Vacancy at The Food and Nutrition Technical Assistance III Project (FANTA) via FHI 360, Tuesday 1, September 2015

FHI 360 is a nonprofit human development organization dedicated to improving lives in lasting ways by advancing integrated, locally driven solutions. Our staff includes experts in health, education, nutrition, environment, economic development, civil society, gender, youth, research and technology — creating a unique mix of capabilities to address today’s interrelated development challenges. FHI 360 serves more than 70 countries and all U.S. states and territories. We are currently seeking qualified candidates for the position of:

FANTA PROJECT MANAGER, NIGERIA

DESCRIPTION:

The Food and Nutrition Technical Assistance III Project (FANTA) works to improve nutrition and food security policies, strategies and programs through technical support to the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and its partners, including host country governments, international organizations, and NGO implementing partners.  Focus areas for technical support include maternal and child health and nutrition, HIV and other infectious diseases, food security and livelihood strengthening, and emergency and reconstruction. FANTA develops and adapts approaches to support the design and quality implementation of field programs while building on field experience to improve and expand the evidence base, methods, and global standards for nutrition and food security programming. The project, funded by USAID, is a 5-year cooperative agreement.

JOB SUMMARY / RESPONSIBILITIES:

Based in Abuja, Nigeria, the Project Manager will manage FANTA’s technical assistance to USAID/Nigeria and its partners in the implementation of nutrition assessment, counseling, and support (NACS) interventions for people living with HIV (PLHIV) and orphans and vulnerable children (OVC). Specific duties will include support for Federal and/or selected Sub national units NACS coordinating mechanisms and policies, the integration of nutrition indicators into routine HIV M&E systems; the development of training materials for pre- and in-service health workers; the development of job aids and facilitation of NACS training for service providers; and the promotion of functional linkages between NACS and other activities supported by USAID/Nigeria such as IYCF and OVC related activities, activities. The FANTA Project Manager will also work with other U.S. President’s Emergency Fund for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) Partners, and other relevant entities in designing and rolling out NACS interventions. Field work will be mainly based in the south of Nigeria and will require extensive travel.


ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Manage and coordinate FANTA technical assistance in Nigeria, including support to the design and implementation of NACS interventions in selected sites, develop technical resource materials on NACS, train/supervise trainers and service providers in NACS, and support quality implementation (QI) of NACS services.

Provide technical assistance to the Federal Ministry of Health Local Government Areas (LGA) in strategic planning, coordination, and coaching and mentoring of service providers to deliver high quality and efficient NACS services.

Establish collaboration with USAID implementing partners as well as with international and bilateral institutions to ensure a smooth coordination of NACS activities.

Participate in Sub national-Units technical working group on nutrition and HIV.

Work closely with the FANTA social and behavior change communication (SBCC) Technical Advisor in the development of social and behavior change communication messages and materials on nutrition and infectious diseases (HIV, TB) , emphasizing capacity development of health care providers in interpersonal communication skills for nutrition and infectious diseases counseling and education.

Draft technical materials including guidelines, training manuals, reports, concept notes, and other materials as needed and review and refine materials produced by consultants.

Identify, recruit, and manage consultants to support technical assistance activities in Nigeria, including developing scopes of work, managing activities, meeting activity timeframes and budgets, and reviewing and finalizing consultant products.

Facilitate training and participate in mentoring, supportive supervision, and quality improvement of NACS activities.

Maintain up-to-date documentation of all NACS training, analyze and report on pre- and post-test results and evaluations of training, including maintaining a data base and mailing list of all training participants.

Create and maintain a documentation system for FANTA technical materials (including guidelines, job aids, training materials, reports, and other relevant documents) for the FMOH and LGA (SNU) and national nutrition partners and professionals, and make those materials openly available to all.

Work closely with the FMOH and/or LGA and implementing partners on future revisions/adaption of National M&E system to introduce required changes in data recording and collection to reflect NACS activities

Support for integration of nutrition indicators into monitoring and evaluation (M&E) systems; Establishment of quality improvement systems.

Document the process and lessons learned in implementation of NACS in Nigeria. Identify and resolve project issues and implement improvement plans to ensure project stays on schedule and within budget.
Respond to requests from USAID/Nigeria for technical inputs to strategies, programs, and policies related to nutrition.

Prepare FANTA work plans, budgets, and progress reports for relevant State LGA and contribute to FANTA annual work planning and reporting.

Work with USAID/Nigeria and FANTA to identify and plan nutrition activities that may need support in the future.

Regularly update USAID/Nigeria on FANTA activities, fulfill USAID and PEPFAR reporting requirements for these activities and share key developments and experiences with other FANTA staff.

Work with FMOH, Sub National Units Health offices and/or partners in the South of Nigeria to implement trainings and/or workshops and to disseminate materials.

Participate in FANTA staff meetings, retreats, and technical update sessions.

May supervisor up to one administrative staff

QUALIFICATIONS:

Bachelor’s degree in nutrition, medicine, or related public health discipline; advanced degree strongly preferred.

At least 7 years of experience in nutrition, health, SBCC or HIV or TB programs including technical assistance, program design and management, research, or policy development and analysis

Experience with health and nutrition in Nigeria

Experience with USAID-funded projects and programs

Experience working closely with ministries of health and government health systems

Experience with technical, financial, and administrative management of national technical activities such as training and programming

Knowledge of nutrition programming, including nutrition care of PLHIV and TB , maternal nutrition, and infant and young child nutrition

Knowledge of SBCC methods

Fluency in French and English

Excellent writing skills, with demonstrated ability to write effectively for a range of audiences and purposes, e.g., tools and materials for health service providers, guidelines, work plans, training materials, and reports

Strong skills in training trainers and service providers in technical topics

Strong oral presentation skills on technical topics for varied audiences, including policy makers, program managers, service providers, and technical experts

Ability to facilitate multi-stakeholder processes and implement activities effectively within government systems

Self-motivation and ability to work independently

Familiarity with USAID policies and programs

Excellent interpersonal, oral communication, managerial, and organizational skills

Ability to translate technical information into practical guidance and tools for program managers and service providers

Ability to travel up to 30 % of the time

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