Nutrition Field Assistant

The Organisation

Plan International is an independent development and humanitarian organisation that advances children’s rights and equality for girls.

We believe in the power and potential of every child. But this is often suppressed by poverty, violence, exclusion and discrimination. And it’s girls who are most affected.

Working together with children, young people, our supporters and partners, we strive for a just world, tackling the root causes of the challenges facing girls and all vulnerable children.

We support children’s rights from birth until they reach adulthood. And we enable children to prepare for – and respond to – crises and adversity. We drive changes in practice and policy at local, national and global levels using our reach, experience and knowledge.

We have been building powerful partnerships for children for over 85 years, and are now active in more than 80 countries.

01 Nutrition Field Assistant
Date: 11-04-2023
Location: Garoua Boulaï, East Cameroon
Company: Plan International

THE ORGANISATION
Plan International is an independent development and humanitarian organisation that advances children’s rights and equality for girls.
We believe in the power and potential of every child. But this is often suppressed by poverty, violence, exclusion and discrimination. And it’s girls who are most affected.
Working together with children, young people, our supporters and partners, we strive for a just world, tackling the root causes of the challenges facing girls and all vulnerable children.
We support children’s rights from birth until they reach adulthood. And we enable children to prepare for – and respond to – crises and adversity. We drive changes in practice and policy at local, national and global levels using our reach, experience and knowledge.
 We have been building powerful partnerships for children for over 80 years, and are now active in more than 70 countries.

ROLE PROFILE
Title    Project Field Assistant (CSC)
Functional Area    BERTOUA PIIA
Reports to    Project Officer CBT
Location    Garoua Boulai, East Cameroon  – Travel required        
Effective Date    01st  May 2023        
ROLE PURPOSE:  How does this post support Plan’s strategy and mission?    
The jobholder will be responsible for the implementation of project activities at the District level, and will assist the BSFP supervisor in the organisation of work, supervision of activities (availability of stocks and storage at the sites, sensitisation, screening, distribution of gender sensitive and child friendly (appropriate time for women and men, safe for women and girls, where possible provisions for child care, etc.), establishment and functioning of complaint committees and DPF households, collection and analysis of sex and age disaggregated data, preparation of reports as well as any other activities. …), the creation and functioning of complaints committees and DPF shelters, the collection and analysis of data disaggregated by sex and age, the preparation of reports and any other related activities. He/she will ensure the implementation of the project as a whole, the achievement of its objectives and the respect of the pre-established standards, the promotion of the gender policy and the safeguarding and protection of girls among the beneficiaries and other project partners.
The achievements of the project are linked to Plan International Cameroon areas of global distinctiveness (AoGD) and aim to promote girl’s equality and rights..

DIMENSIONS OF ROLE:
Under the responsibility and supervision of the Health Delegate, and in collaboration with the BSFP team of the PIIA of Bertoua, the BSFP Project Officer will have the task of accompanying the Project Coordinator in the planning and implementation of the nutrition project activities. Under the supervision of the Project Coordinator, the Project Officer will have to perform the below main activities:

A. Support the Project Coordinator in the planning, coordination, implementation and supervision of all activities of the nutrition component:

•    Participates in the planning of project nutrition activities with the Project Manager;
•    Provides technical support in the care of beneficiaries according to WFP standards;
•    Ensures the proper referral and counter-referral of beneficiaries requiring care in the health facilities;
•    Monitors and provides technical support in the implementation of activities related to the market gardens, awareness raising for behavior change, cooking demonstrations;
•    Ensures that activities are carried out in coordination with health authorities and in compliance with national standards;
•    Centralizes all feedback from the field on constraints and difficulties encountered, and submits it to his/her supervisor; Communicates with anticipation to the Health Delegate and support services the technical needs identified by the teams in the field;
•    Coordinates technical support to the data manager in updating data collection and activity monitoring tools;
•    Ensures the permanent availability of nutritional inputs and the collection and monitoring tools necessary for the proper implementation of the project.

