Health & Nutrition Manager

Role & Responsibilities

The Health and Nutrition Manager will develop, lead, monitor and evaluate the assigned health and nutrition project(s), with support from the Health and Nutrition Project Manager and advisors. Develop lead implementation and ensure adequate monitoring and evaluation for effective management and reporting on the project activities in line with the objectives, time frame and budget with a focus on Health & nutrition system strengthening, training and coordination. Provide technical support and leadership manage and train Health & Nutrition staff to meet quality standards in Health & Nutrition Service delivery, anticipate, plan, and contribute to the development of new nutrition project proposals and reports.

Project Overview

Medair is implementing an integrated IMAM, Health and MHPSS project through mobile teams. Medair’s health and nutrition project seeks to address the inadequate coverage and quality of life-saving services for the treatment of common illnesses, psychosocial well-being, reproductive health services and acute malnutrition in children under five years and PLWs. The programme also addresses some of the key determinants of malnutrition through promotion of improved IYCF practices and healthy behaviours linked to unnecessary deaths amongst vulnerable populations.

Workplace & Working conditions

Field based position in Kandahar, Afghanistan.

Starting Date / Initial Contract Details

As soon as possible. Full time, 12 months. Short-term option possible.

Key Activity Areas

Health & Nutrition Management

• Responsible for the implementation, management, supervision and support of the assigned nutrition and health interventions in line with the time frame of the relevant project proposal and any applicable national and international guidelines and standards.
• Provide strong leadership of the assigned health and nutrition project teams, working to ensure both short and long-term positive impacts and outcomes for the beneficiaries, local health and nutrition authorities (where applicable) and local staff.
• Continuously monitor and supervise all project activities, evaluating progress through outputs and impacts using both quantitative and qualitative data, and involving the health and nutrition team (and where applicable local health authorities) in analysis and taking appropriate action as needed to ensure continued progress.
• Provide training for local staff in line with the appropriate international and national guidelines.
• Implement participatory Behaviour Change Communication methods in health and nutrition project through care groups in each catchment population of each mobile clinic site.
• Provide input into the integration of beneficiary participation and accountability in all aspects of the project.
• Ensure accurate reporting of activities according to Medair, donor and other applicable time frames and formats.
• Contribute to new proposals, linked to the assessed needs and gaps and the Medair country strategy, in conjunction with the country Health & Nutrition advisor.

Staff Management

• Assist the Health and Nutrition Project Manager to manage and oversee the assigned local health & nutrition team including recruitment, day-to-day management, development and training, appraisals, etc. The team may include certified health and nutrition staff (e.g. Medical Doctors, Nurses, Midwives, Pharmacy Assistants, Health Assistants, PSS counsellors, Health Promotion Trainers).
• Facilitate regular meetings to assist information sharing between project staff, to ensure all staff members are aware of project objectives and current work plans and to provide the opportunity for feedback.
• Provide coaching and technical supervision to staff in order to develop ownership and full responsibility for Health & nutrition activities.
• Assess the training needs of all staff and ensure that appropriate training is conducted, and new skills are used in the field. Promote the health and security of the team by ensuring the application of security guidelines.

Financial Management

• Work with the Health and Nutrition Supervisors to manage finances within the field location.
• Manage the project budget for the assigned project(s) and ensure all expenses are according to budget and meet the Medair standards with regard to financial management, including accountability and good governance.

Communication & Coordination

• Develop and maintain appropriate, regular, transparent and supportive communication structures with the assigned health & nutrition team, Medair in-country advisors and other relevant stakeholders (e.g. beneficiaries, community leaders, local and national government officials, UN agencies and other NGOs), with the objective of ensuring good cooperation and partnerships.
• Participate in health and nutrition coordination meetings, Medair internal trainings, and other working groups or meetings as required, representing Medair and feeding back to the health and nutrition on relevant issues.

Logistics

• Support the logistics activities of health & nutrition staff, particularly in relation to the purchasing of medicines, supplies and equipment for the assigned nutrition facilities and activities.
• Liaise, as necessary, with the nutrition, health, logistics and finance staff to ensure items are procured, transported, stored, managed, and accounted for correctly.
• Manage the correct and timely ordering of needed stocks and supplies to the field location sites in coordination with the Health and Nutrition Project Manager.
• Monitor expiration dates of all stocks in the field location sites to ensure timely use.

Quality Management

• Promote and use the Medair intranet and other operating procedures, ensuring that all standardized formats are used in data collection and monitoring and all nutrition guidelines are followed.
• Ensure health & nutrition projects are implemented in line with donor proposals and requirements and in accordance with Medair, donor, country and international standards i.e. Sphere and CHS standards, WHO recommendations, etc.
• Participate in Medair workshops and distance learning sessions to keep up with changing trends.

Field – Team Life

• Reflect the vision and values of Medair with team members, local staff, beneficiaries, and external contacts.

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

Qualifications

• Higher level qualification: medical doctor, nurse, midwife.
• Strong working knowledge of English (spoken and written).

Experience

• 2 years post-qualification nursing / medical professional experience / nutrition programming.
• Experience working in a health and nutrition programme in a developing country, in a humanitarian context.
• Ability and willingness to manage project implementation. Able to develop and maintain effective relationships with colleagues, beneficiaries, other agencies and local authorities.
• Able to set clear objectives for staff and to delegate.
• Capacity to work under pressure and manage personal stress levels.
• Creative, open-minded, flexible, self-learner. Team-player with good inter-personal skills.

All new deploying international staff to Medair’s country programmes (and other roles which require field travel) should be fully vaccinated with a WHO-approved COVID vaccine, supported with a COVID vaccination certificate as evidence.