Technical Coordinator - Nutrition

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you're a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) 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, the IRC offers lifesaving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster. At work today in over 40 countries and 22 U.S. cities, we restore safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted and struggling to endure. The IRC leads the way from harm to home. Since 1992, the IRC has provided life-saving services to refugees and vulnerable local communities in Kenya. Currently, the IRC works in two refugee camps, Dadaab and Kakuma, in northern Kenya, and serves vulnerable local populations in Turkana, Garissa, Lamu, Kajiado, West Pokot and Nairobi counties. Collaborating closely with national and county governments, community organizations, and partner NGOs, the IRC provides services in the health, nutrition, protection, livelihood, education and WASH sectors.

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

Responsible for providing, strategic leadership, technical guidance and support to IRC’s Nutrition programs throughout Kenya and is responsible for quality assurance of all nutrition project interventions to ensure delivery of safe and quality services to IRC clients of current and subsequent projects in our nutrition sector services. While leading the nutrition team and working with other partners, the Technical Coordinator (TC) will ensure adequate participation, appropriate delivery, and sustained impact of all under the respective sector outcome in the SAP 100 for the country. This position will support all aspects of technical design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation; development of implementation strategy/approaches and guidelines including providing feedback to partners for purposes of improving program quality. Internally, the role is a primary interlocutor with IRC’s regional or headquarter based Technical Advisors to ensure coordination and complementarity of programming, as well as appropriate technical rigor in project design and implementation. The TC will liaise with other TCs within IRC to advance a cohesive, integrated country programme. The TC plays a vital role in advancing IRC’s ambitions, strategies, and priorities amongst like-minded agencies, government, private sector, and community partners, as well as the Nutrition Technical Forum and the related technical working groups. In line with IRC SAP 100 ambitions and as part of the scope of work, the TC will lead the execution of  strategic approach in the advancement of globally aligned actions on advancing impact and scale on malnutrition management. As well, the TC will contribute to the ambition to scale up IRC cash and partnerships in their respective sectors.

DETAILED RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategy and Business Development

• Advance IRC SAP 100 ambitions within nutrition programming and contribute to the achievement of the articulated commitments including developing strategic partnerships with local organization (emphasis on women and youth led organizations), the advancement of cash programming and GEDI integration/mainstreaming within IRC programming.

• Provide technical contribution in developing and implementing evidence-based, cost-effective funding applications and identifying opportunities for sustainable program growth through the pursuit of new programming initiatives

• Direct the development of in-country nutrition sector strategy and lead subsequent reviews and cascade down ambitions to field staff. This includes the design and implementation of the in-country strategic plan for IRC Kenya’s implementation of the organizations Movement Against Malnutrition (MAM) agenda and the advancement of the nutrition coalition building in-country aligned to this agenda.

• Support the Health Lead in the execution of the health outcome strategic priorities including the conclusion of the nutrition integration and health transition planning in view of the SHIRIKA Plan operationalization.

Program quality assurance and technical monitoring

• Provide technical guidance, capacity building and ensure adherence to government sector specific policies, strategies, guidelines and protocols from project inception through the project cycle. This also includes global standards and practices.

• Coordinate with other TCs on appropriate management, compliance, and performance standards, as well as effective systems for knowledge management and risk management.

• Formulate integrated programming initiatives by coordinating with other TCs and promote integration/ main streaming of GEDI-responsive approaches.

• Provide guidance, strategies, and tools to ensure that programming choices are based on needs assessment findings and analysis, input from communities, partners, stakeholders, a thorough understanding of context, technical standard methodologies, and operational viability.

• Work closely with Technical Advisors to benchmark programming to global and in country standards and that of relevant institutions and statutory bodies, ensure application of best practices, review, and advance nutrition programming policies and guidance.

• Along with program staff and the Technical Unit/Advisors, support the development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and protocols for program activities contributing to the standardization of models.

• Setting up quality assurance mechanisms and providing joint integrated technical support supervision of program activities.

• Contribute to design and implementation of robust M&E plans, provide technical advisement for assessments, the incorporation of methodologies and tools to strengthen the quality of data collection, analysis, and reporting and any required operational research, with technical support from Technical Advisors as needed.

• Support research and learning within IRC’s programmes and documentation that will be used in programme adaptation and advocacy on behalf of the communities IRC serves and work with.

• Identify gaps in existing sector specific programs and work with the team to develop innovative approaches and mechanisms to address them.

Project Management

• Support the County Area Coordinator and field teams in the development and monitoring of the work plans vis-a-vis budgets ensuring that activities reflect the commitments IRC made to the donor and the community.

• Conduct regular field visits to assess progress on programme implementation, identify emerging issues and provide onsite technical support to the field teams.

• Support the field teams in the development of nutrition program budgets and those of other sectors during Business Development processes as may be required.

• Support CAC managers in monitoring budget spending and develop remedial plans where necessary to ensure budgets are optimally utilized.

• Work with the Grants Coordinator to ensure grants are in compliance with donor technical guidelines.

• Ensure field concerns and challenges as identified are brought to relevant stakeholders to push for standards and procedures that systematize how programmes and projects are implemented and coordinated.

• Support in technical reviews of reports from the field teams to ensure quality and meets donor standards.

Systems Strengthening and Advocacy

• Support IRC programs to fully reflect, and where required, transition their approach to system strengthening as an essential component of sector programming.

