Somalia Nutrition Consortium Researcher

About us: For over 90 years, Save the Children has been making a difference in children’s lives in more than 120 countries. We are the world’s largest independent child rights organization. 

From emergency relief to long-term development, Save the Children secures a child’s right to health, education and protection.  

Save the Children is an equal opportunity organization dedicated to our core values of Accountability, Ambition, Collaboration, Creativity and Integrity.  

We are looking to recruit for this position to be based in Nairobi with frequent travels to the field (Somalia / Somaliland).

Job Title: Somalia Nutrition Consortium Researcher 

Team / Programme: Somalia Consortium Management Team     

Location: Nairobi with 40% travel to the field

Grade: TBC  (Competitive Package)

Type of Contract: Fixed Term-24 months with a possibility of extension

Child Safeguarding: Level 3 - the responsibilities of the post may require the post holder to have regular contact with or access to children or young people

Role Purpose: 

The incumbent is responsible for designing and leading all Somalia Nutrition Consortium programme studies including baselines, SMART, NCA and KAP surveys ensuring that they are conducted timely and meet programme quality requirements of International Standards.

S/he will closely liaise with all Somalia Nutrition Consortium partner organisations to to ensure timely undertaking of all planned programme studies and ensuring dissemination of results both internally and externally. 

Scope of Role: 

Reports to: Somalia Nutrition Consortium MEAL Manager

Staff directly reporting to this post: None 

Dimension of Role: 

This is a challenging role in a complex environment. 

It requires a dedicated, experienced and highly motivated individual who can manage the difficulties of working in such an environment and still be fundamental in helping to drive forward our programmes and our ambitions. 

The Researcher  will be part of an MEAL Team made of a MEAL Manager, an and a Data Analyst to provide sound programme/grant management services and key centralised technical support across all Consortium members. 

Key Areas of Accountability:

Programme Research

• Lead the design and undertaking of all the planned studies ensuring that they  conducted on time and with quality that befits external dissemination
• Ensure internal and external dissemination of all studies and any other documentation on program performance 
• Maintain contact with other research organizations from which the consortium will benefit or contribute
• Produce technical papers based on the programme research findings for programme improvement, sharing best practices and advocacy purposes
• Contribute to representing the principles and evidence-based work of the Nutrition Consortium to donors, UN Agencies, NGOs and INGOs, Government, media and other stakeholders when required.

Technical Assistance and Capacity Building

• Work with consortium partners to ensure systems are in place for undertaking key programme studies and documenting other relevant programming data 
• Provide field-based support ensuring the accurate and timely collection of data, its analysis and generation of quality reports.
• Work closely with consortium partners in developing and implementing a relevant and sustainable capacity building plan in nutrition programme research.
• Work with Consortium partner teams to prepare high quality reports on all studies conducted under the programme for internal and donor reporting.

Other duties:

• Compile and, at the request of the Nutrition Consortium Manager, present analytical data on  coverage and impact of the nutrition program
• Comply with and promote Global Policies such as Child Safeguarding, whistle blowing, fraud and safety
• Perform other duties as may be requested by the incumbent’s supervisor

Qualifications and Experience:

• Advanced degree in Nutrition, Public Health, Epidemiology or related discipline
• Extensive experience in conducting  Nutrition surveys and proven experience with the SQUEAC/LQAS/CSAS  methodology
• Proven ability to organize and supervise a survey team in a cross-cultural setting. Excellent report writing and communication skills. Good training/facilitation skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English, with the ability to operate as part of a team in a multi-cultural, values driven work environment
• Demonstrated experience in strategic and operational planning processes
• Ability to manage a complex and diverse workload and to work to tight deadlines

Skills and Behaviours (our Values in Practice)

Accountability:

• Holds self accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modelling Save the Children values
• Holds the team and partners accountable to deliver on their responsibilities - giving them the freedom to deliver in the best way they see fit, providing the necessary development to improve performance and applying appropriate consequences when results are not achieved
• Creates a managerial environment to lead, enable and maintain our culture of child safeguarding

Ambition:

• Sets ambitious and challenging goals for themselves and their team, takes responsibility for their own personal development and encourages their team to do the same
• Future orientated, thinks strategically and on a global scale

Collaboration:

• Approachable, good listener, easy to talk to; builds and maintains effective relationships with colleagues, Members and external partners and supporters
• Values diversity and different people’s perspectives, able to work cross-culturally.

Creativity:

• Develops and encourages new and innovative solutions
• Cuts away bureaucracy and encourages an entrepreneurial approach

Integrity:

• Honest, encourages openness and transparency, builds trust and confidence
• Displays consistent excellent judgement

How to Apply

Interested candidates are required to submit a CV and mandatory cover letter quoting the Job Title and Vacancy Announcement No. on the subject line.  

The file name of the CV and attachments must be the applicants name and sent to Somalia.vacancies@savethechildren.org.

Applications close on 21st February 2014. 

We work with children, communities and governments all over the world and we believe in the right person for the job regardless of where you come from and how you identify yourself. We need to keep children safe so our selection process reflects our commitment to ensuring that only those who are suitable to work with children are considered for these posts. All successful applicants will therefore be required to complete a Police Check and must sign onto our Child Safeguarding Policy and organizational Code of Conduct.

Only Shortlisted candidates will be contacted