Subnational Nutrition Cluster Coordinator

Tags: South Sudan climate change translation Environment
  • Added Date: Wednesday, 06 March 2024
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Organisational background:

Action Against Hunger leads the global movement to end hunger. We innovate solutions, advocate for change, and reach 24 million people every year with proven hunger prevention and treatment programs. As a nonprofit that works across 50 countries, our 8,300 dedicated staff members partner with communities to address the root causes of hunger, including climate change, conflict, inequity, and emergencies. We strive to create a world free from hunger, for everyone, for good.

Action Against Hunger USA is part of the Action Against Hunger International network. As an independent NGO, Action Against Hunger USA currently manages operations in 8 countries: Kenya, South Sudan, Somalia, Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia, Zambia and Haiti. Action Against Hunger-USA has over $100 million in programs, and approximately 1,800 permanent staff based in New York City, Washington D.C, Nairobi, and country offices. Additional growth is anticipated.

 

Summary of position

I.               Summary of Position

The Subnational Nutrition Cluster Coordinator for BRA will be responsible for supporting the State, Regional, and Area-Based nutrition cluster coordination mechanism to ensure a timely and effective nutrition response. The coordinator will strengthen coordination capacity, identify gaps and duplications, address programmatic issues, and facilitate information collection and sharing. He/She will maintain coordination mechanisms with humanitarian partners, represent the Nutrition Cluster in discussions, and establish links with authorities and relevant actors. Additionally, the coordinator will monitor and report on nutrition activities, apply standards and guidelines, advocate for resource requirements, and contribute to capacity-building initiatives.

II.              Purpose

The Subnational Nutrition Cluster Coordinator will facilitate  timely and effective nutrition response by supporting the State, Regional, and Area-Based nutrition cluster coordination mechanism. The coordinator will strengthen coordination capacity, identify gaps and duplications, facilitate information sharing, and establish partnerships with relevant stakeholders. Their role is crucial in ensuring optimal geographical and programmatic coverage, addressing emerging issues, and supporting the overall coordination and information management of the Nutrition Cluster at the subnational level. 

III.            Engagement

The Subnational Nutrition Cluster Coordinator will play a crucial role in supporting the State, Regional, and Area-Based nutrition cluster coordination mechanism. He/she will actively engage with various stakeholders to ensure a coordinated and effective nutrition response. The coordinator will collaborate closely with Nutrition Cluster partners, State/Regional government authorities, national and international NGOs, the International Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement, MSF, and other international organizations.

The Subnational Nutrition Cluster Coordinator will actively participate in State/Regional/Area-Based coordination meetings, fostering information sharing and collaboration among all nutrition humanitarian partners. He/she will establish and maintain appropriate coordination mechanisms, including technical working groups, to facilitate effective communication and cooperation.

 

Furthermore, the coordinator will maintain close coordination with the State level Inter-Cluster Coordination Group (ISCG) and other cluster coordination mechanisms. He/She will represent the interests and needs of the Nutrition Cluster in relevant State/Regional discussions, ensuring that nutrition-related concerns are appropriately addressed and integrated into broader humanitarian efforts.

The Subnational Nutrition Cluster Coordinator will also establish and nurture relationships with the State/Regional authorities, local civil society organizations, and other relevant actors. Through these engagements, He/she will promote effective coordination, information exchange, and collaboration to enhance the overall nutrition response.

Additionally, the coordinator will actively contribute to the coordination of nutrition-related campaigns, such as the World Breastfeeding Week (WBW) and other initiatives aimed at addressing the specific nutrition needs of affected populations.

IV.            Essential Job Functions

Upholding Humanitarian Principles and Standards to Establishment and maintenance of appropriate humanitarian coordination mechanisms:

Advocate for the consistent application of humanitarian principles (humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and independence) in all cluster activities. Ensure adherence to internationally recognized standards and guidelines for Nutrition in Emergencies (NiE) throughout the response. Promote the integration of humanitarian principles and NiE standards into training and capacity-building initiatives for cluster partners. Monitor and report on any potential breaches of humanitarian principles or ethical guidelines, taking appropriate action as needed. Remain updated on evolving humanitarian contexts, policies, and procedures relevant to nutrition responses. Advocate for the protection and safety of vulnerable populations affected by hunger and malnutrition. Champion the inclusion and participation of all stakeholders, including marginalized groups, in decision-making processes. Promote transparency and accountability in all aspects of the nutrition cluster's activities. Collaborate with relevant actors to ensure the security and well-being of humanitarian personnel involved in the nutrition response. Foster an environment of mutual respect and understanding among all cluster partners.