• Support the Advocacy and Systems Strengthening Coordinator and Technical Advisors in articulating and implementing an advocacy vision for the Kenya program which includes an advocacy framework for refugees and for various sectors the country program is engaged in for citizens engagement in demand driven service delivery.

• Work at the policy level with key decision makers from various national and county governments and donors, participating in strategy development and technical discussions relating to future direction of the Nutrition sector program and influence policy reforms/development across all sectors.

• Lead development of IRC’s nutrition advocacy plan, identify key issues, analyze policy changes, and develop strategies to strengthen IRC’s influence

• Develop strategic partnerships with relevant international and local partners, wherever possible and maintain open and effective communication with partner technical focal points for technical input into project management.

• Support the nutrition team to incorporate advocacy, policy & campaign priorities into all business development initiatives, in the implementation of projects.

Emergency Preparedness and Response

• Ensure that the IRC Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan, in relation to the nutrition sector, are prepared in consultation with relevant government and aid partners, are kept up to date with protocol, standards and guidance from relevant bodies and conform to the needs of clients.

• Together with the Senior Management Team (SMT), collaborate on establishment and operationalization of the Emergency Response Team (ERT) as pertains to Health sector considerations.

Staff and Partner Capacity Development:

• Lead in the recruitment of direct technical reports and assist with the recruitment of relevant as called upon, in coordination with HR and the field and program management.

• In collaboration with the respective County Area Coordinators (CACs), supervise and mentor direct reports providing technical performance management oversight.

• Work with the respective CACs in ensuring transition planning and capacity building of nutrition and other health sector staff.

• Coach staff with the aim of strengthening their technical capacity, exchanging knowledge within the team and providing professional development guidance.

Coordination, Representation and Communication

• Actively develop and maintain effective working relationships with key stakeholders at national level, including donors, government actors, UN agencies (including UNHCR), international and local NGOs, and other relevant actors.

• Regularly attend sector coordination meetings and feed in IRC priorities at national level meetings.

• Coordinate with regional technical advisors for support to the Country program.

• Support the communications team in identifying and offering technical reviews of sector specific communication materials for internal and external audiences

• Participate in sector specific technical working groups and other coordination forums cementing IRC’s position as a strategic partner and ensuring the outcomes from these collective approaches are reflected in IRC’s strategic and technical approaches and priorities.

WORKING RELATIONSHIPS:

Position Reports to: Deputy Director Programs

Position directly supervises: Program Managers, Senior Officers as sector/ project leads in the field.

Strong collaboration is expected with the Country Area Coordinators and other Technical Coordinators.

QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCIES

• Advanced degree in nutrition and public health

• Must have at least 7 years of experience in the nutrition or public health sector and demonstrated experience in progressive management, including technical staff supervision.

• A strong  background with a minimum of 4 years relevant experience at senior-level managing and implementing programs in the areas of nutrition and program management at the national and county level with sizeable teams.

• Should possess minimum 5 years experiences in humanitarian and development work including managing humanitarian relief and/or development programs in areas affected by large scale displacements (experience working with forced migrants) due to conflict and chronic food and nutritional insecurity.

• Proven experience in governance programming working with GOK structures at national and county level, devolution processes for increased demand and improved service delivery. Demonstrates strong relationship building skills with a strong presence in coordination bodies and advocacy processes.

• Demonstrates strong understanding of integrated programming and has experience in managing multi-year and multisectoral programing.

• Experience of working on policy and advocacy including specific work on public policy development.

• Proven practical experience in program design, implementation, and M&E and experience in developing and using community participatory approaches. Strong program/technical and budget management skills: planning, reporting, monitoring and evaluation across multiple grants and countries. Demonstrated experience working with new program start-up.

• Demonstrated capacity to develop and work with innovative systems, new technologies, creative and participatory approaches, and sustainable models in the nutrition sector.

• Expertise in research, program design, monitoring and evaluation, including use of participatory approaches for complex nutrition and public health programs.

• Proven expertise in effective donor engagement and resource mobilization, including leading proposal development, approving theories of change, and securing multi-sectoral funding from diverse donors (USG, EU, UN, DFID, foundations).

• Demonstrated successful leadership experience with a multi-disciplinary team in a cross-cultural setting, capacity in the transfer of technical knowledge and management skills through technical training, coaching, and mentoring of staff, as well as identified partner organizations.

• Highly diplomatic with excellent political awareness and advanced negotiation skills.

• Experience managing multi-year, multi-sectoral programs and applying diverse programming modalities (direct implementation, advisory, blended approaches).

• Proactive, reliable, and independent, with sensitivity to diverse viewpoints and cross-cultural dynamics.

Working Environment: Security risk level is 2 in Nairobi and 3 in Kakuma and Dadaab camp. The situation in most of the country is currently calm and access to project sites is possible. Some parts of Northern regions experience insecurity - highway banditry and intercommunal conflicts.

PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS

All International Rescue Committee workers must adhere to the core values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. Our Standards are Integrity, Service, Equality and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Safeguarding, Conflicts of Interest, Fiscal Integrity, and Reporting Wrongdoing and Protection from Retaliation. IRC is committed to take all necessary preventive measures and create an environment where people feel safe, and to take all necessary actions and corrective measures when harm occurs. IRC builds teams of professionals who promote critical reflection, power sharing, debate, and objectivity to deliver the best possible services to our clients.

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