Name Nutrition Advisor

Role & Responsibilities
Provide technical advice and support to the field management and the nutrition staff. On a day-to-day basis this involves developing, leading, monitoring and evaluating the nutrition aspects of the country programme. It includes coordinating and networking at a senior level with national and regional nutrition and health authorities and other NGOs, leading on all nutrition elements of proposals and reports, providing capacity building for national and international staff, championing best practice (international and Medair) in the nutrition programmes and contributing to the overall management of the country programme.

Project Overview
Medair is currently implementing CMAM (Community-based Management of Acute Malnutrition Model) programming at fixed locations in Kandahar City as well as mobile team outreach sites in rural districts of Kandahar Province including community mobilization, Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) and Moderate Acute Malnutrition (MAM) treatment, and a strong integrated Behaviour Change Communication component utilizing Care Groups and promoting improved Infant and Young Child Feeding Practices. The nutrition programme is integrated with WASH and health interventions where possible, and further programme expansion may be pursued as emergency nutritional needs arise.

Take a look at Medair’s Health & Nutrition work.

Medair
Medair is a humanitarian organisation inspired and motivated by Christian faith to relieve human suffering in some of the world’s most remote and devastated places. We bring relief and recovery to people in crisis, regardless of race, creed or nationality. As signatories of the Red Cross Code of Conduct, we believe that aid should be given to everyone who is in need, regardless of political, social or religious viewpoint. We save lives in emergencies and then stay to help people recover from crisis with dignity—working side by side with communities to leave a lasting impact. We provide a range of emergency relief and recovery services: health care and nutrition; safe water, sanitation, and hygiene; shelter and infrastructure. Internationally recruited field and headquarters staff lead the organisation, supported by nationally recruited staff to implement programmes locally.

Workplace
Field based position in Afghanistan. Take a look at Medair’s work in Afghanistan.

Starting Date
As soon as possible

Initial Contract Details
Full time, 24 months

Key Activity Areas
Nutrition Project Technical Oversight
• Maintain an overview of the country nutrition programme and of the regional context, to strategically developing new projects in current sites and in surrounding regions, and planning for responsible exit.
• Give technical advice to field managers and Headquarters (HQ) on potential involvement in new nutrition interventions and internal nutrition capacity for implementation.
• Define appropriate policies and guidelines for the nutritional aspects of Medair’s work in country, in consultation with HQ advisors and in line with relevant government, Sphere and WHO guidelines.
• Provide technical support to the nutrition teams in all project sites, including the evaluation and impact analysis of current projects and the writing of nutrition technical sections of donor proposals.
• Carry out regular monitoring visits in conjunction with other field managers, ensuring that project objectives are met within the stated time frames and in accordance with international standards.
• Supervise and monitor the development of reporting systems for data collection, analysis and follow-up and feedback to relevant staff, Medair HQ, donors, partners and other agencies.
• 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 integration of beneficiary participation and accountability in all aspects of the project.

Representation
• Develop and maintain relationships with Ministry of Public Health, national nutrition cluster, UN, NGOs, donors, partners and other stakeholders, with the objective of raising public awareness of Medair and ensuring good co-operation and partnerships.
• Seek out relevant networks or task groups on specific nutrition-related humanitarian aid issues.
• Accompany donors on field trips and ensure programme details are transmitted in a timely and professional manner.
• Represent Medair, as appropriate, at nutrition cluster coordination, sector and bilateral meetings, working groups, with national and local government departments and any other relevant meetings or events, facilitating supportive synergies and overall progress in the nutrition sector and avoiding duplication with the work of other agencies.

Staff Management
• Be involved in the recruitment of nutrition staff for the country programme, providing advice on technical skills and experience as requested.
• Ensure that all nutrition staff are adequately trained and, if necessary, create possibilities for capacity building, mentoring and coaching, within budget constraints.
• Support line managers in inductions and appraisals of nutrition staff.

Financial Management
• Work with the relevant field managers and HQ staff to plan and construct nutrition budgets.
• Ensure the nutrition project expenditure is in line with approved budgets, advising on potential under / over spend and recommending appropriate corrective action.

