Program Manager for Nutrition Communication Strategy - Nairobi, Kenya

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Program Manager for Nutrition Communication Strategy

Location: Nairobi, Kenya

Date of Posting: August 2, 2011

Background Established in 1915 with Helen Keller as a founding trustee, Helen Keller International (HKI) works to save the sight and lives of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged. Headquartered in New York City, HKI currently conducts programs in 21 countries in Africa and Asia as well as in the United States. HKI is known for sustainability, reliability, efficiency and the highest level of technical expertise in preventing and treating blindness and malnutrition.

To accomplish its work, HKI builds the capacity of local governmental, civil society and private sector systems and infrastructure, and promotes the development of sustained, large-scale programs that deliver effective services for nutrition, eye health and neglected tropical diseases.

The severe drought which is covering the Horn of Africa is a major humanitarian crisis with malnutrition rates soaring in many parts of Kenya, Somalia and Ethiopia. It is estimated that over 10 million people are at high risk and in this respect, urgent appeal for life-saving actions has been introduced to potential donors to prevent and respond to the management of acute malnutrition and meet water, hygiene and sanitation among other pressing needs in these populations. Given these high rises in malnutrition rates, there is a need for scaling up programs that support treatment of children with severe acute malnutrition while at the same time ensuring quality program delivery.

A blanketed supplementary feeding program (BSFP) will be implemented by the World Food Program (WFP) and other partner NGOs in Turkana, Mandera, Marsabit and Wajir in mid August 2011. All children under 3 years of age and Pregnant and Lactating women will be eligible to participate in the BSFP; with the objective to prevent deterioration of nutrition status among the most vulnerable communities.

Along with proper targeting and the distribution of the commodities, a focused and well developed communication strategy is critical for the success of the BSFP. Helen Keller International (HKI), will be responsible for developing and implementing this core component of the program and to ensure that consistent key messages are made available through all key contact points of the program. The design, training and delivery of key messages will be essential for the proper use and consumption of the supplementary foods and to contribute to the overall goal of the program. Nutrition messages for the program will be essential to not only support the proper storage, preparation and consumption of the food supplements, but to also strengthen linkages to other nutrition and the health services in the community and strengthen targeting and participation of beneficiaries in the program areas. The proposed communication and training strategy developed by HKI will be implemented over a period of 6 months in the areas where BSFP will be implemented and in close partnership with the NGOs working in the area.

Scope of the Position:
The program manager will be responsible for the delivery of the nutrition communication strategy for the blanket supplementary feeding program. He/she will report to HKI’s Regional Micronutrient Advisor and will work closely with WFP and the BSFP implementing partners to ensure the objectives of the nutrition communication strategy are met.

Specific responsibilities of the position include:

• Conducting training on designed communication materials to implementing partner staff;

• Training and coordination of regional staff on implementing supportive supervision of program activities to measure the quality of the BSFP communication strategy;

• Capacity building of district management health teams and local implementing partner staff through supportive supervision and skill building for routine data quality assessment;

• Liaising with implementing partners and local authorities to maximize collaboration and ensuring the proper coordination of activities;

• Ensure that the goals and objectives of the program are being met within budget.

The program manager will be responsible for writing monthly program activity reports to the HKI Regional Micronutrient Advisor and will assist in the writing of the end of project report and documentation of lessons learned.

Required experience and qualifications:

• BSC degree with proven experience in implementing nutrition communication strategies or supportive supervision programs;

• Project management skills in nutrition and emergency programming;

• Experience in coordinating, designing, implementing and monitoring nutrition projects;

• Coaching and mentoring skills;

• Analytical, communication and advocacy skills;

• Excellent report writing abilities;

• Strong communication skills, with excellent written and spoken English and with Kiswahili;

• Knowledge of computer applications such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

To Apply: An initial contract matching the timelines of the project funding (upto 6 months) will be provided with possibility of renewal dependent on additional funding. Interested candidates should submit: (1) cover letter; (2) current curriculum vitae in English; (3) three referees and their contact information to kenyaresponse@hki.org with a copy to Human Resources at hkihr@hki.org . Please note PM for Nutrition Communication Strategy in the header. Applications should be submitted as soon as possible and will be reviewed as received and recruitment will continue until post is filled with a suitable candidate. Kindly note that only short-listed candidates will be notified.