Title: Project Director, Integrated Nutrition and Gender Project in Senegal (PINGs)
Reports to/Position Title: Country Director Sahel
Client: Nutrition International: https://www.nutritionintl.org/our-work/our-global-projects/africa/senegal-and-sahel/ 
Location: Based Dakar, Senegal with 40% time travel in-country and may travel internationally occasionally
Language Skills: Fully fluent written and spoken French, working knowledge of Wolof an asset; High level of competency in English.

Background:

The Integrated Nutrition and Gender Project in Senegal (PINGS) is a start-up CAD 35 million initiative funded by the Government of Canada through Global Affairs Canada, targeting the regions of Kolda, Sédhiou, Tambacounda, Kaffrine, and Kédougou. PINGS is implemented in partnership by Nutrition International, the National Council for the Development of Nutrition and ministries responsible for the multi-sectoral approach to nutrition and reproductive health, and World Vision Canada/Senegal.

In line with Canada's Feminist International Assistance Policy, PINGS represents a paradigm shift for Senegal in the strategy used to combat malnutrition, reproductive health challenges, particularly among adolescent girls, and poverty. PINGS advocates a transformative approach to gender relations with the aim of increasing the equality of women and girls in Senegal in the realization of their right to nutrition and Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH)

PINGS also promotes a multisectoral and gender-responsive approach to the design, implementation and monitoring and evaluation of interventions in reproductive health and nutrition and women’s economic empowerment. The project will work at national, regional and community levels to improve gender equality and empower women and girls and address the obstacles to accessing reproductive health and nutrition services as well as support for their small and medium-sized enterprises.

The project is expected to directly benefit approximately 283,856 pregnant and breastfeeding women and 680,428 adolescent girls. The direct beneficiaries include members of women’s and girls’ groups/organizations empowered to address the socioeconomic barriers limiting their equitable access to nutrition and reproductive health services.

Overall Purpose/Broad Function:

The Project Director is overall accountable for the management of PINGS, this includes liaising with the donor; coordinating and leading partners; supervising members of the project team; overseeing timely project planning and quality implementation; providing financial and administrative oversight; and ensuring quality reporting, monitoring and evaluation of the project.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

Project start up and planning:

Oversee and work closely with implementing partners, GAC and their specialist to develop a detailed project implementation plan that describes the project scope, goals and deliverables and how Nutrition International and partners intend to implement the project, this includes clearly defined strategies in gender equality, environmental sustainability, MEAL and communications as well as project management and governance.

Oversee and work closely with implementing partners to develop detailed annual workplans for the project that clearly defines the activities, resources (time, money and equipment etc.) required for the implementation of the project; and update it regularly to ensure the timely completion of project activities and achievement of the deliverables of the project.

Ensure the project implementation plan and annual workplans are understood by project staff, implementing partners and stakeholders.

Generate new ideas, initiatives and strategies to better meet project objectives and encourage staff and project stakeholders to do the same.

Project implementation:

Guide the implementation of project activities and ensure that NI project staff and implementing partners are executing the project according to the approved project implementation plan and annual workplans;

Manage sub-contracting agreements and relations with NI’s vendors in the project, according to NI’s strict policies. This includes the development of terms of reference, vendor selection, contracting, monitoring and end of contract processes;

Manage and support NI’s project partners to ensure they are making their full and positive contribution to the project and meeting their contractual obligations to NI;

Initiate and support program quality improvements through the project cycle by directly providing advice and operations support to the Country Director;

Work closely with the PINGS Technical Advisor and the Global Technical Services unit to ensure adequate technical oversight and quality assurance, including technical sign-off on e.g., relevant ToRs, research designs, operations and results reports;

Facilitate a close working relationship between the PINGS Gender Project Officer and the Regional Advisor, Gender Mainstreaming to ensure gender equality is effectively integrated into project activities and well reported in operations and results reports, and technical sign-off received on gender equality interventions as necessary.

Liaise with Program Operations to trouble shoot and seek support for project implementation as needed.

Program Learning and effectiveness

Work closely with the MEAL team to ensure effective execution of the PINGS MEAL strategy and plan as developed as part of the project implementation plan, and the information collected, and knowledge translated, contributes to project and NI goals;

Ensure monitoring data is analysed and used for course correction as needed;

Ensure that the baseline and endline surveys, as well as annual outcome monitoring, and evaluations, are conducted in a timely way and adheres to NI’s high technical standards for data quality;

Work with the project partners to conduct regular learning reviews and ensure information from surveys, annual outcome monitoring, and evaluations, feeds into new NI projects and is disseminated through PINGS knowledge translation products;

Ensure the effective execution of the PINGS communication strategy, and regularly review the activities of the communication plan that will help to raise the project’s profile and regularly update stakeholders on project progress.

