Senior Nutrition Officer

Job Description

Background/IRC Summary:

The Syria crisis is often described as the worst humanitarian catastrophe since the end of the Cold War. Today, 13.4 million people in Syria - more than half of the country's population - are in need of humanitarian assistance with needs increasingly being exacerbated by economic decline. Of these, 6.8 million are refugees and asylum-seekers who have fled the country. This is no short-term humanitarian episode. The devastating human consequences to huge numbers of people will endure for decades. The destruction of relationships, communities, livelihoods, homes and infrastructure will take years to repair.

IRC is offering a robust humanitarian response to the Syria crisis a rapidly expanding portfolio, supported by more than 1000+ staff in Syria Country Program. IRC is undertaking programs in Syria and the neighboring countries of Turkey, Iraq, Lebanon and Jordan in the fields of health, child protection, early childhood development, education, women’s protection and empowerment, non-food items and food distribution, cash assistance, water and sanitation, protection and rule of law, and livelihood programming. Our work in these challenging settings gives rise to some of the most pressing issues facing contemporary humanitarian action, including questions of access, security, funding and coordination.

Job Overview/Summary:

The Senior Nutrition Officer will be the technical focal point for setting up, leading, supervising, and integrating nutrition programming into primary healthcare services across Northeast Syria. They will be responsible for technical implementation and ensuring services are rolled out across primary healthcare services to a high quality and standard. They will lead the Nutrition Program and ensure that all components of the program are functioning properly, providing quality care to all the beneficiaries while respecting guidelines and principles of good practice.

The IRC’s nutrition program will be integrated within its primary health care services. The Senior Nutrition Officer will help supervise the running of all nutrition services including but not limited to the selective feeding program, blanket supplementary feeding programs, nutrition surveillance and assessments, and infant and young child feeding. In addition, in coordination with our community healthcare workers, conduct mass MUAC screenings and promotion of maternal infant and young child nutrition (MIYCN). They will be responsible for the technical oversight and quality of the IRC’s nutrition responses at IRC supported facilities. This position is based within the IRC’s in Al Al-Hasaka and will report to the Senior Health Manager.

Responsibilities:

- Provide overall technical leadership and direction to nutrition activities being implemented in line with the planned project, work plans, targets, and resources. - Set up and supervise the nutrition sites and activities. - Ensure all nutrition activities and sites are functioning and have good-quality programming. - Ensure that all required observations, prescribed treatment, and procedures are accurately carried out and documented appropriately. - Provide technical guidance to support staff (IYCF-E, CMAM, health, Child Protection, and others as vital) and MoH and other humanitarian actors as vital to promoting consistent good practice. - Ensure the establishment of nutrition monitoring activities and train health staff in case detection and referral systems. - Participate in program planning and roll-out of new program areas in liaison with key collaborating partners. - Compile and timely submit donor and IRC Nutrition Program weekly, biweekly, and monthly reports of all the activities implemented, as well timely prepare supplies and equipment requisitions. - Monitor and supervise proper usage of essential nutrition therapeutic feeds to avoid stockouts. - Uphold the IRC code of conduct at the respective work area. - Work closely with the senior health manager and nutrition technical advisor to design, implement and lead nutrition programs and activities.

Staff Performance Management, Learning & Development

- Hire, supervise, and build the capacity of team members in relevant technical and management competencies. - Develop and implement remote management capacity-building approaches to build the strengths of the teams in Syria. - Coach, train, supervise and mentor direct-report staff, including communicating clear expectations, setting annual performance objectives, providing regular and timely positive and constructive performance feedback, and providing documented semi-annual performance reviews. - Maintain open and professional relations with team members, promoting a strong team spirit and providing oversight and guidance to enable staff to optimally perform in their positions. - Approve and lead time, attendance and leave requests to ensure adequate departmental coverage; ensure monthly, accurate timesheet submission and carry out probationary reviews. - Hold high-quality meetings with each direct report on a regular and predictable basis, minimally monthly. - Provide a measurable development plan including on-the-job learning with the aim of strengthening technical capacity, exchanging knowledge within the team, and providing guidance on career paths. - As required, identify staff performance issues and work with Human Resources to document and address these in accordance with the National Staff Employment Policies. - Maintain open and professional relations with team members, promoting a strong team spirit and providing oversight and guidance to enable staff to successfully perform in their positions. - Promote and monitor staff care and well-being. Model healthy work-life balance practices. Support appropriate interventions in response to identified staff care needs of both national and international staff. - Look for opportunities to support staff in their career growth, where appropriate. As part of the succession plan and nationalization goals, identify, train, and develop capability and capacity of national staff to successfully transition role and responsibilities, by the end of assignment.