 

Promoting a Coordinated Response and Collaborative capacity strengthening  

Facilitate regular and inclusive State, Regional, and Area-Based coordination meetings to ensure information sharing, joint planning, and problem-solving among all stakeholders. Establish and maintain effective communication channels with cluster partners, government authorities, and other relevant actors. Develop and implement clear coordination mechanisms, including technical working groups, to facilitate collaboration across different sectors. Identify and address gaps, duplications, and inefficiencies in the nutrition response through collaborative efforts. Identify capacity-building needs for the cluster partners at the field level and support in planning the Cluster\u2019s capacity-building initiative. Support efforts to strengthen the capacity of State/Regional and other local authorities on nutrition coordination mechanisms, Nutrition in Emergencies, and Information Management. Promote a shared understanding of the nutrition situation, response priorities, and strategic objectives across the cluster. Foster a culture of mutual trust and respect among diverse stakeholders, valuing and integrating their expertise and perspectives. Champion collaborative decision-making processes that consider the needs and priorities of all affected populations. Promote joint advocacy efforts to secure resources and address critical nutrition challenges. Contribute to the development of a comprehensive and coordinated nutrition response plan for the subnational level. Support the development and implementation of joint monitoring and evaluation frameworks to assess the effectiveness of the coordinated response. Identify and report core advocacy concerns, including resource requirements from the partners at the State/Regional/District level, and contribute key messages to broader advocacy initiatives at the state/regional level.

Driving Impact and Accountability:

Conduct regular assessments to identify critical nutrition needs, gaps in coverage, and emerging priorities. Set clear and measurable objectives for the nutrition response, aligned with national and regional strategies. Develop and implement monitoring and evaluation systems to track progress, measure impact, and identify areas for improvement. Analyze data from various sources to inform decision-making, resource allocation, and program adjustments. Prepare regular reports on the nutrition situation, response activities, and achieved results for stakeholders. Ensure transparency and accountability by sharing information openly and honestly with all stakeholders. Advocate for increased resources to address identified gaps and support the effective implementation of the nutrition response. Hold cluster partners accountable for meeting their commitments and delivering on agreed-upon actions. Promote evidence-based decision-making by utilizing data and feedback to inform program design and implementation. Continuously strive to improve the efficiency, effectiveness, and impact of the coordinated nutrition response.

 

Providing Influential and Strategic Leadership:

Provides clear vision and direction for the subnational nutrition cluster, aligning activities with national and regional priorities. Motivates and inspires cluster partners to work collaboratively towards shared goals. Delegates tasks and responsibilities effectively, empowering others and fostering ownership. Provides constructive feedback and coaching to support the professional development of cluster partners. Represents the cluster effectively in external forums and negotiations, advocating for the needs of affected populations. Builds strong relationships with government authorities, donors, and other key stakeholders to secure resources and support. Contributes to the development and implementation of strategic plans for the nutrition response at the subnational level. Identifies and addresses emerging challenges and opportunities proactively, adapting strategies as needed. Monitors and evaluates the performance of the cluster, implementing corrective measures to ensure continued effectiveness and impact. Celebrates successes and achievements of the cluster and its partners, fostering a sense of accomplishment and motivation.

Monitoring, Analyzing, and Communicating Information:

Collects, analyzes, and interprets data from various sources to gain a comprehensive understanding of the nutrition situation and response efforts. Support the Nutrition Cluster information management and ensure all data from the States/Regional are accurately and timely captured in the overall Cluster coordination information management products including 5W, bulletins, etc., including needs, gaps, supply pipeline updates, etc Conduct regular field-level monitoring of nutrition activities and report on the findings including bottlenecks, challenges, recommendations, and action points for follow-up. (monitoring to include quality of reporting) and maintain effective information with OCHA field support office. Support the Cluster IMO to ensure mapping of various nutrition geographical and programmatic coverage and the needs assessment planned or done including multi-sector needs assessments at the State/Regional level.  Prepares clear, concise, and compelling reports and monthly situation analysis on nutrition needs, achievements, and challenges for diverse audiences. Ensures accurate and timely translation and interpretation of information for diverse audiences, as required. Effectively communicates complex information in a way that is easily understood by both technical and non-technical audiences by employing data visualization tools to present information in a clear and impactful way. Facilitates active listening and fosters open dialogue during meetings and discussions to ensure effective and coherent sectoral needs assessment and analysis, involving all relevant partners and complimenting sectors. Uses appropriate communication channels to reach different stakeholders and ensure timely dissemination of critical information to provide timely updates and briefings to keep stakeholders informed and engaged. Adapts communication styles to different audiences, ensuring inclusivity and accessibility of information. Support in the analysis to identify and address (emerging) gaps, obstacles, duplication, and cross-cutting issues. Monitor and report on new emergencies/hotspots. Contribute to the weekly DOCC and any other information-sharing forum.

 

Supporting Resource Mobilization:

Leads the development of compelling funding proposals to secure resources for the nutrition response from donors and other funding agencies. Manages resource allocation effectively, ensuring efficient and equitable distribution of funds to meet critical needs. Advocates for increased funding to address identified gaps and ensure the sustainability of the nutrition response. Builds relationships with potential donors and cultivates partnerships to secure long-term financial support. Prepares clear budgets and financial reports to demonstrate the responsible utilization of resources. Identifies and utilizes innovative financing mechanisms to support the nutrition response. Collaborates with cluster partners to ensure alignment and efficiency in resource mobilization efforts. Advocates for transparency and accountability in the use of resources, building trust with donors and stakeholders. Monitors and reports on resource utilization to ensure compliance with donor requirements and budgetary limitations. Explores and advocates for the use of non-monetary resources, such as in-kind contributions and technical expertise, to complement financial resources.

