Scope of work:

The Health and Nutrition Coordinator is the focal point for health and nutrition programs in Burkina Faso and ensures the implementation of quality preventative and curative health and nutrition programs and oversees health and nutrition assessments as appropriate. The Health and Nutrition Coordinator will be responsible for coordinating with all partners, including local implementing partners, UN agencies and the Health/Nutrition Cluster and responsible for fulfilling IRC’s strategic objectives for health and nutrition. The Health and Nutrition Coordinator will ensure that activities are in line with the 2019-2020 priorities set by the Health and Nutrition Clusters, including primary health care, reproductive health, maternal, infant and young child feeding in emergencies and the management of acute malnutrition, and that these activities are integrated within protection and WASH services and adhere to relevant national and global guidelines. The Health and Nutrition Coordinator reports to Deputy Director of Programs. The Health and Nutrition Coordinator will receive technical support from the regional Health and Nutrition Technical Advisors.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Design, Development and Management of the Health and Nutrition Program
• Develop country strategies in line with SAP
• Direct Supervision and management of Health and Nutrition team in close collaboration with other Program Coordinators, Health and Nutrition Manager, DDP and field coordinators.
• Maintain strong relations and collaboration with other sectors namely WASH, protection and economic recovery and development (ERD).

Program quality / implementation

• The Health and Nutrition Coordinator oversees the implementation of all Health, including primary health care and reproductive health, and Nutrition including IYCF-E and CMAM programs of IRC as well as health and nutrition assessments implemented by IRC Burkina Faso, in line with the IRC Country Strategic Action Plan within IRC international priorities, frameworks and policies;
• Provide technical supervision and guidance to all IRC health and nutrition projects. Extend technical support and supervision to subordinates and the IRC’s implementing partners as the need arises.
• Develop key technical program tools. Review and adapt existing IRC technical training materials. Develop training materials as needed to support the introduction of new programming approaches.
• Liaise regularly with the Field Coordinators, and the HQ health and nutrition Technical Unit to provide updates on the program, discuss emerging challenges, and collaborate on the design of new programs or changes to existing programs;
• Act as a key technical facilitator and resource person for internal and external IRC trainings and workshops.
• Provide training to program staff and partner as needed.
• Ensure that health and nutrition programs adhere to relevant national and global guidelines and are in line with the priorities set by the Health and Nutrition Clusters, Ministry of Public Health to ensure that all health and nutrition activities are consistent with established best practices;
• Provide technical support to the health and nutrition team for program design, proposal development and reporting, ensuring that IRC programs are of high quality and that programs are driven by data and learning, working in conjunction with other colleagues in the IRC Burkina Faso program.
• Review all reports prepared by the health and nutrition staff and provide appropriate feedback to the concerned staff, and ensure that reports are written and submitted to concerned bodies in a timely manner.

Budget Management

• Participate in internal BvA meetings and also with partners to ensure that grant(s) is on track, and all under/over spent are handled with proper planning
• Work closely with finance and grants teams to develop budget
• Collaborate with Grants department to ensure that programs are implemented according to donor guidelines and reporting requirements are met.

Sector Strategy and Program Development

• In line with the Country Strategic Action Plan (SAP), actively seek and develop solicited/unsolicited proposals that are either sector standalone or multi sectorial;
• Update IRC Burkina Faso’s health and nutrition sector strategy according to prevailing needs and country priorities.
• Ensure all designed health and nutrition projects use the relevant IRC theories of change and that interventions are evidence-driven.
• Ensure coherence in program strategy and implementation across sites and programs.
• Work with program teams to develop new and update existing program components of the health and nutrition sector strategy, to inform on-going opportunities for programming and to strengthen the linkages between health and nutrition and other IRC program sectors (WPE and ERD).
• Participate in proposal writing and other business development opportunities as needed and inform program costing exercises.

Monitoring, Evaluation, Quality assurance and Reporting:

• Promote the quality of the IRC’s health and nutrition programs by setting up quality assurance mechanisms and checks in collaboration with other staff and IRC’s M&E Team.
• Ensure sound data collection and information management systems are in place for ongoing performance analysis and programmatic action based on data and identified needs.
• Participate in the design of robust M&E plans and design/adapt health/nutrition surveillance systems to be integrated within the health information system for the IRC health and nutrition programs in 2020.
• Ensure that the stated goals and objectives of all health and nutrition projects are met with strong monitoring and evaluation (M&E) follow-up, including any required health and nutrition assessments, with technical support from the Monitoring and Evaluation officer in the New York-based Health Unit and the regional Health and Nutrition Technical Advisors as needed.
• Ensure that periodic data reviews are conducted in coordination with M&E Managers and relevant technical advisors for course correction as needed.

Staff supervision and development

• Provide on-the-job training and coaching to the health and nutrition team to promote holistic program approaches and strategies.
• Develop/organize training opportunities to build the capacity of the health/nutrition staff and local partners in order to transfer skills. This includes staff training in program management areas such as reporting, budgeting, monitoring, evaluation, and supervision.
• Oversee the development of staff technical capacity building plans and ensure staffs receive training accordingly.
• Maintain open and professional relations with team members, promoting a strong team spirit and providing oversight and guidance to enable staff to successfully perform in their positions.
• Provide continuous performance feedback to staff; identify performance issues and work with staff and Human Resources to document and address issues in a timely manner.

• Participate in the development of staff development plans for health/nutrition staff based on performance reviews in collaboration with the human resources department and contribute to the training of health/nutrition staff (mentoring, on-the-job sessions as well as formal trainings). Conduct performance evaluation of health and nutrition staff in the field.

Representation and Advocacy:

• Represent IRC in the Health and Nutrition clusters, working closely with UN agencies and local partners
• In coordination with other Coordinators, actively develop and maintain effective working relationships with key stakeholders in Burkina Faso including donors, government actors, UN agencies, international and local NGOs, and other relevant actors.
• Develop strategic partnerships with local organizations wherever possible.
• Represent IRC to local communities, government departments, international agencies, local partners and donors as required.
• Assist in organizing donor site visits by supporting field staff in the smooth design and implementation of agendas and visit activities.
• Develop evidence-based advocacy points to be presented through the Nutrition Cluster and I/NGO Forums

Qualifications

Education: Health professional with strong public health background (MPH desirable) or other suitable health/nutrition degree is required.

Work Experience:

• 3-5 years’ experience in coordinating, implementing and managing health and nutrition programs in emergency and insure contexts.
• Experience working in the Africa is a plus. Experience implementing health and nutrition programs in emergency and insecure environments, hard to reach areas and displaced communities.
• Previous experience in primary health care, reproductive health, IYCF-E and CMAM is required. Experience in conducting health and nutrition assessments is highly desired.
• Experience integrating health and nutrition programs with other sectors (e.g. protection and WASH).
• Demonstrated skills in project design/proposal development and grant management
• Experience in capacity building and mentoring of national and local implementing partners.
• Demonstrated leadership, communication, and facilitation skills; ability to delegate responsibilities.
• Excellent interpersonal and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent coordination and networking skills.
• Willingness to travel extensively in the field
• Demonstrated computer skills and experience with programs such as: MS Word, Excel, Powerpoint and database management systems, including EPI-Info.
• Additional qualities: ability to be a good team player, ability to multitask, ability to handle pressure well, ability to improvise, flexibility, and adaptability to transitions. Language Skills: Excellent written and oral French skills. English will be an asset