Helen Keller International (HKI) is an international non-governmental organization whose mission is to save the sight and lives of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged by combating the causes and consequences of blindness and malnutrition. We do this by establishing programs based on evidence and research in vision, health and nutrition. 
After over a decade of CMAM programming there are still significantgaps in the capacity to deliver treatment services. As a result most of children in need are left without care and remain at high risk.Additional weaknesses include linking treatment with existing preventive programs or platforms,including contact-points within the health system that could be used as opportunities for screening and referral. Consequently, coverage of CMAM services in MoH-integrated services has been low. HKI has long-standing expertise in supporting capacity development of local public sector to plan, train, deliver and monitor CMAM services. HKI’s CMAM approach has been to integrate treatment of acute malnutrition into a larger preventive framework through the promotion of essential nutrition actions (ENA) and social behavior change communication (SBCC) techniques.
The Regional CMAM Project Officerwill be responsible for overall quality assurance and technical integrity of HKI’s CMAM projects in West Africa. The Project Office will provide on-site technical support and training to HKI CMAM programs in West Africa, as well as remote assistance through document review and reporting.The Project Officer is supervised by the Regional CMAM Coordinator who is based in Dakar, Senegal.
The position is being simultaneously recruited in Senegal, Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, and the Project Officer will be based in HKI’s country office in the country from which he or she has been recruited. The scope of the responsibilities will be multi-country but the employment contract will be as national staff in the home country of recruitment, with an attractive base salary commensurate with HKI’s international grading of the position.
Specific Responsibilities:
Program Planning:
Support HKI country offices to identifyCMAM needs and to develop strategies and action plans for improving CMAM access and coverage.
Work with country offices to plan and initiate new CMAM programs
Program Implementation:
Support HKI country offices to implement quality CMAM programs
Conduct quality assurance (QA) assessments through field visits with country offices and local partners
Assess and strengthen, in a regular basis, the capacity of country offices and local partners to implement QA
Provide capacity buildingof HKI staff and partners in CMAM and related work.
M&E and Research:
Review program monitoring data and provide assistance to country offices on use of routine data to inform and modify program design.
Assist field offices to prepare CMAM coverage assessments, including data collection, service mapping, and analysis
Under guidance from the Regional Nutrition Advisor and the Regional CMAM Coordinator, support formative research and evaluation activities within CMAM
Reporting and Dissemination:
Contribute to the preparation and review of country office quarterly  and annual reports
Support country offices to build the capacity of government counterparts in analysis and use of routine CMAM data
Support the writing of publications related to HKI’s CMAM work, including making presentations to partners and at conferences
Qualifications
Minimum Bachelors degree, preferably Masters Degree in nutrition, public health, or related field
At least 5 years experience implementing CMAM programs in Africa
Prior experience with the Essential Nutrition Actions (ENA) framework and Social Behavior Change Communication (SBCC) techniques preferred.
Experience in CMAM capacity building/training of government, civil society, and NGO staff essential
Prior experience in coverage assessments (e.g. CSAS, SQUEAC, SLEAC, S3M) an asset
Prior research and evaluation experience an asset
Ability to solve problems in an autonomous way.
A willingness to travel, often in difficult conditions.
Ability to undertake extensive field travel, up to 40%
Excellent oral and written English and French required. Ability to read, analyze and interpret the most complex documents, and to prepare presentations and articles using original or innovative techniques or style;
Effective and persuasive communication skills.
Female candidates are especially invited to apply. Interested candidates should submit both a cover letter and up-to-date CV (either in French or English) before September 5th, 2014 to afro.recruitment@hki.org. Please put “CMAM Project Officer” in the subject line.