Health & Nutrition Advisor – Medair

Location

Medair field-based position in Khartoum, Sudan.

Starting Date & Initial Contract Details

May 2023. Full time, 12 months  

Role Overview

The Health & Nutrition Advisor works as an important member of a diverse team who are committed to serve the world’s most vulnerable with practical and compassionate care, the Health and Nutrition Advisor has a vital role to play in improving the overall health and nutrition situation of the target population. This involves providing technical advice and support to the field management and the health and nutrition staff, as well as developing, leading, monitoring and evaluating the health and nutrition aspects of the country programme. Important parts of the role include: Coordinate and network at a senior level with national and regional health authorities and other NGOs; lead on all health and nutrition elements of proposals and reports, providing capacity building for national and international staff; promote best practice in the health programmes and contribute to the overall management of the country programme. 

Project Overview

Medair’s emergency response team was deployed in Sudan in February 2020 with the objectives of re-applying for country registration and to re-establish relationship with government authorities, donor agencies, UN partners, and INGOs. Medair currently has Health and Nutrition programming in Blue Nile State. The team has also been assessing gaps and priorities on further expansion into other states. 

Key Activity Areas

Health and Nutrition Project Technical Oversight 

• Maintain an overview of the country health and nutrition programme and the regional context, with a view to strategically developing new projects in current sites or in surrounding regions while planning responsible exits. 
• Develop and design project proposals for institutional donors including input into narrative activity descriptions, budgets, log frames and other requirements.   
• Give technical advice to field managers and GSO on potential involvement in new health and nutrition interventions. 
• Provide technical support to the health and nutrition teams. 
• Carry out regular monitoring visits, ensuring that project objectives are met. 
• Supervise and monitor the development of reporting systems for data collection, do data analysis and follow-up and feedback to relevant staff, donors, partners and other agencies. 
• Maintain an oversight of medicines and health and nutrition supplies ordered for the health projects, supporting the health and logistics staff in the coordination and quality control of health supplies. 
• Provide input into the integration of beneficiary participation and accountability in the project. 
• Define appropriate policies for the medical and nutritional aspects of Medair’s work in country. 

Representation 

• Develop relationships with Ministry of Health, 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 on specific health and nutrition-related humanitarian aid issues. 
• Accompany donors on field trips, and ensure programme details are transmitted. 
• Regular attendance and active participation at the Health and Nutrition Clusters at the National level, representing Medair’s positions and disseminating information share at the cluster to senior leadership and colleagues.

Staff Management 

• Be involved in the recruitment, providing advice on technical skills and experience as requested. 

• Ensure all staff are trained and, if necessary, create possibilities for capacity building, coaching, etc. 
• Support line managers in inductions and appraisals of staff, particularly with regard to technical skills. 

Financial Management 

• Work with the relevant field managers and GSO staff to plan and construct health and nutrition budgets. 
• Ensure expenditure is in line with approved budgets, advising on potential under/over spend. 

Quality Management 

• Ensure health and nutrition projects are implemented in line with technical requirements.  
• Follow the direction of the Senior Health and Nutrition Advisor at GSO. 
• Regularly assess and provide feedback and recommendations on the quality of the programmes. 

Staff Health 

• Overall responsibility for staff health/occupational health procedures and compliance and development of procedures in-country. 

Team Spiritual Life  

• Reflect the values of Medair with team members, local staff, beneficiaries, and external contacts. 
• Work, live, and pray together in our Christian faith-based team settings. Fully contribute to the rich spiritual life of your team, including team devotions, prayers, and words of encouragement. 
• Encouraged to join and contribute to Medair’s international prayer network. 

This job description covers the main tasks that are anticipated. Other tasks may be assigned as necessary. 

Qualifications

• Clinical degree (nurse or doctor), or Public Health degree.  
• Education/training/experience in humanitarian work will also be desirable. 
• Good working knowledge of English (speaking and writing). Ability to speak, or learn, local language (Arabic). 

Experience

• 3 years’ work experience in managing programmes in international public health settings with at least 1 year in a humanitarian emergency context. 
• Experience working in a nutrition programme in a developing country, preferably in a humanitarian context. 
• Knowledge of humanitarian principles such as Sphere and CHS Standards including other international humanitarian guidelines and protocols.  
• Experience in the design, monitoring of implementation and evaluation of public health programmes. 
• Good report and proposal writing skills, negotiation, problem solving, communication as well as advanced planning and analytical skills. 
• Capacity to work under pressure, to manage personal stress levels and work effectively in diverse situations. 
• Creative, open-minded person with flexible and self-learner manners. 
• Able to cope well with basic living conditions within the field and during field trips. 
• Committed to team-building and able to develop and support other team members. 
• Excellent organisational skills 
• Ability to undertake multiple tasks, prioritise clearly, enforce procedures while setting up clear objectives.