Nutrition Programme Manager VAcancy at Graça Machel Trust in South Africa

Post; Nutrition Programme Manager
Organization: Graça Machel Trust   
Location:Johannesburg
About the Organization
The Graça Machel Trust provides a platform to embrace, nurture, enable and inspire women and
children to soar to the fullest of their potential. It consolidates the work of its founder, Mrs Graça Machel, and seeks to build on her legacy to empower new generations to take up the challenges of their times and create caring societies that value social justice.

The Trust currently has two new exciting vacancies and seeks creative and forward-thinking individuals to be part of a small and vibrant team that is committed to promoting the rights of women and children in Africa.

NUTRITION PROGRAM MANAGER
The Trust is currently seeking a Nutrition Program Manager to lead its nutrition work in select countries in the SADC region (initially) and lead the Trust’s nutrition advocacy work within SADC and beyond. The position holder will have an exciting opportunity to strengthen the existing nutrition strategy for the Trust, lead the implementation of existing nutrition and advocacy initiatives and create new opportunities for the Graça Machel Trust involvement in this area.

This position reports directly to the Director and is based in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Main duties and responsibilities:

 Build the Trust’s strategy for its nutrition program, identify a programme portfolio and develop a corresponding plan & budget;
 Implement and manage current and expected donor-funded nutrition advocacy initiatives, providing strategic and technical guidance, project management, and programme reporting to the Trust management, donors and in-country partners;
 Identify a strategic role for the Trust to support comprehensive multi-sectoral nutrition interventions in Africa;
 Liaise with the Trust’s nutrition partners to strategise on the nutrition priorities for the region, and maximise synergies;
 Identify new opportunities, define and implement the Trust’s nutrition interventions in selected countries;
 Develop a strong network of relationships in the nutrition and advocacy field, both regionally and globally;
 Continue the Trust’s advocacy with the SADC secretariat;
 Prepare materials for the Founder’s addresses in different fora;
 Review & comment on position papers, compile & analyse data & information documents;
 Create a pool of nutrition experts and resource persons that the Trust can call upon for input into its nutrition program periodically;
 Collaborate with the Trust’s Child Rights and Women’s Rights Program Managers to advance the nutrition work; and
 Fundraise for the Trust’s nutrition program.

Requirements

 A minimum of a Masters degree in the social sciences, with a strong preference for degrees in Nutrition, Public Health, or Maternal and Child Health;
 A strategic thinker who is able to conceive, develop and implement new strategies.
 Sound technical knowledge and advocacy experience working on nutrition and/or child health in Africa, with a minimum of 15-20 years work experience.
 Solid advocacy experience in Africa, including the development and implementation of national and regional advocacy strategies.
 A thorough understanding of both the African political and leadership milieu and a proven familiarity on how to navigate African institutions and fora such as the AU, SADC, COMESA, ECOWAS, NEPAD, WHO AFRO, Ministerial level meetings and relevant technical and professional associations.
 Strong planning, project and partnership management and diplomacy skills
 Strong evidence of multi-tasking competence is essential; a team player, who is willing and able to adapt to meet short deadlines and adapt to new priorities
 Strong communication and writing abilities in English with ability to produce clear, focused strategy documents, policy notes, briefs, press releases, speeches;
 Ability to work independently and in ‘virtual’ teams, as much of the implementation will be done through partners at country level.
 Experience working with and managing consultants.
 Ability and willingness to travel as and when required.
 Knowledge of Portuguese; ability to speak the language fluently and be able to communicate effectively in Mozambique.
 French would constitute an additional asset.
Closing date: 31 Jul 2013
How to apply: 
http://reliefweb.int/job/589421/gra%C3%A7a-machel-trust-child-rights-programme-manager