Health and Nutrition Advisor At Medair

Role & Responsibilities

The Health and Nutrition Advisor provides technical advice and support to the field management and the health and nutrition staff. Develop, lead, monitor, and evaluate health and nutrition aspects of the country programme. Coordinate and network at a senior level with national and regional health and nutrition authorities. Actively participate in health and nutrition sector coordination supporting the development of quality standards and protocols to improve the overall response. Lead on all health and nutrition elements of proposals and reports, providing capacity building for national and international staff, promoting best practice in the health and nutrition programmes, and contributing to the overall management of the country programme.

Project Overview

Medair has started a multisector response to the Ukrainian crisis inside Ukraine and in Poland. In Ukraine, Medair is conducting health assessments and hiring health staff in multiple cities to respond to lifesaving health needs. In Poland, Medair is partnering with a local organization to provide primary health care for refugees at reception centers and is preparing to respond to disease outbreaks that may occur in these locations. This project is expected to adapt and grow in response to needs in the coming months.

Workplace & Conditions

Position located in Poland and Ukraine with regular field visits.

Starting Date / Initial Contract Details

As soon as possible. Full time, 6 to 12 months.

Key Activity Areas

Health and Nutrition Project Technical Oversight

• Maintain an overview of country health and nutrition programmes and of the regional context in order to develop strategic projects in current sites and surrounding areas while planning responsible exit when necessary.
• Give technical advice to field managers and GSO on new health and or nutrition interventions including internal health and nutrition capacity for implementations while. working closely with WASH and MHPSS technical staffs.
• Define appropriate policies, guidelines and protocols for the medical aspects of Medair’s work in country, in consultation with GSO advisors, field managers, and in line with relevant government, Sphere and WHO guidelines.
• Provide technical support to the health and nutrition teams in all project sites, including the evaluation and impact analysis of current projects, and the writing of donor proposals and reports within the required timeframes.
• Carry out regular monitoring visits in conjunction with other field managers, ensuring that project objectives are met within the stated timeframes and in accordance with recognized international standards.
• Supervise and monitor the development of reporting systems for health and nutrition data collection (qualitative and quantitative), 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 projects, supporting the health, nutrition and logistics staff in the coordination and quality control of supplies.
• Provide input into the integration of beneficiary participation and accountability in all aspects of the project.

Representation

• Develop and maintain 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 or task groups on specific health and nutrition-related humanitarian aid issues and actively participate to improve the quality of the overall response.
• Accompany donors on field trips and ensuring information are transmit on time and with professional manners.
• Represent Medair, as appropriate, at national health cluster/sector, nutrition cluster/sector, coordination, sector and bilateral meetings, working groups, with national and/or local government departments and any other relevant meetings or events, facilitating supportive synergies and overall progress in the health and nutrition sectors and avoiding duplication with the work of other agencies such as NGOs, UN, amongst other none profit organizations.

Staff Management

• Advising about technical skills and experience required within the sector when recruiting health and nutrition staffs for the country programme.
• Ensuring health and nutrition staffs are well trained and, if necessary, create possibilities for capacity building, mentoring and coaching, within budget constraints. Plan and develop training material as required with support from HQ advisors as needed.
• Supporting line managers in inductions and appraisals of employees with particular regard to technical skills.

Financial Management

• Work with the relevant field managers and GSO staff to plan and construct health and nutrition budgets.
• Ensure the health and nutrition project expenditures are in line with approved budgets, advising on potential under/over spending and recommending appropriate corrective action.

Quality Management

• Ensure health and nutrition projects are implement in line with donor proposals and in accordance with Medair, donor, country and international standards such as Sphere and HAP standards including WHO recommendations.
• Follow the direction of the Senior Health and Nutrition Advisor at GSO regarding quality, strategy and guidelines.
• Regularly assess and provide feedback and recommendations to GSO advisors, as well as field staff on the quality of health and nutrition programmes and interventions during field visits and at other relevant times.
• Maintain a resource library for the health and nutrition team and keep up-to-date with the latest trends and updates within the sector. Ensure health and nutrition staffs have access to appropriate information when needed.
• Attend Medair’s annual health and nutrition workshop, as well as periodic online meetings, with HQ advisors to keep up to date on recommendations and guidelines for Medair health and nutrition programming.

Staff Health

• Overall responsibility of staffs, occupational health, compliances and for the development of procedures in-country.

Team Spiritual Life

• Reflect the values of Medair with team members, local staff, beneficiaries, and external contacts.
• Work 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 programmes and GSO prayer network.

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

Qualifications

• A clinical degree in nurse, doctor or Public Health and Emergency Responses, A&E/ER experience will be essentials.
• A Public Health degree will also be considered.
• Strong working knowledge of English and Polish (spoken and written), Polish desirable.

Experience / Competencies

• At least 3 years work experience in managing programmes in international public health sectors.
• At least 1 year experience within humanitarian emergency contexts and in managing emergency responses.
• Knowledge of humanitarian principles as well as other international humanitarian guidelines and protocols.
• Creative, open-minded, flexible and able to cope with basic living conditions in the field and during field trips.