Position: North East Syria (NES) Nutrition Working Group Coordinator

Location: Derek Syria

Reports to:  Administrative line to RI NES Hub Team leader,

       Technical to Whole of Syria (WOS) Nutrition Sector Coordinator

Duration: One-year Contract

About Relief International.

Relief International (RI) is a leading nonprofit organization working in 16 countries to relieve poverty, ensure well-being and advance dignity. We specialize in fragile settings, responding to natural disasters, humanitarian crises and chronic poverty.

Relief International combines humanitarian and development approaches to provide immediate services while laying the groundwork for long-term impact. Our signature approach — which we call the RI Way—emphasizes local participation, an integration of services, strategic partnerships and a focus on civic skills. In this way, we empower communities to find, design and implement the solutions that work best for them.

Relief International includes the four members of the RI Alliance in the USA, UK, France, and Belgium.  Under our alliance agreement, we operate under a single, shared management structure with one CEO and one Board of Directors.

About our Programs

RI is active in 16 countries around the world, including some of the most fragile: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Myanmar, Pakistan, Philippines, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Turkey, and Yemen.  Often, RI is the only organization providing assistance to highly vulnerable communities. 

• RI employs 7,000+ staff and auxiliary workers
• 97% of staff are in-country nationals
• We only have some 90 ex-pat staff out of 7,000+
• RI spent $125 million in 2019 on our programs.

RI invests in four broad program sectors:  Economic Opportunity, Education, Health, and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH).  We design our programs to incorporate The RI Way:  local participation, integrated programming, the development of civic skills, and partnerships including with local NGOs, governments, and the private sector.

RI supports solutions that reinforce and improve upon existing in-country systems. Where such systems do not exist or are chronically underperforming, RI’s crisis response lays the foundation for long-term, sustainable change. 

About the NES Nutrition Working Group:  

Currently, the Nutrition working group has 7 partners; out of which 6 NES partners are providing integrated health and nutrition services. Two partner provides effective integration of IYCF-E counselling services with health services through their PHCCs and Mother-Baby areas. Remaining health partners support screening and referral services for acute malnutrition. Technically the NES Working Group coordinators work with the NES Forum Inter Sector Working Group (ISWG) Coordinator for strengthening coordination and programme implementation strategies in NES response. The Nutrition Working Group must adhere to the GTAM guidance and seek support from the WoS Nutrition Sector Coordinator on technical issues and capacity building support for NES partners.  

Position Summary:

To support the most urgent coordination needs, RI has secured funding to strengthen the coordination, information sharing and data management for Nutrition Working Group for NES. This coordination structure will assist field level and strategic coordination and provide systematic linkages between NGOs in NES and other stakeholders, such as the NES Forum Inter Sector Working Group (ISWG), UN counterparts and the Whole of Syria structure and local authorities,

The cluster/sector approach ensures clear leadership, predictability and accountability in international responses to humanitarian emergencies by clarifying the division of labour among organizations and better defining their roles and responsibilities within the different sectors of the response. It aims to make the international humanitarian community better organised and more accountable and professional, so that it can be a better partner for the affected people, host governments, local authorities, local civil society and resourcing partners.

 

The main purpose of this role is to be the Nutrition Working Group Coordinator in NES to ensure coordinated, timely and accountable nutrition response of NGOs in NES and strengthen the strategic development of the sector as well as advocacy on Nutrition response related matters. The Nutrition Working Group Coordinator will work closely with the Health Working Group Coordinator and the FSL Coordinator and is  a member of the ISWG.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

Facilitate communication, data collection and information sharing with NGOs conducting nutrition activities in NES (this includes IYCF-E, CMAM and nutrition screening and referrals by health responders and investigating the need to scale up services in NES regions. Facilitate Implementation of the Nutrition Surveillance system for Nutrition across NES, including leading and coordinating programming expansion to include CMAM services, and other intervention and research engagements as appropriate.

