Health & Nutrition Technical Specialist

Job Title: Health & Nutrition Technical Specialist

Job location: HQ – Remote

Reports to: Medical Director

ABOUT MEDGLOBAL

MedGlobal is a global humanitarian non-profit organization providing medical and health education services to people in need, including refugees and displaced persons, in disaster and underserved regions. The organization is composed of medical and public health professionals of diverse backgrounds.

JOB SUMMARY

The Health & Nutrition Technical Specialist program is tasked with providing technical expertise and strategic direction in the field of nutrition. Reporting to the Medical Director, they lead the development of nutrition strategies, oversee program quality and monitoring, and facilitate fundraising efforts. They support field teams, contribute to sectoral assessments and program design, and represent the organization in relevant forums. Additionally, they play a leadership role in emergency response preparedness and capacity-building of staff. They provide technical guidance, mentorship, and support to ensure successful achievement of program objectives while also contributing to the organization’s broader strategic direction and policy formulation in nutrition.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategy and Program Development

• Help shape broader sector strategies through influence of and leadership within inter-agency coordination forums, such as the Health and Nutrition Clusters, ensuring the specific needs of children are being addressed. This may involve taking on a co-chairing role where there is demand.
• Plan and lead external donor engagement, fundraising, external communication strategy and report that regularly to the Medical Director.
• Build on technical knowledge, latest research in the sector and current/previous programming to develop proposals for new programming in close coordination with the program staff.
• Coordinate with the proposal development team on identifying new opportunities.
• Lead new proposals development for health and nutrition in close coordination with health and nutrition Managers, Field teams, and proposal development, awards, finance and operations staff.
• Design assessment tools for assessment of health and nutrition facilities in communities, health centers and/or schools. Design and conduct baseline surveys.
• Define annual program framework and master budget for the country program;
• Work with colleagues from other sectors to coordinate on and integrate programming to ensure all children’s needs are met.
• Actively participate in MedGlobal’s emergency preparedness and response planning processes as needed. In case of emergency, be prepared to contribute to the design of health and nutrition emergency response plans.
• Contribute to the success of program smooth start-up and implementation.

Program Quality

• Ensure all health and nutrition program staff receive the necessary and appropriate technical support.
• Ensure program quality for health and nutrition programming;
• Lead on the development of tools for project staff and partners to improve the quality of health and nutrition activities. Provide technical training for project staff and partners as required.
• Extend technical support and direction to the program staff in treatment and prevention of both chronic and acute malnutrition.
• Extend technical support and direction to the program staff in treatment and prevention of both chronic and acute malnutrition.
• Provide appropriate technical support on methods and practices to be rolled out within health and nutrition programming.
• Lead the continuous assessment of health and nutrition related needs and ensure that these are appropriately reflected in sectoral strategies and programs.
• In consultation with staff and project managers agree on the range of advice, support, training and/or other assistance required from you to facilitate high quality programming. This will involve regular visits to field sites.

Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL)

• Where external consultants are required to technically support or monitor and evaluate projects, lead the recruitment and subsequent management of contracted consultants as per the recruitment guidelines.
• Lead the process of lessons learning to ensure high quality health and nutrition programming, with support from the MEAL team, coordinating the documentation of said lessons across all the programs.
• Review relevant monitoring reports to ensure that technical debates are well articulated and reports are of acceptable quality before submission. Provide support where necessary to improve report writing skills.
• Lead in the evaluation and review process for all health and nutrition Projects including the development of Terms of Reference, selection and management of consultants.
• Lead the in –country innovation and learning agenda in health and nutrition.

General Management

• Demonstrate behaviors that are consistent with Medglobal Mission, Vision and Values and ensure their broader application by staff across the program.
• Contribute to a conducive and productive work environment, characterized by enthusiasm, ambition, hard work and due process.
• Contribute to the wider country program agenda, participate actively in MedGlobal meetings, planning and review activities, providing enhanced insight into health and nutrition programming.
• Participate in any donor visit to project(s) within the country office portfolio, as required.
• Comply with and promote Medglobal policies and practice with respect to child protection, code of conduct, health and safety, equal opportunities and other relevant policies and procedures.

External Relations

• Maintain strategic links with key duty bearers and stakeholders line ministries, UN agencies, INGOs and other local NGOs and CBOs, etc.
• Represent and advocate for Medglobal with UN agencies, donors, government, NGOs and others at the highest levels in both verbal and written communications to ensure that Medglobal is seen as a leading international agency in terms of innovation and quality of implementation that focus on child survival.

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

• At least 7 years’ experience of working internationally in health and nutrition programs in a humanitarian or development context.
• Education to a Masters level in nutrition, Public Health or a related subject.
• Previous experience of managing a large health and nutrition team of international and national staff.
• Proven ability of mentoring, coaching and training on health and nutrition related topics.
• Experience of senior level representation.
• Experience of developing and negotiating successful partnerships with institutional donors.
• Ability to write clear and well-argued assessment and project reports
• Excellent communication skills, Politically and culturally sensitive with qualities of patience, tact and diplomacy
• Proven ability to influence change at an operational and strategic level.
• A high level of written and spoken English.
• The capacity and willingness to be extremely flexible and accommodating in difficult and sometimes insecure working circumstances.
• Excellent English and Arabic communication skills.
• Experience or knowledge of working and living in relevant regions/contexts.
• Experience in promoting children’s participation in program design, implementation and evaluation.

CODE OF CONDUCT

MedGlobal Code of Conduct reflects the profession’s core set of beliefs and values of care, respect, trust, and integrity. These beliefs and values are fundamental to MedGlobal employees, volunteers, interns, consultants, and contractors to guide their practice and conduct. The Code is organized into categories, as follows:

1. Always act with fairness, honesty, integrity, and openness; respect the opinions of others and treat all with equality and dignity without regard to gender, race, color, creed, ancestry, place of origin, political beliefs, religion, marital status, disability, age, or sexual orientation.
2. Provide a positive and valued experience for those receiving service within and outside MedGlobal.

CHILD PROTECTION POLICY

Child abuse in all forms is unacceptable to MedGlobal, which recognizes its responsibility to protect children from harm in all areas of its work. MedGlobal is committed to ensuring a child-safe environment and is applying a zero-tolerance approach towards any kind of child abuse and exploitation.

DISCRIMINATION, ABUSE AND HARASSMENT POLICY

MedGlobal provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and expressly prohibits and will not tolerate any form of discrimination, abuse, harassment (sexual or otherwise), based upon race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, citizenship status, disability, or military status. MedGlobal employees and related personnel must under no circumstances take part in any form of discrimination, harassment, or abuse (physical, sexual or verbal), intimidation or exploitation, or in any other way infringe the rights of others inside or outside the organization.