Program Officer – Nutrition, Kenya

Program Officer – Nutrition, Kenya

Established in 1915 with Helen Keller as a founding trustee, Helen Keller International works to save the sight and lives of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged. Headquartered in New York City, Helen Keller Intl currently offers programs in 21 countries in Africa and Asia, as well as in the United States. The organization combats the causes and consequences of blindness and malnutrition by establishing programs based on evidence and research. In Kenya, Helen Keller Intl in collaboration with UNICEF, County Government of Kilifi and Samburu is implementing Enhance Project which targets to improve nutrition outcomes for vulnerable populations in Kilifi, and Samburu counties through comprehensive interventions. It focuses on enhancing access to high-quality nutrition services for children aged 6-59 months and pregnant women/adolescent girls.

Additionally, the initiative seeks to strengthen the capacity of national and county governments in Kilifi and Samburu to implement evidence-based social behavior change strategies, promoting positive dietary practices. Furthermore, it aims to establish robust institutional and governance frameworks at national and county levels in Kilifi, and Samburu, fostering sustainable multi-sectoral nutrition programs in collaboration with key partners. This holistic approach aims to achieve lasting improvements in nutritional health across the project’s target areas.

Position Two (2) Program Officer

Where, Kilifi and Samburu Counties

Level of responsibility: Reports to Program Manager

Objective of the Program Officer Position:

1. Provide technical and programmatic support for the quality implementation of the UNICEF-funded project.
2. Monitor project progress, document achievements and best practices, and facilitate learning.
3. Strengthen coordination and collaboration with project stakeholders, including UNICEF, the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Labour and Social Services, NDMA, KUZA among others.
4. Contribute to resource mobilization through identification of funding opportunities, proposal writing
5. Partnership development

Specific Objectives

1. Provide technical and programmatic support for quality UNICEF project implementation.

• Provide technical support to Ministry of Health staff to implement Baby Friendly Community Initiatives (BFCI) at both county and sub-county levels.
• Assist communities in recognizing nutrition issues and creating locally driven solutions throughout NICHE implementation.
• Work closely with community health promoters (CHPs) to mobilize communities for participation in community level interventions.
• Ensure all affected children, pregnant women, and lactating women are identified, admitted, and discharged from treatment of malnutrition as per national IMAM and Infant, Young Child Nutrition (IYCN) guidelines.
• Conduct training and sensitization of health facility staff and CHPs on BFCI, IYCF, and micronutrient supplementation.
• Strengthen community structures to ensure they receive appropriate health and nutrition services.
• Support CHPs in conducting household nutrition counseling for BFCI and NICHE beneficiaries at the community level.
• Assist sub-county and county nutrition officers in conducting community follow-ups for community health units.
• Ensure the integration of child protection while implementing BFCI at the community level.
• Integrate nutrition into livelihood interventions to ensure food security at the household level.

1. Monitoring and Evaluation

• Develop gender-sensitive indicators for monitoring and evaluating implementation of the UNICEF funded Program.
• Collect, analyze, and evaluate gender-disaggregated data to identify disparities and adjust programs accordingly.
• Track and monitor project progress, document achievements, and provide feedback to improve performance.
• Document human interest stories and best practices from project implementation for learning and replication in other areas.
• Plan and implement project data reviews, document findings and recommendations, and collaborate with other stakeholders and counties.

1. Coordination, Advocacy and Partnership

• Represent Helen Keller Intl in county coordination forums.
• Organize county project inception, planning, closure meetings, and other relevant forums to facilitate project implementation and feedback sharing.
• Ensure effective communication and networking with County and Sub-County Health Management Teams (C/SCHMTs) and other partners within implementing counties.
• Ensure the integration of project-supported interventions in the county health and nutrition annual work plans (AWPs).
• Advocate for prioritization of nutrition and gender equality and inclusion by actively participating in county and sub-county planning and coordination meetings.
• Enhance project visibility and communication efforts on behalf of Helen Keller Intl and UNICEF.

1. Community Engagement

• Engage and Support communities in identifying nutrition and gender-related challenges and developing community-led solutions to promote optimal nutrition practices.
• Support Community health Promoters (CHPs) to conduct household nutrition counselling for project beneficiaries at community level.
• Support initiatives that empower women and girls in nutrition-related activities.

1. Others

• Identify funding opportunities and write grant proposals for research projects.
• In liaison with UNICEF Program Manager ensure monthly tracking of project expenditure and manage work plans and budgets

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in nutrition, public health or equivalent
• At least 5 years of experience in public health programs/Nutrition
• Excellent written and spoken English and Swahili.
• Strong understanding of health systems in nutrition and health programming including nutrition standards, and health structures at county and sub-county level
• Familiarity with national health, and nutrition policies.
• Experience in health and nutrition community resilience programming.
• Significant NGO experience with community groups and state institutions.

Competencies

• Demonstrated experience working with the Ministry of Health, County Department of health, health care workers and community health volunteers.
• Demonstrated experience in coordination and management of nutrition and health projects
• Ability to analyze data and produce quality reports
• Demonstrated experience in preparation of donors’ proposals, budgets, and reports
• Able to priorities clearly, oversee multiple tasks, and set clear objectives to be achieved
• Commitment to accountability principals and knowledgeable of quality assurance.
• Knowledge of computer applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and MS Outlook.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision
• Capacity to work under pressure and manage personal stress levels.
• Creative, open-minded, flexible, and self-learner.
• Team Player with good interpersonal skills