Health and Nutrition Advisor At Medair

Role & Responsibilities

Provide technical advice and support to the field management and the health and nutrition staff. Develop, lead, monitor, and evaluate the 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, development of strategy, 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 started a multisector response to the Ukrainian crisis in March of 2022. The health response has focused on re-establishing access to primary health care for affected populations and has included re-equipping health facilities with essential supplies and equipment, health facility repairs, training for health care workers and community health. Mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) is integrated into the response. The role will involve travel to support our various bases, and mentoring Medair staff.

Workplace & Working conditions

Field based position in Kyiv, Ukraine with frequent travel between locations.

Starting Date / Initial Contract Details

As soon as possible. Full time, 12 months.

Key Activity Areas

Health Project Technical Oversight

• Maintain an overview of the country health and nutrition programmes and of the regional context, with a view to strategically developing new projects in current sites and/or surrounding areas.
• Give technical advice to field managers and GSO on potential involvement in new health and or nutrition interventions and internal health and nutrition capacity for implementation.
• Define policies, guidelines and protocols for the medical aspects of Medair’s work in country, in consultation with GSO advisors, other 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 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 recognised 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.
• Provide input into the integration of beneficiary participation and accountability in all aspects of the project.
• Develop the country sector strategy in collaboration with the Senior Health and Nutrition Advisor.

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 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 ensure programme details are transmitted in a timely manner.
• Represent Medair 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 meetings or events, facilitating supportive synergies and overall progress in the health and nutrition sectors.

Staff Management

• Be involved in the recruitment of health and nutrition staff for the country programme, providing advice on technical skills and experience.
• Ensure that all health and nutrition staff are adequately trained and create possibilities for capacity building, mentoring and coaching, within budget constraints. Plan and develop training material with support from GSO advisors. Support line managers in inductions and appraisals of health and nutrition staff.

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 implemented in line with donor proposals and in accordance with Medair, donor, country and international standards e.g. Sphere and HAP standards, WHO recommendations, etc.
• 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.
• Attend Medair’s annual health and nutrition workshop, as well as periodic online meetings, with GSO advisors to keep up to date on recommendations and guidelines for Medair health and nutrition programming.

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.
• Strong working knowledge of English (spoken and written).

Experience

• At least 3 years’ experience in managing programmes in international public health work, with at least 1 year in humanitarian emergency context. Emergency response, A&E/ER experience.
• Experience in the design, monitoring of implementation and evaluation of public health programmes.
• Computer literate with strong working knowledge of Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook and PowerPoint.
• Knowledge of humanitarian principles, Sphere and CHS Standards.
• Good report and proposal writing skills. Good negotiation skills. Excellent communication 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.