Program Associate at Helen Keller International (HKI)

Helen Keller International (HKI), established in 1915, is an international non-governmental organization (NGO) dedicated to saving the sight and lives of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged. Headquartered in New York City, HKI currently conducts programs in 21 countries in Africa and Asia, as well as in the United States.

HKI implements integrated package of cost-effective interventions that are proven to improve maternal and child nutrition. HKI supports policies and programs on food fortification, vitamin A supplementation, infant and young child feeding, nutrition-sensitive agriculture, community-based management of acute malnutrition and prevention and treatment of neglected tropical diseases. At the core of HKI’s programs is advocacy and social behavior change communication to various stakeholders. HKI also undertakes cutting-edge research to influence policy decisions and inform program quality.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Program Associate

Location: Akwa Ibom
Employment Type: Full-time

Role Purpose

• The Program Associate will be directly supervised by Helen Keller’s Nutrition Program Coordinator, Nigeria with dotted line responsibility to the Regional Program Manager, Food Fortification.
• S/he will work closely with Helen Keller’s country office staff, while liaising with partner agencies, particularly in Nigeria, to implement food fortification project activities
• Throughout the Bouillon Initiative project, Phase 2, the Program Associate will work with the supervisor and other colleagues towards ensuring quality delivery of this nutrition project in Nigeria.

Key Deliverables
The Program Associate will:

• Support implementation of the country work plan for food fortification program, with guidance and inputs from Helen Keller’s Nutrition Program Coordinator, Nigeria country office.
• Provide administrative and logistics support to the Regional Program Manager, Food Fortification and the Food Fortification team in Nigeria Country Office.
• Actively engage with and maintain relationships with the relevant government ministries and departments, the National Food Fortification Alliance (NFA), private sector bouillon manufacturers and traders, civil society, research and academia, consumer and professional associations, for the implementation of project activities. 
• Work with the communication team and other nutrition project team members in planning and facilitation of advocacy and awareness creation on the project to officials in government, private sector, academia, research institutions, civil society, professional associations and consumer associations in the country to gain their buy-in and facilitate their support towards implementation of the Bouillon Fortification Initiatives and other nutrition related activities in Nigeria.  
• With support from supervisor, ensure sustained information sharing and knowledge management on the project, including documenting and sharing lessons learned on implementation and technical assistance to bouillon manufacturers operating in the country. 
• Support in writing and producing timely (Monthly, Quarterly, Annual) reports on the progress of the project in line with donor requirements. 
• Any other additional responsibility as communicated by the supervisor.

Qualifications, Experience, and Skills

• First Degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Nutrition, Public Health, or any related fields with 3 -  5 years experience implementing food and nutrition programs. Experience in food fortification program implementation will be an added advantage.  Membership of a relevant professional association is required.
• Strong interpersonal skills and demonstrated capacity to develop and maintain productive relationships with the government, private sector, civil society and other stakeholders in the food system space.
• Demonstrated effectiveness in project planning, organization, report writing, as well as time management.
• Ability to read, analyze and interpret complex data and documents, including regulatory compliance instruments and policy analysis. 
• Knowledge of advocacy and stakeholder engagements with government partners and civil society organizations.
• Fluency in English, both oral and written is required. Basic or working knowledge of French is desirable and is as an added advantage. 
• Knowledge and understanding of basic financial principles for compliance.
• IT literate with excellent MS Office skills including MS Word, MS Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint, MS Teams, Publisher, Teleconferencing
• Professional communication skills in multicultural, multi-lingual environments, written and verbal
• Flexible and helpful attitude, willing to troubleshoot and solve problems in a proactive manner or as they arise
• Anticipates project Country Team’s needs and provides necessary information as needed
• Highly organised with keen attention to detail
• Proven ability to use initiative, prioritize, multi-task, and work well under pressure.

Application Closing Date
30th November, 2024.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should send their CV to: [email protected] using the job title as the subject of the email.