Position Overview:

This position is exclusively open to female candidates to support gender-sensitive nutrition programming and ensure effective engagement with female beneficiaries and community health workers, such as Lady Health Workers (LHWs). The Project Officer - Nutrition will be responsible for managing the nutrition component of the project, ensuring its alignment with donor agreements, and delivering impactful results within the specified timeframe and budget.

 Key Responsibilities

1.      Effective and Efficient Management of the Nutrition Component

• Oversee the planning, implementation, and supervision of the nutrition component, ensuring alignment with the project proposal, objectives, and donor partnership agreements.
• Manage all nutrition-related activities within the approved budget, adhering to the designated timeframe and complying with donor regulations and organizational policies.
• Develop and execute detailed work plans for the nutrition component, identifying key milestones, deliverables, and resource requirements to achieve measurable outcomes.
• Ensure efficient resource allocation, including staff, materials, and equipment, to maximize the impact of nutrition interventions while minimizing waste or delays.

2.      Collaboration with Project Manager, Component Heads, and Stakeholders

• Work closely with the Project Manager, other component leads (e.g., Health, WASH, Agriculture, livelihoods), and external stakeholders to integrate nutrition activities seamlessly into the broader project framework.
• Participate in regular coordination meetings to share updates on progress, challenges, and lessons learned, fostering a collaborative environment for project success.
• Liaise with government agencies, community leaders, and partner organizations to align nutrition interventions with local needs and priorities, ensuring stakeholder buy-in and support.
• Provide technical input and recommendations to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of cross-component project activities.

3.      Support Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting

• Assist the Project Manager and Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) team in designing and implementing robust monitoring and evaluation systems specific to the nutrition component.
• Conduct regular field visits to assess the quality and impact of nutrition activities, identifying areas for improvement and ensuring adherence to project standards.
•  Prepare high-quality progress reports for donors, including quantitative and qualitative data, success stories, and challenges, in line with reporting deadlines and formats specified in partnership agreements.
• Contribute to the development of tools and indicators to track nutrition outcomes and ensure timely documentation of results for internal and external stakeholders.

4.      Financial and Asset Management

• Monitor the expenditure of financial resources allocated to the nutrition component, ensuring compliance with approved budgets and donor agreements.
• Track the use of project assets (e.g., equipment, vehicles, supplies) assigned to nutrition activities, maintaining accurate records and ensuring proper utilization.
• Provide regular feedback on budget utilization to the Project Manager and finance team, highlighting variances and proposing corrective actions as needed.
• Submit structured monthly reports detailing financial and asset management updates, ensuring transparency and accountability in resource use.

5.      Coordination of Capacity Building Support

• Identify capacity-building needs for the nutrition team and coordinate with relevant sections (e.g., donor representatives, M&E, Finance, Logistics, Security) to arrange training or technical assistance.
• Facilitate workshops, mentoring sessions, or on-the-job training for staff and partners involved in nutrition activities, enhancing their skills and knowledge.
• Ensure that capacity-building initiatives align with project goals and donor expectations, contributing to the overall sustainability of the program.
• Act as a point of contact between field teams and support units to streamline access to resources and expertise when required.

6.      Maintenance and Recording of Programme Documents

• Ensure that all essential programme documents (e.g., work plans, reports, beneficiary lists, training records) are systematically maintained and updated at the field level.
• Implement a filing system (physical and digital) to organize nutrition-related documentation, ensuring easy retrieval and compliance with audit requirements.
• Verify the accuracy and completeness of records, such as attendance sheets, distribution logs, and activity reports, before submission to the Project Manager or MEAL team.
• Train field staff on proper documentation practices to maintain consistency and accountability across all nutrition activities.

7.      Policy Implementation and Complaint Handling

• Ensure the smooth execution of organizational policies, donor guidelines, and the code of conduct within nutrition-related project activities, promoting ethical and professional standards.
• Address complaints from beneficiaries, stakeholders, or staff promptly and fairly, following established grievance mechanisms and escalating complex issues to the Project Manager as needed.
• Conduct awareness sessions for field teams and communities on policies, rights, and responsibilities to foster trust and transparency in project implementation.
• Monitor compliance with safeguarding and accountability principles, taking corrective actions to resolve any violations or concerns.

8.      Technical Expertise in Nutrition Programme Management

• Demonstrate a strong understanding of managing both direct nutrition interventions (e.g., therapeutic feeding, micronutrient supplementation) and indirect nutrition programs (e.g., nutrition education, community outreach) in the context of the Project Officer role.
• Conduct and monitor regular nutrition-specific sessions with Lady Health Workers (LHWs), providing guidance, training, and feedback to enhance their effectiveness in delivering services to women and children.
• Organize and participate in meetings with line departments (e.g., health, agriculture) to coordinate nutrition-related activities, advocate for resource support, and align efforts with national or regional nutrition strategies.
• Supervise field-level nutrition activities, such as screenings, counseling, and awareness campaigns, ensuring high-quality delivery and adherence to technical protocols, with a focus on gender-sensitive approaches.

Qualifications and Skills

• Gender Requirement: This position is open to female candidates only, to ensure effective engagement with female beneficiaries and community health workers in a culturally sensitive context.
• Master’s degree or BS in Food Sciences/ Nutrition Science from a HEC recognized institution or a related field.
• Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in managing nutrition programs, preferably in humanitarian or development settings.
• Proficiency in project management, including budgeting, monitoring, and reporting.
• Strong interpersonal and coordination skills to work with diverse teams and stakeholders, particularly female community members and health workers.
• Knowledge of nutrition-specific interventions and familiarity with local health systems (e.g., Lady Health Worker programs).
• Excellent organizational skills with attention to detail in documentation and compliance.
• Ability to work under pressure, meet deadlines, and adapt to field-level challenges in diverse environments.

Why Female Candidates Only?

This role requires close interaction with female beneficiaries, Lady Health Workers, and community groups where cultural norms may restrict male involvement. A female Project Officer will ensure trust, accessibility, and effectiveness in delivering nutrition services and building relationships with stakeholders.