Project Officer - World Vision

The Improved Feeding Practices for first 1,000 Days project will be implemented by World Vision Ghana (WVG) with anticipated funding from the Japan Social Development Fund/World Bank. The project is focused on reducing nutritional deficiencies in pregnant and lactating mothers and children under the age of 2 (the so-called first 1,000 days) among the rural poor in Ghana. The project will use an innovative market oriented approach that integrates the deployment of nutrient supplements, intake of micronutrients and amino acids/protein and nutrition-sensitive agricultural approaches to address nutrient deficiencies among selected rural poor populations. The project aims to increase the food availability, access, and consumption of diverse and nutritious food for individuals within the target group.

Purpose of the position:

The Project Coordinator will be responsible for the day-to-day implementation of project activities of project. The Project Coordinator will take active steps in liaising with development partners and other stakeholders to ensure that all project milestones are achieved in accordance with the work plan and within the agreed time frame.

Locations:

• Kassena Nankana
• Sekyere East
• Kintampo South

Major Responsibilities:

Project Planning & Implementation

• Support in the identification of community nutrition volunteers and Mother support groups for community mobilization and promotion of IYCF key messages among child caregivers
• Identify, form and support Mother-to-mother support groups
• Identify and training peer leaders for the MTMSGs on nutrition-centered education
• Ensure project activities are carried out on schedule.
• Mobilise communities and project participants to fully take advantage of the project during the life of the project.
• Organise and plan training of Health Workers in Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF)
• Conduct food demonstration
• Work with Village Based Enterprise to make fortified foods available to families.
• Assist families in establishing home gardens
• Educate care-givers on good nutrition practices.
• Work with partners to facilitate the distribution of nutritional supplements.

Project Monitoring & Documentation

• Provides monitoring oversight to all the project components and consistently work to ensure adequate community involvement in the project.
• Maintain and manage records of project activities and regularly provide project updates to key stakeholders and promptly report any deviations.
• Contribute to the development of nutrition messaging by documenting evidence.
• Track the distribution of Instant Foods to children and propose remedies for gaps identified for continuous project design
• Writing and documentation of lessons learned and best practices and sharing them at forums
• Identify all forms of project risks and manage and escalate where necessary

Procurement and Finance

• Actively participate in the monthly programmes and finance meeting to provide explanations on variances, share areas of concerns.
• Maintain adequate supply of Nutrition supplies. Coordinate with Supply Chain to ensure that nutrition supplies are procured/delivered in a timely manner.
• Timely submission of all project costs and ensure prompt payment of partners

Networking, collaboration, and communication

• Build relationship within communities and facilitate working with partners and various stakeholders towards high community involvement.

• Represent the project at external engagement meetings.
• Lead project review sessions (annual workplan meetings…) at the district level with stakeholders
• Nurture and sustain partnerships with relevant stakeholders particularly GHS with Ministry of Health, Ghana Health Service etc. at the regional, district and community level, in order to ensure transition and sustainability of the project.

Reporting

• Prepare and submit quality reports and other project documents, including case studies and stories of human interest stories that meet donor requirements.
• Contribute to the development of proper stakeholder communication tools to ensure continues flow of information
• Monitor budget and expenditure and advice Project Manager to take necessary action.

Qualifications: Education/Knowledge/Technical Skills and Experience

• Minimum Qualification required: BSc Nutrition/ Food, Public Health, Agriculture or related fields. A Master’s degree in relevant fields will be an added advantage
• Experience: At least 5 to 7 years’ experience in implementing integrated Nutrition & Health and food security projects in developing countries
• Strong understanding of food based approaches -Nutrition-sensitive agriculture approaches and pathways
• Strong project management skills and experience in managing large scale internationally funded grant projects
• Strong M&E background
• Prior experience in social enterprise /microenterprise/ micro franchising will be an added advantage
• Prior Knowledge of JSDF/World Bank regulations and processes (operations, procurement, finance, environmental safeguard policies, etc.) will be an added advantage

Other Competencies/Attributes:

• Strong analytical and report writing skills
• Strong communication skills (oral and written), able to make convincing presentations
• Ability to speak the local language in project locations will be added advantage
• Demonstrated ability to work with teams
• Competency in the use of MS Office suite
• Aptitude for community mobilisation and capacity-building.
• Team-player with good inter-personal skills.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks and work under pressure to meet timelines

Working Environment / Conditions:

• Work environment: This is a field-based position and working and living conditions may be very different to that previously experienced.
• Travel: Minimum 30% domestic travel required