Nutrition Technical Officer

Job Title: Nutrition Technical Officer

Organization: Action Against Hunger Canada / Action contre la Faim Canada

Report To: Nutrition Technical Advisor

Location: International (remote role)

Job Type: Full-Time, 1-year contract with a possibility of extension

Start Date: January 2025

Work Hours: 37.5 hours per week. (Flexibility is required, particularly in times of crisis)

Salary: CAD 52K – 66K

ABOUT ACTION AGAINST HUNGER

Founded in 1979, Action Against Hunger is a global humanitarian organization that takes decisive action against the causes and effects of hunger. Our mission is to save the lives of severely malnourished children while helping communities become self-sufficient. Recognized as a world leader in the fight against malnutrition, Action Against Hunger has pursued its vision of a world without hunger for almost four decades, combating hunger in emergency situations of conflict, natural disasters, and chronic food insecurity. With more than 8,000 staff in nearly 50 countries, our programs in nutrition, food security, livelihoods, water, sanitation, and hygiene, reach more than 20 million people each year.

ABOUT ACTION AGAINST HUNGER CANADA

With an annual Budget of $46million and a staff strength of nearly 40 people, Action Against Hunger Canada (est. in 2006) works tirelessly in the fight against hunger globally through our specialized nutrition technical programs that build the knowledge and skills of nutrition and public health professionals worldwide for the detection, treatment and prevention of malnutrition.  We are a leading recipient of funding from Global Affairs Canada (GAC) and advocate for changes to policy and practice in support of better nutrition and increased food security. Our collaborative programmatic model brings together communities, civil society, government, and the international assistance community to work jointly on fundamental public health issues that contribute to hunger in this world. 

Our leading-edge programs have been built on the foundations of technical excellence, rigour and innovative practice over many years.  We are experts in nutrition information systems, emergency nutrition and gender equality.  Action Against Hunger Canada plays a hosting role to two significant global programs (SMART and the Global Nutrition Cluster Operations Team Programme Support) that provide guidance, tools and training in the areas of nutrition data collection and analysis and best practices for emergency nutrition service delivery for hundreds of Governments, civil society organizations and international organizations worldwide.  Our programs support the capacity of public health professionals who deliver lifesaving and long-term initiatives in communities globally. We also work towards sustainable transformative health system strengthening in all our efforts to ensure a long-lasting impact together with our partners, including members of the Humanitarian Coalition. As a member of the Action Against Hunger International Network, we also provide a range of technical support for the mainstreaming of gender equality across our programs and operations worldwide. Our commitments towards a gender transformative approach are integrated into our core health programming and our technical support to our International Network. 

To learn more about Action Against Hunger, visit our website at www.actionagainsthunger.ca

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Nutrition Technical Officer will be responsible for providing technical leadership to nutrition sector partner agencies on planning, conducting nutrition and mortality assessments, analysis and management of nutrition and mortality survey data.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

Response to Humanitarian and Developmental Survey Needs

• Support the Nutrition Technical Advisor in coordinating with the nutrition cluster/sector, Nutrition Information Technical Working Groups and its partner, UN, and government agencies to develop a nutrition and mortality assessment plan that outlines necessary human and financial resources to implement assessments.
• Provide on-the-ground technical support to Action Against Hunger, host government, UN, and partner agencies implementing SMART and other nutrition surveys, notably for initial survey planning, sampling strategy, recruitment and training of survey teams, technical support for data analysis, validation of reports and the interpretation of survey outcomes.
• Conduct the analysis and interpretation of survey results.
• Provide adequate guidance to partner agencies in transforming the nutrition and mortality results into programmatic caseload estimation for different interventions.

