SMART Program Officer

Action Contre la Faim – Canada is part of the international Action contre la Faim network which provides humanitarian relief in over 45 countries worldwide, in nutrition, water and sanitation, and food security sectors. Established in 2005, ACF-Canada contributes in several ways to the network and in particular through its expertise in understanding the nutritional status in emergency situations.

TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

ACF Canada has been leading initiatives in SMART (Standardised Monitoring Assessment in Relief and Transition) since 2007 and has trained over 400 persons in 20 countries in how to use this methodology when conducting nutrition and mortality surveys. As project convenor, ACF is directly involved in the development and dissemination of standardised training tools to build essential skills in SMART, provide ongoing technical assistance to cluster agencies during the survey process. ACF also helps improve inter-agency response capacity through the Essential Survey Service, whereby a pool of qualified SMART experts are deployed during large-scale emergencies to lead the SMART nutrition and mortality survey.

Under the direct supervision of Director of Programs and in close collaboration with the ACF International Nutrition departments, the SMART TAG team and lead cluster nutrition agencies, your responsibilities will be to :

1. Respond to Emergency Survey needs Be able to respond to emergency survey needs, particularly during large or mid-scale emergencies at short notice. This includes, but is not limited to the following tasks:
   • Take part in the initial survey planning, including overall coordination with cluster lead agencies
   • Recruit, train and supervise national survey teams
   • Design survey questionnaires and assist in sampling design
   • Ensure collaboration with key government authorities and other relevant groups (e.g. Cluster Lead agency, UNICEF, other INGO’s)
   • Support and review the data collection, entry, analysis and interpretation of survey outcomes.
2. Training and Development Assist in the identification, development, delivery and evaluation of training and capacity building events related to SMART as they conform to the ACF-CA work plan and inter-agency priority needs:

• Facilitating country or regional workshops, providing pre-survey coaching, organising refresher training, providing on-line technical support via the SMART website to survey teams around the world.
• Develop and disseminate training and support tools that ensure capacity building in SMART for individuals and agencies working in nutrition
• Help in the elaboration of the SMART experts pool
• In close consultation with the SMART TAG team, provide feedback and suggestions for the continued development and improvement of the SMART methodology
• Adapt and update the SMART/ENA training material based as any new methodological updates are made
• Act as a technical reference point for SMART
• Ensure the upkeep of a SMART on-line user forum

1. Represent the ACF Canada SMART program

• Act as a representative of the SMART programme to the ACFIN headquarters and ACF partners (NGOs and agencies);
• Build relevant partnership relations with other agencies to ensure the quality dissemination of SMART
• Help put together and publish the SMART Newsletter;
• Give presentations on behalf of ACF-CA during various events in order to raise awareness in the general population and share ACF’s experiences;

1. Provide administrative management to the Programs Department

• Participate in preliminary needs assessments and the creation of nutritional project proposals;
• Assist in writing up reports, concept notes, and proposals

SPECIFIC CONDITIONS

Staff works five-days / 35 hours- per work week. However, the different tasks involved may sometime require irregular working hours, particularly in times of crisis. This position involves regular international travel, for 2-4 weeks at a time, sometimes on a short notice and in emergency contexts.

QUALIFICATIONS

• University Degree in Nutrition or a mix of relevant study and work experience • At least two years experience in undertaking nutrition and mortality surveys • Knowledge of the following tools required: ENA and SMART; • Knowledge of the following tools preferred: EPI info and SPSS • Demonstrated writing skills in English and/or French, with expertise in at least one; • Ability to communicate in English and French to an audience; • A flair for delivering training in nutrition and demonstrated adult education skills, with the ability to develop innovative training tools that foster learning transfer • Ability to deal with pressure and to multitask; • Demonstrate organisational and planning skills; • Ability to work independently and take initiatives • Excellent knowledge of MS Office packages

We are looking for an autonomous and dynamic professional to complement the ACF programs team. If you think this could be you, please send your CV to the attention of the Programs Director at rec@actioncontrelafaim.ca by July 22nd 2011. In the subject line, write: ACF-Ca / SMART Survey and Nutrition Programs Specialist. No telephone calls please.

Applicants must be eligible to work in Canada.

To learn more about our work, visit us at: www.actioncontrelafaim.ca