Local Nutrition Consultant at Save the Children Nigeria

Save the Children is a leading international organization helping children in need around the world. First established in the UK in 1919, separate national organizations have been set up in more than twenty-eight countries, sharing the aim of improving the lives of children through education, health care and economic opportunities, as well as emergency aid in cases of natural disasters, war and conflict.

In Nigeria, Save the Children has been working since 2001. The early focus was on getting children actively involved in shaping the decisions that affect their lives. Today, Save the Children is working in seven federal states - Zamfara, Yobe, Jigawa, Katsina, Kano, Bauchi and Kaduna - focusing on providing basic healthcare and protecting children.

We are recruiting to fill the position of:

Job Title: Local Nutrition Consultant

Job ID: #1114431
Location: Katsina

Project Summary

• In September 2011, Save the Children started a DFID funded nutrition programme called WINNN (Working to Improve Nutrition in Northern Nigeria).
• WINNN is being implemented in partnership with UNICEF and ACF International, includes five states in northern Nigeria, aiming to improve the nutritional status of about 6.2 million under five children of which at least 140,000 will be targeted to receive treatment for severe acute malnutrition.
• The aim of the programme is to bring together advocacy, capacity building and programme delivery through proven high impact interventions while working side by side with State Nutrition Officers to create linkages for nutrition throughout the State Ministry of Health’s work.

Assignment Purpose

• To support implementation of the WINNN project at the LGA level by specifically focusing on facility and community-related activities

Specific Objectives

A.) Support the LGA Nutrition Officer to deliver all outputs of the WINNN project at LGA level

• Provide support to the LGA PHC department staff particularly the Local Nutrition focal person and the Health Educator to carry out programme activities
• Ensure that all programme activities (including meetings and trainings) at local government level are well supported
• Serve as an interface between the WINNN project and the local government authorities and community leaders by supporting the process of advocacy for nutrition
• Support data management and reporting of WINNN activities at the LGA level

B.) Provide support for the implementation of WINNN’s community mobilisation strategy for CMAM and IYCF

• Ensure that the process of recruiting and training community volunteers is supported, if relevant
• Support the LGA health educator to carry out community engagement activities
• Support the community volunteers in the delivery of their duties
• Provide supportive supervision to all community volunteers in the LGA

C.) Assess and provide support for the implementation of the MNCHW campaign

• Schedule monitoring visits to selected fixed posts during the exercise and make observations
• Review the whole implementation process and document current working strategy vis-à-vis the national implementation strategy
• Assess supply chain management of MNCHW commodities and supplies
• Assess and track financial input from government and partners to measurable outcomes from the exercise
• Support and provide appropriate strategies for social mobilization which LGA specific

D.) Assess and provide support for the post- implementation and review phase of the MNCHW exercise

• Assess and support the data management and reporting process during and after the MNCHW
• Attend and support the state-level MNCHW review and debriefing
• Support the WINNN and SMoH teams to develop MNCHW reports

E.) Report

• Submit monthly statistics and activity reports conducted during the month to the STA
• Submit any ad-hoc reports of any activities supported or delegated
• Give a detail reports on the activities of the community volunteers in the LGA

Expected outputs:

• End of consultancy report stating all activities carried and recommendations for the way forward
• Documents and tools used such as supervision and monitoring checklists, minutes of meetings, statistics etc.

Essential Skills Requirement

• A qualification in Nursing and/ Midwifery or any related disciplines from one of Nigeria’s reputable Institutions
• A minimum of 5 years working experience in public health field and/ NGO setting
• Initiative and keen willingness to learn
• Organizational skills
• Attention to detail and ability to meet deadlines
• Written and oral communication skills (fluent Hausa and English)
• Computer skills with proficiency in Microsoft Office applications
• Willingness to work in remote locations and live in basic conditions
• Flexibility, team player and willingness to work extra hours when needed.

Application Closing Date
14th August, 2015

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should send their C.V and qualifying statements to: [email protected] explaining why you are suitable for the position you are applying for. State position clearly in the subject field as applications without appropriate subject will be disqualified.

Note: Also, applications received after the above closing date will not be considered.