NO DME teams. Limited mainly to large and/or grant-funded programs Together with advocacy director, ensure FOs understand nutrition /health related advocacy issues and campaigning inputs for strategy and TPs Coordinate H&N community of practice (CoP) in EAR through coordinating the monthly session with the regional M&E advisor. Work with HEA team to support FOs in planning and mitigating nutrition/health related emergencies.

5% Other responsibilities:

Attend and participate in weekly chapel services and daily devotional meetings. Carry out additional responsibilities and projects as assigned, including administrative and planning functions.

Knowledge/ Qualifications for the role

Required Professional Experience.

At least 5 years of experience in experience in managing community-based nutrition projects in developing countries Excellent skills required in program design, reporting and documentation, and monitoring and evaluation, and in managing by results Significant bi-lateral, multi-lateral donor grant experience with program design, implementation, funding acquisition and reporting Knowledge of World Vision operations, regional and national office programming preferable Must be a creative individual with strong sense of vision, commitment and priorities Demonstrated commitment to World Vision’s mission statement and Core Values Working Proven track record of growing communities of practice and influencing senior field stakeholders (Eg. Operations Directors, Head of Mission etc) is vital. Able to think and plan strategically and do practical field assessments, visits, proposal writing etc. Experience with Bilateral and UN Donors is required. Experience in development of projects, training materials, conducting training (face to face and online) and providing technical assistance. Understanding of the sector, donor and UN landscape for ESCA. Technical skills: Knowledge of ESCA Project models and approaches is desirable The position requires ability and willingness to travel domestically and internationally up to 60 % of the time, with possible extended periods of 4 to 6 weeks of field work. Preferred candidates should be committed to travel to Field Offices for days/weeks and spend time with Field Office technical teams in the field. Hands on support is a critical part of this role. Other: Clear communication skills, written and spoken high influencer, engager and an innovator, Techno survey, Trainer/coach, Research. Strong relationship building/network capacity, spiritual maturity in Christian faith, ability to influence, innovative, and proactive personality. 

Required Education, training, license, registration, and certification

Master Degree in Public Health, Nutrition or related field. A deep knowledge of the health and nutrition issues that affect the region, with significant nutrition experience in the region. Excellent communication (written and oral) and interpersonal skills, particularly in a cross-cultural environment Strong planning and organizational skills and ability to prioritize multiple activities Ability to represent WV, particularly with donors and partners Experience managing field-level programs Experience working remotely

Preferred Knowledge and Qualifications

Highly developed external engagement and networking skills Strong project management skills, including experience with research and development of programming models Excellent writing skills as shown through technical documents, thought pieces, and proposals Demonstrated willingness to be flexible and versatile in a changing work environment while maintaining effectiveness and efficiency Ability to motivate and develop staff Experience leading a task force or community of practice or learning Understanding of climate change risks and challenges Strong understanding of global strategies and frameworks on environmental stewardship and climate change. Knowledge on legal international conventions related to health and Nutrition. Strong negotiation, collaboration, networking, liaison, and donor engagement skills. Demonstrated proficiency using Excel, Microsoft Suite of products, databases and statistical packages. Consistently demonstrates high-level influence and strategic engagement skills and tactical savvy in delivery of technical assistance. Ability to think broadly and look at the macro, strategic issues to inform strategy choices and management pro Critical thinking skills to relate to work performed to broader business context.

Travel and/or Work Environment & Language

60% travel Excellent English skills, basic French is an added advantage

Locations: ALL countries in EAST AFRICA REGION where World Vision International is operational.