Action Against Hunger USA

Health and Nutrition Specialist

Action Against Hunger USA  •  Nchelenge, ZM (Onsite)  •  2 months ago
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Job Description

1. JOB PURPOSE

The Specialist – Health and Nutrition is responsible for technical leadership, quality assurance, and strategic oversight of integrated health and nutrition interventions under the project.

The role ensures delivery of high-quality, evidence-based, and life-saving services aligned with:

  • National IMAM guidelines
  • SPHERE standards
  • DG ECHO requirements
  • Ministry of Health (MoH) protocols

The Specialist will strengthen health systems, nutrition programming, and community-based services, targeting vulnerable populations including:

  • Children under five
  • Pregnant and lactating women (PLW)
  • Adolescents
  • Refugees and host communities

2. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

2.1 Technical Leadership & Programme Quality

  • Provide technical oversight for all health and nutrition interventions including:
    • CMAM/IMAM programming (OTP, TSFP, Stabilization Care)
    • Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (MNCH/RMNCH)
    • Primary Health Care (PHC)
  • Ensure compliance with national and international standards
  • Lead the design, adaptation, and contextualization of protocols and SOPs.
  • Oversee integration of:
    • Nutrition
    • Health
    • WASH
    • Protection (including GBV referral pathways)
  • Ensure quality implementation of:
    • MIYCN (Maternal, Infant and Young Child Nutrition)
    • GMP (Growth Monitoring & Promotion)
    • Family MUAC approach

2.2 Programme Implementation & Supervision

  • Oversee implementation of activities across:
    • Mantapala Rural Health Centre (RHC)
    • Health Posts (HPs)
    • Community platforms
  • Ensure:
    • Functional OTP and inpatient services
    • Continuous service delivery (24/7 where applicable)
    • Effective referral systems
  • Supervise and mentor:
    • Health staff
    • Nutrition teams
    • Community health workers
  • Conduct regular field monitoring visits to ensure quality and compliance.

2.3 Capacity Building & Systems Strengthening

  • Design and deliver competency-based training for:
    • Health workers
    • Community volunteers
    • Partner staff
  • Build capacity in:
    • IMAM protocols
    • Clinical case management
    • Nutrition screening and referral
    • Infection Prevention & Control (IPC)
  • Provide on-the-job coaching, mentorship, and supportive supervision
  • Strengthen:
    • Health facility systems
    • Data use for decision-making
    • Referral pathways

2.4 Supply Chain & Commodity Management

  • Ensure availability of essential medicines and nutrition supplies, including:
    • RUTF, F-75, F-100
    • Medical kits
  • Oversee:
    • Forecasting
    • Procurement planning
    • Stock monitoring
  • Prevent stock-outs and ensure buffer stock systems

2.5 Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability & Learning (MEAL)

  • Ensure accurate and timely data collection using:
    • DHIS2 systems
    • CMAM/IMAM databases
  • Track key indicators such as:
    • SAM recovery rates
    • Admission rates
    • Stock availability
  • Lead:
    • Data analysis
    • Programme reviews
    • Learning and adaptation
  • Ensure accountability to affected populations through:
    • Feedback mechanisms
    • Community engagement

2.6 Coordination & Representation

  • Represent the organization in:
    • Health and Nutrition Cluster meetings
    • Technical Working Groups
  • Coordinate with:
    • Ministry of Health
    • UN agencies (UNICEF, WFP, UNHCR)
    • Local partners (e.g., Caritas)
  • Ensure alignment and complementarity with other actors.

2.7 Integration of Cross-Cutting Themes

Ensure full integration of:

  • Gender equality and inclusion
  • Protection mainstreaming
  • Safeguarding (PSEA)
  • Disability inclusion
  • Environmental considerations

2.8 Emergency Preparedness & Response

  • Lead technical input into Crisis Modifier activation
  • Support rapid response during:
    • Disease outbreaks
    • Malnutrition surges
    • Climate shocks

3. KEY DELIVERABLES / KPIs

  • ≥85% SAM recovery rate achieved
  • ≥90% health staff meet competency standards
  • Zero prolonged stock-outs of essential nutrition commodities
  • Increased coverage of CMAM services
  • Functional referral systems across all facilities
  • Improved service utilization rates
  • Timely and accurate reporting (100% compliance)

Requirements

Education

  • Bachelor’s degree in:
    • Medicine
    • Public Health
    • Nutrition
    • Nursing
  • Master’s degree in Public Health or Nutrition (preferred)

Experience

  • Minimum 5–7 years relevant experience
  • Proven experience in:
    • Humanitarian health and nutrition programming
    • CMAM/IMAM implementation
    • Health systems strengthening
  • Experience working in:
    • Refugee or emergency contexts
    • Multi-stakeholder environments

Technical Skills

  • Strong knowledge of:
    • IMAM/CMAM protocols
    • RMNCH services
    • Public health systems
  • Experience with:
    • DHIS2
    • Data analysis tools
    • Training and facilitation

Core Competencies

  • Strategic thinking
  • Leadership and team management
  • Strong analytical skills
  • Excellent communication and coordination
  • Problem-solving in complex environments

5. SAFEGUARDING & ETHICS

  • Adhere to Code of Conduct and Safeguarding policies
  • Ensure zero tolerance to sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA)
  • Promote Do No Harm principles

Ensure confidentiality and ethical data handling

Benefits

Action Against Hunger – USA provides all staff with an attractive salary and benefits package . We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, ancestry, sexual orientation, national origin, age, handicap, disability, marital status or as a veteran. Action Against Hunger- USA complies with applicable laws governing non discrimination in employment

Action Against Hunger USA

About Action Against Hunger USA

Across 55 countries and nearly 45 years , we have led the global fight against hunger. We save the lives of children and their families. We are there for them before and after disaster strikes. We enable people to provide for themselves, see their children grow up strong, and for whole communities to prosper. We constantly search for more effective solutions, while sharing our knowledge and expertise with the world. We push for long-term change. We will never give up. Until the world is free from hunger.

Industry
Nonprofit & NGOs
Company Size
1,001-5,000 employees
Headquarters
New York, NY
Year Founded
Unknown
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