Nutrition International (NI) formerly Micronutrient Initiative, is a Canadian based International Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) dedicated to delivery of proven nutrition interventions with a focus on mothers, children under 5 years and adolescents.  The vison of NI is a world where everyone, everywhere is free from malnutrition and able to reach their full potential. Currently, Nutrition International is seeking applications for a high calibre and results oriented individual with integrity in the position of Technical Assistants to Zonal Health Departments for implementation of Integrated MNHN, VAS and Zinc and Adolescent nutrition project through Institutional Support Grant (ISG) 

Background

Nutrition International (NI) has been supporting Ethiopia develop and successfully implement health and nutrition policy and programs. NI’s project has strong focus on cost-effective high impact nutrition intervention including Iron Folic Acid supplementation to pregnant women, Vitamin A supplementation to children 6 – 59 months, Zinc supplementation for the management of childhood diarrhea, promotion of optimal breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices, wheat and edible oil flour fortification and salt iodization. 

Mostly, NI support has been channeled through NGO partners. Learning from the Maternal Newborn Health and Nutrition (MNHN) programing experience, NI is expanding Direct Funding Model to Regional Government to other NI programs. The Direct Funding Model increases NI’s visibility and prominence in nutrition, develop its implementation capacity, reduce operational costs, and foster sustainability.  And, NI programs will be managed through integrated programming and grant management. MNHN, routine delivery of Vitamin A supplementation (VAS) and Zinc supplementation for the management of childhood diarrhea and Adolescent Nutrition projects will be integrated and programed together. NI nutrition package focuses on critical periods including: 

• During pregnancy: improve ANC 4 coverage, improve IFA 90+ consumption, counseling on maternal nutrition & monitoring maternal weight gain
• During labor & childbirth: promotion and support of skilled birth attendant, timely initiation of Breastfeeding, promotion and support of clean cord care, timely cord camping,
• Early postnatal period:  Postnatal IFA, counseling on breastfeeding and maternal nutrition during lactation
• Infancy and childhood – promotion of VAS services to children 6 -59 months and adherence to VAS schedule and improve bi-annual VAS coverage; improve Zinc & ORS utilization for treatment of childhood diarrhea, and promotion of timely care seeking for childhood diarrhea and adherence to treatment.
• Adolescent girls (10 - 19 years): Weekly IFA supplementation and nutrition education

Broad Function of NI Program Coordinator

The Direct Funding Model necessitates closer monitoring and coordination of NI funded programs at the Region and/or Zonal levels.

The main role of the Zonal Program Coordinators (PC) is to provide technical assistance, oversee budget execution, act as a liaison officer between ZHD/RHB, NI and partners, and facilitate effective program execution and advocacy.  The PC works closely with RHB, ZHD, WoHOs, PHCUs and other MNCAHN stakeholders in improving access to quality health and nutrition service delivery at health facility and community levels. 

Specific Duties and Responsibilities of Program Coordinator:

Project Development 

• Support NI Ethiopia country office program team in gathering relevant information from the Zones & woredas on context and landscape to inform MNCAHN programming decisions.
• In liaison with the Senior Program Officers (SPOs) and MoH select a showcase PHCU and spread PHCUs to structure Mentoring and Spread model, to identify gaps, prioritize interventions and support project design processes

Project Implementation

• Work closely with ZHD, WoHOs and related sectors to develop annual, quarterly and monthly work plans and budgets in line with the approved grant
• Ensure that planned activities are implemented as scheduled and as per approved budgets, challenges are identified, communicated to NI and recommended corrective actions provided in a timely manner
• In collaboration with ZHD & WoHOs, conduct site monitoring of the planned activities at health facility and community levels with strong focus on motivational supportive supervision conducted by health centre to catchment HP and schools, Quarterly Performance Review and Clinical Mentoring Meeting, monthly PRQI team meeting, monthly pregnant women conference sessions, monthly outreach VAS schedules 
• Conduct monthly coaching/mentoring/supervision visits to ensure the implementation of mentoring and spread model
  • Together with woreda family health team staff’s coach/supervise showcase PHCUs to implement their QI plans to ensure MNCAHN services provided according to national standards and protocols
  • While coaching/supervision showcase PHCUs, mentor and capacitate the WoHO family health team staffs to use the Performance Review and Quality Improvement coaching guide to coach/supervise remaining PHCUs in the woreda (spread PHCUs).  
• Guide the ZHDs, WoHOs and PHCUs to institutionalize quality improvement initiatives within ZHD, WoHOs and health facilities, to use management tools (Gantt charts, SWOT & variance analysis, monitoring scorecard/dashboard…) to improve programming
• Work with ZHD & WoHOs to ensure dissemination and utilisation of MNCAHN protocols, guidelines and job aids at facilities and community levels
• Support and quality assure biannual zonal collaborative QI learning sessions and quarterly Woreda collaborative mini-learning sessions to ensure that learnings and bottlenecks are adequately discussed, improvement areas are identified and change ideas shared between collaborating PHCUs
• Work with ZHD, WoHOs and PHCUs to ensure uninterrupted availability of essential including IFA, CHx, Zinc & ORS, VAS by 1) conducting stock inventory and supply availability on monthly basis, 2) facilitate implementation of supply management plan (RRF, IFRR, HPRRF) and information exchange between PHCUs, ZHD & PFSA hubs. 

