Background:
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC offers lifesaving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster. At work today in over 40 countries and 26 U.S. cities, we restore safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted and struggling to endure. The IRC leads the way from harm to home.
Health programs represent the largest single sector within which IRC currently operates, constituting approximately 45% of the international budget and with activities in 22 countries. Field-based health staff are supported by a headquarters Health Unit comprised of health professionals with many years of experience in humanitarian work. The Health Unit contributes to the effectiveness and comprehensiveness of IRC primary health care programs through technical support, staff development, and institutional learning. The Health Unit ensures quality programs by promoting self-reliance, participation, sustainability, equity, and human dignity. The Health Unit is committed to the development of the field of humanitarian assistance through advocacy, documentation of lessons learned and research.
Scope:
The Nutrition Technical Advisor provides nutrition technical support in conflict, crisis and post-conflict settings working closely with designated Health Technical Advisors. The Technical Advisor develops tools and resources to support IRC programming within a technical domain, based on evidence demonstrating the impact of IRC’s work. This is a short term position (May 2016 – September 2016).
Major Responsibilities:
1. Provide timely and adequate technical support to designated country nutrition programs, including guidance on nutrition assessments, project/program design, fund-raising, project monitoring and evaluation, and service quality monitoring and improvement. This will involve: monthly calls with country nutrition teams; at least one visit a year to each supported country; remote technical support; liaison with colleagues in the health unit, country management, regional offices and other technical units.
2. Support designated country programs in the recruitment of senior nutrition team members (particularly for expatriate positions), and contribute to the development of field staffs through training, mentoring, and other guidance.
3. Assist country nutrition teams to document and share lessons learned and best practices, including inputs on nutrition program reports and technical publications.
4. Provide necessary technical guidance to country programs in collaboration with the designated health advisor for the development of health sector strategic plans.
5. Serve as a resource for IRC headquarters and technical units on nutrition issues in designated country, particularly for external communication, increasing advocacy and for fundraising purposes.
6. Initiate and lead special nutrition initiatives in the health unit, and participate in joint initiatives with other IRC technical units as agreed upon by the team and Senior Health Director.
7. Share and learn best practices gathered throughout the Technical Units to support robust evidence-based programming within IRC
Key Working Relationships:
Position Reports to: Senior Technical Advisor, Child Health
Position directly supervises: Typically, has no direct supervision of staff
Other Internal and/or external contacts:
Internal: Regular relationships with regional and country program coordinators and managers. Interacts with IRC internal departments, including the Health Unit, other technical units, external relations and advocacy departments, to keep them informed of program activities.
External: Serve as IRC program representative in outside meetings and academic forums with donors, other non-governmental organizations, inter-agency groups and foundations.
Job Qualifications:
Education: Master’s/post-graduate degree in Public Health Nutrition/Global Nutrition or related Nutrition degree is required. The Technical Advisor will share knowledge and skill sets within the unit.
Work Experience: A minimum of 5 years of field-based program management experience is required within a humanitarian, international development setting.
Demonstrated Skills and Competencies: Demonstrated expertise in program design, monitoring and evaluation, with the ability to turn concepts and strategy into measurable action. Demonstrated technical expertise in the Community-based Management of Acute Malnutrition (CMAM), SMART, Semi-Quantitative Evaluation of Access and Coverage (SQUEAC) methodology, maternal, infant and young child nutrition programs. Strong verbal and written communication skills. Demonstrated commitment to renewing and maintaining currency with best practices.
Language Skills: Proficiency in a French is highly desirable
Working Environment: Up to 40% travel may be required.
How to apply
Interested candidates should apply to www.rescue.org/careers
http://chm.tbe.taleo.net/chm03/ats/careers/requisition.jsp?org=IRC&cws=1&rid=13468
The deadline for applications is 15 April 2016.
The applications will be treated confidentially.
Only short-listed candidates will be contacted