Qualifications

- Pediatrics and/or Public Health specialist. - Or any health-related specialization in addition to relevant nutritional experience, preferably with I/NGOs. - 3-6 years of progressively responsible professional experience in implementing nutrition related activities in a busy hospital or community set up. - Previous experience in an emergency or conflict-afflicted setting is required. - Additional nutrition training in CMAM/IMAM/COMPASS and MIYCN is an added advantage. - Possess the ability to analyze and interpret both quantitative and qualitative programmed data. - Possess excellent planning and organizational skills. - Ability to work with minimal supervision.

Demonstrated Skills and Competencies:

- A commitment to IRC’s mission, vision, values, and IRC Way – Professional Code of Conduct. - Credible written, presentation and verbal communication skills; ability to convey information effectively and solid experience providing training and staff development - Validated sense of professional discretion, integrity, and ability to handle complex situations diplomatically and to effective resolution. - Excellent management and interpersonal skills and a solid ability to promote harmonious/cohesive teamwork, in a cross-cultural context. - Validated ability to plan long-term, organize priorities and work under administrative and programmatic pressures with detail orientation and professional patience. - Highly collaborative and resourceful; ability to establish positive working relationships with senior level management and all other partners to maximize cooperation and productivity. - Curiosity, a desire to continually learn and develop and a sense of humor is a must. - Analytical ability in creating effective solutions to complex matters while adhering to labor laws and internal policies. - Ensure proper communication, coordination, and harmonization of tools with the different partners involved in food/nutrition activities. - Develop and coordinate the adherence and reporting of nutrition education sessions as per developed annual plan. - Create appropriate linkages and referral for nutrition activities. - Work closely with other health programs in spirit of integration for maximum output. - Attend relevant internal and external sectoral coordination and implementation meetings. - Liaise with other humanitarian actors, local authorities, ministries and the military to maximize collaboration and ensure proper coordination of activities and agreed protocols. - Undertake local and national level advocacy targeting other humanitarian actors, local authorities, ministries, and the military as appropriate, on assessment and following national/international standards.

Language/Travel:

- English is required, whereas Arabic and Kurdish are preferred. - Travel: 25% to field sites in Hasaka / Raqqa as well as attending regional and global workshops and meetings.

Key Working Relationships:

- Position Reports to: Senior Health Manager - Position directly supervises: Directly supervise: One Nutrition Officer - Indirect Reporting (If applicable): Key Internal Contacts: - Key External Contacts: Work closely with the senior health manager and nutrition technical advisor to design, implement and manage nutrition programs and activities

Professional Standards: IRC staff must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way – Global Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability and Equality. In accordance with these values, IRC operates and carries out policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti-Workplace Harassment, Respect at Work Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.

Returning National Candidates: We strongly encourage national or returning national candidates to apply for this position. If you are a citizen of the Country in which this position is based and are currently located outside of your home country and possess over two years of international work experience, the Middle East Region has introduced an attractive remuneration package. The package includes competitive compensation, return flight to post, shipping allowance, temporary housing, and a relocation allowance. Certain restrictions may apply. IRC strives to attract, motivate, and retain qualified national staff in our programs.

Accountability to Clients: IRC staff must adhere to the commitment of contributing to the sustainability and development of its (CR) Client Responsiveness Mechanisms, preserving the culture of prioritizing the needs of our clients and affected communities by systematically listening to their perspectives and using their feedback to make programmatic decisions and give them greater influence over program design and delivery.

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.

Diversity and Inclusion: at IRC MENA, we are passionate about creating an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity. Organizations that are diverse in age, gender identity, race, sexual orientation, physical or mental ability, ethnicity, nationality, and perspective are validated to be better organizations. More importantly, creating a safe workspace environment where everyone, from any background, can do their best is the right thing to do. So, bring your whole self to work.

IRC is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, respectful and safe work environment where all people are treated fairly, with dignity and respect. In keeping with our core values of Integrity, Service, Accountability and Equality, IRC strives to maintain a work environment built on mutual respect in which all individuals treat each other professionally, and free of bias, prejudice, and harassment. IRC expressly prohibits and will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or bullying of IRC Persons in any work setting. All IRC staff, wherever they are located, are accountable for creating an environment free of discrimination, harassment, bullying, and retaliation.

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