Sierra Leone - Nutrition Officer (Intern)

About COOPI

Cooperazione Internazionale (COOPI) is an Italian humanitarian non-governmental organization founded in Milan in 1965. COOPI aims to help the world’s poorest to improve their access to healthcare, food, and financial security, and to overcome their special vulnerability to wars, civil conflicts and natural disasters. For 50 years of long-term support and constant presence in the field, COOPI has been engaged in breaking the cycle of poverty and responding to specific emergencies in numerous sectors, including Food Security, Humanitarian Aid, Health, Socio-Economical Services, Water and Sanitation, Human Rights, Education and Training, Migrations and Sustainable Energy.
With more than 3,900 humanitarian workers employed, and an average of 180 projects per year across 25 countries throughout Africa, Latin America and the Middle East, COOPI is the biggest Italian NGO. During its 50 years of activity, COOPI has successfully completed over 1,600 projects in 63 countries, involving 55.000 local operators and ensuring direct benefits to approximately 100 Million people.

COOPI in Sierra Leone

COOPI is operating in Sierra Leone since 1967, mainly supporting agricultural, protection and health sectors. After the war, COOPI contributed for the provision of the emergency recovery support to communities that were badly hit during the 10-years of conflict.
COOPI entered into a consortium together with the Non-profit organizations Welthungerhilfe and Inter Aide for the implementation of the EU funded Food Security Program ProAct 2015. ProAct aims to ‘*improve the food and nutrition security situation of vulnerable population groups*’ (overall objective), focusing on two specific objectives (outcomes):

1. Increased rural households’ market share and income through reinforced cashew and honey value chains;
2. Enhanced nutrition level through promotion of consumption of local food and agricultural diversification.

In particular for the second component, ProAct is applying the so called LANN approach, namely Linking Agriculture, Natural Resource Management and Nutrition. LANN approach aims to promote nutrition education, sustainable agriculture and natural resource management in rural areas, stimulating positive behavior change at household and community level in regards of dietary diversity, child feeding and hygiene practices.

Scope of the Vacancy

The Intern Nutrition Officer is responsible to support the local LANN officer in the overall planning, execution, monitoring and reporting of the LANN activities. The Intern Nutrition Officer will be directly assigned to the LANN component and he/she will take active part of the activities in the field. He/she will constantly report about the progress and the challengers encountered in order to improve the applied methodology.

Main Duties / Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of ProAct PM and in close collaboration with the LANN officer, the Intern Nutrition Officer will execute the following duties:

• In cooperation and synergy with ProAct project team, he/she plans and monitors the activities’ progress, in compliance with the workplan and COOPI’s procedures;
• Provide logistical and technical support to the LANN officer for the implementation of the field activities;
• In cooperation with the PM and LANN officer, collect data and preparer reports from the field activities;
• In collaboration with the ProAct PM, provide support to and coordinates the overall LANN component: supervises the overall effectiveness and efficiency of the staff; monitors the accuracy and efficiency of the LANN component;
• Contributes in consolidating the LANN component by establishing proficient collaboration with the partners and actively suggesting gaps and recommendations to the supervisors;
• Performs any other duties as requested by the supervisor.

Profile of the Candidate (Education, Training, Competences, Skills)

Minimum Requirements:

• Degree in nutrition and /or education or any related field.
• Proven interest & commitment to humanitarian and development principles and a demonstrable understanding of conflict/post conflict development contexts
• Experience in data collection, analysis, and report writing
• Excellent in English (oral and written)
• Ability to plan, organize work, communicate and reports effectively (both in writing and verbally)
• Proven ability to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines
• Team player, effective communicator, creative and analytical thinker, active learner, able to work in a multicultural environment
• Excellent communication skills, calm, with a good sense of humour
• Proven commitment to accountability practices
• Ability to function effectively under stressful conditions such as heavy workloads, and deadlines.
• Excellent Microsoft Office applications skills (Excel, Word, Power point, Emails, Skype, Web researchers)
• Knowledge of and adherence to COOPI Code of Conduct, understands other international development guidelines
• Propension to adapt in uncomfortable condition usually fund in rural areas of Sierra Leone.

http://www.coopi.org/lavoro/intern-nutrition-officer/