NGO Job Opening: Nutrition-Sensitive Agriculture Officer at Helen Keller International. Procurement Officer at Helen Keller International

Helen Keller International (HKI), established in 1915, is an international non-governmental organization (NGO) dedicated to saving the sight and lives of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged. Headquartered in New York City, HKI currently conducts programs in 21 countries in Africa and Asia, as well as in the United States.

HKI implements integrated package of cost-effective interventions that are proven to improve maternal and child nutrition. HKI supports policies and programs on food fortification, vitamin A supplementation, infant and young child feeding, nutrition-sensitive agriculture, community-based management of acute malnutrition and prevention and treatment of neglected tropical diseases. At the core of HKI’s programs is advocacy and social behavior change communication to various stakeholders. HKI also undertakes cutting-edge research to influence policy decisions and inform program quality.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Nutrition-Sensitive Agriculture Officer

Location: Adamawa

Employment Type: Full-time

Specific Responsibilities

Coordinate and implement the nutrition-sensitive agriculture activities of the project in the state through increasing market access and consumption of diverse and quality foods, as well as increasing resilience of vulnerable households and communities. Integrate food and nutrition security into agriculture activities.

Raise community awareness and consumption of diversified, nutrient dense, fortified and nutritionally adequate foods.

Improve nutritional status and intervention outcome through increasing production of diverse and safe foods, increased household food availability and gender sensitive interventions.

Coordinate capacity building and technical support for beneficiaries on nutrition-sensitive agriculture issues including dietary diversification and nutrient dense diets, food preparation and utilization; best practices; and energy and time saving technologies for women

Work with the M&E officer to monitor beneficiary adoption of the new nutrition targeted agricultural practices and food consumption methodologies.

Promote food safety including appropriate methods of handling, preservation, processing, storage, and utilization of foods.

Lead the establishment of communal and individual home gardens.

Establish linkages and facilitate collaboration across relevant sectors, agencies and public and private sector stakeholders working with the targeted communities.

Promote water and sanitation activities in the targeted communities.

Strengthen and promote community engagement processes in the project areas, particularly identifying project beneficiaries, assessing their needs and addressing and resolving community issues.

Perform and document regular monitoring of all project activities in close coordination with the project team.

Participate in technical working groups.

Any other duties as assigned from time to time.

Qualifications and Experience

Bachelor or Master's Degree in Agriculture or Nutrition or other relevant disciplines

At least 6 years’ experience implementing nutrition-sensitive agriculture activities in Nigeria  

Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills

Excellent written and verbal communication skills In English Language and the local language, as well as the ability to report to and advise the State Coordinator on emerging issues.

Able to work on own initiative with a creative approach to problem-solving.

Computer literacy with good knowledge of office applications is required.

Excellent knowledge of Hausa is highly desired.

Willingness to travel extensively within the state as required.

How to Apply

Interested and qualified candidates should send their CV to: nigeria.recruitment@hki.org using the Job Title as the subject of the mail.

NEXT JOB

Helen Keller International (HKI), established in 1915, is an international non-governmental organization (NGO) dedicated to saving the sight and lives of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged. Headquartered in New York City, HKI currently conducts programs in 21 countries in Africa and Asia, as well as in the United States.

HKI implements integrated package of cost-effective interventions that are proven to improve maternal and child nutrition. HKI supports policies and programs on food fortification, vitamin A supplementation, infant and young child feeding, nutrition-sensitive agriculture, community-based management of acute malnutrition and prevention and treatment of neglected tropical diseases. At the core of HKI’s programs is advocacy and social behavior change communication to various stakeholders. HKI also undertakes cutting-edge research to influence policy decisions and inform program quality.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Procurement Officer

Location: Abuja

Employment Type: Full-time

Job Responsibilities

The Procurement Officer will provide support to the Procurement team with project procurement processes, tracking procurements of goods and services through the procurement cycle, ensuring that adequate competition is achieved for procurements, and providing regular procurement mentoring to project staff to support project implementation.

