School MEALS Officer at Ulalo

SCHOOL MEALS OFFICER (SMO)

Department: Programmes
Reporting to: Programmes Manager with dotted line reporting and collaboration
with Chancen durch Bildung
Location (s): Mzuzu with frequent travel to project sites within the allocated project locations.
Contract type: Fixed contract for 14 Months

Ulalo requires the services of a School Meals Officer (SMO) for the Chancen durch Bildung School Meals Support Project to be implemented in Mzimba and surrounding districts. The SMO will be responsible for implementing the Schools Meals Project using the Home-Grown Meals approach, including supporting schools and communities to setting up school gardens and farms for the under sustainable agriculture approaches. The SMO will work under the supervision of the Programmes Manager with dotted line reporting and collaboration with Chancen durch Bildung and work in collaboration with School Health and Nutrition Coordinators, Agriculture and Health Extension Officers.

Job Context

Ulalo tackles the challenge of Children and Youth failing to reach their educational potential by partnering with them, their schools, communities, and governments to design and deliver solutions that increase access to safe and quality learning, equip them with skills to attain further education, overcome gender inequities, start businesses, get jobs, and drive development in their communities.

Ulalo, in partnership with Chancen durch Bildung, is implementing the School Meals Support Project. This initiative aims to empower schools and communities to sustainably grow their own crops, prepare nutritious meals for students, enhance school attendance, and ultimately contribute to improved educational outcomes. The project emphasizes reducing dependency on chemical fertilizers by adopting sustainable agriculture practices such as agroforestry, composting, and the production of low-cost organic fertilizers.

Job Purpose

The School Meals Officer (SMO) will be responsible for the day-to-day implementation of the Chancen durch Bildung School Meals Support Project in line with the Home-Grown Meals approach, Ulalo policies, and donor requirements in the designated impact areas. The incumbent will implement, monitor, coordinate, and facilitate project activities, including supporting schools and communities in setting up school gardens and farms under sustainable agriculture practices. The SMO will work closely with School Health and Nutrition Coordinators, Agriculture and Health Extension Officers.

Scope and Limits of Authority

School Meals Officer (SMO) will be reporting to the Programmes Manager with dotted line
reporting and collaboration with Chancen durch Bildung and will be responsible for assets as
allocated from time to time.

Areas of Responsibility

● Sensitize communities, School Meals Committees, PTAs, teachers, and students on the importance of school gardens and their role in supporting the School Meals Program.
● Collaborate with community and traditional leaders to identify suitable land for school gardens.
● Develop detailed action plans with each school, outlining specific roles, responsibilities, and timelines for establishing and maintaining school gardens.
● Train teachers, PTAs, students, School Meals Committees, and community associations on sustainable cultivation techniques to enhance productivity.
● Provide expertise on intensive crop cultivation, storage, and other post-harvest strategies to ensure the successful growth and utilization of selected crops.
● Identify and assess the needs for seeds and gardening tools, and conduct procurement in compliance with Ulalo regulations.a
● Ensure proper handling, storage, and distribution of inputs and equipment to schools, ensuring they are used as intended.
● Conduct regular visits to school gardens to provide technical assistance and ensure proper implementation of sustainable practices.
● Liaise with target schools to ensure adequate infrastructure, equipment, and tools are in place to support the daily preparation and serving of school meals.
● Organize and coordinate training sessions for school feeding committee members and field staff to implement the daily school meals program in a way that enhances academic performance.
● Collaborate with the School Health and Nutrition Coordinator to develop training manuals and train cooks, School Meals Committees, teachers, and PTAs on good hygiene and food preparation practices.
● Work with the Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) Officer to create and implement a data collection system to track progress and outcomes.
● Document project success through photos, videos, and at least two success stories each year.
● Contribute to the development of best practice documents by documenting lessons learned, successful strategies, and innovative approaches in the implementation of the School Meals Program.
● Collaborate with other technical team members to identify business development opportunities and draft concept notes for potential projects.
● Prepare and submit project reports, including performance plans, to ensure transparency and accountability.
The responsibilities stated above are not exhaustive and you may be required to carry out additional responsibilities within the reasonableness of your level of skills and experience

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential

● Diploma in Agriculture or any relevant field or equivalent.

A minimum of 3 years of work experience working with schools and communities in the
use of modern and sustainable farming techniques.
● Experience in Implementation of nutrition and school Meal’s project will be a good
advantage
● Experience in project management and design experience, as well as project
implementation and monitoring & evaluation.
● Experience in training, working with and supervising adults
● Knowledge of post-harvest management
● Proven experience in a similar role, preferably in an NGO
● Demonstrated ability in implementation of projects and working collaboratively in a team and prioritising tasks effectively.
● Demonstrated experience in community mobilisation and capacity strengthening
● Valid Driving and Motorcycle riding Licence Desirable
● Strong communication and interpersonal skills to effectively engage with stakeholders at all levels.
● Self-starter, able to work with minimum supervision
● Strong interpersonal and cultural awareness skills
● Excellent time-management skills
● Good command of written and verbal English and local language.
● Ability to travel extensively to the assigned project sites
● Must be available and able to work outside traditional office hours, including some weekends

Method Of Application

Please send your application letter highlighting your motivation and indicate your expected
salary and CV with copies of your certificates to:

THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Ulalo
Plot 304, Next to SOS Primary School,
P.O. Box 943,
Mzuzu.

Alternatively, you can submit your applications through email to [email protected]. Deadline for
receiving applications is: Monday 9th September 2024. Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Further note the following:

Safeguarding

Ulalo is committed to protecting children, young people, and vulnerable adults from any abuse and harm. The post-holder(s) will have to abide by Ulalo’s child protection and safeguarding policies and is required to undergo a police record check.

Equal Opportunity

Ulalo is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified Women are encouraged to apply.