Two Regional Team Leader | UNICEF-funded projects in Africa

Division of Nutritional Sciences at Cornell University is seeking two Regional Team Leaders to work on strengthening nutrition strategic capacity and adaptive management at regional, national and local levels on UNICEF-funded projects in Africa.

Description

The Division of Nutritional Sciences is seeking two (2) full-time Extension Associates who will work as Regional Team Leaders on projects to be funded by UNICEF. A start date of January 1 to March 1, 2013 is anticipated.

These positions are full-time limited term positions with annual renewals through october, 2015, subject to continued funding and performance.

The goal of the overall UNICEF project is to improve the institutional environment at continental, regional and national levels, contributing to a reduction in maternal and child under-nutrition in West and East Africa. Cornell's primary focus is to: 1) strengthen strategic capacities at national and sub-national levels, 2) strengthen the capacity for adaptive management of the community-based nutrition program and 3) support real-time learning, sharing and documentation of project experiences for the purpose of improved performance, sustainability and positioning for scaling up.

One Regional Team Leader will support two countries in West Africa and the second will support two countries in East Africa. Both individuals will work directly in the assigned region.

Each Regional Team Leader will be responsible for overseeing and managing all activities for the project in the two countries with support from an Ithaca-based team.

Specific duties include but are not limited to:

* Facilitate the formation, strengthening, support and effectiveness of a network of stakeholders in the national nutrition community in each country.
* In concert with members of this network organize and/or participate in forums, meetings and other activities to advance the nutrition agenda in each country by strengthening awareness and commitment, policy development and implementation and information sharing, reflection and learning.
*Strengthen the implementation and coherence of nutrition-relevant, multi-sectoral. community-based interventions in selected districts or regions of each country, by working with relevant stakeholders at national, regional, district and community levels to strengthen adaptive management capacities, including decision structures, on-going feedback, learning and response mechanisms and capacity building.
* Strengthen the awareness, appreciation and capacity for a Learning and Collaboration Approach to development among relevant stakeholders at community, district, regional and national levels, building upon the learning activities noted above as well as Learning Competitions and dissemination activities at each level.
* Develop and implement methods for documenting the processes and outcomes of all aspects of the project, building upon the participatory learning activities noted above and monitoring and evaluation data, in addition to stakeholder interviews, process tracing and other research methods.
* Participate in efforts to disseminate project experiences and learnings to stakeholder audiences at regional, continental and global levels, including conferences, reports, policy briefs and scientific publications.
* Maintain strong communication and working relationships with UNICEF in each country and in the regional office.
* Manage the project budget in collaboration with the Ithaca team.
* Prepare annual and semi-annual progress reports for accountability to UNICEF and its stakeholders.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required Qualifications:

* Masters-level degree in nutrition, public health, planning, evaluation or social sciences plus policy/program field experience and 3-5 years applied research experience
* Field experience in Sub-Saharan Africa
* Experience with qualitative data collection and analysis
* Experience writing high quality professional reports for government, donor and NGO audiences
* Experience establishing and maintaining strong working relationships and partnerships with diverse donor, NGO and government organizations
* Experience in the participatory design, implementation, management and evaluation of nutrition policies, programs or interventions in low income settings
* Experience in the design, implementation and management of research in low income settings
* Experience managing and/or coordinating with large multi-partner projects

Required Competencies:
* Planning, organization, problem-solving, coordination and negotiation skills
* Ability to work as a member of a team and under pressure
* Ability to work independently to accomplish project objectives
* Ability to establish, manage, guide and monitor relationships with diverse stakeholders.
* Ability to reside, work and travel in the regional setting and undertake occasional travel outside the region
* Strong oral and written communication skills
* Fluency in English and (in West Africa) French
* Proficiency using the electronic medium and software packages such as email and internet browsers, Microsoft Office Word Suite, especially Word, Excel and Power Point.

Preferred Qualifications:
* PhD in nutrition, public health, planning, evaluation or social sciences plus policy/program field experience and 3-5 years applied research experience.

To Apply: Individuals interested in these positions must apply on-line and upload their CV and a letter of intent; identifying which region they are interested in working in, detailing their relevant experience and qualifications for the post, and identifying three individuals who would be willing to provide a letter of recommendation.

Questions in advance of application should be directed to Professor David Pelletier at dlp5@cornell.edu.

Screening of applications will begin immediately and continue until both positions have been filled.

Cornell University is an innovative Ivy League university and a great place to work. Our inclusive community of scholars, students and staff impart an uncommon sense of larger purpose and contribute creative ideas to further the university's mission of teaching, discovery and engagement. Located in Ithaca, NY, Cornell's far-flung global presence includes the medical college's campuses on the Upper East Side of Manhattan and Doha, Qatar, as well as the new CornellNYC Tech campus to be built on Roosevelt Island in the heart of New York City.

Diversity and inclusion have been and continue to be a part of our heritage. Cornell University is a recognized EEO/AA employer and educator.

 

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