Latest Vacancies at Save the Children

Save the Children is a leading international organization helping children in need around the world. First established in

the UK in 1919, separate national organizations have been set up in more than twenty-eight countries, sharing the aim of improving the lives of children through education, health care and economic opportunities, as well as emergency aid in cases of natural disasters, war and conflict.

In Nigeria, Save the Children has been working since 2001. The early focus was on getting children actively involved in shaping the decisions that affect their lives. Today, Save the Children is working in seven federal states – Zamfara, Yobe, Jigawa, Katsina, Kano, Bauchi and Kaduna – focusing on providing basic healthcare and protecting children.

We are recruiting to fill the position of:

Senior Programme Officer – Nutrition

Job Descriptions

• The incumbent will generally support technical programme management, information gathering, results communication and documentation.


• The Officer will be expected to support project level assessment, project planning, and coordination. 


• This role requires someone with the ability to take on specific monitoring and evaluation related work as well as provide help with project administration and management activities.


• He/She should have experience that demonstrates knowledge of monitoring, evaluation, appropriate research methodologies and approaches as well as ability to meet deadlines, provide logistic and administrative support, and work effectively both independently and as part of a team..


• He/She should be a systems oriented individual who likes to delve into information, analyse and manipulate it to present findings or ideas in text and in graphical or tabular form and should  also be able to turn quantitative findings into clear and engaging reports, and recommendations.

Main Responsibilities
Programme Implementation:

• Propose information gathering and documentation designs for the nutrition Programme.


• Support implementation, thorough documentation and monitoring & evaluation of nutrition activities mainly for specific innovations such as community based Food demonstrations, interventions to address Media engagement and Nutrition V&A.


• Support the maintenance of the  WINNN website (in collaboration with Programme Assistant)


• Supports Knowledge Management and Communication Assistant on documentation of case studies, and lessons learned.


• Focal person for CRM in nutrition: maintain accurate records of beneficiaries and government  enquires and feeding into a CRM system


• Support organisation of events and meetings; including preparation of meeting /event content.

Monitoring and Evaluation:

• Maintain an updated comprehensive database with the main indicators of the nutrition programme, with data fed regularly from State teams


• Assist with project M&E, reporting and other project management tasks. Further develop and strengthen programme quality data collection


• Coordinate data from all programme states for  input for into external and internal reports, this includes preparation of ad hoc reports and presentations that portraits Save the Children nutrition programme achievements


• Support design of impact studies as well as the conceptualization of data collection and analysis methods/tools


• Analyse surveys/researches results and other types of data; summarise findings (with text, graphics, and tables).

Work Plan Development:

• Responsible for the collation of the WINNN work plans. (annual, quarterly, etc) showing activities across implementing States and Abuja


• Track programme work plans implementation and deliverables. Analyse progress and feedback to the teams.

Report Writing:

• Contribute to program advocacy and external representation on issues relating to nutrition.


• Supports documentation of Quarterly meetings and Technical Advisory Group minutes


• Assist in the production and/or review or programme reports


• Compile the monthly State Programme Report

Qualifications & Experience

• Minimum 5 years’ professional experience in Health programming, monitoring and evaluations activities for DFID-funded international development projects


• Strong background in Public Health, Nutrition, Demography, Development Economics, Statistics, Project Management or any related fields


• Experience or familiarity with monitoring and evaluation methods and approaches


• Experience with training design, delivery and facilitation


• Ability to apply qualitative and quantitative data collection techniques


• Strong analytical skills


• Knowledge of documentation of success stories and case studies


• Experience designing and managing performance monitoring plans and impact studies


• Demonstrated leadership, strategic thinking, and communication skills


• Ability to write clear and well-argued assessment and project reports


• Politically and culturally sensitive with qualities of patience, tact and diplomacy


• A high level of written and spoken English


• Familiarity with major donors reporting guidelines

Preferred Skills and Experience:

• Advanced computer skills and good skills using database systems


• Experience or knowledge of working and living in Northern Nigeria


• Specific experience of  DFID  and other major donor projects


• Good presentation skills, including experience in facilitation of training programs


• This post will be based in Abuja  with frequent travel to implementing States

Nutrition Advisor

Job Description 
The incumbent will support design and implementation of high quality and integrated programmes in Nigeria to reduce malnutrition.

Key Areas of Accountability
Programme Support:

• Monitor Save the Children nutrition projects or activities implemented by the Country Programme to ensure strategy and plans are followed.


• Provide programme technical support through frequent field visits to the programmes, presenting a report with recommendations.


• Support training of Save the Children staff on nutrition or other related topics.


• Monitor that accountability and participation mechanisms for adults and children are planned for and correctly implemented in nutrition projects


• Participate on technical meetings related to nutrition programmes, when requested.


