Background:

FHI 360 is seeking qualified candidates for a South Area Office Hub lead position for the USAID-funded Feed the Future (FTF) Ethiopia Community Nutrition Activity (ECNA). This activity will build upon a long tradition of USAID nutrition funding in Ethiopia and will focus on enhancing multisector coordination and accountability; and improving nutrition practices and health-seeking behaviors and delivery of quality nutrition services within USAID’s FTF zone of influence. This will be a five-year, full-time position based in the South Area Office located in Hawassa.

Job Summary:

The incumbent will oversee the management of FTF ECNA activities in four regions in Ethiopia namely South Ethiopia, Southwest Ethiopia, Central Ethiopia and Sidama regions under the supervision of the DCOP–Programs. The Area Office Manager will serve as the official FHI 360 representative in the South Area Office and maintain a close working relationship with the Regional Health Bureaus (RHBs), the Regional Food and Nutrition Councils (FNC), and Local Implementing Partners (LIPs). The individual will lead regional planning and budgeting processes and provide technical and managerial oversight of the area office team. The incumbent will supervise area office staff and ensure that project activities are delivered per agreed timelines and budgets. The Regional Hub Lead will facilitate the monitoring and evaluation of project activities and ensure regional monitoring data and lessons learned are captured and integrated into routine donor reports.

Key Responsibilities:

Regional level program planning and implementation

• Oversees regional planning, monitoring, and management to ensure informed decision-making and timely and quality implementation of activities.
• Facilities rapid project start-up and monitors implementation according to approved Learning, Monitoring and Evaluation (LME) plans.
• Conducts and oversees regular monitoring visits to ensure that sub-grantees and LIPs operate in compliance with FHI 360, government, and donor rules and regulations.
• Provides technical support for field assessments and quality implementation.
• Organizes program-specific supportive supervision in collaboration with LIPs, RHB and its lower-level structures.
• Monitors sub-grantee progress against objectives, developing monitoring tools as needed.
• Guides regional technical staff in organizing capacity building activities like in-service trainings.
• Coordinates with the Emergency Preparedness and Response Coordinator (EPR) to develop and oversee the sub-office EPR plan.
• Undertakes any other responsibilities as assigned by the supervisor.

  Reporting and knowledge management

• Monitors the timely submission of accurate financial and activity reports from LIPs and sub-grantees; and facilitates effective problem solving and course corrections in implementation.
• Leads the development of annual and quarterly work plans and donor reports.
• Works with regional staff to capture and document achievements, success stories and lessons from the kebele to regional level in collaboration with the Addis Ababa-based team.
• Organizes regional level performance review meetings.
• Submits regional activity and financial reports based on donor compliance and the organization requirements.
• Supports the organization of learning events within the region and with other FTF ECNA implementing regions.

  Staffing, partnership management and networking

• Supports performance management and professional development of direct reports, including ongoing feedback, coaching, capacity-building, and career support.
• Supports period assessment of LIP capacities and design capacity building strategy.
• Engages in regular dialogue and collaboration with the RHB, district health offices, FNC platforms, LIPs, and other USAID and donor-funded nutrition-related projects and initiatives.
• Represents the project at regional nutrition technical working groups and relevant forums such as the regional Ethiopia Civil Society Coalition for Scaling-Up Nutrition (SUN) platforms and regional FNC technical working groups.