B. Team management and support for training and skills development

•    Contribute to the identification of training needs of the actors (Field agents, communities and volunteers)
•    Participate in the development and validation of training modules and prepare training materials
•    Participates in the training of the technical staff under his/her responsibility
•    Writes training reports and conducts post-training follow-ups to ensure that the knowledge acquired during training is put into practice
•    Supervises and leads the project teams – provides them with technical support in monitoring all medical, paramedical, administrative and logistical activities
•    Contributes to the leadership and capacity building of beneficiaries, community leaders and community-based organizations (local committees) to support and sustain the interventions related to the improvement of the health conditions of the populations.

C. Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting of project activities

•    Collects and analyzes data related to project activities;
•    Contributes to the drafting of reports on project activities;
•    Contributes to the drafting of internal (monthly report) and external (intermediate and final report) project reports;
•    Ensures that the data manager receives all statistics for the weekly/monthly project reports;
•    Validate the compilation of statistics made by the project’s data manager and periodically audit the quality of the data;
•    Participate in the analysis of the project activity reports, formulation and implementation of recommendations to improve the project indicators;
•    Participates in the validation of monthly reports on the consumption of drugs and inputs
•    Contributes to the updating of the monitoring and evaluation system in collaboration with the Project Coordinator;
•    Participate in the development and implementation of quantitative and qualitative surveys
•    Participates in the capitalization of experience on the project in order to share with the whole structure the tools used, the lessons learned, etc.

D. Support coordination and representation activities

•    Participates in sectoral technical meetings in the areas of health, nutrition and epidemiology;
•    Contributes to the quality of relations with partners;
•    Ensures compliance with Plan’s principles and values in terms of partnership;
•    Contributes to maintaining the image of Plan International
•    Assists the Project Coordinator in representing Plan International in technical meetings or workshops at the local and regional levels and ensures synergy of actions with the various implementing partners.

Ensures project completion on time;
Prepares status report of the construction;
Adherence to organizational policies on Child Protection, IT, Gender, Anti-Fraud and Corruption, Code of Conduct, Whistle Blowing, Human Resources policies and procedures;
ACCOUNTABILITIES

a-       Problems solving
b-    Supports with coaching staff under his supervision
c-    Exhibit a good sense of judgment and responsibility in the performance of duties
d-    Works with minimum supervision
e-    Refers all final decision making to the manager (Project Coordinator)

f-      Communications
The Field Nutrition Assistant should maintain a good collaboration and communication with technical and financial partners at field level also with local authorities, community leaders, DMOs, Chief of health’s structures, local nutrition focal points and other stakeholders in the area.
Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; Adopts an appropriate communication style when communicating with the whole range of colleagues, partners, Children and communities; exhibits active listening and effective feedback; ability to clearly and convincingly express thoughts and ideas in written and verbal form.
g-    Other
Ensures that Plan International’s global policies for Safeguarding Children and Young People and Gender Equality and Inclusion are fully embedded in accordance with the principles and requirements of the policy including relevant Implementation Standards and Guidelines as applicable to their area of responsibility. This includes, but is not limited to, ensuring staff and associates are aware of and understand their responsibilities under these policies and Plan International’s Code of Conduct (CoC), their relevance to their area of work, and that concerns are reported and managed in accordance with the appropriate procedures.

TECHNICAL EXPERTISE, SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE:
Qualifications
•    Medical or social science degree with experience in nutrition and community outreach in developing countries (knowledge of public health would be an asset); or a medical background with strong experience in Maternal and Child Health and nutrition (minimum 3 years), preferably with experience/knowledge of the Central African refugee context in Cameroon.
•    Demonstrate good theoretical and practical knowledge of community and institutional nutrition management systems (CNAS, CNTI and ANJE experience)
•    Good communication and interpersonal skills.
•    Fluency in English, French required and also other local languages preferred
Knowledge

•   Understanding of integrated development issues and critical analysis of child poverty
•    Knowledge of theories of child-rights programming and child protection (programmatic and safe-guarding)
•    Demonstrated experience as a development professional in planning, implementing, monitoring and evaluating programs
•    Have knowledge of behaviour and people habits of the target area might be an added value

