Program Officer Job at Micronutrient Initiative

What is standing between a person and their potential is access to the essential vitamins and minerals a body needs to grow, learn and thrive.

Hidden hunger – the chronic lack of minerals and vitamins – affects one in three people, with impoverished women and children in developing countries being the most vulnerable.

Today, more than 2 billion people suffer from micronutrient deficiencies and cannot lead healthy, productive lives. Families are devastated, communities and entire nations are impacted.

The Micronutrient Initiative provides affordable and innovative solutions to end micronutrient deficiencies. We bring together technical experts, advocates, analysts, evaluators, educators, resource managers and nutrition champions who can end what is called hidden hunger.

PROGRAM OFFICER MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH AND NUTRITION

JOB TITLE: PROGRAM OFFICER MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH AND NUTRITION (PO-4) NIGERIA

REPORTS TO/POSITION TITLE:  Program Director

OVERALL PURPOSE/BROAD FUNCTION:

In line with MI’s strategic objectives in Africa, and in partnership with key stakeholders in Nigeria, provide technical and management support to the Government of Nigeria and other stakeholders to improve coverage of Zinc and Low Osmolar ORS in children with diarrhea, and improve utilization of iron and folic acid supplements in pregnant women, in order to reduce child and maternal mortality and morbidity in Nigeria on a sustainable basis. 

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
3.1 Project Development:
With the support and guidance of relevant members of the MI technical team and the Program Director:

Ensure a regularly updated situation analysis is available on the status of the use of Zinc in the treatment of diarrhea in children and of iron and folic acid supplementation (IFAS) in pregnant women in Nigeria including the status of work by organizations involved in provision of these services in Nigeria.
Design and plan projects in Nigeria in collaboration with key stakeholders and partners that respond to programming gaps in the situation analyses and that aim to ensure appropriate intake of micronutrients by targeted groups.
Ensure regular coordination for Zinc and IFAS programming with key partners to ensure MI funding for these interventions are being used cost-effectively.
Develop project budgets and agree on financial commitments with Program Director Nigeria and ensure appropriate inputs are made in MI Contracts Database.
Be alert to opportunities for MI engagement in child and maternal health and nutrition.
3.2 Project Implementation and Management

Assist the Program Director with the management of MI-funded Zinc and IFAs programs in Nigeria and any other fortification programs that may arise.
Review and analyze financial and technical progress reports, produce relevant project documents as per MI procedures and guidelines.
Troubleshoot and recommend corrective action drawing on internal MI expertise in the Nigeria and Regional Offices and beyond as necessary.
Ensure the Contracts Database is regularly updated, in line with MI contract management procedures.
Ensure regular coordination meetings with key stakeholders to ensure MI funding for programs is being used cost-effectively during implementation.
3.3 Project Review

Review programs for lessons learned and document and share appropriately.
3.4 Program Research and Evaluation

Participate on the design of research and evaluation activities for MCHN projects and work closely with researchers and external evaluators to ensure research and evaluation exercises are feasible and respond to project and MoH needs.
Support the timely dissemination of research and program evaluation findings in Nigeria and elsewhere with the view to inform others on available new information and improved practices for the MCHN program.
3.5 External Relations

Build and maintain good collaborative relations with Federal and State MoH, other government agencies, UN agencies, and NGOs to promote information sharing and effective coordination of effort to improve and sustain effective and efficient IFA supplementation programs as part of Antenatal Care services for pregnant women and the use of Low Osmolar ORS and Zinc in the treatment of diarrhea in children.
Participate in national and regional fora relevant to antenatal care and child health.
Keep up to date with developments in MCHN, antenatal care, BCC, and micronutrient supplementation.
Document and share with the ER team field stories and lessons learned from the MCHN programs.
Any other duties as requested.

Supervisory  Responsibilities:
N/A

EDUCATION/PROFESSIONAL DESIGNATIONS/EXPERIENCE
EDUCATION
Masters degree from a recognized university in one or more of the following areas: child health, reproductive health, nutrition, nursing, health sciences, food sciences and public health.
Training in epidemiology, research methodologies desirable.

EXPERIENCE
At least 3 years work experience in child health, reproductive health and public health, nutrition, food sciences and/or related field in Nigeria or elsewhere.
Experience in program/project implementation/supervision, monitoring and evaluation.
Experience with micronutrient programs desirable.

Language Skills
Fluent English.

Travel Requirements
Based in Abuja, Nigeria, around 15% of time will be spent travelling in Nigeria.

OTHER SPECIFIC SKILL REQUIREMENTS:
Excellent interpersonal skills
Very good presentational skills
Good report writing skill
Excellent team working skills
IT competency
Discretion
Integrity
NOTE: This job description can and will be amended as required from time to time.

TO APPLY
To apply for this position, please forward your resume and cover letter to africahr@micronutrient.org quoting job#: 2016-NIG-12 in the subject line.  Competition closes December 21, 2016.  Please note that this position is located in Abuja, Nigeria.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

DUE DATE: 21 December, 2016