Quality Management
• Promote and use the Medair intranet, BOX, Portfolio, CMAM Report and other operating procedures.
• Ensure nutrition projects are implemented in line with donor proposals and requirements and in accordance with Medair, donor, country and international standards.
• Regularly assess and provide feedback and recommendations on the quality of nutrition programmes.
• Maintain a resource library on BOX for the nutrition team and keep up-to-date with the latest trends and updates within the sector.
• Attend Medair yearly health and nutrition workshop as well as advisor meetings to keep up to date on recommendations and guidelines for Medair health programming.

Field - Team Spiritual Life
• Reflect the vision and values of Medair with team members, local staff, beneficiaries, and external contacts.
• Fully contribute to the rich spiritual life of your team, including team devotions, prayers, and words of encouragement.
• Live, work and pray together in our Christian faith-based team settings.
• Instigate and contribute to prayer times within internationally recruited staff and HQ teams.
• Encouraged to join and contribute to Medair’s international programmes and HQ prayer network.

This job description covers the main tasks and conveys the spirit of the sort of tasks that are anticipated proactively from staff. Other tasks may be assigned as necessary according to organisational needs.

Qualifications
• University degree in nutrition or in another relevant field such as medicine or nursing.

Languages
• Strong working knowledge of English (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.
• Experience in the design, monitoring, implementation and evaluation of CMAM programmes.
• Knowledge of humanitarian principles, Sphere, CHS and other international humanitarian guidelines.
• Advanced leadership and project management skills.
• Advanced planning, assessment and analytical skills.
• Good negotiation skills, excellent communication skills and problem solving ability.
• Committed to consultative and servant leadership.
• Creative, open-minded, flexible, self-learner.

Profiles sought for Internationally Recruited Staff (IRS) roles in the field
Relief experience
• Professionals with 12 months or more relevant relief or development experience (Experienced Relief Workers).
• Professionals with less than 12 months relevant relief or development experience (New Relief Workers).
Professional
• Experienced professionals in a relevant Medair sector of expertise.
• Overseas intercultural experience.
Values
• Fully committed to the Medair values; to reflect the vision and values of Medair with team members, local staff, and external contacts.
Personal qualities
• Able to live and work in a multicultural team under difficult conditions.
• Strong character traits, including emotional stability, adaptability, ability to handle stress, cultural and gender sensitivity, honesty, and physically fit.
Availability
• Single or married (with no children under 18). If married, your spouse must also apply.
Final selection
• All potential candidates for field positions must successfully complete the Medair Relief & Recovery Orientation Course (ROC). Information, dates and related costs can be found via this link.

Benefits Package provided to all Internationally Recruited Staff (IRS)
• Comprehensive briefing at our Swiss Headquarters, as well as an in-country briefing.
• Security training for those going to insecure environments.
• Accommodation, food, and transportation in-country.
• Return flights to and from the country programme (one return flight for every year of service).
• Rest and recuperation (R&R) leave (including travel, accommodation, and food).
• Annual leave.
• Comprehensive medical and emergency rescue insurance, with up to 60 days post-assignment coverage, including debriefing.
• Disability insurance.

Specific benefits for Experienced Relief Workers (IRS)
(Applicants with 12 months or more relevant relief or development experience)
• A salary based upon the grade of the position and experience of the position-holder, starting from USD 1,700 per month.
• Contribution matching programme for retirement savings.
• Additional contract benefit allowance for those who commit to longer contracts.
• Highly subsidised contribution to Medair ROC travel and accommodation costs.

Working Conditions
• This is a field-based position and working and living conditions may be very different to that previously experienced.

Application Process
Before you apply, please ensure you are fully aware of the:
a) Medair organisational values.
b) Medair Relief & Recovery Orientation Course (ROC) (which forms part of the recruitment selection process for field positions).

Then to apply, go to http://relief.medair.org/en/jobs/positions/nutrition-advisor-afg-1 then:
c) apply for this vacancy (or another position that matches your profile), or
d) apply for a Medair ROC (where we can try and match your competencies to our vacancy needs).

Please do not make multiple applications. We will not review email applications. Only English-language applications / CVs will be reviewed. Medair does not set closing / deadline dates for applications; recruitment is on-going until the position is filled.