Regional Program Manager

Description

Helen Keller Intl
Job Announcement

Regional Program Manager, Food Fortification

(Abuja, Nigeria)

Guided by the remarkable legacy of its co-founder, Helen Keller, Helen Keller Intl partners with
communities that are striving to overcome longstanding cycles of poverty. By delivering the essential
building blocks of good health, sound nutrition, and clear vision, we help millions of people create
lasting change in their own lives. Working in 20 countries – across Africa, Asia, Europe, and the
United States – and together with a global community of supporters, we ensure every person has the
opportunity – as Helen did – to reach their true potential.

We are seeking an experienced Program Manager to take the lead in a food fortification program
dedicated to the micronutrient fortification of bouillon cubes in West Africa. The role presents an
exceptional opportunity for the successful candidate to play a pivotal role in advancing the bouillon
fortification agenda across three target countries and at the ECOWAS level.

The Program Manager of this multi-country portfolio will strategize, oversee, manage, coordinate,
implement, and closely monitor the program’s work plan and activities across the target countries to
ensure the delivery of high-quality outputs and timely reporting in line with donor requirements. The
position will provide technical inputs and collaborate with relevant stakeholders at national and
regional levels to implement the program’s work plan. The Regional Program Manager will manage
relationships with governments, research partners, regional economic and health bodies, the private
sector, civil society, and donors and ensure the visibility of the bouillon fortification program by
representing Helen Keller Intl at key relevant events.

Background
Since 2019, Helen Keller, with support from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), has led
the regulatory workstream to generate evidence, advocate, and provide technical assistance to
Country Working Groups in Burkina Faso, Nigeria, and Senegal to establish consensus and develop
standards for multiple-micronutrient fortified bouillon cubes. In this context, Nigeria has taken the
initiative to review the Bouillon Cube Fortification Code of Practice (CoP), and we anticipate its
approval by the end of the calendar year. Meanwhile, Burkina Faso and Senegal have conducted
national surveys to assess the contribution of food to sodium intake, with a specific focus on
understanding the role of bouillon cubes. The results from these surveys will become available in
October 2024 and are expected to pave the way for a consensus-building process to establish
bouillon fortification standards.

Functional Relationships
Helen Keller has a matrixed reporting structure. Regular communication and a spirit of teamwork
among colleagues, both hierarchically and laterally are essential to make this structure thrive.

Reporting to the Regional Director for East, Central, and Southern Africa, the Program Manager is a
member of the global Nutrition Team. They will co-supervise Bouillon Cube Fortification Initiative staff
based in Burkina Faso, Nigeria, and Senegal, work closely with colleagues at all levels of Helen
Keller’s global management structure and may be called upon to participate in global working groups
or steering committees.

Key Responsibilities
Provide overall program management and dynamic leadership for our multi-country program and drive
the bouillon fortification agenda at country and regional levels.

Technical Leadership and Advocacy

• Provide timely and regular technical support to country-level teams on project implementation,

reporting, and monitoring.

• Facilitate country-level and regional linkages with technical institutions and between civil

society, government, the private sector, and international agencies that promote and build
awareness of evidence-based food fortification and public health approaches.

• Guide and support staff and partners to develop quality, evidence-based technical documents

and knowledge products that capture valuable programmatic findings and lessons learned
related to micronutrient fortification of bouillon.

• Develop knowledge management mechanisms and share information across countries,

expanding lessons learned to other countries.

• Promote national ownership of the program by liaising with each country's Country Working

Group and the National Fortification Alliance to provide regular support and guidance for the
micronutrient fortification of bouillon.

• Collaborate closely with the Country Working Groups to engage with bouillon manufacturers to

advance the cause of micronutrient fortification of bouillon.

• Lead national and regional advocacy to facilitate revision or drafting and adoption of national

and regional standards for micronutrient fortification of bouillon.

Program Monitoring and Management

• Lead the development of regional and country-specific work plans and oversee to ensure high

quality implementation that is on time and within budget.

• Follow-up on the preparation and signature of sub-grants.
• Coordinate activities of partners, including Country Working Groups.
• Implement and continuously develop monitoring and evaluation tools for partners' regional and

country-level activities.

• With country teams, monitor finance reports, track budget expenditures and their links to

activities and implementation plans.

• Lead and coordinate the accurate and timely reporting of project results. Consolidate country

office and implementing partners’ reports for reporting to the donor.

• Ensure donor funds are allocated and managed in accordance with Helen Keller and

donor policies and good financial standards.

Required Qualifications and Competencies

• Education: At least a master’s degree in Food Technology, Nutrition, Public Health,

International Development, or other related field.

• Experience: A minimum of 10 years of hands-on experience with a proven track

record in implementing food and nutrition programs and a strong background in the
food industry, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Expertise in food fortification programs and policy development, and existing

networks, particularly in West Africa, is highly desirable. 

Excellent interpersonal and communication skills. Collaborative, flexible and solution-oriented.
An ability to maintain balance when under stress.

• Demonstrated capacity to establish and maintain productive relationships with

government agencies, private sector entities, and civil society organizations.

• A proven history of successfully managing teams for high productivity.

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Demonstrated effectiveness in project planning and organization, as well as exceptional
personal time management skills. 

Fluency in both English and French, both orally and in written communication is required. The
ability to read, analyze, and interpret complex documents in these languages.

• Ability and willingness to:

o flex work hours to accommodate multiple time zones, as needed.
o travel at least 35%.

PLEASE NOTE: All staff must be vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to
travel internationally.

• The ability to navigate diverse field environments and work effectively in various

locations.

• Computer literate in use of word-processing, spreadsheet and statistical software.
• Demonstrable respect for all persons regardless of religion, ethnicity, class or gender, with a

high comfort level working in a diverse environment with a demonstrated commitment to high
professional ethical standards.

• Personal commitment to Helen Keller’s mission and goals and the values embodied by Helen

Keller Intl’s co-founder, Helen Keller: compassion, grit, rigor and integrity.

To Apply
Qualified candidates should submit a cover letter and resume to [email protected]. Applications
will be accepted until the position is filled.

In the spirit of our founder and namesake, Helen Keller is dedicated to building an inclusive
workforce where diversity in all its forms is fully valued.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer where all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment

without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic
information, disability, or protected veteran status.

We are committed to providing reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities. If you are a qualified
individual with a disability and need to request an accommodation during the application or interview process,

please contact us at the email above or call: +1 646-356-1789.

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