He/She will work under the direct supervision of Senior Procurement and Logistics Officer to carry out the following key responsibilities:

Procurement Compliance:

Procure goods and services in strict adherence to Helen Keller's procurement policies and procedures, as well as donor compliance standards. Maintain comprehensive procurement records, including a supplier database, and uphold the efficiency of procurement processes, ensuring timely and cost-effective outcomes.

Project Procurement Oversight:

Oversee and monitor the execution of project procurement plans, employing Strategic Planning, Sourcing and Supplier Management strategies. Engage and follow up with relevant staff to ensure seamless project procurement.

Contractual Management:

Manage the end-to-end procurement process, including the development and execution of contractual agreements with suppliers. Foster positive relationships within the supplier network, conduct effective negotiations, and oversee contract management.

Specific Responsibilities

Procurement Management:

Support to establish, lead, and implement procurement processes to support activity implementation for the project, from initial sourcing through delivery and in accordance with donor rules and regulations, and Helen Keller Intl policies.

This involves the process of overseeing competitive solicitation and selection vendors, negotiation of contracts, forecasting demand, and managing the fulfilment of supply.

Ensures all procurements are implemented with highest integrity, transparency, and competitively, and in accordance with Helen Keller’s Code of Conduct and Ethics Policy.

Understand and comply with Helen Keller Procurement Manual and templates, and internal review and approval procedures.

Coordinate with project team members, both operations and technical, to identify procurement needs and timelines, providing timely feedback and updates to project teams on progress of their procurements and organizing regular meetings as needed to troubleshoot and review best practices.

Prepare and issue procurement solicitations based on approved purchase requisition and in accordance with Helen Keller policies. Manage and oversee receipt of offers, ensuring confidentiality of all offers until such time offers are evaluated by the bid evaluation committee.

Coordinate committee members to attend committee meetings, conduct proper evaluation of offers, and document discussions and decisions following Helen Keller templates.

Prepare and issue procurement contracts, in Helen Keller templates. As applicable, negotiate contract terms with vendors.

Support purchase requestor in overseeing the receipt of goods/services from vendor, ensuring requestor completes the required Goods and Services Received Note. Document any errors with the vendor and maintain follow-up action items.

Work collaboratively with the purchase requestor and finance team to analyze invoices to ensure payment is made against confirmed/accepted goods and services and at cost matching procurement contract.

Provide coaching and mentoring for project staff in understanding and following required procurement procedures, roles and responsibilities.

Travel to field-based offices to provide support, training, and oversight of procurements in those offices.

Support a structured reporting structure with field-based staff and ensure all field-based procurements are conducted in accordance with Helen Keller policies and donor regulations.

Ensure robust documentation of all procurements and maintain all procurement documentation in the organized file system.

Undertake any other duties as assigned.

Success Factor:

The successful Procurement Officer possesses the ability to learn quickly, exercise sound judgment, take initiative, maintain excellent organizational skills, adhere to procedures and deadlines, and pay meticulous attention to detail.

She/he upholds high professional work ethics, collaborates effectively with diverse individuals, and ensures compliance with Helen Keller and donor policies.

She/he also demonstrates proactivity, creative problem-solving, and a strong commitment to teamwork.

Qualifications Required

University Degree in Purchasing or related field.

4 years’ experience in procurement.

Ability to work under pressure.

Planning and scheduling skills.

Experience in a USG or donor funded project or NGO preferred.

Excellent interpersonal skills; demonstrated ability to interact professionally with a culturally diverse staff, clients and consultants.

Ability to work independently, take initiative and ability to meet deadlines with attention to detail and quality.

English fluency including business terminology required.

Demonstrated intermediate computer skills in Microsoft Office Suite applications.

How to Apply

Interested and qualified candidates should send their CV to: nigeria.recruitment@hki.org using the Job Title as the subject of the mail.