Nutrition Technical Specialist

Role Purpose:
Under the general direction and guidance of the Head of Head and Nutrition, and as a key member of the Programme Development and Quality (PDQ) team, the Nutrition Technical Specialist (TS) will ensure that all nutrition programming is of excellent technical quality, attracts significant donor funding and contributes significantly to Save the Children’s strategic objectives, national/global learning and advocacy. The Nutrition TS is expected to provide technical advice and support to programme staff to ensure programming objectives are successfully achieved. He/she will shall also lead the development and implementation of the country office nutrition strategy, closely linked to WASH and health programming, as well as child sensitive livelihoods as part of wider nutrition resilience efforts. The post holder will play a lead role in the technical design of nutrition-specific and nutrition-sensitive projects, with relevant project managers, to ensure the projects contribute to the achievement of the thematic programme plan; be responsible for ensuring that key organisational principles and approaches such as child participation and sound monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning (MEAL) systems are well integrated throughout the project cycle; be responsible for ensuring that lessons derived through implementation of projects are well articulated, documented and disseminated both internally and externally, and; engage with policymakers and work to achieve advocacy objectives to realise greater change for children. He/she will support the overall country strategic intent to focus on risk reduction, adaptation and nutrition resilience in light of a changing context in East Africa
Key Areas of Accountability

Strategic Planning and Programme Development

Be fully aware of and actively participate in the development and review of country strategy and thematic programme plans. Specifically lead the operationalisation and implementation of the nutrition component of the Save the Children Kenya Health & Nutrition strategy and ensure that nutrition-sensitive strategies and approaches are integrated into other thematic strategies.
Build on technical knowledge and understanding of the operation of nutrition policy and services in Kenya, and current/previous programming to develop proposals for new programming in close coordination with the programme staff. Ensure all new programming supports the achievement of Save the Children’s objectives as outlined in the Health and Nutrition Strategy, specifically improving child survival, food security, resilience and adaptation in Kenya.
Analyse donor priorities and positions on issues related to nutrition; identifying institutional and private sector funding opportunities and developing and maintaining contacts with potential donors, partners and key technical agencies. Ensure that new partnerships in this technical area reflect the programme quality we expect of ourselves.
Ensure that programme strategies support and demonstrate good practice in child safeguarding.
Using a child rights programming lens, ensure that our nutrition programming is built around the Theory of Change and aligns with global and country office nutrition strategies.

Advocacy and Policy Development

Be fully aware of and proactively engage in the development, review, dissemination and operationalisation of national policies, strategies and other initiatives and developments by government and other stakeholders relating to nutrition, and related health, WASH and/or food security issues. Regularly assess and communicate the implications for Save the Children’s programme and priorities of any changes in the operating environment relevant to this theme.
Help to clearly articulate the nutrition advocacy messages for the Kenya country office. Work with the Head of Child Survival, Health Advocacy Advisor and Health Technical Specialist in the development of a national health and nutrition advocacy strategy and an implementation plan (with timeline, key outcomes and activities). Support and monitor the implementation of nutrition-related elements of the advocacy strategies at national and county level, including through ensuring that programme staff have relevant advocacy skills and that roles and responsibilities for different activities are clarified.
Develop policy briefs and position papers as and when required related to the nutrition programme in coordination with key programme staff. This may require technical support from other technical specialists within the country office or within the SC Members.
Represent and advocate for Save the Children with UN agencies, donors, Kenyan Government, NGOs and others at the highest levels in both verbal and written communications to ensure that Save the Children is seen as one of the leading international agencies in terms of innovation and quality of implementation with a focus on child survival, food security and nutrition resilience.
Specifically ensure that evidence, learning and recommendations from Save the Children’s programmes are shared through:
Active participation in monthly Nutrition Technical Forum meetings at the MoH
Participation and/or sharing information for use by the Health Advocacy Advisor to share during Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) meetings at the national level
Participation in Regional Food Security and Nutrition Working Group meetings and/or collaboration with the Child Poverty Technical Specialist to share engagement
Participation in the Nutrition Information Working Group and/or collaboration with the Health Advocacy Advisor to share engagement
Ensuring pro-active engagement with the UN/UNICEF, including through coordination meetings at national and regional levels
Advising field teams to ensure adequate field visibility through technical attendance and technical meetings at district level