• Observe principles of child rights programming inform in all activities related to nutrition programming including design, analysis, implementation and M& E with a particular focus on gender and diversity, children’s participation.


• Ensure quality of practice by adhering to the SC Practice Standards on Child Participation.

Documentation and Reporting:

• Support project teams to produce timely high quality reports and documentation both to meet donor and internal demands.


• Produce a consolidated nutrition monthly report that portraits the activities carried out by all the nutrition projects in the Country office.


• Provide information and other communication materials for effective support of other departments by meeting service requirements.


• Contribute to policy development relating to nutrition and ensure this is consistent with Save the Children overall approach.


• Keep an updated library of nutrition related paper and documents for Nigeria, including HEAs, surveys, etc. carried out by Save the Children or any other stakeholder.


• In collaboration with the Senior Nutrition Advisor, carry out research related to nutrition.

Representation and Proposal Development:

• Create and maintain good relationship with key players in the nutrition sector at Federal and State levels (Government, development agencies, other organizations and research institutes) and represent Save the Children’s nutrition work in Nigeria as requested.


• Participate on the development and review of nutrition related national documents (guidelines, policies, etc.) providing technical inputs in line with Save the Children position paper, policies and evidence based programme expertise.


• Support proposal development, including budgets, for funding both to maintain and expand Save the Children’s work and influence within the nutrition sector.


• Comply with the requirements of Save the Children’s child protection policies and other staff policies.

Qualifications

• Academic/professional qualification at post graduate level or equivalent in Public Health and/or Nutrition.


• Substantial operational experience (at least 5 years) and a track record of success on nutrition programming, including CMAM and/or IYCF.


• Experience in project management of at least 2 years.


• Demonstrable experience in budget formulation and monitoring.


• Sound strategic thinking and planning skills, including ability to think creatively and innovate and to set priorities, manageable work plans and evaluate progress.


• Demonstrable ability to acquire a high level of thematic expertise on priority issues within nutrition.


• Experience in providing technical support to partners and in particular government at senior levels.


• Proven capacity to develop a network of contacts with key players from amongst government, donors, international agencies and NGOs, to maintain these relationships over time and to raise significant funding from donor grants.


• Good interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate and negotiate clearly and effectively at all levels.


• Tact and diplomacy are essential.


• Proven capacity to deliver results against objectives, reporting schedules and workplans.


• Fluency in written and spoken English.


• Proficient in word processing, presentations and spreadsheet computer packages.


• Commitment to and understanding of Save the Children’s values and mission.

Desirables:

• Knowledge of Hausa language.


• Experience in supporting development of national guidelines and policies.


• Experience working in Northern Nigeria.


• Understanding of food security and livelihoods programmes.

Behavior Change Communication (BCC) & IEC Materials Consultant

Introduction to Save the Children and project background
School Health and Nutrition programs have been proven to provide a critical means to improve both the educational performance and the wellbeing of children. The goal of this project is to improve the educational and health status of school-age children by building on existing SHN policies and working with partners in the school and health system through five key objectives:

1. Objective 1: Increase availability of services for school-based health, hygiene and nutrition


2. Objective 2: Improve the quality of the school environment.


3. Objective 3: Improve knowledge, attitudes and interest toward using health services and health protective behaviors.


4. Objective 4: Improve the local and community support environment.


5. Objective 5: Improve the national policy and support environment.

• The project aims to assess the impact of SHN on: (1) the school environment, particularly water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) infrastructure; (2) integration of school health policies; and (3) student’s Knowledge, Attitude and Practices (KAP) of health and hygiene focused on 4 key topics (WASH, Menstrual Hygiene Management, Oral Hygiene & Malaria).


• A school health policy exists in the Federal Ministry of Education (FMoH) to address the basic health and nutrition needs of school-age children; however, to the knowledge of Save the Children, implementation of school health and nutrition in its entirety is severely lacking in Lagos Island public schools.


• Though there are NGOs, government initiatives, and corporate donors focused on individual school health and nutrition components, such as malaria, water and sanitation, parasitic infections, school-feeding, or sexual and reproductive health, many of those initiatives are not occurring in public schools in Lagos or do not incorporate a holistic and sustainable approach to school health and nutrition.


• Thus, elements of the comprehensive School Health and Nutrition (SHN) program are new to Lagos State, including strengthening the relationship between Save the Children and the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education.


• Save the Children is working at the school, community (SBMC and Parent forums), and local government level to develop their capacity to initiate and grow comprehensive implementation of SHN activities in Lagos Island.

Objectives of the Consultancy

• Develop culturally relevant content for information, education and communication materials focused on School Health, Hygiene and Nutrition.


