ThaiNGO

Nutrition Advisor, Laos MCHN Activity

RTI International’s Global Health Division is currently accepting applications for a Nutrition Advisor for an anticipated USAID-funded Maternal, Child Health & Nutrition (MCHN) Activity opportunity in Lao PDR.

The new project will build on USAID’s and Government of Laos’ investments in maternal and child health to improve health and nutrition outcomes of the most underserved segments of the population through a targeted health system strengthening approach. The project will support the Government of Laos (GoL) address priority issues that hinder equitable access and quality of reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, adolescent health, and nutrition (RMNCAHN) services, to scale up evidence based RMNCAHN interventions and test realistic innovations to improve health outcomes.

The Nutrition Advisor will function as the key person responsible for management, supervision, and quality assurance for nutrition-related programming for the project. S/He will provide high quality management support, coordination and technical guidance on key activities related to nutrition and WASH, in alignment with other program activities. The successful candidate will have a strong public health background and be able to provide quality technical expertise across the full scope of the proposed program.

Core Duties:

• Ensure effective project implementation for program activities related to nutrition.

• Provide leadership and management for project nutrition staff, ensuring integration and coordination across other project technical areas.

• Provide up-to-date, evidence-based technical nutritional guidance and support to the Management Team in country as it pertains to the focus of this program;

• Provide technical guidance to the development of annual workplans, in line with the project strategies, to ensure nutrition is integrated with maternal, neonatal and child health activities and that they are operating at scale in all target provinces;

• Develop, revise, and adapt nutrition-related materials, curricula, and training; ensure the technical strategies and operations manuals for each of the technical areas are up to date and accurate.

• Coordinate with government counterparts in targeted provinces and project areas; provide technical input into nutrition strategies, programs, and policies as needed, to ensure sustainability and an enabling environment for integrated programming approaches.

• Represent project on provincial and national nutrition technical coordination structures and working groups;

• Identify, and/or research opportunities for capacity building for local partners (government and NPAs) and contribute to the development of the project’s strategic plan, annual work plans, and country plans and ensure that project documents and reports incorporate the latest technical approaches and interventions;

• Promote program learning through direct training and sharing of technical information among the staff so that state-of-the-art approaches are applied consistently across all project interventions;

Education and Experience:

• At least a Master’s degree in Nutrition, Public Health, Agriculture, or similar field plus at least 6 years of national and/or international experience in nutrition and/or nutrition-sensitive programming, working on programs of similar scope and complexity or equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Demonstrated expertise in nutrition required; additional experience in relevant technical areas such as public health, gender, IECD, water/sanitation/hygiene, agriculture, livelihoods, or behavior change communications strongly preferred.

• Strong understanding of nutrition coordination structures and stakeholders in Lao PDR

• Demonstrated ability to manage large, complex teams and programs, including the ability to supervise, coach, and mentor staff to achieve high performance and a cohesive team spirit.

• Demonstrated success in delivering technical assistance, and in working in collaboration with host country governments and partner organizations.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to develop a common vision among partners and lead multi-disciplinary teams

• Strong organizational, interpersonal and management skills

• Must be fluent in English; fluency in French preferred

• Ability and willingness to live and work in Laos

TO APPLY: Candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Only short-listed applicants will be contacted. This position is contingent upon award and funding. RTI is proud to be an EEO/AA employer M/F/D/V. Please apply directly to the following link: http://m.rfer.us/RTIu_V97e.