Health & Nutrition Project Manager

Role & Responsibilities

The Health and Nutrition Project Manager will develop, lead, monitor and evaluate the assigned health and nutrition project(s), with support from sector 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 nutrition system strengthening, training and coordination. Provide technical support and leadership, manage and train nutrition staff to meet quality standards in nutrition delivery, anticipate, plan, and contribute to the development of new nutrition project proposals and reports.

Project Overview

Emergency nutrition, health, WASH and food security projects targeting displaced, conflict- and drought-affected vulnerable populations in central and southern Afghanistan.

Workplace & Conditions

Field based position in Uruzgan, Afghanistan.

Starting Date / Initial Contract Details

As soon as possible. Full time, 12-24 months.

Key Activity Areas

Health and Nutrition Project Management

• Manage the assigned health and nutrition project(s) to meet the project objectives within budget and within the allotted time frame and report promptly any operational concerns to line manager and country Health and Nutrition Advisor (e.g. projected failure to meet objectives; increased beneficiary needs; projected over or under spending on project budget).
• 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 nutrition authorities (where applicable) and local nutrition staff
• Contribute to development and implementation of an effective health and nutrition intervention including data collection and reporting and monitoring tools, job aids and data quality assurance processes.
• Oversee proactive planning for responsible exit in consultation with country Health and Nutrition Advisor, other health and nutrition staff and field managers.
• Set clear objectives and indicators for health and nutrition activities in collaboration with the country Health & Nutrition Advisor, health and nutrition staff, field managers and, where appropriate, with the local communities.
• Continuously monitor and supervise nutrition activities, evaluating progress through outputs and impacts using both quantitative and qualitative data, and involving the health and nutrition team(s) (and where applicable local health authorities) in analysis and taking appropriate action as needed to ensure continued progress.
• Provide input into the integration of beneficiary participation and accountability in all aspects of the project.
• Ensure accurate and timely 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 and nutrition advisor and relevant field managers.

Staff Management

• Line-manage the Health & Nutrition Supervisor(s) of the assigned project(s), including day-to-day management, development and training, appraisals, etc. It may also be necessary to line manage other health and nutrition project staff.
• 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 and nutrition activities.
• Assess the training needs of health and nutrition staff and ensure that appropriate training is conducted and new skills are used in the field.

Financial Management

• Manage the 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 and Coordination

• Develop and maintain appropriate, regular, transparent and supportive communication structures with the assigned health and nutrition team, Medair in-country and GSO health and nutrition managers and 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 training, and other working groups or meetings as required, representing Medair and feeding back to the health and nutrition staff and field managers on relevant issues.

Logistics

• Support the logistics activities of health and nutrition staff, particularly in relation to the purchasing of medicines, supplies and equipment for the assigned health and 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.

Quality Management

• Promote and use the Medair intranet and other operating procedures, ensuring that all standardised formats are used and guidelines are followed.
• Ensure health and 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.

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, preferably in nutrition or in another relevant field such as nursing/midwifery/doctor/community-based training.
• Strong working knowledge of English (spoken and written).

Experience

• 2 years post-qualification professional experience in a relevant field.
• Management experience in a nutrition / health context.
• Ability and willingness to manage project implementation.
• Good numerical, report writing and administration skills. Problem solving ability.
• Knowledge of humanitarian principles, Sphere and HAP Standards and other international humanitarian guidelines and protocols. Knowledge and experience of nutrition / primary health care principles and management.
• Able to prioritise clearly and oversee multiple tasks.
• Able to take the initiative in project decisions. Able to enforce procedures.
• Able to set clear objectives for staff and to delegate
• Committed to consultative and servant-minded leadership.
• Team-player with good inter-personal skills
• Willingness to support others and to share workload
• Aptitude for community mobilisation and capacity-building
• Experience in training / mentoring / coaching staff.

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.