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Save the Children , Nutrition Technical Advisor

7:49:00 PM , ,
South Sudan emerged as the world’s newest nation in July 2011, amidst jubilation and celebration; crowds took to the streets to welcome their new country into being. Less than a year down the track and the situation for the people of South Sudan is precarious, with escalating conflict on top of the inheritance of some of the worst development indicators in the world. Generations of children were affected by the past decades of conflict and now the future of a new generation of children is in jeopardy.
Save the Children is a child rights organisation working in 9 of the 10 states of South Sudan, in the themes of Education, Child Protection, Nutrition, Health and Child Rights Governance, and we need dedicated and highly capable staff to work with us at this pivotal time. Save the Children International is a 'dual mandate' organisation and as such equal priority will be given to both humanitarian and development work. This is the only way we are able to ensure that some of the fundamental rights that we believe children have, such as survival, safety and constant access to protection and education, can be guaranteed.
This is a crucial, difficult and very rewarding period in which to make a change to children’s lives, in one of the poorest and most troubled countries on earth.
Job Purpose
To support the quality design, delivery, and representation of Save the Children’s Nutrition programming in South Sudan and to uphold and contribute to Save the Children’s mission to create a positive and lasting impact in the lives of children in need.
Key accountabilities
  1. Establish and lead the implementation of Save the Children in South Sudan’s nutrition strategy, consistent with organisational goals, and resource availability
  1. Ensure uniform, quality program implementation across nutrition programming areas
  1. Serve as the point of contact for all matters related to nutrition, particularly the scaling up of the Save the Children nutrition programs, emergency response capacity, integration of nutrition in primary healthcare programming, policy development and capacity building
  1. As part of the Save the Children five year nutrition strategy, explore ways in which factors affecting infant and young children’s feeding practices can be addressed with community participation, and document for future programming
  1. Work at the policy level with high-level decision makers from the host government, participating in strategy development, policy making, and technical discussions, as well as negotiating to determine priorities for development
  1. Advocacy: Advocate for reforms that will promote the effective implementation of Save the Children’s health strategy. Apply knowledge and advanced expertise in health policy and programs to design and develop activities that promote nutrition policy reforms/development
  1. Promote the sharing of best practice and learning in relation to programming, advocacy and campaign activities amongst Area Programmes in the country, including among members of Save the Children International in the region
  1. Monitoring and evaluation: ensure adequate ongoing monitoring and evaluation of all nutrition programs. Ensure nutrition surveys utilise the SMART methodology, are conducted in programming areas, share survey results with relevant stakeholders and program design reflects results of survey. Provide technical oversight of nutrition surveys.
  1. Human Resources: work with human resources unit and the Response Team Leader in drafting job descriptions, targeting adverts, developing an organogram, and interviewing candidates for the nutrition sector
  1. Emergency Response: Act as Nutrition Technical Lead as part Emergency Response Team in Southern Sudan. Lead emergency nutrition assessments as necessary, nutrition preparedness and response plans in collaboration with the Emergency Preparedness and Response team
  1. Capacity building / technical support: To provide capacity building and technical support to nutrition staff, partners and government authorities as required
  1. Coordination: to represent Save the Children at national level health cluster meetings, technical working group meetings, Ministry of Health meetings, and other relevant forums. To meet regularly and liaise closely with relevant authorities (i.e. District / National Ministry of Health / UN / other NGOs / Nutrition Cluster)
  1. Work in close partnership with the Health Advisor and Livelihoods Advisor regarding nutrition programming
  1. Develop concept notes and proposals related to nutrition.
  1. Ensure integration and coordination among the various Save the Children projects contributing to the overall goal of the organization.
  1. Keep abreast of international developments and debates regarding nutrition, in order to advise and assist Save the Children to effectively respond to developments and participate in debates.
  1. Help to identify high value and high potential fundraising and mobilization opportunities for nutrition programs working in close collaboration with relevant management staff, fundraising and Policy teams to ensure that new funding proposals are in accordance with country and global strategies and policies.
  1. Any other tasks as requested.
Working contacts
  • Internal (including Alliance): The post holder will be expected to work with senior management team, technical support, other sector Advisors and Area Programme Managers, Field Managers, Programme Managers & with staff throughout the programme.
  • External: The post holder will be expected to develop and maintain personal links and effective relationships with UN (especially UNICEF and WFP), NGOs, INGOs, Partners & Key stake holders, counterparts, donors, government Authorities.
Person specification
Essential
  • At good degree in nutrition or a related subject that affords an understanding of nutrition management in complex settings such as southern Sudan.
  • Experience managing CMAM programming, Infant Feeding in Emergencies and the integration of nutrition in primary health care
  • Substantial progressive, professional-level experience at the management level with some background in health systems strengthening - transitioning health systems from relief to development and health program implementation, particularly both at the community and facility level, being an added advantage.
  • Proven experience of writing donor proposals, strategies and reports with various donors and understanding of the log-frame or results framework.
  • Proven experience in conducting and analyzing nutrition surveys, rapid assessments and establishing emergency nutrition responses
  • Minimum 5 years international field experience in humanitarian work in nutrition
  • Ability to make links between nutrition, livelihoods, educations, health, and HIV/AIDS interventions within the context of an integrated program approach
  • An ability to effectively negotiate with prospective donors and a demonstrated ability to develop and write detailed technical project proposals meeting donor requirements, including budgets for the same
  • Ability to perform at a senior policy level must be demonstrable, and good communication, advocacy and leadership skills are critical.
  • The ability to liaise and effectively coordinate with government, local NGOs and community initiatives.
  • The ability to effectively influence health policy, reform and strategy with the Government of Southern Sudan, as well as key donors and UN agencies.
  • Experience with nutrition programs in the region is desirable.
  • A desire to learn the south Sudan’s political, social and cultural characteristics is expected. Have a broad appreciation for the issues and process of participatory development.
  • Proven experience of living and working in insecure environments, able to follow security guidelines
  • The ability to research and utilize existing local government and other technical expertise where applicable.
  • High level of computer literacy including experience using nutrition related statistical packages such as ENA, Epi Info or SPSS.
  • Fluency in English
  • Ability and willingness to travel regularly into the field.
Desirable
  • Masters degree
  • Knowledge of donor financial policies and guidelines
Application Process
To apply for this position, visit our website
and apply for position 7312 by 10th July 2012.

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