Programme Quality

Monitor and provide timely, relevant, accurate input on overall technical aspects of Save the Children nutrition programme work in Kenya.
Liaise with the Programme Operations department to ensure all nutrition and other programme staff receive the necessary and appropriate technical support. In consultation with staff and project managers, agree on the range of advice, support, training and/or other assistance required to facilitate high quality programming. This will involve regular visits to Save the Children operational areas.
Assist in the development of tools for project staff and partners to improve the quality of nutrition work. Where necessary provide – or ensure the provision of – technical training for project staff and partners as required (IMAM; IYCF; C4D, KAP and nutrition surveys, other monitoring and evaluation).
Where external consultants (local or international) are required to technically support or monitor and evaluate projects, lead the recruitment and subsequent management of contracted consultants as per the recruitment guidelines.
Review relevant monitoring reports to donors to ensure that technical debates are well articulated and reports are of acceptable quality before submission. Provide support where necessary to improve report-writing skills.
Provide input on partner selection, and provide technical coaching of partners in nutrition.

Monitoring and Evaluation

In collaboration with the MEAL Manager and engagement with field-based MEAL staff, ensure the development of MEAL frameworks and key indicators for nutrition that help each project to clearly demonstrate progress and impact, improve the quality of reporting, identify issues for advocacy and new programmes/projects in the future.
Participate in the design of baseline, mid-term and end of project evaluations for nutrition programmes, or nutrition components of multi-sectoral programmes. Monitor the evaluation process and provide input and clarification as needed. Review evaluation findings and ensure that lessons and recommendations are actioned and used to improve current programming as well as to inform the design of future programmes.
Regularly review and monitor programmes for child safeguarding issues. Take corrective action in modifying programme activities and/or report incidents.
Ensure the active dissemination of programme findings and lessons learned through the production of high quality materials and their effective dissemination to key stakeholders.

Other

Participate actively in PDQ programme meetings, planning and review activities, providing enhanced insight into nutrition programming.
Actively participate in key relevant internal meetings such as Programme Review Meetings, Senior Management Team or Area-based meetings as required. Participate in any donor visit to project(s) within the country office portfolio, as required.
Ensure the recruitment and training of nutrition programme staff in technical areas of expertise as appropriate and ensure availability of appropriate professional development opportunities. Provide feedback on the performance of key programme staff through regular consultation with Area Programme Managers, as well as through structured performance management processes.

Nationality: Kenya Nationals only.
Contract Duration: 1 Years (Renewable subject to availability of fund and performance)
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Nutrition professional with a Masters Degree in nutrition or equivalent.
At least 5 years of experience implementing nutrition programmes with at least two years, of working at an advisory level in nutrition for international NGOs or the private sector in Kenya.
Excellent understanding of the nutrition sector within the Kenyan context, particularly maternal, newborn and child nutrition issues.
Clear understanding of and proactive approach to nutrition resilience, hunger and food security issues in Kenya, particularly in the context of Northern Kenyan.
Proven representation and advocacy skills.
Strong commitment to capacity building of national staff and partners with willingness to adopt participatory and consultative approaches.
Experience with nutrition programming in arid and semi-arid land (ASAL) settings preferred.
Experience writing donor funding proposals for large institutional grants in excess of US$1 million.
Strong writing skills, including experience in writing proposals, capacity statements and position papers.
Good interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate and negotiate clearly and effectively at all levels, taking into account cultural and language difficulties.
Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills including influencing, negotiation and coaching.
Highly developed cultural awareness and ability to work well in an international environment with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures.
Strong results orientation, with the ability to challenge existing mind-sets.
Experience solving complex issues through analysis, definition of a clear way forward and ensuring buy-in.
Ability to present complex information in a succinct and compelling manner.
Ability and willingness to dramatically change work practices and hours, and work with incoming surge teams, in the event of emergencies.
Fluency in English, both verbal and written, required. Swahili preferred.
Commitment to Save the Children values, including willingness to abide by and enforce the Child Safeguarding policy.

Please apply in English saving your CV and covering letter as a single document, including your salary expectations for this role. To see a full a job description, please visit our website at www.savethechildren.net/jobs
We need to keep children safe so our selection process reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse. Employment is subject to our Child protection standards including background checks and adherence to our Child Safeguarding Policy.
Save the Children is an equal opportunity employer and seeks to employ and assign the best qualified talent.
Female candidates are encouraged to apply.
Disclaimer:
Save the Children International does not charge any kind of fee at whichever stage of the recruitment process and does not act through recruitment agents
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and Recruitment will be on a rolling basis.