• Actively coordinates with WOS Nutrition Sector and other Nutrition Hubs on programming and technical issues and 4Ws reporting based on established NES Forum data sharing protocols.
• Actively participate in key NES Forum meetings, ISWG meetings, WoS Nutrition Sector Coordination meetings and general coordination camp meetings, present nutrition updates when applicable in close coordination with the nutrition sub-sector coordinator.
• Ensure that Nutrition is represented in all NES Forum inter-sector products, such as advocacy pieces and NES Forum (funding) updates.
• Widely disseminate, orientate, and ensure adherence to the IYCF-E Guidelines, CMAM protocols and WoS Breast Milk Substitute SOPs, while working with NES Forum actors to comply.

• Build capacity of health and nutrition workers on IYCF-E support and CMAM, including screening and referral;
• Ensure availability of acute malnutrition services operationalization within every Governorate Hospital with support from the WHO, Health and Nutrition Partners and also imparting trainings on Community interventions to non-technical frontline responders in coordination with the nutrition sector coordinator to expand the coverage of CMAM services in Hard-to-reach Governorates in NES.
• Facilitating fostering partnerships between Child Protection, MHPSS, Protection and other sectors for supporting highly vulnerable PLWs and CU-5;
• Engage regularly with Nutrition stakeholders such as local authorities, civil society, donors and the UN to ensure increased commitment of the stakeholders towards expansion of the Nutrition sector efforts to address Nutrition challenges in NES
• Producing Sit-Reps on the Nutrition Situation in NES using existing data of 4Ws and undertaking trend analysis for tracking services in NES and better utilization of available data for tracking quality of services in NES.

BEHAVIOURS (Values in Practice)

Accountability:

1. Holds self-accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modelling Relief international.
2. Holds the team and partners accountable to deliver on their responsibilities – giving them the freedom to deliver in the best way they see fit, providing the necessary development to improve performance and applying appropriate consequences when results are not achieved.

Ambition:

• Sets ambitious and challenging goals for themselves and their team, takes responsibility for their own personal development and encourages their team to do the same
• Widely shares their personal vision for Relief international, engages and motivates others
• Future orientated, thinks strategically and on a global scale.

Collaboration:

• Builds and maintains effective relationships, with their team, colleagues, Members and external partners and supporters
• Values diversity, sees it as a source of competitive strength
• Approachable, good listener, easy to talk to.

Creativity:

• Develops and encourages new and innovative solutions
• Willing to take disciplined risks.

Integrity:

• Honest, encourages openness and transparency; demonstrates highest levels of integrity

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS

• Experience in leadership and coordination roles, including direct experience in Cluster / Sector Coordination or Nutrition Sector Working Group.
• Experience of developing and negotiating successful partnerships with institutional donors
• Significant experience of undertaking a MEAL related role in a remote management humanitarian context.
• Education to University degree level (Masters in Public Health Nutrition preferred) in a relevant subject or equivalent field experience.
• Experience of applying relevant interagency humanitarian frameworks and standards in nutrition in emergencies
• Demonstrated strong monitoring and evaluation skills, including planning/participating in evaluations.
• Ability to work both in an advisory and a hands-on implementation capacity.
• Ability to facilitate/conduct large technical trainings for staff.
• Experience in strategic planning and coordination of strategy development
• Experience of representation and ability to represent Nutrition Working Group partners effectively in external forums.
• Demonstrates commitment to Humanitarian Principles and Principles of Partnership
• Excellent communication and influencing skills with experience in advocacy.
• Politically and culturally sensitive with qualities of patience, tact and diplomacy.
• The capacity and willingness to be extremely flexible and accommodating in difficult and sometimes insecure working circumstances.
• Commitment to the aims and principles of Relief International.

Desirable

• Experience in conducting and coordinating SMART Assessments and MSNAs
• Language skills in Arabic and/or Kurdish.
• Experience or knowledge of working and living in relevant regions/contexts.
• Formal training in cluster coordination an advantage

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the world’s most complex challenges. We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives. 

We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening and evolving to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive than we are today.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Relief International is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be collectively stronger and have sustained global impact. 

We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran status or any other protected group in the locations where we work.

Safeguarding & Ethics

Relief International (RI) is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with through our work, whether team members, community members, program participants or others, are treated with respect and dignity. We are committed to the core principles regarding prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse. We will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment by or of our team members. As part of our commitment to a safe and inclusive work environment, team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner, respect local laws and customs, and to adhere to RI’s Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times. Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct e-learning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.
 

