Project Officer – Nutrition

Job Description

Term of Employment: Definite period (until April 2027) contingent up on program funding
Number required: One
Duty Location: Addis Ababa

Job Summary:

The Nutrition Program Officer is responsible for the planning, implementing, and monitoring of nutrition activities. This role includes data collection, analysis, and reporting related to nutrition programs, as well as ensuring effective implementation of nutrition interventions and providing support for the overall implementation of the IYCF-E initiatives with the JEOP emergency nutrition response efforts. The position will assist consortium partners in applying IYCF-E approaches for all pregnant and lactating women (PLW) and caregivers of children under five years (CU5) in JEOP emergency nutrition response Woredas. With the direct supervision of the JEOP Nutrition Program Manager, s/he will support partner technical teams by providing regular supportive supervision, monitoring, and coaching to health professionals.

They will also be responsible for ensuring timely reporting and offering support to communities regarding any nutrition-related activities in target Woredas. The individual will implement effective systems and processes that promote high-quality programming, furthering Catholic Relief Services’ (CRS) mission to aid the poor and vulnerable. His/her technical skills and knowledge will ensure that the team continuously works towards improving the impact of emergency nutrition interventions within the JEOP’s nutrition programming.

Roles and Key Responsibilities

• Provide technical expertise for nutrition data management.

• Ensure quality of services (screening, treatment of SAM without complication, referrals, and IYCF-E) provided at health facilities through regular monitoring.

• On-the-job training of health workers and relevant outreach staff in screening, assessment, admission, management, discharge from OTP, and transfer to and from the community or other source, as per the national guidelines.

• Conduct routine monitoring visits to the HFs within the consortium partners and ensure smooth functioning.

• Ensure adequate availability of Therapeutic food supplies and ensure stock is pre-positioned as planned by discussing with consortium partners and logistics.

• Collaborate with consortium partners to collect and analyze information from nutrition facilities.

• Ensure timely submission of facility data and compile reports for stakeholders.

• Determine essential data elements required for project support.

• Maintain electronic records of all nutrition data from facilities.

• Develop databases and ensure the quality and integrity of high-value data.

• Act as a focal point for the collection and dissemination of relevant information.

• Organize evaluations and analyses of datasets related to project activities.

• Develop new indicators to measure program effectiveness.

• Produce maps, charts, and infographics to convey nutritional data effectively.

• Support program managers in producing accurate reports during updates on nutrition situations.

Required Languages -Proficiency in spoken and written English and Amharic language.

Travel – Up to 50 %.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge, training, and experience in IYCF-E and CMAM and community mobilization/BCC

• Strong relationship management skills with the ability to influence and get buy-in from people not under direct supervision and to work with individuals in diverse geographical and cultural settings.

• Good technical writing skills

• Presentation, facilitation, training, mentoring, and coaching skills

• Proactive, resourceful, and results-oriented

• Proficient in MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), Web Conferencing Applications, information and budget management systems, and knowledge-sharing networks.

Supervisory Responsibilities: None

 Key Working Relationships: 

Internal: TA-Nutrition, CFRM teams, Supply Chian Team, finance team

External: Partners, suppliers, Vendors and government stakeholders 

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications

• BSc degree in Health, Nursing, Nutrition, or Public Health required.

• Minimum of three years relevant work experience with progressive responsibilities, ideally with an international NGO

• Experience in managing nutrition programs or related fields.

• Strong analytical skills with proficiency in data management tools.

• Ability to communicate effectively with various stakeholders and consortium partners.

• Knowledge of technical principles and concepts in IYCF-E, CMAM, and SBC. General knowledge of other related disciplines to ensure a proper cross-sectoral approach.

• Experience in conducting assessments and an understanding of nutritional data and information systems.

• Knowledge and experience of capacity strengthening and SBC.

• Experience with program monitoring evaluation and analysis.

• Experience and skills in networking and relations with peer organizations, and faith-based and civil society partners. Understanding of partnership principles.

• Proven capacity to supervise, train, and coach staff.

• Prepared to live and work in an uncertain security environment.

• Ability and willingness to frequently travel and stay in the field.

Agency Competencies (for all CRS Staff):

• Personal Accountability – Consistently takes responsibility for one’s own actions.
• Acts with Integrity – Consistently models values aligned with CRS Guiding Principles and mission.  Is considered honest.
• Builds and Maintains Trust – Shows consistency between words and actions.
• Collaborates with Others – Works effectively in intercultural and diverse teams.
• Open to Learn – Seeks out experiences that may change perspective or provide an opportunity to learn new things.

Agency Leadership Competencies:

• Lead Change – Continually looks for ways to improve the agency through a culture of agility, openness, and innovation.
• Develops and Recognizes Others – Builds the capacity of staff to reach their full potential and enhance team and agency performance.
• Strategic Mindset – Understands role in translating, communicating, and implementing agency strategy and team priorities.

What we offer

CRS offers U.S. based staff a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, life insurance, vision, and a generous retirement savings plan.  Benefits packages for successful candidates employed outside the U.S. are based on the country of employment/in-country office where the candidate will perform the role.  CRS´ work culture is a collaborative, mission-driven culture committed to improving the lives of the poor throughout the world.

 

Note: This position is for Ethiopian national only. 

About Us

Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. Catholic Relief Services works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality.  Catholic Relief Services’ relief and development work is accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding.  We welcome as a part of our staff people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need. CRS’ processes and policies reflect our commitment to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.

CRS welcomes candidates from the countries and regions in which we work. In the event the successful candidate is an expatriate, the anticipated duration of the assignment is informed by a term limit, based on the type and level of the job and the needs of the agency.

CRS is committed to safeguarding program participants, community members, staff and volunteers from all forms of exploitation and abuse.  The successful candidate is expected to sign and adhere to CRS´ Code of Conduct.

CRS talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to safeguarding the rights and dignity of all people – especially children and vulnerable adults – to live free from abuse and harm.

Disclaimer:  This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position. 

CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

General Requirements

CRS offers are contingent on the selected candidate’s ability to legally work where the position is to be performed. Every government has a unique set of work permit eligibility requirements.  All positions requiring residence or frequent travel outside a home country must undergo and clear a pre-employment medical clearance; some work permit processes require clearing a separate government administered medical examination.

CRS prioritizes candidates who are citizens/ permanent residents of the countries where we have CRS offices.