Nutrition MEAL Officer

Job Description

The International Rescue Committee responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, IRC offers life-saving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster. At work today in more than 40 countries and in 22 U.S. cities, IRC restores safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted by conflict or disaster. IRC leads the way from harm to home.

CONTEXTUAL BACKGROUND

The IRC has been present in Nigeria since 2012 when the organization responded to flooding in Kogi state. In February 2014 the IRC moved into Adamawa State in NE Nigeria to provide humanitarian interventions through a multi-sectoral, integrated approach for conflict affected populations. IRC Nigeria now operates a country office in Abuja and field offices in Mubi and Yola of Adamawa State, Maiduguri and Monguno of Borno state and Damaturu of Yobe State. Currently, IRC Nigeria implements programs primary health care, nutrition, environmental health, women’s protection and empowerment, protection, child protection, education, food security & livelihoods.

Job Overview/Summary

The purpose of the Nutrition MEAL Officer position is to coordinate the collection, compilation, consolidation, and analysis of data using the CMAM online platform to track programs/ projects activities, monitor progress and support impact measurement across the BAY states. S/he will also serve as the focal person for all development research, engage in reflective practice, and generate lessons from projects/program and prepare MEAL plans for the Nutrition sector. S/he is responsible for establishing and ensuring better field level data management systems for the core program s/he assigned to and supports the proper and timely evaluation of project objectives/impact. S/he will contribute to the existing client response mechanisms and ensure program staff participation in MEAL activities. The position holder will closely work with sector manager(s), front line staff, and community/facility volunteers. S/he also will work closely with the MEAL unit on technical matters and reports to the Health and Nutrition MEAL Manager.

Major Responsibilities

A. Program/project design and learning

- Participate in program/ project design especially in developing Nutrition log frames and also contribute learning from previous projects. - Support to develop and make sure all the projects in the Nutrition sector have tested monitoring tools that capture both program activity and indicators progresses. - Take part in diagnostic studies, evaluations and surveys. - Responsible for organizing periodical ongoing Nutrition level data review, reflective practice, evaluation and progress monitoring events by involving communities and local partners. - Responsible for proactive networking and sharing of lessons from the Nutrition core program with strategic partners and other stakeholders including government. - Responsible for coordinating synergy and cross-learning among different projects. - Responsible for cross feeding learning among projects by regularly producing (compiling) summary monitoring reports and sharing with Nutrition staff and partners.

B. Monitoring and evaluation

- Responsible for tracking Nutrition progress against monitoring work plans. - Coordinate the Nutrition field level community participatory monitoring and evaluation, reflective practice, and impact measurement. - Responsible for ensuring the on-time execution of Nutrition projects major monitoring and evaluation events including but not limited to baseline survey, mid-term evaluation, final evaluation, data quality audit and field supervision. - Responsible for providing technical support to Nutrition staff and partner organization on information management system, proper data collection and record keeping. - Responsible for updating Nutrition MEAL plan timely and provide feedback to program staff on status and quality of implementation. - Responsible for conducting Nutrition regular data verification exercises to ensure reporting and collection of quality data across the BAY states. - Responsible for documenting findings from Nutrition data quality audits and store in project files to ensure collective and sustainable access. - Actively participate in and contribute to MEAL team activities, system assessments, development, and implementation of new systems and/or tools aimed at strengthening overall MEAL practices at IRC Nigeria. - Accountable for the recruitment of enumerators and support in other surveys including engagement of consultants. - Contribute to providing MEAL inputs for Nutrition report written during project implementation, quarterly donor report and end of grant reporting. - Responsible for periodically conducting Nutrition reflective practice forums at field office/ project level and compiling lessons from project implementation processes. - Adapt and maintain a high-quality database for the project in line with the country’s MEAL standards. - Responsible for planning and implementing MEAL activities on all Nutrition grants under the guidance of the MEAL Manager

C. Information management and reporting

- Support in reviewing and maintaining centralized Nutrition project information management system. - Responsible for submitting Nutrition data set to update country office wide program database on monthly basis. - Responsible for compiling and reporting monthly sector working group reports such as 5Ws, SC admissions summary, etc. - Responsible for compiling Nutrition regular project monitoring report, including lessons learned, prepared by different projects and application of evaluation recommendations. - Support to ensuring all projects have downward/ forward client responsiveness mechanisms and works with project Nutrition staff to make sure its implementation. - Ensure high quality data are available on a regular and timely basis for reporting and programmatic decision making.

D. Capacity building and supervision

- Responsible for supporting Nutrition local partners in designing monitoring and reporting tools and establishing database management systems. - Responsible for the orientation of Nutrition front line staff, partners’ staff and volunteers on the monitoring tools and train them how to use data for decision making. - Orient program staff on the basic principles and practices of client responsiveness in accordance with the IRC

E. Perform other duties assigned by the supervisor

- Perform other task related assignment proposed by his/her supervisor/s

Key Working Relationships

- Position Reports to: Health and Nutrition MEAL manager - Indirect/Technical Reporting: Nutrition managers - Position directly Supervises: N/A - Key Internal Contacts: - Country Program: Borno state MEAL Manager, Adamawa State MEAL Manager, Sector MEAL Officers, Senior MEAL Manager, MEAL Coordinator, Nutrition Coordinator, SAM/FC, CRA Manager, Grants Officers/Managers - Region/Global: Nutrition Technical Advisor

Key External Contacts:

Donors, NE Nutrition sector, Government stakeholders

Qualifications

Education:

- Degree in statistics, computer science/information management or any Health and Nutrition related field

Work Experience:

- At least 2 years’ experience working in monitoring and evaluation preferred. - Background in Nutrition and Working with highly vulnerable and displaced people would be added advantage.

Demonstrated Technical Skills:

- Strong data collection, analysis, and report writing skills required. - Ability to work independently, think analytically and take initiative in solving problems. - Ability to communicate technical issues effectively. - Familiarity with log frame analysis and MEAL plan. - A strong team player with excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work with groups of diverse backgrounds. - A strong team player with excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work with groups of diverse backgrounds. - Most importantly, commitment to IRC values and principles.

Demonstrated Managerial/Leadership Competencies: N/A

Languages:

Good verbal communication skills in of English and local is an added advantage.

Computer/Other Tech Requirements:

Excellent computer skills are required (particularly Advanced Microsoft Excel, PowerBI, PowerPoint and Word)

Experience in conducting assessment using Kobo, Commcare, etc.

Good knowledge of CMAM online is an added advantage.

Ability to Travel: 30% of time if applicable

Position holder must be willing to travel to other locations to conduct activities

Standards of Professional Conduct The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – Code of Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Harassment-Free Workplace, Fiscal Integrity, Anti-Retaliation, Combating Trafficking in Persons and several others.

Gender Equality****: IRC is committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including parental leave, gender-sensitive security protocols and other supportive benefits and allowances.

Working Environment

IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.