Democratic Republic of the Congo: Nutrition Advisor

Working as an important member of a diverse team who are committed to serve the world’s most vulnerable with practical and compassionate care, the Nutrition Advisor provides technical advice and support to field management and health/nutrition staff. Develop, lead, monitor, and evaluate the nutrition aspects of the country programme. Coordinate and network at a senior level with national and regional health/nutrition authorities and other NGOs. Lead on all nutrition elements of proposals and reports, providing capacity building for national and international staff, promote best practice in the nutrition programmes as well as contributing to the overall management of the country programme.

Project Overview

Medair is running multisectoral programming for crisis affected populations in DRC with an emphasis on health, but including components of WASH, infrastructure, and nutrition. Nutrition programming is currently focused on grants from ECHO in Ituri Province and in North Kivu. Programming is focused on treatment of Severe Acute Malnutrition using the CMAM guidelines, but integrated into health facilities vs. being decentralized. SMART surveys have not demonstrated emergency levels of malnutrition; however, underlying levels of malnutrition are constantly exacerbated by the displacement of populations due to conflict and the food insecurity it causes. Medair’s programme is providing supportive supervision and training to local health care workers to better understand the guidelines and ensure the inclusion of screening and treatment for malnutrition in primary health care facilities as it is part of the essential package of health care in DRC. Medair is also supporting stabilization centres in MOH supported hospitals to ensure referrals and proper care of these critically ill children. Take a look at Medair’sHealth&Nutritionwork.

Workplace& Conditions

Field based position in Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo with regular travel to the field locations. Take a look at Medair’s work inDR Congo.

Starting Date / Initial Contract Details

As soon as possible. Full time, 24 months.

Key Activity Areas

Nutrition Project Technical Oversight

• Maintain an overview of the country nutrition programme and of the regional context, with a view to strategically developing new projects, and proactively planning for responsible exit.
• Give technical advice to field managers and GSO on potential involvement in new nutrition interventions and internal nutrition capacity for implementation.
• Define appropriate policies, guidelines and protocols for the nutritional aspects of Medair’s work in country, in consultation with GSO advisors, and in line with government, Sphere and WHO guidelines.
• Carry out regular monitoring visits in conjunction with other field managers, ensuring that project objectives are met within the stated time frames and with recognised international standards.
• Supervise and monitor the development of reporting systems for data analysis, follow-up and feedback.
• Maintain an oversight of medicines and nutrition supplies ordered for the nutrition projects, supporting the nutrition, health and logistics staff in the coordination and quality control of nutrition supplies.
• Provide input into the monitoring and evaluation of nutrition programmes including the planning of KPC and SMART surveys for Medair project areas in conjunction with the M&E team.
• Develop and maintain relationships with Ministry of Health, Department of Nutrition, Nutrition Cluster, UN including UNICEF, NGOs, donors, partners and other stakeholders, with the objective of raising public awareness of Medair and ensuring good co-operation and partnerships.
• Represent Medair at nutrition cluster coordination, sector and bilateral meetings and with national and local government departments, facilitating supportive synergies and overall progress in the nutrition sector and avoiding duplication with the work of other agencies (e.g. NGOs, UN, etc).
• Support nutrition cluster in identifying priority areas for nutrition response and technical working groups.

Staff Management

• Be involved in the recruitment of nutrition staff for the country programme, providing advice on technical skills and experience Ensure that all nutrition staff are adequately trained and, if necessary, create possibilities for capacity building, mentoring and coaching, within budget constraints. Plan and develop training material as required with support from GSO advisors as needed.

Financial Management

• Work with the relevant field managers and GSO staff to plan and construct nutrition budgets including developing standard budgets for nutrition responses.

Quality Management

• Ensure nutrition projects are implemented in line with donor proposals and in accordance with Medair, donor, country and international standards e.g. Sphere and HAP standards, WHO recommendations, etc.
• Regularly assess and provide feedback and recommendations on the quality of nutrition programme implementation and interventions during field visits to GSO advisors as well as field staff.
• Attend Medair yearly health and nutrition workshop and periodic online meetings with GSO advisors and joining Workplace advisor group to keep up to date on recommendations and guidelines.

Team Spiritual Life

• Reflect the values of Medair with team members, local staff, beneficiaries, and external contacts.
• Work, live, and pray together in our Christian faith-based team settings. Fully contribute to the rich spiritual life of your team, including team devotions, prayers, and words of encouragement.
• Encouraged to join and contribute to Medair’s international prayer network.

This job description covers the main tasks that are anticipated. Other tasks may be assigned as necessary.

Qualifications

• University degree in nutrition or in another relevant field such as medicine or nursing.
• Strong working knowledge of English and basic French required (spoken and written).

Experience / Competencies

• Relevant post-qualification professional experience, in a management position.
• At least 1 year of international experience managing and implementing an emergency nutrition intervention with CMAM and IYCF components. At least 2 years’ experience in managing nutrition programmes in international public health work, with at least 1 year in nutritional emergency context.
• Computer literate with good working knowledge of Microsoft Excel, Word and Outlook.
• Advanced leadership and project management skills. Excellent communication skills.
• Committed to consultative and servant leadership. Problem solver, dynamic, mature.
• Experience and willingness in training/mentoring staff.

Before you apply

Please ensure you are fully aware of the:

a) Medair organisational values.

b) Profiles and benefits package provided for Internationally Recruited Staff (IRS).

c) Medair Relief & Recovery Orientation Course (ROC) (which forms part of the recruitment selection process for field positions).

Application Process

To apply, go to this vacancy on our Medair page.

Please do not make multiple applications. We will not review email applications. Only English-language applications / CVs will be reviewed.