Program Officer, Maternal and Child Health and Nutrition Job at Micronutrient Initiative

Micronutrient Initiative - Passionate about developing and implementing solutions for hidden hunger, the Micronutrient Initiative works in partnership with governments, the private sector and civil society organizations to address this serious problem that affects one-third of the world´s population. Governed by an international Board of Directors, MI works in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Latin America and the Middle East and reaches people in more than 75 countries. With headquarters in Ottawa, Canada MI maintains regional offices in New Delhi, India and Dakar, Senegal that manage our country offices in Asia and Africa.

Micronutrient Initiative is recruiting to fill the job position of:


Job Title: Program Officer, Maternal and Child Health and Nutrition
Location: Abuja
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
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.
• 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.
• 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.

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.

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.

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.
• 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.
• Participate in national and regional fora relevant to antenatal care and child health.
• 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.
• 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.
• Training in epidemiology, research methodologies desirable.
• Experience

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
• IT competency
• Discretion
• Integrity.
• Very good presentational skills
• Good report writing skill
• Excellent team working skills

Apply Here
All qualified candidates should forward their resumes and cover letters to: africahr@micronutrient.org quoting job#: 2016-NIG-12 in the subject line.

Note:

• This job description can and will be amended as required from time to time.
• This position is located in Abuja, Nigeria.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Deadline  21st December,