Terre des hommes Foundation
Job Title: Health and Nutrition Officer
Categories: Collaboration
Reports to (Hierarchically): Project Manager
Number of subordinates: 0
2 Locations: Garissa, Dadaab
Working time: 100%
Context: Terre des hommes Foundation is an independent, neutral, and impartial Swiss organization founded in 1960, dedicated to bringing about significant and lasting change in the lives of children and young people, especially those most at risk.
Tdh ensures their well-being and the effective implementation of their rights as defined in the Convention on the Child's Rights and other human rights instruments.
To make a difference, Tdh focus our efforts on maternal and child health, children and young people in migration situations, and access to justice.
Tdh promotes the active participation of children and young people to empower them. We advocate for their rights and support them in expressing their needs and interests. Tdh works in fragile contexts and conflict zones, as well as in more stable environments.
Tdh is present in Kenya since 2011. Currently Tdh is providing protection services for children and families affected by migration, natural crises and poverty in Dadaab refugee camps, in Garissa County, and in Korogocho informal settlement in Nairobi.
The intervention in Dadaab refugee camps is focused on prevention and response to child protection needs while strengthening protection community-based mechanisms in the refugee operation and its host communities.
In Korogocho informal settlements, Tdh implements early child development activities and child protection activities with a strong community-based approach aiming at decreasing violence against children and strengthening child protection mechanisms.
Tdh will complement the Ministry of Health efforts to contribute to reduction in morbidity and mortality by early detection, referral and provision of appropriate treatment/management to severe malnourished children (6-59 months), pregnant and lactating women (PLW).
In complement, a WASH component will be integrated in the activities.
The project will be implemented in three sub-counties in Garissa County: Dadaab, Garissa Township and Lagadera. Tdh will work with Community Health Volunteers at community level, in health facilities staff and with Sub-County Health Teams to improve early detection, management, and referral of SAM (Severe Acute Malnutrition) children.
General description of the position: The Health and Nutrition Officer implements nutrition activities under the supervision and management of the Project Manager. He/she is responsible of implementation of detailed implementation plans ensuring timeliness and quality response based on project proposal, National and County guidelines,
Activities:
Program Support
- Make sure that IMAM, MIYCN, and IMCI national protocols are applied in the targeted areas.
- Support outreach activities in identified hot spots.
- Ensure children and PLW under treatment have access toa dequate care.
- Supervise medical care provided to the beneficiaries in OTP, SC, SFP at both facility and outreach levels.
- Conduct supportive supervision jointly with MoH, WFP and UNICEF.
- Compile and analyze routine program and facility data.
- Monitor supplies consumption, project requirements and make orders in time.
- Participate in assessments and surveys as necessary.
- Ensure enhanced drug and supplies management system at health facilities in collaboration with the Sub-County Health Management Team (SCHMT) and County Health Management Team (CHMT) and nurse in charge.
- Carry out facility gap analysis in collaboration with the nurse in charge and develop plan of action and provide recommendation to program manager.
- In collaboration with the nurse in charge of the health facilities identify possible problems and solve
them.
Capacity Development
- Organize and provide training (classroom or OJT) to ministry of health staff according to the IMAM, MIYCN, HINI, IMCI national guidelines in order to improve quality of services delivered.
- Facilitate and support the formation and strengthening of existing mother mentor support groups.
- Strengthen documentation of activities and reporting at health facilities through on job coaching.
Coordination
- Ensure integration of nutrition program with other sectors particularly child protection and WASH within the project.
- Facilitate and attend Facility Health Management Team meetings and Sub County Nutrition Technical Forum meetings in the absence of the Health and Nutrition Project Manager.
- Strengthen collaboration with MoH staff in order to ensure success of the project.
- Support SCNO in coordination of monthly Sub County nutrition technical meetings.
- Work in close collaboration with different stakeholder involved in health/nutrition activities: MOH, UN, NGOs
- Represent Tdh at Sub-County steering group meetings
- Participate capacity building of community health volunteers (CHVs) and community Health extension (CHEWs) worker in various topic in health and nutrition.
- Support CHVs to conduct screening and referral for pregnant women and children with malnutrition and to carry out follow up and tracing
- Provide weekly/Monthly situation report (Sitreps).
Child Protection
- Ensure children with correction needs are referred to Child Protection Volunteers
- Ensure that identified children for cash assistance receive disbursements are coordinate with Tdh Senior Child Protection Officer for follow up and post distribution monitoring.
Qualifications and Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in Public Health and/or Nutrition(minimum of 5 years’ experience in Health and Nutrition Programming with focus on Health systems strengthening)
- Previous experience in providing health system strengthening to MoH, NGO and other organization desirable.
- Strong representation skills at the county level with sound orientation of MoH systems in Kenya
- Team management experience.
- Excellent Communication skills, (Project reporting and evaluation experience).
- Strong training experience required.
- Good computer skills: MS Word and Excel.
Languages: Fluency in English and Kiswahili. Ability to communicate in Somali is a plus
Abuse Prevention Policy - Operational Risk Management
- Commit to respect Tdh Risk Management Policies including: Child Safeguarding Policy, Safety and Security Policy and Anti-Fraud/Corruption Policy, Whistle Blowing Policy
- Commit to ensure the best implementation possible of the Tdh Risk Management Policies
- Commit to inform supervisors and to deal with any cases, allegations, or possibility of transgression, even potential, of the Tdh Risk Management Policies.
Other:
- Knowledge of the Garissa county context
Application modalities:
Interested candidates who meet the criteria above are encouraged to send their applications letter and detailed CVs to KEN.recruitment@tdh.ch
Candidates are required to indicate the position title on the subject line of the email when applying.
Kindly note only applications sent to this email address will be considered.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Female candidates are encouraged to apply.
Closing date for the application of this position is 3rd May 2023.
Tdh’s recruitment and selection procedures reflect our commitment to protect children’s rights, which includes the prevention of all forms of child abuse.
Tdh is an equal opportunity employer