Health and Nutrition Advisor

Role & Responsibilities

Offer strategic and technical advice to headquarters and the field, as well as training and coaching to Medair field health and nutrition staff in emergency (acute and chronic) as well as transitional programming. To assist in strengthening, supporting and standardizing the technical quality of Medair’s health and nutrition sector programming at field and GSO levels to ensure meeting international health guidelines and best serving our beneficiaries.

Project Overview

Medair Global Support Office (GSO) provides operational guidance for country programmes, along with both technical and compassionate support for our relief workers. Within our GSO and affiliate offices, we are also responsible for promoting the work of Medair to the world, to raise and manage the funds needed to run our life-saving and sustaining programmes, and to recruit international and GSO staff.

The International Programmes Department is specifically responsible for the timely delivery and quality of Medair’s humanitarian services in Medair country programmes with support from the HR, Engagement, Finance, Logistics and Information Technology Services departments.

Workplace & Working conditions

GSO based position in Lausanne, Switzerland. Remote work is possible (conditions apply). Travel to supported field or GSO programmes up to once a quarter for 2-3 weeks at a time. Out of hours/ weekend work may be required from time to time. Swiss or eligible EU citizens, or those with a valid work permit for Switzerland, can apply.

Starting Date / Initial Contract Details
ASAP. 60%, 24 months.

Key Activity Areas

Strategy Implementation and System Development

• Review, implement, and monitor the health and nutrition support strategy for Medair field programmes.
• Assist country programmes in the development of their health and nutrition strategies.
• Develop and monitor metrics for activities under your responsibility from an organisational, portfolio, country, and project perspective.
• Assist in the development of health and nutrition related organisational policies
• Assist country programmes in development and review of any new country health policies or guidelines

Quality Management

• Provide timely and evidence-based advice to field teams in the case of disease outbreaks and other medical problems.
• Provide technical health advice to Head of Country Programmes and field advisors at all key stages of the project management cycle including needs assessment, technical strategy and design, implementation as well as sector specific monitoring and evaluation. This includes travel to field programmes as well as review of proposals, key reports and surveys prior to external submission.
• Improve coherence between health and nutrition projects across Medair country programmes.
• Establish and maintain a regular communication and exchange of information between GSO and Field Health and Nutrition Advisors
• Stay abreast of current best practice. Research and stay informed on academic and technical health and nutrition issues, techniques, and guidelines to inform and improve programming.

Training and Supervision

• Assist in developing and holding the health and nutrition workshop for key field health and nutrition staff.
• Assist in developing internal training materials and resources and providing training to staff at appropriate venues, including but not limited to the ROC, GSO level briefings, inductions and online sessions.
• Advise as requested on external health and nutrition related training courses for staff.

Human Resources/Staff Care

• To give advice as requested on suitability of health staff for various health roles and tasks
• Manage technical aspects of consultant activities or relationships as necessary

Representation

• Develop and maintain public health and relief-oriented networks in order to share ideas, best practices, lessons learned, and stay informed on current health, nutrition, and humanitarian aid trends including global sector clusters and academic institutions.

Engagement

• To review and approve marketing material for your sector as requested
• Build our institutional profile by writing, reviewing, and supporting the development of technical articles for publication, speaking at professional conferences and events, and other appropriate means as time permits
• To support Engagement team in attracting interested major donors as time permits

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

• Medical Doctor plus Masters in Public Health (preferred); or Nurse with Masters in Public Health and extensive relief programming experience; or Public Health Professional (Masters or Doctorate level) with extensive relief programming experience.
• Diploma in Tropical Medicine and Hygiene desirable.
• Excellent working knowledge of the English language (speaking and writing).

Experience

• At least 3 years’ experience managing PHC programs in developing countries, with at least 2 years’ experience managing and coordinating acute and chronic complex emergency responses; such as: outbreaks, displaced populations, nutritional emergencies and/or natural disasters.
• Prior experience working with Medair in the field preferred.
• Prior health service delivery experience in Africa and Asia (desirable)
• Experience in epidemiology and conducting rapid health and nutrition assessments and baseline surveys using cluster and LQAS sampling methodology.
• Demonstrated training skills.
• Proven successful proposal writing and editing skills.
• Demonstrated health technical expertise in humanitarian settings.
• Tactful, high level communication, team building and interpersonal skills. Strong people centred management expertise.
• Capable to develop and motivate people in a servant and supportive manner. Familiar with inter-cultural differences.
• Good self-perception and self-control. Very flexible and resistant to stress.
• Strong ability to think strategically along with analytical skills.
• Computer literate with excellent knowledge of Excel; good working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Outlook, Access and PowerPoint.
• Proficiency with statistical health software packages such as EPI info, SPSS, STATA, or ENA for SMART. Experience with blogs and social networking.