 

Demonstrating Core Behavioral Competencies:

Builds and maintains strong partnerships with government authorities, NGOs, UN agencies, and other relevant actors, fostering trust and collaboration. Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness, upholding ACF's values and principles, and acting with integrity in all situations. Drives to achieve results for impact, taking initiative, demonstrating commitment, and holding oneself and others accountable for delivering measurable outcomes. Innovates and embraces change, actively seeking new solutions, adapting to evolving contexts, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. Manages ambiguity and complexity, effectively navigating uncertainty, making sound decisions under pressure, and finding creative solutions to challenges. Thinks and acts strategically, focusing on long-term goals, aligning efforts for maximum impact, and anticipating potential obstacles and opportunities. Works collaboratively with others, fostering an inclusive environment, actively listening to diverse perspectives, and valuing the contributions of all stakeholders. Nurtures and leads, providing guidance and support to cluster partners, fostering teamwork, and building capacity for effective response and leadership.

 

 

V.              Gender Equality commitments

Foster an environment that supports values of women and men, and equal access to information. Provide a work environment where women and men must be evaluated and promoted based on their skills and performance Respect beneficiaries\u2019 women, men, boys, and girls regardless of gender, sex orientation, disability, religion, race, color, ancestry, national origin, age or marital status Value and respect all cultures.

 

VI.            Fiscal Responsibility

This position will be responsible for developing and managing all cluster related coordination budget and supporting the Nutrition & Health HOD to develop budgets during proposal development stage. Participate in development of analysis, stakeholder meeting budget plans.

 

VII.           Physical demands

 While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to sit for long periods and to concentrate on work, including typing, and turn out heavy volumes of work accurately, within short time frames under stressful situations in the context of a moderately noisy office with many interruptions. Must be able to proofread own work accurately so that only minor corrections are needed on an infrequent basis.

To travel to the field, the employee must attest to a level of physical fitness capable of enduring physically difficult, highly stressful situations which may include the necessity to walk long distances, to eat a limited diet and/or to reside in potentially uncomfortable housing or tents. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

VIII.         Working Conditions, Travel and Environment

The duties of the job require regular job attendance at least five days per week. Must be available to work outside normal office hours or on the weekends as required.

Must be able to travel as required for standard domestic and international business purposes. While performing the duties of this job in the field, the employee may be exposed to precarious settings under high security risks and/or very basic living conditions and outside weather conditions, as well as infectious diseases.

Requirements

Required Qualifications and Professional Experience:

Bachelor's degree in nutrition, public health, international development, or a related field. A master's degree is preferred. Strong understanding of nutrition concepts, humanitarian principles, and nutrition cluster coordination mechanisms. Demonstrated ability to coordinate and facilitate multi-stakeholder meetings, workshops, and training. Knowledge of emergency nutrition programming, including assessment methodologies, treatment protocols, and best practices. Proficiency in information management systems and tools for data collection, analysis, and reporting. Previous experience in cluster coordination, preferably in nutrition clusters at the subnational or national level. Knowledge of the local context, including cultural, social, and political dynamics, is advantageous.

Required Skills, Competencies & Attributes:

Core Competency Framework

The key responsibilities of the Subnational Nutrition Cluster Coordinator is categorized based on the cluster Competency Framework:

A. Sectoral Competencies:

Supports the application of humanitarian principles, NiE concepts, tools, and guidelines in cluster activities. Advocates for the application of safety and security protocols in the context of the nutrition response.

B. Common Competencies:

Fosters a collaborative and inclusive environment to ensure all stakeholders are engaged and contributing to the response. Communicates effectively with diverse stakeholders, facilitating information sharing and fostering collaboration.

C. Functional Competencies:

Provides strategic leadership and guidance to the subnational cluster, aligning actions with national priorities and humanitarian goals. Analyzes data from various sources to inform decision-making and resource allocation. Advocates for increased resources to address identified gaps and support the nutrition response. Monitors and reports on nutritional activities, needs, and gaps.

D. Core Behavioral Competencies:

Builds and maintains strong partnerships with government, NGOs, UN agencies, and other relevant stakeholders. Demonstrates integrity and ethical awareness, upholding ACF values and humanitarian principles. Manages ambiguity and complexity, adapting to changing circumstances and finding solutions to challenges. Thinks and acts strategically, focusing on long-term goals and aligning efforts for maximum impact. Works collaboratively with diverse stakeholders, fostering a supportive and inclusive environment.

Benefits

Action Against Hunger-USA provides all staff with an attractive salary & benefits package. We provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees & qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, ancestry, sexual orientation, national origin, age, handicap, disability, marital status, or status as a veteran. Action Against Hunger-USA complies with all applicable laws governing nondiscrimination in employment.

Application Process

Interested? Then apply for this position by clicking on the apply button. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Application should reach us not later than March 20, 2024.

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