Standardization of Technical Tools and Methods to Collect, Analyze and Utilize Nutrition Information, Integrated With Other Sectors (Including IPC Support and Data Clinics)

• Support in-country partners in establishing or reinforcing collaborative coordination platforms such as Nutrition Information Technical Working Groups (NITWG), Assessment and Information Management Working Groups (AIM-WG), Nutrition Information System Working Groups (NIS-WG) and other technical working groups as required.
• Provide technical guidance to partners for revision of ToR for technical working groups, development of communication tool for partner agencies that outlines steps and processes for survey planning, protocol review, implementation and monitoring, review, validation and approval of assessment data and reports.
• Work closely with working groups/partners in the development of contextualized standard protocols for nutrition and mortality assessments in different countries.
• Work closely with partners and working groups to develop country-specific core indicators, questionnaires and harmonized reporting tools for nutrition and mortality surveys.
• Provide adequate technical guidance to partners in addition to other sectoral indicators, its advantages and implications on the quality, and representativeness of nutrition and mortality indicators for collective decision-making.
• Support the Nutrition Technical Advisor in organizing workshops/meetings with partners/working groups to review nutrition information and development of utilization plans such as caseload estimation for severely or moderately acutely malnourished cases, IPC acute malnutrition analysis, geographic prioritization exercises etc.
• Support the nutrition cluster/sector to define an appropriate methodology for the collection and analysis of nutrition information on a regular basis that reflects past trends and seasonality, especially in a rapidly evolving context.

Strengthening the Technical Capacity of Nutrition Partner Agencies on SMART Methodology

• Collaborate with the nutrition cluster/sector to identify technical capacity gaps among partners in planning and conducting assessments using SMART methodology, data analysis and information management, review and validation of results.
• Plan and organize SMART managerial-level training for partner agencies in collaboration with nutrition cluster/sector and government agencies.
• Plan and organize training for surveys in collaboration with nutrition cluster/host agencies.
• Support the Nutrition Technical Advisor in organizing technical workshops and data clinic for mentoring technical working group members on the review and validation processes for nutrition and mortality assessment protocols, data collection techniques, data quality and final reports.
• Oversee the general planning and organization of SMART training events (e.g., cost-budget forms and Terms of Reference with partners, coordinating and ensuring logistics through the nutrition sector or host agency).
• Organize technical workshops for capacity building on IPC acute malnutrition analysis in collaboration with the nutrition cluster, food security and livelihood cluster.
• Provide feedback and suggestions to the SMART technical team for continued development and improvement of the SMART methodology and tools that reflect the diversified contextual needs.

Project Management and Resource Mobilization

• Prepare and periodically share project reports with the Nutrition Technical Advisor.
• Prepare, and maintain standard processes for every in-country deployment such as ensuring clear and concise ToR, workshops/training/meeting reports, final deliverables, and final report of emergency survey support (ESS) deployment.
• Identify gaps, and resource needs, and work closely with the reporting manager for revision of plans.
• Support the Nutrition Technical Advisor in exploring new project and consultancy opportunities.
• Ensure timely completion of consultancy deliverables including end-of-mission and project reports.

Representation, Coordination, and Communication

• Maintain close collaboration with the nutrition clusters/sectors, government agencies, and nutrition partners in the assigned region for needs identification, planning and delivering technical assistance.
• Organize in-person and remote technical working group meetings at the country level.
• Collaborate with the Food Security Cluster and other clusters to ensure that IPC analysis takes into account the most recent and quality nutrition information.
• Compile survey databases from countries and develop a regional summary database.
• Keep close collaboration with Action Against Hunger, UNICEF and other partner agencies to identify survey and training needs, and support mechanisms for countries without a cluster/sector mechanism.
• Promote SMART methodology, its scope of technical support and engagement with partners as well as ways of engagement at country-level events and platforms.
• Synthesize and/or analyze learnings, generated through deployments, into communicable outputs and disseminate them as necessary or appropriate.

General

• Attend planning sessions and team meetings as required.
• Ensure proactive exchange and collaboration with the SMART technical teams.
• Keep up to date with technical nutrition developments within the humanitarian sector and share information with the SMART program team.

CORE COMPETENCIES

Collaboration: Collaboration involves effectively working with others, being a team player, and enhancing the quality of work by contributing effectively to others' efforts. It entails fostering cooperation and partnerships among individuals and groups, both within and outside the organization. Collaboration is the mindset of "What’s in it for the team and the organization?" versus "What’s in it for me?”.

Communication: Communication is the ability to convey and receive information clearly and effectively with the consideration of the audience and their points of view. It includes active listening and employing tact and diplomacy in all forms of communication, whether verbally or in writing, to transmit ideas and information effectively and ensure comprehension by the intended audience.

