Nutrition Localization Helpdesk

Job Title: Nutrition Localization Helpdesk

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

Report To: GNC Operations Team Coordinator

Location: International (Remote)

Job Type: Full-time, 6-month contract with the possibility of extension

Start Date: October 2024

Work Hours: 37.5 hours per week

Salary: CAD 70K – 80K

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 $46 million 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

As a key member of the Global Nutrition Cluster (GNC) Team, the Nutrition Localization Helpdesk plays an essential role as a focal point for local and national actors (LNAs) while exploring localization opportunities with partners and stakeholders. This support aims to champion and advocate for localization approaches and efforts in humanitarian settings. The incumbent is further tasked with supporting the implementation of the GNC Localisation Roadmap and the GNC Anti-racism & Localisation Working Group.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

Coordination and Country Support (40%)

• Act as a key focal point for LNAs seeking capacity-strengthening support from the GNC. This could include supporting LNAs in institutional capacity strengthening for example resource mobilization through partnering, linking, or redirecting.
• Act as a key focal point for coordinating capacity strengthening of LNAs in cluster coordination, information management (IM), Nutrition Information Systems (NIS), and programming functions. For example, collaboration with various GNC colleagues, such as the capacity strengthening focal points, to ensure that LNAs (national and/or sub-national level) have access to and participate in GNC-led capacity strengthening activities (training, webinars, scholarships, coaching, mentoring, and e-learning opportunities).
• Increase the visibility of the GNC support for LNAs and LNA outreach (demand generation).
• Support adaptation of current GNC-led capacity strengthening processes (including monitoring), e-learning and training materials on coordination, IM and NIS to render them more accessible and relevant to LNAs.
• Develop training sessions and e-learning on localization to be integrated into the current GNC capacity-strengthening curriculum on coordination, IM, and NIS.
• Collaborate with other members of the GNC Team to ensure coordination and harmonization of support to LNAs while bringing them to the center of the work, in part by reviewing support Terms of Reference (ToRs) and other key GNC documents to ensure localization principles are embedded.
• Coordinate and support the implementation of webinars and workshops designed to meet the needs of LNAs working in nutrition in emergencies in cluster co-coordinating, IM and/or NIS functions (together with respective colleagues from the Coordination Team) and programming (together with respective colleagues from the Programme Team).
• Provide in-country and remote support to nutrition cluster/sector coordination mechanisms in assessing their progress on localization, including the development and implementation of country-specific localization strategies/action plans as well as integrating localization within the humanitarian programme cycle (HPC) including humanitarian needs overview (HNOs) and humanitarian response plans (HRPs).
• Provide technical localization support to partners and stakeholders in the design, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation (M&E) of localization initiatives.
• Participate in relevant coordination and working group meetings. Proactively engage with GNC working group co-chairs to apply a localization lens to their groups and work plans.

Influencing the GNC and the Wider Localization Agenda (30%)

• Work closely with the GNC, other UNICEF-led/co-led clusters and Areas of Responsibility (AoR), Action Against Hunger Network, localization focal points, and other partners and stakeholders to keep abreast of localization initiatives, the latest localization examples, research, and promising practices and from these identify synergies for influencing the GNC and the wider localization agenda.
• Support the implementation, monitoring, reporting and updating of the GNC Localisation Roadmap as a complement to the GNC strategy 2022-2025 and feed into the next iteration of the GNC strategy.
• Support the establishment and functioning of the GNC Localisation Steering Group (LSG) and engagement with the GNC Strategic Advisory Group (SAG).
• Provide dedicated support to the GNC Anti-racism & Localisation Working Group and lead or co-lead on various workplan activities on behalf of the working group.
• Build strategic relationships with the global SUN Civil Society Network (CSN), national SUN Civil Society Alliances (CSAs), and in-country national NGO fora to increase engagement with LNAs who are currently outside of the cluster system.
• As per GNC Programme Team strategic priorities, explore and define the concept around regionally and locally owned technical support networks and advance efforts in establishing and supporting them while also supporting the GNC’s strategic priority of providing programming expertise that is as local as possible.
• Champion and advocate for localization approaches in humanitarian settings, leveraging all opportunities including active participation (particularly by LNAs in cluster co-coordination/IM/NIS functions at national or sub-national level) in the relevant country, regional and global events (linking with GNC funds available for LNA sponsorship to such events).
• Wherever possible, influence materials and resources to encourage the shifting of power from international actors to national actors.

Monitoring and Evaluation (10%)

Together with key colleagues***,*** such as the GNC global IMO and the UNICEF GCCS-level Localisation Focal Point:

• Support the strengthening and updating of localization monitoring and evaluation frameworks for the GNC.
• Monitor the status, impact, and effectiveness of localization and support to LNAs, provide recommendations for improvement, and support reporting.
• Conduct regular reviews of localization monitoring and evaluation data to identify trends, gaps, and opportunities for improvement, including analysis of roster representation and in-depth support provision.

Knowledge Management, Learning, Capacity Sharing and Exchange (20%)

• Collaborate with the Emergency Nutrition Network (ENN) and the GNC Programme Leadership Team (PLT) and the GNC Capacity Strengthening focal points to ensure a strong localization knowledge management, learning, accountability, capacity sharing and exchange approach.
• Play a key role in documenting and sharing knowledge, lessons learned, promising practices, and case studies as well as influencing the development of guidance documents and other relevant resources for best accessibility and use by LNAs.
• Support the GNC and other UNICEF-led/co-led clusters and Areas of Responsibility (AoRs) to strengthen learning on localization by influencing case studies, materials, guidance, and e-learning products.

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 are 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

• A bachelor’s degree in a relevant field related to social sciences such as international development or nutrition and/or equivalent experience gained.
• Minimum 5 years of experience working in humanitarian settings.
• Experience working as staff (paid or unpaid, such as volunteering) for local or national actors (LNA) in humanitarian settings. This can include experience working for government authorities, non-governmental organizations, civil society organizations, community-based organizations, Red Cross and Red Crescent, and other organizations that are headquartered in and operating in a humanitarian context.
• Experience with cluster and/or sector coordination mechanisms would be considered an asset.
• Nutrition experience would be considered an asset.
• Relevant professional experience working in at least 3 countries.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND OTHER ATTRIBUTES

• Proficiency in English and at least one other language spoken in the countries where the GNC works.
• Strong planning, organization, and coordination skills.
• Ability to design and facilitate training sessions in consideration of audience characteristics and adult learning principles.

WORK CONDITIONS

• Work from home or international travel to locations in humanitarian settings for intermediate duration (1-4 weeks).
• Required to complete computer and desk-based tasks for long periods.

BENEFITS

• Vacation: 1-2 years: 3 weeks, 2-4 years: 4 weeks, 5+ years: 5 weeks
• Comprehensive Health Insurance Plan (after 3 months of employment)
• Retirement Savings Plan (after 1 year of employment)
• 13 paid holidays per year
• Paid time off (Personal and Sick Days)

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 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.

How to apply

If you are interested in this position, please apply online by September 5, 2024, using the following link: https://apply.workable.com/acfcanada/j/1BF3B8E02C/

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