Survey Program Manager at Action Against Hunger | ACF-International

Action Against Hunger is currently looking to fill the role of SMART Programme Manager, who will be responsible to lead the implementation of nutrition surveys such as SMART, MIYCN KAP and SQUEAC surveys in different LGAs of intervention in the programmes implemented by ACF in Northern Nigeria.  

Position Details

Reporting to: Head of Department Nutrition and Health 

Proposed start date: August 2024

Work location: Maiduguri, Borno State

Key Responsibilities:

• Supervise the collection and documentation of background and general information and contextual information relevant to the survey, etc;
• Identification and design of survey activities according to needs/pre-decided work plans and capacities that include SMART survey methodology and other nutrition surveys such as SQUEAC, MIYCN-KAP Surveys, etc; 
• Ensure the scientific quality of the survey and according to the need of the surveys, organize field officers’ access to books, reports, key informants interviews, local authorities, etc;
• Encouraging and facilitating an integrated approach to survey assessments in coordination with the M&E and the technical coordination team;
• In coordination with the Programme Managers and the technical team, coordinate and lead the survey design: initial planning, selection of tools and methods, sampling, writing guidelines and set up time frame, working days needed, budget and logistics planning and any special tools and equipment needed;
• Lead the survey team in data collection (following designed methodology/protocol), data entry, analysis and processing of information (ENA for SMART, SPSS, Epi Info, STATA, Ms Excel etc.);
• Produce survey analysis and reports and guarantee the quality of the final survey report, recommendations and integrated collaboration with other ACF technical departments for contextual information; 
• To write quality technical reports for external releases i.e. nutrition surveys, coverage surveys, ACF training sessions and/or workshops; 
• To disseminate findings among stakeholders, including SMoH, Nutrition Sector Coordination team, Key partners, ACF teams, etc;
• Manage all aspects of the nutrition survey from planning, logistics, team recruitment, and training, in coordination with the Nutrition and Health Regional Coordinator and ACF concerned staff;
• Managing fieldwork, quality of the survey, analysis and the report writing to finalization;
• Management and supervision of the survey/assessment teams including induction, follow-up, evaluation, and promotion of positive team dynamics and motivation; 
• Recruiting, training and building of technical capacity of the surveys team;
• Collaborate with health authorities and nutrition implementing partners via the Nutrition and Health Sector Coordinator;
• Follow up on the budget allocated to survey activities in liaison with administration/finance arrangements and follow up on the logistics requirements of the surveys' team with the logistics department and relevant Field Coordinators, Programme Managers;
• Providing outcome/impact analysis information of the programs through the survey findings;
• Participate in the program strategy, narrative and financial project proposals;
• Analysing the backup survey as and when required by the programs;
• Define a training development plan for the survey team on SMART surveys;
• Recruit, train and build the technical capacity of the survey teams in collaboration with the Programme Managers;
• Support the supervision of survey teams including induction, follow-up, evaluation, and promotion of positive team dynamics and motivation;
• Train and support the ACF Survey Officers and relevant staff (not exhaustive) on followup of the budget allocated to survey activities in liaison with administration/finance, arrangement and follow up on the logistics requirements of the surveys' team with the logistics department and relevant Field Coordinators;
• To provide simplified training on the SMART survey methodology and findings for general understanding to the programme teams, M&E teams, and sector partners;  
• Liaising with relevant ministries and stakeholders to identify survey training needs and develop appropriate funding proposals in coordination with the line managers; 
• Support ACF Nutrition and Health Programme Managers and Nutrition teams on the implementation of the survey recommendations/reforms;
• Planning and facilitating technical capacity building and training sessions for the government ministries and partner NGOs/UN agencies staff/cluster members as and when required;
• To check and identify the gaps in data reporting;
• To provide feedback to the team for data quality for CMAM;
• Support the MEAL department in the surveys related to Nutrition and Health;
• Representation of ACF as and when directed by the technical line manager and/or prepare related material to be presented to internal and external audiences (such as presentation of survey methodology, plan, and finding results to the sector technical working group);
• In collaboration with the Nutrition and Health Head of Department (HoD), ensure proper coordination with the Nutrition Sectors, SMoH and/or other line ministries for the implementation of survey activities;
• Ensuring that all internal/external coordination is done in a culturally appropriate, honourable and respectful manner;
• To arrange the work plans/fieldwork in accordance with the safety and security procedures of ACF Nigeria;
• Ensure that all technical reports are created for external release – i.e. Nutrition surveys, rapid assessments: reports are validated by relevant line Managers including the Technical HoDs, DCD Program, and Technical Advisor in HQ;
• Ensure that reports on any training session and/or workshop organized by ACF are documented and disseminated widely; 
• Support and provide technical back-stopping support to the M&E and program team during the completion of the monthly reports, specifically those linked to assessments and surveys;
• Contribute to donor reports: interim and final reports as required;
• Collaborate with the state surveillance unit to proactively identify and escalate surveillance/emergency cases (disease outbreak, flood, fire outbreak or other disasters) in the coverage area;
• Coordinate with states' surveillance units to quantify the impact of disaster/outbreak and escalate appropriately;
• Liaise with the Information Management Unit to develop a disaster map showing areas/locations with recorded incidence on a regular basis;
• Draft and disseminate monthly surveillance reports with relevant persons;
• Serve as the linkage between the organization and the states surveillance unit to facilitate information sharing and timely reports;
• Support the MEAL team in conducting context analysis and preparation of nutrition trends analysis.

Position Requirements:

• Master’s degree in Public Health, Statistics, Epidemiology, Nutrition by research or related field;
• At least 3 years of proven experience in Managing nutrition assessments, research and surveys as well as humanitarian work);
• Certification in SMART and SQUEAC Surveys implementation;
• Excellent knowledge of SMART, KAP & SQUEAC Survey methodology;
• Excellent Writing and analytical skills;
• Excellent communication skills;
• Well-versed with ENA for SMART, Epi info and SPSS applications;
• Good management and representation competencies;
• Excellent influencing and negotiation skills;
• A certified and nationally/internationally recognized SMART Survey Trainer;
• Strong understanding of Nutrition information and surveillance system, monitoring and evaluation;
• Experience in nutrition program management in emergency set-up including proposal writing, project budget management, reporting and training provision;
• Knowledge of LQAS, SLEAC, CSAS Methodologies will be of added value;
• Flexibility personality and good negotiation skills;
• Willing for frequent travel to mentor and monitor activities;
• Easily acculturate with remote areas' living conditions;
• Ability to absorb and manage workloads and stresses without affecting the quality of the deliverables.