Project Monitoring, Reporting and Documentation

• Follow up with ZHD to ensure quality and timely submission of both technical and financial reports to RHB and then to NI
• In liaison with M&E officer, participate in planning, coordination and execution of Monitoring and Reporting activities including M&E capacity assessment, capacity building, performance review at regional, zonal and woreda levels.
• In liaison with M & E officer, support the ZHD, WoHOs and PHCUs to integrate MNCAHN indicators and implement data quality assurance mechanisms
• Compile monthly Quality Improvement Indicators report from showcase PHCUs and provide reports using QI coaching summary report that includes improvement progress, implementation of plan changes and planned actions 
• Support ZHD to compile quarterly service reach report from DHIS-2 and PWC report, WIFAS report, coaching/supervision reports   
• In consultation with SPO, M&E officer and Advocacy & Communication officer, ensure proper documentation and dissemination of achievements, lessons learnt, and best practices throughout the program implementation

Financial oversight

• Provide guidance to assigned ZHD to ensure activities are implemented in accordance with approved budget. And, ensure utilization of accounting system put in place to track spending/utilization.
• Facilitate financial plan & report exchange within MoH including 1) timely budget forecast and financial statement submission to RHBs, 2) timely disbursement of budget from ZHD to WoHOs, and 3) timely liquidation and financial settlement by WoHOs. 
• Provide an additional layer of review for all NI related financial transactions and reports based on the agreed ZHD work plans.
• Liaise with SPO and Finance Officer (FO) on any unforeseen budget re-alignment and variations

Advocacy

• Identify priority advocacy issues related to health and nutrition at the assigned Zone in consultation with SPO, and Advocacy and communication Officer (ACO).
• Support planning and coordination of NI advocacy activities at the assigned Zone
• Support execution of follow up of actions at the Zone level as agreed during advocacy events

Representation & Networking

• Participate and represent NI in various nutrition and health coordination forums including Technical Working Group meetings and other multi-sectoral forums at zonal level ensuring NI visibility and identifying leverage opportunities 
• Facilitate development and execution of functional multi-sectoral nutrition coordinated structures at Zonal and woreda levels
• Build and maintain good collaborative relationship with MoH (RHB, ZHD, WoHOs, health facility and community levels) and other partners by promoting information sharing and spearheading the MNCAH advocacy agenda
• Program Coordinator (PC) will be responsible for a zone s/he is assigned. Each PC will be based at ZHD offices. The PC may also be assigned other related duties outside the Zone s/he assigned as may be required. 

Reporting Lines

• The PC directly reports to NI Senior Program Officer and will also be expected to work closely with the ZHD management teams and staffs in assigned Zone.

Place of work

• Western Wollega, Oromia region and Kembata zone SNNPR. The consultants will be hosted by Zonal Health Department and frequently travel to project intervention woredas in the project zone.

NB: All deliverables should be delivered in soft copies, reviewed and approved by MNHN SPO. The consultant should bring her/his own personal computer (laptop) 

• BSc degree in Public Health, MPH with clinical background is preferred
• At least 8 years of proved experience in managing an integrated health and nutrition projects
• Demonstrated experience in documenting best practices and lessons learned to government officials, implementers and key stakeholders.
• Excellent interpersonal skills; Very good presentation skills; Very good report writing skills; Excellent team working skills