Nutrition Project Manager

Role & Responsibilities

The Nutrition Project Manager develops, leads, monitors and evaluates the assigned nutrition project(s). This involves effectively managing and reporting on projects in line with objectives, time frame and budget with a focus on nutrition system strengthening, training and coordination. Providing technical support, leadership and strategic direction, other important aspects of role include managing and training nutrition staff to meet quality standards in nutrition delivery, encouraging beneficiary participation, liaising with other stakeholders and managing and training nutrition staff, and anticipating, planning, and contributing to development of new nutrition project proposals and reports.

 Project Overview

In Pibor, Medair currently operates up to 3 nutrition sites including stabilisation centre where GAM breaches the emergency threshold, ensuring provision of all required elements of CMAM and MAMI. The goal is to assist in reducing morbidity and mortality in vulnerable communities in Pibor.

 Workplace & Conditions

Field based position in Pibor, South Sudan.

 Starting Date / Initial Contract Details

October 2024. Full time, 24 months.

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Key Activity Areas

Nutrition Project Management

• Manage the assigned nutrition project(s) in order to meet the project objectives within budget and within the allotted time frame and report promptly any operational concerns to line manager and country nutrition advisor.
• Provide strong leadership of the assigned nutrition project(s), working to ensure short, mid and long-term positive impacts and outcomes for the beneficiaries, local nutrition authorities (where applicable) and local nutrition staff
• Contribute to development and implementation of an appropriate and effective nutrition strategy including proactive, responsible exit planning in consultation with country nutrition advisor, Pibor PC, Nutrition Managers, other nutrition staff and field managers.
• Set clear objectives and indicators for nutrition activities in collaboration with the country nutrition advisor, nutrition staff, field managers and, where appropriate, with the local communities
• Continuously monitor and supervise nutrition activities, evaluating progress through outputs and impacts using both quantitative and qualitative data, and involving the nutrition team (and where applicable local health authorities) in analysis and taking appropriate action as needed to ensure continued progress.
• Provide input into the integration of beneficiary participation and accountability in all aspects of the project.
• Ensure accurate and timely reporting of activities according to Medair, donor and other applicable time frames and formats.
• Develop new proposals, linked to the assessed needs and gaps and the Medair country strategy, in conjunction with the country nutrition advisor and relevant field managers.

Staff Management

• Line-manage the Nutrition Manager(s) of the assigned project(s), including day-to-day management, development and training, appraisals, etc. It may also be necessary to line manage other nutrition project staff.
• Facilitate regular meetings to assist information sharing between project staff, to ensure all staff members are aware of project objectives and current work plans and to provide the opportunity for feedback.
• Provide coaching and technical supervision to staff to develop ownership and full responsibility for nutrition activities.
• Assess the training needs of nutrition staff and ensure that appropriate training is conducted.

Financial Management

• Manage the nutrition budget for the assigned project(s) and ensure all expenses are according to budget and meet the Medair standards with regard to financial management, including accountability and good governance.

Communication and Coordination

• Develop and maintain appropriate, regular, transparent and supportive communication structures with the assigned nutrition team, Medair in-country and HQ health and nutrition managers and advisors and other relevant stakeholders, with the objective of ensuring good cooperation and partnerships
• Participate in nutrition coordination meetings, Medair internal trainings and other working groups or meetings as required, representing Medair and feeding back to the nutrition staff and field managers on relevant issues.

Logistics

• Support the logistics activities of nutrition staff, particularly in relation to the purchasing of medicines, supplies and equipment for the assigned nutrition facilities and activities.
• Liaise, as necessary, with the nutrition, health, logistics and finance staff to ensure items are procured, transported, stored, managed and accounted for correctly.
• Submit timely requests to nutrition partners (UNICEF, WFP) to release core pipeline nutrition supplies and monitor supply provision. Ensure nutrition buffer stocks procured and available to prevent programme stock outages.

Quality Management

• Promote and use the Medair intranet and other operating procedures, ensuring that all standardised formats are used, and guidelines are followed.
• Ensure nutrition projects are implemented in line with donor proposals and requirements and in accordance with Medair, donor, country and international standards i.e. Sphere and HAP standards

Team Spiritual Life

• Reflect the values of Medair with team members, local staff, beneficiaries, and external contacts.
• Work, live, and pray together in our Christian faith- based team settings. Fully contribute to the rich spiritual life of your team, including team devotions, prayer, and words of encouragement.
• Encouraged to join and contribute to Medair’s international prayer network.

 Qualifications

• Higher level qualification, preferably in nutrition or in another relevant field such as nursing/midwifery/doctor/community-based training
• Good English (spoken and written)

 Experience / Competencies

• 2 years post-qualification professional experience in a relevant field
• Management experience in a nutrition / health context
• Capacity to work under pressure and manage personal stress levels.
• Creative, open-minded, flexible, self-learner
• Able to cope with basic living conditions in the field and during field trips
• Ability and willingness to manage project implementation.
• Good numerical, report writing and administration skills.
• Problem solving ability.
• Knowledge of humanitarian principles, Sphere and HAP Standards and other international humanitarian guidelines and protocols
• Knowledge and experience of nutrition / primary health care principles and management
• Able to prioritise clearly and oversee multiple tasks
• Able to take the initiative in project decisions.
• Able to enforce procedures.
• Able to set clear objectives for staff and to delegate.
• Committed to consultative and servant-minded leadership

 How to apply

a) Medair organizational values

b) Medair is committed to safeguarding the protection of beneficiaries, volunteers, staff and partners, and particularly children. Therefore, we do not employ staff whose background we understand to be unsuitable for working with children. Medair staff are required to give the utmost respect to, and comply with, Medair’s accountability policies and best practices.

c) Medair Relief & Recovery Orientation Course (ROC) (which forms part of the recruitment selection process for field positions).

Application Process

To apply, go to this vacancy on our Medair Page.

Please do not make multiple applications. We will not review email applications. Only English-language applications / CVs will be reviewed.