• The expectation is that these materials will be used in the current School Health & Nutrition project in Lagos Island LGA, and also for future projects in other areas of Lagos State.


• The consultant will lead the development of high quality messages, materials and instructional aids relating to our range of BCC activities.

Scope

• Review the KAP baseline report and pull out relevant findings concerning specific behaviours across the project’s key focus areas;


• Conduct a review of available materials related to School Health & Hygiene. This review should include communications materials on childhood illness developed by the government, development partners, and agencies in Lagos.


• Design a workshop with the project team for the development of messages and appropriate delivery platforms for use in classrooms as instructional aids and teacher resource supplement, and on the school premises as BCC messages, in conjunction with key stakeholders from Intervention Schools and LGA, SUBEB, State Ministry of Health and the Primary Health Care Board.

After reviewing project documents, available materials, and the results of the design workshop the consultant will work closely with the project team to develop the following deliverables. Deliverables include but are not limited to:

• Instructional Aids to facilitate child friendly class lessons and School Health Club sessions (e.g. flashcards to facilitate interactive Q&A sessions).


• Posters with targeted BCC messages on specific behaviors (e.g. hand washing) to be displayed at schools, and other appropriate community display areas.


• Design for other materials, such as t-shirts, bags, and banners,


• Develop teaching resource package for facilitating child friendly health lessons focusing on pre-determined local health priorities.


• Develop a technical brief for the methodology of the development and pre-testing of BCC/IEC materials. The technical brief must be discussed and approved by Save the Children.


• Provide virtual Support to the SC Lagos Team in the conduct of a Pre-test for all materials. Revise based on feedback.


• Discuss printing specifications or other technical details for each material developed with Save the Children, and print agreed on quantity of the various materials developed.

Roles and Responsibilities of Save the Children

• In consultation with Save the Children, the consultant is expected to complete all activities listed in the Scope of Work section above.


• The School Health & Nutrition Advisor will be the main contact person for the consultant. It is expected that the consultant will work closely with the SHN Advisor and keep her informed throughout each step of the process.


• The Education Project Manager and the SHN TA in United States will also provide technical input and support.


• Key stakeholders and partners will be consulted when appropriate.

Save the Children will facilitate and provide arrangements and support services/ facilities for the work of the consultant in Lagos. These include:

• Provision of background and reference documents;


• Provision of working space within Save the Children Office in Lagos;


• Conduct Pre-test for all the materials through Focus Group discussions


• Facilitation of contacts and meetings with relevant stakeholders.

Skills and Competencies Required

• Masters Degree in Public Health, Sociology, Communications, Social Science, or other related area.


• Expert knowledge and practical experience in behavior change communication in developing countries, preferably in Nigeria


• At least 10 years of practical experience in communications and printing using graphic design


• Experience designing educational, training of trainers, and behavior change materials for audiences with low levels of literacy


• Experience conducting focus groups to pre-test and adapt materials


• Experience of coordinating diverse teams and communicating with individuals/groups at all levels


• Experience working in peri-urban communities, preferably in Lagos


• Strong analytical, presentation and writing skills in English


• Yoruba language skills would be helpful


• Demonstrates strong commitment to Save the Children’s Mission, Vision and Values, including Safeguarding of children.


• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality, and age sensitivity.


• Key deliverables and outputs of this consultancy


• The Consultant will deliver the following outputs:


• Workshop report detailing recommendations for material messages and;


• Technical brief of methodology for developing and pre-testing materials.


• High-resolution files of all materials developed on CD & DVD (2 copies of each).


• A report detailing the results of pre-tests and recommendations for the suggested use of each BCC/IEC material developed.


• Teaching Resource Package/Manual


• Printed materials in pre-determined quantity (Instructional Aids, Posters, T-shirts, Bags, Caps, flash cards).

Senior Newborn Health Specialist

• Facilitate implementation, track, and report progress on the Chlorhexidine Scale-up Plan by providing technical support to FMOH and implementing partners at national and state-level. This work could include:


• Facilitate a mapping of the landscape of the current status of chlorhexidine implementation in Nigeria


• In collaboration with USAID’s Center for Accelerating Innovation and Impact (CII), contribute to the development and implementation of a national scale up plan for chlorhexidine


• Assist FMOH and SMOH to develop and institute a national monitoring and evaluation plan for chlorhexidine implementation within the context of newborn health programming


• Work with FMOH to strengthen the coordinating mechanisms for chlorhexidine implementation within existing FMOH  structures


• Participate in and support the integration of chlorhexidine programming into key relevant national health technical working groups and/or steering committees


• Work with relevant FMOH/NPHCDA teams to generate national demand for the use of chlorhexidine through the adaptation and development of key BCC messages and other communication tools