Flexibility and Adaptability: Flexibility and Adaptability is the ability to swiftly adapt one's behaviour to meet the evolving demands of a dynamic work environment. It involves recognizing and valuing diverse and conflicting perspectives, adjusting one's approach as circumstances evolve, and embracing changes in organizational or job requirements with ease.

Initiative: Initiative is the ability to assess situations, address conflicts, and proactively act on future opportunities or problems. It is the strong inclination toward taking action and actively engaging in tasks rather than merely contemplating them.

Integrity and Trust: Integrity and Trust is the demonstration of respect, honesty, and transparency in all interactions to earn and maintain credibility and confidence. It entails a commitment to being reliable and accountable for own words and actions.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Master’s degree in nutrition, public health, epidemiology, or statistics or a combination of relevant studies and experience.
• At least 3 years of field experience in undertaking nutrition and mortality surveys.
• Demonstrated experience in working with government, humanitarian coordination mechanisms, UN agencies, NGOs, INGOs, and donors.
• Demonstrated experience in using online data collection tools for integrated SMART surveys.
• Experience in the development of innovative training tools will be considered an asset.
• Experience using SMART+ would be considered an asset.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND OTHER ATTRIBUTES

• Fluency in written and oral English.
• Fluency in written and oral French or any other local languages such as Spanish, Arabic, or Portuguese will be considered an asset.
• Advanced knowledge of epidemiology and statistics.
• Demonstrated understanding and commitment to humanitarian principles.
• Extensive understanding of the SMART methodology and ENA for SMART software.
• Knowledge of Epi Info, SPSS and STATA.
• Ability to assess priorities and complete a variety of activities with a high level of accuracy and timeliness.
• Strong facilitation skills for training, workshops, and seminars.
• Ability to work independently and under tight deadlines.
• Positive attitude, and strong analytical and coordination skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to gender equality.
• Excellent knowledge of MS Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

WORK CONDITIONS

• Work from home or extensive international travel within the assigned region typically for an intermediate duration (2-4 weeks).
• Required to be seated whilst completing computer and desk-based tasks for long periods.

At Action Against Hunger Canada, we are dedicated to cultivating a diverse and inclusive workplace. We actively welcome applications from individuals from BIPOC communities, LGBTQ2S+ communities, persons with disabilities, and other equity-deserving groups. If you are invited to proceed with the selection process, please inform our human resources representative of any accommodation or special measures you may require.

 Action Against Hunger Canada is committed to promoting the well-being of people around the world and focuses its efforts on saving lives through the elimination of hunger. To that end, we uphold the principles of Independence, Neutrality, Non-discrimination, Unrestricted Access to Humanitarian Assistance, Professionalism, and Transparency in all our operations. We have ZERO TOLERANCE towards any behaviour violating our Code of Conduct, including workplace violence, harassment, sexual harassment, any form of exploitation or abuse, corruption, fraud, and any behaviour lacking integrity.

 Action Against Hunger Canada is committed to safeguarding children and adults in the communities where we work. Our safeguarding commitment is to ensure that children and adults are protected from both deliberate and unintentional harm or abuse caused by Action Against Hunger Canada staff, including the Prevention from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA).

 In an effort to safeguard children and adults in communities that we work with, our offers of employment and volunteering are conditional on successfully clearing background checks that may include, but are not limited to, criminal record, vulnerable sector, and employment reference checks. Additionally, Action Against Hunger Canada participates in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. As part of this scheme, we will request information from your previous employers regarding any findings of sexual exploitation, abuse, and/or harassment during your tenure, as well as any ongoing investigations at the time of your departure. By submitting an application, you confirm your understanding and acceptance of these background checks and provide your consent for the collection and disclosure of your personal information for the purpose of these background checks.

If you are interested in this position, please apply online by January 3, 2025.

We thank all applicants for their interest in this opportunity; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

• Comprehensive Health Insurance Plan (after 3 months of employment)
• Retirement Savings Plan (after 1 year of employment)
• Paid time off (Personal and Sick Days)