Zonal Multisectoral Coordinator of the Food and Nutrition Coordination Unit/ Consultant – UNICEF Vacancy Announcement (Recruitment by ABH Partners)

Purpose: Zonal Multisectoral Coordinator is responsible for day-to-day management of the ‘zonal food and nutrition technical committee/ secretariat in the zone and ensure timely execution of the ‘Food and Nutrition policy, strategy and programs

Location :    Amhara

Start Date:  June, 2023

Reporting to:    Zonal Health Department head

Function: RHB/FMOH Nutrition Case Team

UNICEF Regional Nutrition Specialist

Background

 Ethiopia has made a remarkable progress in reducing child malnutrition with a decrease in national stunting rates among children under five from 58 per cent to 38 per cent over the past 15 years through a concerted multi-sectoral effort. To accelerate this promising progress, Ethiopia made an ambitious new declaration that envisions ending child undernutrition by 2030, named the ‘Seqota’ declaration and Develop Food and Nutrition Policy.The Food and nutrition strategy is implemented through multi-sectoral approaches, with different sectors playing key roles in executing nutrition-specific and sensitive interventions.

Justification

  Mlti-sectoral nutrition coordinating bodies and technical committees are established at national, regional, zonal and woreda levels to coordinate and mainstream nutrition activities in their respective administrative purviews. The health sector has been responsible for chairing the coordination bodies and technical committees at all levels, but challenged by inadequate engagement from the implementing sectors, some of the limitations includes governance; coordination; monitoring & evaluations; nutrition capacity; and nutrition specific and sensitive interventions information availability and use. To address this, the government of Ethiopia develop food and nutrition policy, which will ensure the accountability of sectors and give legal frame works. In order to accelerate the implementation of food and nutrition policy and FNS implementation, the Food and Nutrition zonal multisectoral coordinator will be recruited. The Food and Nutrition zonal multisectoral coordinator will ensure the functionality and success of the multisectoral food and nutrition coordination by ensuring the capacity of a secretariat that feeds the coordinating body with the appropriate information for decision making.

In addition to supporting strengthening nutrition multi-sectoral coordination, nutrition information systems, and monitoring and quality assurance components of FNS implementation respected Zone. Evidence informed decision making in food and nutrition requires the availability of timely multi-sectoral data though a multi-sectoral information platform named the Unified Nutrition Information System in Ethiopia (UNISE).

 Responsibilities and Specific Tasks

The Zonal Food and Nutrition Multisectoral Coordinator will be based within the Zonal Health office. His/her overarching responsibility is the day-to-day management of the ‘zonal Food and Nutrition Technical Committee/ secretariat in the Zone and ensure timely execution of the ‘Food and Nutrition policy, strategy and programs. The post-holder will be responsible for fostering alignment and coordinated execution of all zonal food and nutrition strategies and programs, delivering and reporting results required by the Government of Ethiopia and other key stakeholders, and maintaining effective relationships with key stakeholders.

 The main responsibilities of the post are:

 Key Areas of Accountability

 Program planning, coordination, monitoring and reporting

• Support to ensure effective multi-sectoral nutrition coordinating among zonal and woreda Food and Nutrition policy (FNP) and Food and Nutrition implementing departments/offices
• Support to ensure that the programme has a clear monitoring system and progress is effectively monitored through the regular collection and analysis of key indicators and ensure that processes and results are properly documented.
• Manage the successful implementation of technical and administrative activities of programmes in the multiple sectors.
• Support to coordinate and oversee the quality of all technical activities of implementing partners in the FNS implementing sectors, providing direction, feedback, and support to ensure success.
• Support in Providing input and ensure that all reporting requirements on programme impact are met and assist implementing partners in setting up reporting and tracking systems to provide such information in an efficient and timely manner.
• In collaboration with relevant stakeholders, ensure the establishment and functionality of zonal, woreda and kebele level Food and Nutrition Coordinating Body and Technical Committee
• Facilitate and participate in regular coordination body and technical committee meeting at zonal level and monitor the progress of each of the sectors on FNS implementation.

• Identify challenges faced in the FNS implementation process and communicate to the relevant body for the decision making and be part of solution.
• Support the woreda based planning, strategic planning and coordination meetings at zonal and woreda level.