• In collaboration with FMOH and partners, lead the planning  and conduct of advocacy visits to the  remaining states and firm up plans to provide support to the states for the development of their action plans to implement  the new chlorhexidine policy


• Facilitate the finalization of the review of federal-level Essential Medicines lists (and those of selected states) ensuring the inclusion of chlorhexidine gel and other newborn health lifesaving commodities and  the establishment of a national chlorhexidine procurement and distribution mechanism in the context of newborn health


• Support FMOH and SMOH in increasing awareness of the policy change for care of the umbilical stump using 4% chlorhexidine gel through the engagement of Tertiary Institutions, Pre-service training institutions, Professional Regulatory bodies, MDAs, Pharmaceutical Council, community pharmacies, and Patent Medicine Vendors associations, on the distribution of chlorhexidine.   


• Support FMOH and the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) to integrate chlorhexidine application knowledge and competency in all relevant MNCH training and counseling materials


• Work with NAFDAC to ensure the final certification of the manufacturers to provide additional sources for the gel.


• Participate in regular global Chlorhexidine Working Group meetings in order to be up to date on global level information and activities as they relate to the Nigeria context


• Support the ongoing advocacy within the national TSU for the adoption of simplified antibiotics for neonatal sepsis management


• Facilitate and participate in regular Maternal and Perinatal Death Surveillance and Review (MPDSR) Steering Committee Meetings


• Collaborate with Saving Newborn Lives (SNL) to ensure approval of the integrated MPDSR guidelines by the National Council of Health and support national review of MDR and PNDA implementation in Nigeria.


• In collaboration with SNL, contribute to the development of the national KMC operational guidelines and advocate for the adoption of the guidelines in non-MCSP states

Knowledge/Skills:

• Healthcare and management experience (MD, MPA, MPH or MBBS) with a post graduate qualification in public health, business, pediatrics or related field preferred


• Substantial experience in public health program management administrative and advisory capacity.


• Demonstrated capacity to develop a network of contacts with key players from amongst government, donors, international agencies and NGOs, to maintain these relationships over time and to support mobilization of significant funding from donors.  Existing public and private health relationships strongly preferred.


• Familiarity with existing national policies, guidelines and programs in the context of newborn health in Nigeria.


• Technical expertise in newborn health and experience in providing technical support to partners, particularly government at senior levels preferred


• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate and negotiate clearly and effectively at all levels. Presentation and training skills, along with tact and diplomacy are essential.


• Proven capacity to deliver results against objectives, reporting schedules and work plans.


• Excellent analytical and conceptual skills and the proven ability to translate these into concise high quality reports and lessons learnt documents,


• Confidence in using word processing and spreadsheet computer packages


• Fluency in written and spoken English and ability to make compelling technical presentations.

Program Officer

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  LocationGombe, Kaduna
  


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• Work with partners including governments at the respective states under the supervision of the MNCH   Advisor and respond to issues needing GSK support. 


• Work with SC procurement team to plan & follow through GSK procurement as planned


• Liaise with MNCH Advisor to collate monthly reports.


• In collaboration with Admin, organise & participate in meetings, workshops, seminars as directed by MNCH   Advisor taking minutes and developing reports of the meetings as contribution to knowledge management.


• Draft progress reports & quarterly reports and forward to the MNCH advisor for inputs and submission to the project Manager.


• Perform other related duties as required by the MNCH Advisor.

Competencies

• Professionalism


• Ability and experience with working with a diverse stakeholders.


• Motivated to work in a team to yield results.


• Resilient in the face of challenges.


• Planning and Organizing


• Proven ability to plan, organize and manage his/her work.


• Teamwork 


• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity, including gender balance.

Qualifications/Requirements

• Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in a science course, sociology, development studies


• Ability to work and interact well in teams and with diverse groups


• Collaborative work approach


• Excellent communication skills both oral and written


• Computer literacy


• Fluency in English

• Sound strategic thinking and planning skills, including ability to think creatively and innovate and to set priorities, manageable workplans and evaluate progress.


• Ability to build support from staff across teams and across members, and to build the capacity of others.


• Ability to work in partnership with government and other organizations’ staff.


• Independence, adaptability and flexibility.


• Commitment to team working and understanding of how to contribute.


• Commitment to SCI mission, values and approach (includes child protection, equal opportunities and health and safety).


• Experience in planning, managing and delivering a programme, including costing, managing and monitoring budgets.


• Effective resource planning and budgeting.

Desirable

• Previous experience with local and or international NGOs will be an advantage 


• Experience in Public health.


• Broad understanding of rights and development issues, international relations and international humanitarian systems.


• Ability to communicate effectively in English and Hausa Languages

Method of Application