Skills
•  Strong experience in team management
• Ability to work in a multi-ethnic environment
• Proficiency in office software (Microsoft Office)  Strong planning and organizational skills
•    Working experience in community participation in development/programming
•    Ability to deliver to tight deadlines
•    Demonstrated facilitation and active listening skills
•    Good problem-solving skills and ability to think creatively, identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems.
•    Understanding of the socio-economic, cultural and political causes of malaria and the impact on the health and development of Cameroon
•    Patient, adaptable and able to improvise and work in an atmosphere that is extremely stressful.
•    Effectively handles discussions with a focus on both groups and individuals to enrich participants’ understanding of particular subjects or situations, understands process and can diagnose group needs and intervenes accordingly
•    Solid writing skills (report writing, concept paper writing etc.)
•    Skills in using Microsoft Office
Behaviours
•  Works well in and promotes teamwork, comfortable in a multi-cultural environment, flexible and able to work under pressure well.
•  Committed to Plan International’s strategy and values.
•  Communicator.
•  Able to work calmly under extreme pressure and at unpredictable (long) hours during emergency response.
•   Coaches and builds fields agents
•    Promotes innovation and learning
•    Communicates clearly and effectively
•    Strong team building and motivational skills
•    Demonstrates clear respect to all and especially children and women without discrimination
•    Involves others in setting and achieving goals
•    Demonstrates honesty and transparency in holding self and others to account to deliver on agreed goals and Plan’s standards of behaviour
•    Sees contribution of own part of the organisation in wider Plan and external context
•    Promotes a strong learning culture in the organisation
    
PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT AND DEMANDS:
The position holder will work in a typical office environment with some of his/her colleagues in the same office environment and others in the field.
LEVEL OF CONTACT WITH CHILDREN:

High level contact- the job responsibilities of this position does will require the post holder to frequently have any one-to-one contact with children.
 PLAN INTERNATIONAL’S VALUES IN PRACTICE
We are open and accountable
1.    Promotes a culture of openness and transparency, including with sponsors and donors.
2.    Holds self and others accountable to achieve the highest standards of integrity.
3.    Consistent and fair in the treatment of people.
4.    Open about mistakes and keen to learn from them.
5.    Accountable for ensuring we are a safe organisation for all children, girls & young people
We strive for lasting impact
1.    Articulates a clear purpose for staff and sets high expectations.
2.    Creates a climate of continuous improvement, open to challenge and new ideas.
3.    Focuses resources to drive change and maximise long-term impact, responsive to changed priorities or crises.
4.    Evidence-based and evaluates effectiveness.
We work well together
1.    Seeks constructive outcomes, listens to others, willing to compromise when appropriate.
2.    Builds constructive relationships across Plan International to support our shared goals.
3.    Develops trusting and ‘win-win’ relationships with funders, partners and communities.
4.    Engages and works well with others outside the organization to build a better world for girls and all children.
 We are inclusive and empowering
1.    Seeks constructive outcomes, listens to others, willing to compromise when appropriate.
2.    Builds constructive relationships across Plan International to support our shared goals.
3.    Develops trusting and ‘win-win’ relationships with funders, partners and communities.
4.    Engages and works well with others outside the organization to build a better world for girls and all children.

Closing Date: 30/04/2023

We strongly encourage female applicants.

 All applications must be submitted ONLINE at

Location: Garoua-Boulai

Closing Date: 30/04/23

Equality, diversity and inclusion is at the very heart of everything that Plan International stands for.

We want Plan International to reflect the diversity of the communities we work with, offering equal opportunities to everyone regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.

Plan International is based on a culture of inclusivity and we strive to create a workplace environment that ensures every team, in every office, in every country, is rich in diverse people, thoughts, and ideas.

We foster an organisational culture that embraces our commitment to racial justice, gender equality, girls’ rights and inclusion.

Plan International believes that in a world where children face so many threats of harm, it is our duty to ensure that we, as an organisation, do everything we can to keep children safe. This means that we have particular responsibilities to children that we come into contact with and we must not contribute in any way to harming or placing children at risk.

A range of pre-employment checks will be undertaken in conformity with Plan International’s Safeguarding Children and Young People policy. Plan International also participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this scheme we will request information from applicants previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures.

Please note that Plan International will never send unsolicited emails requesting payment from candidates.