Naija Jobs Arena

The Micronutrient Initiative (MI) is the leading organization working exclusively to eliminate vitamin and mineral deficiencies in the world´s most vulnerable populations.

 

Job Title: Senior Program Officer, Maternal and Newborn Health and Nutrition Nigeria

Ref: 2011-AFR-NIG-03

Reports to/Position Title: Senior Technical Coordinator, Nigeria

Reports indirectly to: Regional Technical Advisor, Maternal and Newborn Health, Africa 

 

Overall Purpose/Broad Function:

In line with Micronutrient Initiative’s (MI) strategic objectives in Africa, and, in partnership with key  stakeholders in Nigeria, to arrange and provide appropriate technical and other assistance to the Government 

of Nigeria and/or other stakeholders to enable them to provide, on a sustainable basis, antenatal care and newborn care services to all pregnant mothers, particularly those at most risk, within which appropriate 

micronutrient interventions are fully integrated and achieve sustained high coverage and utilization.  

 

 

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

 

Project Development: 

With the support and guidance of relevant members of the MI technical team:

- Ensure a regularly updated situation analysis is available on the status of micronutrient  supplementation and/or other relevant interventions for pregnant women in Nigeria, including as 

needed the status of work by organizations involved in antenatal care and safe delivery provision in  Nigeria.

- Design and plan projects in Nigeria in collaboration with key stakeholders and partners that respond appropriately to the situation and aim to ensure appropriate intake of micronutrients (based on high 

levels of coverage and adherence to protocols) to benefit mothers and newborns.

- With support of the Regional Advisor, Behaviour Change Communication (BCC), help stakeholders develop relevant BCC programs for both women of childbearing age and health workers and to 

develop viable approaches for improving access and quality of provision of care for pregnant women  in populations that are consistently underserved by antenatal care and other relevant services.

- Solicit and review grant-proposals submitted by stakeholders or partners. ensuring they are in line with MI strategic objectives and that special attention is paid to improving utilization of micronutrient 

supplements, as well as coverage, and to improving sustained intake among women at elevated risk of  severe anemia at term.

- In collaboration with stakeholders, prepare Project Concept Notes for MI-supported interventions to support the implementation of the Ministry of Health’s (MoH) policies on Maternal and Newborn 

Health and Nutrition (MNHN) and Antenatal Care (ANC) including IFA supplementation.

- Agree on financial commitments with Director Nigeria and ensure appropriate inputs are made in MI Contracts Database.3.2 Project Implementation and Management

- Oversee the implementation and management of MNHN projects supported by MI.

- Review and analyze financial and technical progress reports, produce relevant project documents as per MI procedures.

- Troubleshoot and recommend corrective action drawing on internal MI expertise in the Nigeria and Regional Offices and beyond as necessary.

- Ensure the Contracts Database is regularly updated, in line with MI contract management procedures.

- As required, provide the Director, Nigeria with technical and management support relating to other MI programs.

 

Project Review 

- Review program for lessons learned and document and share appropriately.

 

Program Evaluation

- Support formal evaluations of programs with view to informing improved practice in Nigeria and  elsewhere.

 

External Relations

- Build and maintain good collaborative relations with MoH, other government agencies, UN agencies,  and NGOs to promote information sharing and effective coordination of effort to improve and sustain 

effective and efficient IFA supplementation programs as part of Antenatal Care services for pregnant women.

- Participate in national and regional fora relevant to antenatal care / safe motherhood.

- Keep up to date with developments in maternal health, antenatal care, BCC, and micronutrient 

supplementation.

 

 

Other duties and responsibilities as may be required.

 

Supervisory  Responsibilities:

Position has shared supervision of one program assistant with other Senior Program Officers.  Has no other direct supervisory responsibilities though may supervise consultants hired by MI to support IFA 

supplementation programs.

 

 

Education/Professional Designations/Experience:

Education

- Masters degree from a recognized university in one or more of the following areas: reproductive health, nutrition, food sciences, health sciences, public health.

- Training in epidemiology and research methodologies preferred.

 

Experience

- At least 10 years experience in reproductive health, public health, nutrition and/or related field.

- Experience of reproductive health programs in Nigeria or elsewhere.

- Experience in supervising programs.

- Experience in program/project implementation/supervision, monitoring and evaluation.

- Experience with micronutrient supplementation programs desirable.

 

Language Skills

Fluent English.

 

Travel Requirements

Based in Abuja, Nigeria, around 20-25% of time will be spent travelling in Nigeria.

 

Other Specific Skill Requirements:

- Excellent interpersonal skills 

- Very good presentational skills

- Excellent team working skills

- Discretion

- Integrity

This job description can and will be amended as required from time to time.

 

Method of Application

2011-AFR-NIG-03 selection process is open to all residents of Nigeria and those entitled to work in Nigeria. The position is located in Abuja. The salary is paid in NGN and is subject to 

Nigeria’s taxation laws. Candidates’ evaluations may include both a written exam and an interview. You must submit by email the following documents in  one file: your curriculum vitae in English (typed), a 

presentation letter, in English (typed), explaining how you meet the qualifications for the job and your  motivation (typed), plus the names of  3 references to the following email address:

hr@micronutrient.org. Please quote number 2011-AFR-NIG-03 on your application.  

 

Deadline to apply  is 7 September, 2011 at midnight (Abuja’s time).  

 

Only the candidates considered for the position will be contacted.

Failure to submit the documents in the format required may result in the rejection of your application