Thursday, 21 January 2021

Lead - Nutrition

Bill and Melinda Gates foundation

Lead - Nutrition

New Delhi, India

 

Position Summary

To date the Foundation has primarily invested in proven approaches to
improve nutrition, particularly during the 1,000-day window between a woman’s
pregnancy and her child’s second birthday, to prevent nutrition-related deaths
and cognitive impairments.

India is one of the priority countries for our investments in
nutrition, particularly to demonstrate what can be achieved by expanding the
use of known, effective interventions and developing and introducing new
prioritization for nutrition – both for MIYCN (Maternal, Infant and Young Child
solutions. In recent years India has seen an unprecedented government Nutrition) as well as LSFF (Large Scale Food Fortification). Despite a
based policies, malnutrition remains the underlying cause of more than half of
conducive nutrition ecosystem, with appropriate human resources, funding and evidence childhood deaths in India. Our goal is to accelerate scaling of evidence-based
India’s POSHAN Abhiyaan (National Nutrition Mission) and scaling up LSFF.
nutrition interventions by supporting implementation of the Government of

This role will call for engagement on both MIYCN and LSFF
priorities, in pursuit of our MNCH and Nutrition strategies and goals – in
India and globally.  Our India goals are aligned to targets in government
wasting, anemia and low birth weight. You will develop and help execute our
plans and commitments to the SDGs in these areas with a focus on stunting,
proven interventions, building on existing foundation investments to support
nutrition work in India including but not limited to supporting the delivery of MIYCN and LSFF.  Work is at national level, priority states (Uttar Pradesh
relate to:
and Bihar) and diffusion states. Current specific priorities going forward

MIYCN

·         Strengthening the accelerated scale up of the National Nutrition Mission (NNM) at national level, our priority states of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh and in our diffusion states

·         Supporting the strengthening of existing systems to improve nutritional interventions such as the overlapping areas of a) quality of nutrition interventions such as counselling, b) strategic use of data by key sectors for monitoring, problem solving and informing more intensive action; and c) household level convergence of the range of nutrition interventions for the mother-child dyad

·         Generating evidence on emerging effective interventions to improve MIYCN, especially maternal nutrition, through a combination of efficacy, effectiveness and implementation research.

LSFF

·         Accelerate and sustain the uptake of fortified staples by the social safety net programs at national level and in early adaptive states.

·         Supporting the research and introduction of digital solutions for food fortification quality assurance and quality compliance (QA/QC).

·         Supporting the generation and utilization of data for improving the LSFF scale up

·         Generate and guide technical assistance to support commercial LSFF scale up at national level and key states.

Priorities are agreed as part of the annual performance
management cycle and reviewed regularly.  Time allocation is expected to
flexibly respond to changing priorities. In support of the above, given the
multi-sectoral nature of nutrition work, modest involvement in related areas
such as food systems, health systems and social protection systems may be
required. You will report to the Deputy Director, Family Health, India, and be
part of the India office health team.  As lead for nutrition in a country office, you will have collaborative links to Seattle program strategy teams
(PST) counterparts in Nutrition PST for LSFF and MNCH PST for MIYCN.

 

Leadership & Culture

Our culture shapes our choices about what we do and how we do it. We
believe that energized people, working well together, fueled by great
leadership in an inclusive environment can do extraordinary things.

Core Responsibilities

The selected candidate will be responsible for the following tasks:

Strategy development and reporting

·         Lead nutrition strategy development and implementation for the ICO, framed within the broader ICO Integrated Health Strategy, coving LSFF and MIYCN, as well as supporting technically ICO’s food system’s work.

·         Lead discussion on ICO nutrition strategic priorities (convene meetings on technical issues; present to

colleagues, etc) and guide the work of other teams in such areas as policy, communications and advocacy, use of behavioral insights, measurement, learning and evaluation (MLE), strengthening government capacity, etc.

·         Provide impactful thought leadership, internally and externally, on a wide range of MIYCN and LSFF issues that shape Foundation priorities, national polices, standards, partnerships and systems, and the global discourse and practice.

·         Lead nutrition resource allocation consultation and decision making, including updating/revision of budgets.

·         Synthesize and document results and lessons learned from grants and contracts including preparing briefings and portfolio reviews to leadership.

·         Lead engagement with government at the national level and support state teams on nutrition technical issues and elaboration of future priorities for support.

Generate and use data

·         Synthesize and analyze data related to MIYCN and LSFF from a diverse range of sources to identify key levers for action in line with strategy.

·         Advise on the development and production of research products and other related MLE initiatives, including processes to translate research into action, such as obtaining approvals, generating technical consensus, involving key research institutions, conducting dissemination of findings, etc.

·         In collaboration with the MLE SPO in-country and in Seattle, define and implement appropriate measures to track investment performance.

·         Actively collaborate, both contributing and drawing expertise from the MLE team, and collaborate with other teams on related areas such as use of behavioral insights, communications, and supply chain to inform the design of high quality investments.

·         Use data and learning from foundation-supported investments and global evidence to consult with grantees and other partners to ensure continuous learning that shapes strategy, policy, and programs.

Collaboration and partnerships

·         Advise and collaborate with other teams in the Foundation, specifically in India: Health Team (including the Bihar and UP teams), Agriculture and Food Systems, and Family Health, to ensure nutrition work is being implemented in line with evidence and strategic priorities, and integrated to optimize synergies, especially with MNCH.