Develop forms and records to document project activities and set up a system to ensure that all project information is appropriately documented, secured and shared;

Lead the preparation of quality operations and results reports according to NI internal requirements and the PINGS contribution agreement with GAC.

Human Resource management

Ensure that all PINGS staff (and indirectly the staff of NI’s sub-agreements) receive appropriate orientation to the project;

Manage PINGS project staff and consultants according to the established policies and practice of the organization and the terms and conditions of the PINGS contribution agreement with GAC;

Ensure the performance of NI project staff is effectively appraised in line with NI policy and procedures and that mentoring needs or training required to improve staff performance are identified and supported;

Ensure that implementing partners’ staff profiles are in line with agreed qualifications required with NI;

Manage NI PINGS project staff contracts and consultants in a timely manner and according to local legislation and NI policies;

Ensure that project field staff have adequate security and field offices have emergency plans in place;

Quality control terms of reference for short term consultants and ensure consultants with appropriate skills and experience for the project activities are contracted;

In consultation with appropriate managers, interview, select, hire and induct new project team members with appropriate skill for the jobs;

Ensure the overall leadership of the project team in accordance with NI’s values

Financial Management

Ensure that the contracts database is regularly updated, regular relevant reports are generated, and budget variances are adequately explained and managed;

Develop quarterly cash flow projections and monitor actuals and review variance analysis on a monthly basis to ensure the project operates within its budget parameters;

Ensure that implementing partners set-up appropriate financial procedures and tools required to be in alignment with NI requirements and standards as well as the terms and conditions of the PINGS contribution agreement with GAC;

Ensure all project funds are managed according to established accounting policies and procedures;

Liaise with the Manager Budgeting and Compliance for PINGS in the Corporate Services unit to ensure adherence to NI finance and contracting policy and procedures; trouble shoot, and support improvements as needed.

Donor relations, external representation and advocacy

Build and strengthen relationships with key project stakeholders and implementing partners to ensure that the project is harmonized with other donors funded programs and facilitates government leadership and ownership in line with the Paris Principles;

Ensure timely responses to donor’s and other key stakeholder’s inquiries and concerns;

Represent NI at sub-national, national and international conferences/for a and play active role on sub-national level task forces and alliances in line with the scope of the project;

Ensure positive communication and build a positive relationship with donor and government agencies at national, regional and local level;

Work with the Advocacy and Communications team on the PINGS communication strategy to profile the project in Senegal and further afield;

With the CD meet with the donor regularly to provide updates and discuss challenges.

Office management

Ensure budget for project office management are properly and transparently managed, in liaison with the Regional Finance Controller;

Ensure PINGS project office spaces and environment is appropriate, meets acceptable standards of safety, security and hygiene, and is properly maintained;

Support the CD to provide overall leadership of the Sahel Country Office.

Other

Any other task requested by the Country Director

Supervisory Responsibilities:

Line management of: Project Officers in Nutrition (1), Gender Equality (1), ICC (1), MEAL (1) and Zonal Coordinators (3)

Education/Professional Designations/Experience:

At least a Master’s degree from a recognized university in one of the following areas: nutrition, public health, international development and/or a related field;

10 years of work experience with NGOs, UN agencies or similar working on public health, food security and/or nutrition related programs with at least 5 years of experience working in developing countries in Africa in a program management or senior technical role;

Training in epidemiology and research methodology especially as they relate to public health interventions;

Able to work as part of multi-cultural global team in a dynamic and growing organisation;

Expertise and commitment to integrating gender considerations into public health and/or development programs;

Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint;

Superior communications skills (oral and written) including good technical writing and presentation skills in English and French.

Language Skills:

Fully fluent written and spoken French, working knowledge of Wolof an asset;

High level of competency in English.

Travel Requirements:

Based in Dakar with 40% of the time travelling in country and may travel internationally occasionally

Other specific Skill Requirements:

Strengths in inspiring and enabling others through teamwork, training, and organizational development to realize organization objectives;

Proven ability to think strategically;

Ability to work independently and with minimal supervision;

Cultural sensitivity, patience and flexibility;

Comfort working with numbers (budget, program data);

Ability to consistently work ahead to meet deadlines in a calm and organized manner;

Good presentation skills;

Discretion;

Integrity.

TO APPLY

Nutrition International has hired Global Recruitment Specialists to assist with sourcing applicants for this position. Candidates are welcome to contact GRS with inquiries or to apply directly with a cover letter and CV/resume to:

Jill Solomon, Senior Recruiter

Global Recruitment Specialists "Positioning You for Success"

Norwalk, CT 06851 USA

Telephone: +1- 203-899-0499

JSolomon@globalrecruitment.net 

This job description can and will be amended as required from time to time

Nutrition International is committed to achieving workforce diversity in gender, nationality and culture

Qualified female applicants are encouraged to apply

NI is a non-smoking work environment