JOB ANNOUNCEMENT

SIX (6) VAS FIELD ASSISTANTS (GIVEWELL PROJECT)

Yaoundé-Cameroon

ABOUT HELEN KELLER INTL

Helen Keller International is an international non-profit organization, present in Cameroon since 1992, whose mission is to save the sight and lives of vulnerable and disadvantaged populations.

In Cameroon, Under-five mortality remains high with 71 deaths per 100 births in 2019. Micronutrients deficiency is a public health concern with a high prevalence of certain micronutrients such as vitamin A, which affects about 35% of children under five years of age. Among the strategies to combat mortality and morbidity of children under five is vitamin A supplementation (VAS) through mass distribution campaigns and routine activities within health facilities.

In order to implement the GIVEWELL- Funded Vitamin A Supplementation project, Helen Keller International is providing financial and technical support to the government of Cameroon during Vitamin A supplementation campaigns during the Mother and Child Health and Nutrition Action Week (SASNIM and JNV) since 2021 in the Centre, Littoral, East, West, Adamawa and South regions.

To strengthen the support of the field teams, Helen Keller International - Cameroon is calling for applications for the recruitment of six (06) "VAS Field Assistants" based respectively in: Adamawa, East, Central, South, West and Littoral regions.

General objective

The objective of this project is to improve the coverage of VAS in children aged 6-59 months during the SASNIM/JNV in the regions concerned.

Job title : VAS Field Assistant

Duty station : Adamaoua, East, Centre, South, West and Littoral

Supervised by : VAS Project Associate

Type of contract : Fixed term contract

Duration of contract: 06 months renewable.

Description of the following specific tasks:

Under the technical supervision of the VAS Project Associate, the VAS Field Assistant will be responsible for strengthening the follow-up of preparatory activities, accompanying the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of vitamin A supplementation in his/her home region.

Specifically, in collaboration with the VAS Associate, the VAS Project Assistant will be responsible for:

1. Planning of Mass Vitamin A Supplementation activity:

• Participate in the coordination of campaign preparations at the most operational level (Districts and health areas);
• Support the Districts and health areas in the development of quality micro plans, considering all the needs and with good cost effectiveness, at least 2 months before the beginning of the campaigns;
• Support the Districts and health areas to ensure sufficient and timely availability of necessary inputs at least 02 weeks before the beginning of the campaign. (Vitamin A capsules, deworming tablets, management tools, scissors...);
• Ensure timely availability of funds at the level of the Districts and health areas in time (at least 2 weeks before the campaign);
• Ensure the effectiveness of quality training sessions (with updated tools) for all actors in the area of responsibility and as planned;
• Ensure that community information and awareness activities are effectively implemented as planned;

2. Implementation of Mass Vitamin A Supplementation activities

• Supervise Vitamin A distribution activities throughout the campaign in assigned areas and according to national level guidelines;
• Support the daily collection of supplementation data to ensure completeness, timeliness and accuracy of data;
• Ensure the availability of resources (human, material, financial) as planned at the District and health area levels;
• Carry out monitoring field visits during and after the activity to ensure that the localities are well covered;

3. Evaluation of the Mass Vitamin A Supplementation activities:

• Participate in the preparation and implementation of post-campaign coverage surveys
• Support the compilation and verification of all deliverables, dashboards, invoices and any other supporting documents at the end of each activity;
• Support the preparation of monthly and annual activity reports of the VAS programme (Campaign and routine)

4. Routine supplementation activities:

• Between campaigns, support Districts and health areas to implement effective interventions to reach children through the different platforms;
• Ensure the follow-up of routine VAS data at the level of the Health Districts and their entry in the DHIS2;

5. Monitoring and evaluation activities

• Contribute to data management at regional level;
• Contribute to the monitoring of stock levels and input management before, during and after the campaign;
• Ensure the proper completion of data management forms/tools (supervision forms, SharePoint, etc...);
• Contribute to the preparation, implementation and evaluation of independent monitoring;
• Contribute to the preparation, implementation and evaluation of the post event coverage survey (PECS);
• Participate in the supervision of monitoring (SASNIM and JNV) and survey activities (PECS);
• Contribute to the gathering and verification of all deliverables, dashboards, invoices and any other supporting documents at the end of each activity.

Profile of the VAS Field Assistant

• Be a holder of at least  a GCE “A” Level / BAC+3 in Nutrition, Public Health, Epidemiology, Project Management, Anthropology/Sociology, Monitoring and Evaluation, or any related field deemed relevant;
• Have good data management skills;
• Experience in implementing PECS campaigns and surveys is an asset;
• At least two (2) years of field experience in the field of health/nutrition;
• Experience in working with communities in the field of health/nutrition;
• Have a high level of accuracy and attention to detail;
• Have a very good knowledge of the Microsoft office package;
• Previous experience in data analysis and processing with computer software (STATA, SPSS, EPI info ...) is an asset;
• Be of good character;
• Good communication skills;
• Ability to work under pressure

Application file:

• A cover letter addressed to the Country Director of Helen Keller International;
•  A resume;
• Reference persons or structures to be contacted including at least one former direct supervisor.

Qualified candidates should send their complete application to cm.recrutement@hki.org with the position title in the subject line. 

The deadline for applications is August 15, 2022 at midnight.

Helen Keller is dedicated to building an inclusive workforce where diversity of all kinds is fully valued.

All qualified applicants will be considered for employment regardless of  to ethnicity, race, caste, colour, religion, gender, tribe , age, disability or any other characteristic that does not affect the ability to perform the required duties.

We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities.

If you are a qualified person with a disability and need to request an accommodation during the application or interview process, please contact us at the email address above or by phone: ctoukam@hki.org./ +237 697102 777 

NB: HELEN KELLER INTERNATIONAL

• DOES NOT RECRUIT THROUGH A RECRUITMENT AGENCY;
•  DOES NOT CHARGE ANY FEES OF ANY KIND TO THE CANDIDATE;
•  DOES NOT REQUEST BANK ACCOUNT INFORMATION FROM CANDIDATES;
•  ALL RECRUITMENTS ARE FREE OF CHARGE​​​​​​​

In the spirit of our founder and namesake, Helen Keller

is dedicated to building an inclusive workforce where diversity 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 to 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: +237 697102 777