·         Lead collaboration and coordination with the PST on alignment of respective portfolios where appropriate, and on common research priorities, involving the Digital and Innovations Team and MNCH Discovery and Tools, where relevant.

·         Establish and nurture external partnerships that will contribute to the success of our investments in India. Specifically, develop conducive relationships with government officials, donors, grantees and other key stakeholders at national and priority state level, as well as other diffusion states, for effective coordinated partnership on MIYCN and LSFF.

·         Lead efforts to promote appropriate policies, standards, guidelines and plans for MIYCN and LSFF in India and coordinate with others on the same.

·         Serve as a partner and resource to grantees and foundation program teams to facilitate the accomplishment of strategic objectives.

·         Proactively maintain an extensive external network with experts, sector leaders and stake holders within the area of nutrition to ensure the India MIYCN and LSFF work is shaped by the most up-to-date insights and research, including our emerging priorities (through evolving evidence) get reflected in discourse within the nutrition partner-government ecosystem and support inclusion into guidelines.

·         Support the state teams as the nutrition technical lead, working together on implementation of strategy, workplans, and progress monitoring for MIYCN programs owned by the state teams, including support to guide and hold accountable the TSUs for strategic alignment and performance.

·         Facilitate India based implementation research priorities in collaboration with ICO’s Digital and Health Innovations Team and both the MNCH PST and D&T in Seattle, and promote the dissemination of research findings through appropriate platforms, including the newly formed and foundation-supported AlignMNH initiative.

Program Leadership and Management

·         Compile nutrition workplans, review and manage risks, and lead reviews and government related engagement, as needed.

·         Lead ICO Nutrition Initiative into a stronger collective, collaborative & constructive platform for driving nutrition work in ICO across sectors and constituencies.

·         Scope, propose and craft investments (grants and/or contracts) on MIYCN and LSFF to execute activities that are impactful and scalable, documenting lessons learned and supporting the refinement of guidelines.

·         Manage a portfolio of complex grants and contracts requiring high-level grant management skills, including applying and evaluating milestone-based performance objectives.

·         Conduct thorough analyses of grants and contracts, grantee progress reports; write high quality briefing documents and portfolio reviews that synthesize results for wider learning across various teams; actively participate in all relevant forums related to ICO’s and PST’s Rhythm of Business.

·         Develop with partners, and effectively monitor, results frameworks, and MLE plans resulting in effective management of portfolio of investments to inform strategic decisions and future investments.

 

Core Knowledge & Skills

Strategic, analytical, communication

·         Strong research, analytical, critical thinking skills as well as the ability to organize and synthesize information are required

·         Deep understanding of data and ability to use diverse kinds of data to design robust and meaningful analyses to inform strategy and manage investments;

·         Excellent verbal and written communication skills including writing and public speaking skills with a fluency in English and preferably Hindi.

·         Demonstrated curiosity and comfort in areas beyond current areas of expertise with a proven ability to rapidly acquire knowledge and execute good judgment in a variety of scientific areas and contextual situations.

·         Ability to organize and prioritize work and meet deadlines within a fast-paced environment with multiple and competing demands.

Collaboration, Policy Engagement, Managing
Partnerships

·         Experience in a role requiring collaboration as well as a demonstrated ability to work with flexibility, efficiency and diplomacy both individually and as part of a complex team effort; ability to work in a cooperative and collegial fashion.

·         Experience in engaging government (eg MoHFW, MoWCD/ICDS), donors, and implementing partners (including the private sector), and industry, to develop and effectively manage strategic cross- and multi-sectoral partnerships.

·         Work on complex matters or unique issues requiring diplomacy and judgement.

·         Demonstrated ability to work in a highly matrixed and diverse work environment, while effectively engaging diverse external stakeholders.

Program Management

·         Experience in program design and implementation related to nutrition (both LSFF and MIYCN), food security, and/or public health; preferably gained within international health/development organizations.

·         Proactive, results-driven and flexible nature with reliable follow-through and great attention to detail.

·         Extensive experience in designing and implementing innovative and impactful approaches to improving nutritional status, through the public and private sectors.

·         Good understanding of gender transformative approaches, and experience in bringing a gender lens to nutrition intervention programs in resource-poor settings.

·         Proven ability to structure and manage high-return, risk-mitigated grants, with clear milestones and outcomes.

·         Ability to travel within India and internationally, up to one-third time (40%).

Context

·         Knowledge of the nutrition context in India and the region, familiarity with the public health system, particularly primary care, as well as food systems, and the commercial food supply chain related to fortification vehicles.

 

Education & Experience

·         Advanced degree in nutrition, public health, agriculture, social sciences, or business with  at least 10 years of experience in program design and implementation related to nutrition (both LSFF and MIYCN), food security, and/or public health; preferably gained within international health/development organizations in India and/or other relevant country experience.

·         Experience designing, implementing, managing investments or programs on nutrition.

·         Additional, relevant experience in strategic planning, investment, and/or policy and advocacy is preferred.

·         Experience in a relevant international development organization and portfolio management is critical.

·         Advanced specialist clinical and/or research qualifications/experience would be an added advantage.

For more information and online application click here 

 

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