RI Values: 

We uphold the Humanitarian Principles: humanity, neutrality, impartiality and operational independence. We affirmatively engage the most vulnerable communities.

We value:

• Inclusiveness
• Transparency and accountability
• Agility and innovation
• Collaboration
• Sustainability

How to apply.

• To apply for this post, click on the “Apply” button in the job advert page
• You will be asked to upload a CV and Cover Letter.  The cover letter should be no more than 2 pages long and explain why you are interested in this post with Relief International and how your skills and experience make you a good fit.

Closing date. Please apply immediately we will be reviewing applicants on a rolling basis, therefore may withdraw the position for the job board closing date.

Due to limited resources, only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

Note to external agencies, we will not be accepting CVs from third parties.

Relief International is committed to protecting our staff and the communities we work with from abuse and harm including sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and sexual harassment.

All staff are expected to abide by our Code of Conduct.

Recruitment to all roles in Relief International include a criminal records self-declaration, references and other pre-employment checks, which may include police and qualifications checks.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Relief International is committed to diversity and gender equality, we strongly encourage applicants from the global south and female candidates to apply.

Integrity:

• Honest, encourages openness and transparency; demonstrates highest levels of integrity

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS

• Experience in leadership and coordination roles, including direct experience in Cluster / Sector Coordination or Nutrition Sector Working Group.
• Experience of developing and negotiating successful partnerships with institutional donors
• Significant experience of undertaking a MEAL related role in a remote management humanitarian context.
• Education to University degree level (Masters in Public Health Nutrition preferred) in a relevant subject or equivalent field experience.
• Experience of applying relevant interagency humanitarian frameworks and standards in nutrition in emergencies
• Demonstrated strong monitoring and evaluation skills, including planning/participating in evaluations.
• Ability to work both in an advisory and a hands-on implementation capacity.
• Ability to facilitate/conduct large technical trainings for staff.
• Experience in strategic planning and coordination of strategy development
• Experience of representation and ability to represent Nutrition Working Group partners effectively in external forums.
• Demonstrates commitment to Humanitarian Principles and Principles of Partnership
• Excellent communication and influencing skills with experience in advocacy.
• Politically and culturally sensitive with qualities of patience, tact and diplomacy.
• The capacity and willingness to be extremely flexible and accommodating in difficult and sometimes insecure working circumstances.
• Commitment to the aims and principles of Relief International.

Desirable

• Experience in conducting and coordinating SMART Assessments and MSNAs
• Language skills in Arabic and/or Kurdish.
• Experience or knowledge of working and living in relevant regions/contexts.
• Formal training in cluster coordination an advantage

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the world’s most complex challenges. We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives. 

We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening and evolving to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive than we are today.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Relief International is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be collectively stronger and have sustained global impact. 

We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran status or any other protected group in the locations where we work.

Safeguarding & Ethics

Relief International (RI) is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with through our work, whether team members, community members, program participants or others, are treated with respect and dignity. We are committed to the core principles regarding prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse. We will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment by or of our team members. As part of our commitment to a safe and inclusive work environment, team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner, respect local laws and customs, and to adhere to RI’s Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times. Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct e-learning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.
 

RI Values: 

We uphold the Humanitarian Principles: humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and operational independence. We affirmatively engage the most vulnerable communities.

We value:

• Inclusiveness
• Transparency and accountability
• Agility and innovation
• Collaboration
• Sustainability

How to apply.

• To apply for this post, click on the “Apply” button in the job advert page
• You will be asked to upload a CV and Cover Letter.  The cover letter should be no more than 2 pages long and explain why you are interested in this post with Relief International and how your skills and experience make you a good fit.

Closing date. Please apply immediately we will be reviewing applicants on a rolling basis, therefore may withdraw the position for the job board closing date.

Due to limited resources, only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

Note to external agencies, we will not be accepting CVs from third parties.

Relief International is committed to protecting our staff and the communities we work with from abuse and harm including sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and sexual harassment.

All staff are expected to abide by our Code of Conduct.

Recruitment to all roles in Relief International include a criminal records self-declaration, references and other pre-employment checks, which may include police and qualifications checks.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Relief International is committed to diversity and gender equality, we strongly encourage applicants from the global south and female candidates to apply.