Nutrition Specialist

Vacant Announcement

Position Title: Nutrition SpecialistLocation: Mogadishu, Somalia

Position Status: Full time, Regular

About Mercy Corps

Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible.
In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we partner to put bold solutions
into action — helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within.
Now, and for the future.

Program / Department Summary

Mercy Corps Somalia aims to strengthen systems and mechanisms that enable sustainable development, emergency response and peaceful processes through high quality and high impact programming in Somaliland, Puntland and the South-Central of Somalia, i.e. all over Somalia. Mercy Corps assists communities in Somalia to transition from crisis to transformative recovery and sustainable development. We currently implement programs that address IDP and returnees needs in terms of education, health, conflict mitigation management, livelihoods and emergency response with an orientation towards early recovery. We aim to expand our programs that strengthen and diversify livelihoods and ensure food security and resilience throughout the country. In our continued response to emergencies and disaster, Mercy Corps seeks experienced nutrition Specialist for its Somalia Drought Response and Famine Prevention Program (SDRFP), funded by the USAID/BHA.

General Position Summary

The Nutrition Specialist is overall responsible for the day-to-day implementation of the planned activity components under the Nutrition Sector in the SDRFP Program working under the supervision of the Program Manager. The Nutrition Specialist will work closely both with management and support staff (including finance, administration and program) in Mercy Corps field offices to ensure the day-to-day nutrition activities are implemented according to schedule, budget and required quality. The specialist will have to coordinate closely with the nutrition and health clusters. Similarly, s/he has to closely coordinate with the Local Administration, the IDP and host community leaders, and other key program stakeholders to achieve the program goals and ensure that all activities are implemented on demand-driven; and communities mobilized in a participatory way. S/he will have to show full adherence to Mercy Corps procedures, policy and security protocols.

Essential Job ResponsibilitiesStrategy & Vision

• Review existing program strategies and approaches based on changing contexts. Work with Program Manager to ensure nutrition sector linkages with other sector strategies (WASH, NFI, Food Security, Livelihoods and Protection).
• Design viable strategies that are both respectful with the local culture and sensitive towards the population.

implementation and program coordination

• Work with MEAL Team (Officers and Manager) to develop needs assessment tools and strategies, and train and supervise staff through field surveys and assessments.
• Contribute to building the capacity of Mercy Corps staff, as well as project stakeholders.
• Develop project work plans related to Nutrition activities with HQ Technical Support Unit (TSU) as needed; communicate to Program Manager.
• Ensure the tracking, monitoring and quality reporting of all Nutrition interventions.
• Complete budget pipeline planning, monitoring and monthly follow up in coordination with the Program Manager.
• Supervise and monitor the implementation of nutrition activities, together with other program team members, ensuring that all activities are compliant with the grant and Mercy Corps requirements. Prepare subsequent reports.
• Work with Program Manager and Director of Programs to identify, build and manage collaborative partnerships with consortium partners, sub-grantees, donors, and other stakeholders.

Program impact and PROGRAM MANAGEMENT

• Prepare procurement plans based on project cycle for nutrition works; ensure all PRs are accurately prepared and submitted on time.
• Manage grant budget lines related to technical area of specialization (Nutrition), including preparation of monthly projections.
• Work with MEL Unit to measure outcome indicators and outputs to determine the success of interventions.

Team Management

• Provide team members with information, tools and resources to improve performance & reach objectives.
• Promote accountability, communicate expectations and provide constructive feedback informally and formally via regular one on ones and performance reviews.
• Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence.
• Hire, orient and lead team members as necessary. 

design and planning

• Lead nutrition aspects of technical assessments in coordination with other thematic areas and/or other external sector agencies.
• Revise work plans in conjunction with Nutrition Specialist under the oversight of the Program Manager.
• Ensure provision of program quality in all aspects of design, planning, and implementation of nutrition interventions
• Contribute to the identification and design of additional opportunities for short, medium and long-term programming.
• Contribute to the design of new proposals based on sectoral and general knowledge.
• Collaborate with finance to develop budgets for nutrition related work.
• Prepare bi-weekly, quarterly and interim donor reports for relevant activities under the guidance of the Reporting & Program Support Officer and Program Manager.
• Maintain and coordinate reporting and documentation of nutrition activities.
• Fulfil Mercy Corps’ Program Management Minimum Standards based on the organization-wide guide.
• Ensure all interventions adhere to Mercy Corps’ Gender Policy, Do No Harm principles, and beneficiary accountability standards.

Security

• Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country leadership.
• Proactively ensure that team members operate in a secure environment and are aware of policies.

Organizational Learning 

• As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities they serve, we expect all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves.

Accountability to Beneficiaries

• Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically
  to our beneficiaries and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.

Supervisory Responsibility: N/AAccountability

Reports Directly to: Program Manager

Works Directly with: Nutrition team on technical related works, Program Manager, Sector Leaders, MEL Unit, TSU, Program Operations, Director of Programs, Finance.