• Document promising practices on health, agriculture, education, social protection and women and children affairs and other FNS implementation sectors.

2. Representation and coordination (internal and external)

•  Together with other stakeholders, organize learning and experience sharing platform to strengthen multisectoral nutrition coordination and implementation.
• Support Cascading of Food and Nutrition policy initiatives and strategies at zonal and woreda level and mainstream nutrition across socioeconomic sectors and play pivotal role in coordinating multiple sectors towards FNS implementation.
• Build and maintain collaborative relationships with multiple stakeholders to support resource tracking for effective implementation of the program.
• In collaboration with other members of the Food and Nutrition Coordination Unit, ensure effective coordination and collaboration with key stakeholders and partners –government counterparts, development partners, etc.
• Participate in regular team meetings providing input into key decisions and ensuring that issues affecting the FNS plans are timely executed
• Engage in professional forums, workshops, seminars, and other events organized at zonal and woreda levels.

·         Programme Monitoring, Data Management and Evaluation Support:

• Support the development of different forms and records to document program activities and ensure that a system is set up and maintained to ensure all program information is appropriately documented, secured, and shared.
• Support the collection, analysis, and reporting of program data to enable timely and effective decision-making and planning.
• Ensure program implementation and progress are regularly monitored and reviewed with stakeholders and corrective actions are undertaken in a timely manner.
• Collect all relevant program information and generate regular reports as required.
• Engage in program appraisal activities including documenting and sharing lessons.

• Perform any other relevant duties as assigned by the Zonal Health Office and Administrator

Expected Deliverables

• Establishment and functionality of zonal, woreda and kebele level Food and Nutrition Coordinating Body and Technical Committee.
• All reporting requirements on programme impact are met and setting up reporting and tracking systems to provide such information in an efficient and timely manner.
•  Conduct situational analysis, identify key bottlenecks and challenges and develop food and nutrition plans in the zone.
• Support the annual, biannually, Quarterly and monthly planning of the Zonal nutrition technical Committee (ZNTC)/secretariat clearly define activities, resources (time, money, equipment etc.)
• Schedule and organize regular Zonal Nutrition Technical Committee (ZNTC)/Food and Nutrition technical committee meetings and coordination meetings with external stakeholders.
• Tracking of implementation of all programme activities within the budgets agreed for annual, biannual, quarterly and monthly plans.
• Timely communicated program implementation and financial utilization reporting
• Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Plan for the Zonal Food and Nutrition Program Delivery Unit.
• Development and execution of a routine multi-sector nutrition monitoring system, including process monitoring and annual outcome monitoring solutions for the program.
• Documentation of review of progress against work plans, progress reports
• Reports against zonal Food and Nutrition targets, indicators, milestones and activities;
•  Review of progress through quarterly, biannual and annual review meetings and regular updates.
• Establish clear monitoring system and documentation of key indicators, processes and results are properly documented and shared.
•  Regular update to the Regional Food and Nutrition Program Delivery Unit.

Qualifications of Successful Candidate

 At least undergraduate degree level (Postgraduate degree level preferred), within a relevant speciality (Health, Management, Business administration, economics, Agriculture, and related disciplines).

• Field of social science, nutrition, food security, advocacy and communication, agriculture and rural development
• At least 5 years for first-degree and 2 years for second-degree holders’ relevant experience in programme areas involving nutrition-specific and/or nutrition-sensitive interventions.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with a wide range of partners with varying interests and priorities in the field of agriculture and nutrition.
• At least 2 years experience in analytical and practical work in such areas as (a) working with government and non-governmental institutions, (b) programme implementation, monitoring and evaluation systems and processes, and development programmes.
• Previous work experience with the government or any other multilateral organisation will be a distinct advantage;
• Prior experience working in international /local NGO who work on food and nutrition and social protection.
• Deep knowledge of the project cycle, including project implementation and portfolio management will be an advantage;
• Ability to use data and evidence to draw sound conclusions on FNS implementation
•  Strong written and verbal communication skills (in English) and local language;
• Ability to multi-task and work under pressure with attention to detail in implementing FNS at the lower level.
• Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office is a critical requirement.

 Competencies of a Successful Candidate