Programme Manager - Food Security and Nutrition at Plan International

Plan International is an independent development and humanitarian non-profit organisation that advances children’s rights and equality for girls. We support children’s rights from birth until they reach adulthood, and enable children to prepare for - and respond to - crises and adversity. We believe in the power and potential of every child, but know this is often suppressed by poverty, violence, exclusion and discrimination.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Programme Manager - Food Security and Nutrition

Location: Maiduguri, Borno

Role Purpose

• The primary responsibility of program manager is to work closely with Nutrition specialist to ensure the quality of food and nutrition security projects implementation in accordance of Sphere standard, WHO, UNICEF and National guideline and manuals.
• The post holder will support in developing nutrition and food security portfolio, and will help lead strategy, planning, assessment, and implementation of food and nutrition security program/projects.
• Besides, providing guidance and support to the team as well as ensuring proper coordination with other sectors and organizational functions. In addition, the post holder is also expected to provide a consistent and high-quality technical support in the project implementation and will assist food and Nutrition project coordinators, and other staff working the department to build strong food and nutrition programme.

Dimensions of the Role

• To implement the Food security and Nutrition projects according to international and national guideline. This includes providing guidance and support to the team as well as ensuring proper coordination with other sectors and organizational functions.
• The program manager will also work closely with other support departments including Admin/logistics, finance, MEAL and HR to ensure proper procurement, budget utilization, forecasting and recruitment. The Program Manager will be responsible for exemplary program delivery, building staff and volunteer capacity through leadership development.

Accountabilities:

• Ensure quality and timely field level implementation of the food security and Nutrition programme (Community mobilization SC, OTP, BSFP AND MIYCN), against set objectives, targets, work plans.
• Oversee the development, Planning, managing and implementing of the food and nutrition security projects in consultation and collaboration with the Nutrition specialist.
• Draft supervision guidelines and check list to ensure quality delivery of food and nutrition programme.
• Lead implementation of Food security and nutrition activities using appropriate Plan International Nigeria project management tools to plan, review and track progress and quality by the Food security and nutrition team
• Mentor and coach the nutrition and food security teams in GFD, Cash/E-Voucher, Nutrition including CMAM treatment protocols and MIYCN, conducting supportive supervision, and provide refresher trainings on nutrition and food security.
• Ensure the relevance and implementation of technically-sound beneficiary selection criteria and approaches;
• Ensure tactical plans for all projects are developed and field level activities are set up efficiently under the integrated model to promote food and nutrition security and build community resilience to the effects of climate extremes.
• Oversee programme quality in accordance with Plan International and Donor policies and best practices.
• Build on existing and seek new synergies for advocacy through the cluster system at federal, state, LGA level, technical working groups and other fora in Food Security and Nutrition Sector.
• Support cross-sectoral periodic programme reviews to assess programme progress, capture lessons learnt and adapt programme strategies as necessary in accordance with Plan International’s results-based management principles.
• Analyse and report the humanitarian needs and provide clear and detailed recommendations for intervention, develop appropriate targeting criteria and mechanisms to ensure the needs of identified vulnerable groups are met.
• Develop nutrition and food security activity work plans, spending plan and procurement plan based on the program annual work plan and implement activities in a timely manner
• Assist the nutrition specialist in identifying and developing new needs/growth opportunities and/or opportunities for strategic partnerships.
• Assist the Nutrition specialist for program development, program management and strategy development.
• Ensure strong cooperation and coordination with other department to ensure all Food and nutrition programming is sensitive to and, where possible, actively reducing protection risks amongst vulnerable population groups.
• Ensure community involvement in all phases of the project cycle.
• Prepare and submit project progress report, quarterly, half-yearly and annual reports, success story, publications and etc.
• Liaise with relevant Advisers to assure programme quality and alignment to global, national and Plan International standards.
• Manages Nutrition and Food security Programs team through coaching, weekly team meetings, and one-on-one meetings.
• Support regular nutrition programme evaluations, rapid assessments identifying needs and making practical recommendations on to address them.
• Enhance integration of nutrition activities with other key health and other programs and coordinate with the other department project coordinators on establishing strong BCC and outreach activities
• Maintains an effective working relationship with a variety of public, private, and community- based organizations; including staff and community volunteers.
• Communicates effectively and respectfully with people from different racial, ethnic and cultural groups, and from different backgrounds and lifestyles; demonstrates a knowledge of and sensitivity to their needs.
• Prepares correspondence, tracking, reports, forms and schedules; proofreads materials for accuracy, completeness, and correct language usage.
• Conduct field assessments, identifying potential needs, designing and implementing response plans
• Provide role cover for the Nutrition Specialist in their absence.
• Conducting above tasks and any other tasks requested by line manager. Note: the above-mentioned key responsibilities are illustrative ones. Other future responsibilities/accountability may be assigned to the job depending on the department organizational chart.

