Background
Amref Health Africa is the largest African health-focused NGO. Amref Health Africa implements over 140 projects across Africa. However, nutrition interventions are not systematically included in these projects. At the organizational level, Amref Health Africa lacks a nutrition strategy.
Nutrition International has partnered with Amref Health Africa in implementing MNCH programs in Kenya with nutrition inputs in 2012. Both Nutrition International and Amref Health Africa recognize that there is scope to expand this partnership. With funding support from NI/NLIFT, Nutrition International intends to second a Nutrition Technical Advisor to Amref Health Africa to help develop a nutrition integration strategy for Amref, strengthen its capacity to deliver nutrition interventions and provide recommendations on how to use existing delivery platforms to reach its current and future beneficiaries with nutrition services. The Seconded Nutrition Technical Advisor will have global nutrition expertise, with extensive experience in Africa.
Nutrition International (formerly known as Micronutrient Initiative) was created in 1992 as an act of solidarity with malnourished people. Since then, it has grown from a small Canadian initiative into a global nutrition organization reaching millions of vulnerable people in some of the most impoverished parts of the world. Today, Nutrition International brings over 25 years of on-the-ground experience in social and international development to one of humanity’s most challenging problems.
Nutrition International has headquarters in Ottawa, Canada and regional offices in New Delhi, India to oversee Asia operations and in Nairobi, Kenya to oversee Africa operations.
Scope of Work: The purpose of the secondment is to provide support to the design and implementation of the “Amref Health Africa Nutrition Mapping and Integration Initiative.”
Period: The secondment will have a duration of up to two years from August 2017 to July 2019.
Duty Post: Nairobi, Kenya (Amref Health Africa HQ, with monthly briefing to Nutrition International’s Regional Director, and regular reporting to the Technical Advisory Group).
Travel: Travel to Amref Health Africa offices as required (e.g., Tanzania, Malawi, Ethiopia)
Tasks, Deliverables, and Timelines: The Seconded Nutrition TA will lead the delivery of the following key outputs:
KEY OUTPUTS
ESTIMATED DELIVERY DATES
1. An orientation for key Amref Health Africa staffs on global nutrition strategies and WHA targets to ensure common understanding of nutrition outcomes of interest and alignment of its future programs to global / Africa nutrition agenda.to ensure that we take into account the needs and requirements of local communities, respond to them and tap from their expertise and aspirations
Due August 2017
1. A work plan (with an updated version of this timeline) to carry out a systematic mapping of nutrition gaps developed together with Amref Health Africa.
Due September 2017
1. Conduct an assessment that focuses on “low-hanging fruits” – such as Amref’s existing RMNCH programs – which could benefit from nutrition interventions. Submit a report on these missed nutrition interventions, needed capacity building support or nutrition quality assurance support. Provide recommendations on how Amref Health Africa and NI can enable the inclusion of missed nutrition interventions into these existing programs. The Report will consider enabling environment, supply and demand/behaviour change components to ensure strategic and sustainable delivery of nutrition interventions within Amref Health Africa’s delivery platforms.
Due November 2017
1. Conduct a nutrition assessment in areas of interest which might be identified by NI and Amref, including adolescent programs, HIV/AIDS/TB, WASH, mHealth LEAP, and Amref curriculum for community health workers, extension workers, and potentially, the Amref International University.
Due November 2017
1. Submit a Report on Amref Health Africa Nutrition Assessment and Mapping developed together with Amref Health Africa.
Due December 2017
1. With the results of the Nutrition Mapping, organize consultation and planning meetings, and develop a Nutrition Strategy Document together with Amref Health Africa.
Due February 2018
1. Support Amref Health Africa develop a costed plan to build internal capacity for nutrition project implementation.
Due February 2018
1. Lead an Amref Health Africa-NI workshop to identify potential collaboration areas for strengthening nutrition in Amref Health Africa programs.
Due March 2018
1. Support Amref Health Africa develop a Nutrition Integration Plan. The Plan shall include a comprehensive Nutrition Monitoring and Evaluation plan.
Due April 2018
1. Support and monitor the implementation of the Nutrition Integration Plan – including operationalization of the plan across Amref Health Africa.
July 2018 – June 2019
1. Work with NI Technical Unit and NLIFT, and Amref Health Africa’s Research Unit to ensure that outcomes are measured, and the synergistic impact of the collaboration on a) Amref Health Africa’s capacity, and b) nutrition and health status are adequately measured, documented, and results disseminated
Management and Reporting
• The Seconded NTA will work under the direct supervision of the Nutrition International Regional Director based in Kenya.
• The seconded NTA will be housed in Amref HQ and an arrangement will be worked out to respond to needs ( part time in Amref / Nutrition International)
• S/he will report regularly to a Project Technical Advisory Group (TAG), which will consist of representatives from Amref and Nutrition International.
• Nutrition International will provide funding to support the secondment.
Profile of the Nutrition Staff/Consultant
• Expertise and experience in institutional strategic planning a must, within the nutrition/health sectors
• Advanced degree in Nutrition and/or Public Health
• Excellent facilitation skills a critical requirement, coupled with an ability to bring together stakeholders from different sectors and backgrounds to generate consensus
• Track record of developing policy-level strategic documents that clearly convey local arrangements and priorities
• Experience in sub-Saharan Africa
• Fluency in English required
• Strong leadership and teamwork abilities
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal communication and writing skills.
HOW TO APPLY:
To apply submit a cover letter and CV by e-mail to Africa hr@Nutritionintl.Org by 9th August, 2017 and quote job #: 2017-AFR-04 on the subject line.