Finance, Admin and Logistics:

• Monitor and manage Food and Nutrition programme expenditure and budgets, ensuring resources are optimally utilized and spending is in line with Plan International financial procedures and Donor requirements.
• Follow up and ensure that Financial report including invoices and supporting files are accurate, consistent and submitted timely   to donors at the field level.
• Lead in monthly financial review or expenditure against programme plan and implement revisions as required.
• Liaise with the Emergency Response Manager, Logistics and admin Specialist, Logistics and admin coordinators, Humanitarian finance manager, Financial coordinator, and other Programme Managers, through coordinated planning to ensure efficient and timely procurement and use of supplies necessary for the smooth running of the programme.
• Coordinate with the Logistics Specialist to improve supply chain management and accountability for nutrition and food security supplies and commodities.

Monitoring and Evaluation:

• In coordination with the monitoring and evaluation coordinator, Data management and report officer, project coordinators, monitor and measure the progress of project activities and taking necessary action accordingly.
• Conduct timely routine activity quality monitoring activities, including field-site and post-distribution monitoring – ensure data is shared in a timely fashion with the MEAL Team and department lead.
• Provide support to strengthen the information management, including standardized databases for implementation tracking and monitoring purposes.
• Ensure programme delivery is in line with Core Humanitarian Standards (CHS) through: 1) Ensuring strong and meaningful community participation throughout the programme cycle; 2) systematically sharing programme information with target community’s /key stakeholders; 3) Under the guidance of department lead contributing to the rolling out and managing Plan International’s Complaints Response Mechanism in (CRM) and 4) Contributing to Plan International’s CHS reporting requirements.
• Support to MEAL team in conducting need assessment, data and information collection for on-going food security and nutrition programs and for the development of future proposal.

Representation:

• Ensure effective networking and coordination with relevant stakeholders, such as Government authorities, other NGOs, and UN Agencies operating in the food and nutrition sector at field level.
• Participate and represent in Government, NNGO, INGO, UN agency and sector meetings on food security and nutrition program.

Donor Compliance:

• Support the Nutrition/food security Specialist during donor proposals, budgets and reports to ensure they are of high quality, up-to-date and delivered in a timely manner in accordance with Plan International policies/procedures, donor requirements and for other interested parties, including government departments, in collaboration with programme team colleagues
• Be responsible for ensuring that donor strategy, donor guidelines, formats and processes are understood and being adhered to within Food security and Nutrition programme implementation and procurement.

Human Resources:

• Support timely recruitment to fill vacant positions, and new staff recruited are inducted and trained as per the needs of the programme and the organisation.
• Nurture team spirit in the various teams within the structure like project coordinators, Assistant Project Officers, Project Officers and Volunteers.
• Regular review of project staff performance and timely feedback to address staff performance.
• Ensure that all staff in food and nutrition security team are aware of and comply with Plan International’s Nigeria policies and procedures.
• Ensure that all staff are provided with the necessary support and advice to carry out their duties.
• Responsible to manage the food security and nutrition field teams.

Security:

• Ensure the Food and nutrition security project team carry out their work in accordance with Plan International’s security Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and the Security Management Plan (SMP).
• Assist the Security manager and Emergency response manager with security analysis through the sharing of important security information collected through field work.
• Participate in the revision of SOPs and the SMP when necessary and other security-related duties when necessary.
• Provide safety and security management for all staff on the field in respect to implementation activities according Plan International Security Standard Operating Procedures.

Technical Expertise, Skills and Knowledge
Essential:

• Master’s Degree in a relevant field- Nutrition, Public Health, agriculture or any other related discipline,
• At least four (4) years of specific post-qualification experience at the same level in a similar role with a bi-lateral, multi - lateral organisation, Government or NGO
• Demonstrated experience in strong programme planning, implementation, management and monitoring skills.
• An excellent understanding of Nutrition & Food Security issues globally and the context in Nigeria.
• Previous experience in managing Food & Nutrition Security projects: - desirable
• Experience Managing UN agency-funded projects is preferable.
• Experience in remote management.
• Experience in working prevention and curative of malnutrition projects is preferable.
• Excellent experience in Microsoft office.
• Excellent report-writing skills is an additive
• Fluent in written and spoken English and Hausa
• Commitment to and understanding of PLAN’S aims, values and principles.
• Strong leadership, team building, conflict resolution and ability to deliver PLAN’s strategic objectives.

Desirable:

• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
• Strong data analysis skills and experience.
• Strong communication skills: oral, written and presentation skills.
• Should be a team player and culturally sensitive.
• Extremely flexible, and have the ability to cope with stressful situations
• Facilitate the development and scheduling of volunteer outreach activities
• Excellent community mobilization skills
• Work closely with partners and their staff to ensure project activities are implemented in time and within the stipulated quality.

Application Closing Date
25th February, 2022.