Nutrition Technical Lead, Community Nutrition and Health Activity (CNHA) At Helen Keller International

Helen Keller

JOB ANNOUNCEMENT

Nutrition Technical Lead, Community Nutrition and Health Activity (CNHA)

(Dhaka, Bangladesh)

Helen Keller International is a global health organization dedicated to eliminating preventable vision loss, malnutrition and diseases of poverty. Co-founded by Helen Keller – and guided by her fierce optimism and belief in human potential – the organization delivers life-changing health and food security solutions to build resilience of vulnerable families where the need is great but access to care is limited. In the US, Africa, and Asia, Helen Keller’s proven, science-based programs empower people to create opportunities in their own lives and build lasting change.

Background

The purpose of the planned U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Community Nutrition and Health Activity (CNHA) in Bangladesh is to improve the nutrition outcomes of pregnant and lactating women, and children less than five years old in Bangladesh. The Community Nutrition and Health Activity will address the inequitable nutrition outcomes of the most vulnerable segments of the population through a targeted community-health system strengthening approach.

Scope of the Position

The Nutrition Technical Lead will provide technical leadership in the design and implementation of evidence-based activities to improve food security and nutrition. The ideal candidate will have a strong expertise in implementing nutrition-specific and nutrition-sensitive programs in developing country contexts. The Technical Lead will serve as a subject matter expert and coordinate with CNHA colleagues to integrate nutrition-sensitive activities across the project’s activities.

This position is expected to be based in Dhaka, with regular travel within Bangladesh. This five-year

position is contingent on Helen Keller being awarded funding.

Specific Responsibilities

The Nutrition Technical Lead will be responsible for the following:

· Participate in program design and development of implementation activities (strategic planning, program presentation, advocacy and policy meetings), as appropriate.

· Develop, design, and lead high quality activities that promote improved nutrition of infants and young children, pregnant and lactating mothers and adolescent girls.

· Lead the development and testing of tools, materials, and resources that strengthen the implementation of quality nutrition practices.

· Collaborate with relevant government offices and other partner agencies in support of project implementation.

· Identify promising innovative nutrition program strategies, develop program guidance, and provide technical leadership on its implementation.

· Actively contribute to the project’s technical direction by developing strategies and partnerships to increase program coverage, visibility, and resource availability.

· Participate in in-country, regional and global nutrition networks to represent the CNHA’s work and advocate for increased commitments to nutrition.

· Collaborate with the project’s monitoring and evaluation staff to carry out operations research related to program delivery and contribute to other research efforts as needed.

· Provide up-to-date, evidence-based technical and policy briefs, and develop or manage the creation of evidence-based program standards with key stakeholders.

· Participate in global nutrition networks to represent the CNHA’s work and advocate for increased commitments to global nutrition.

As a Technical Advisor, the position co-supervises project staff within his/her area of expertise and will liaise with donors and partners.

· Model collaboration for the matrixed project team: effectively consult and inform colleagues to maximize efficiency and knowledge sharing and integrate guidance and direction from subject matter experts in your office and elsewhere in the global organization to maximize performance.

• Guide implementation teams to achieve high-quality project deliverables and ensure they meet project objectives and donor requirements.
• Work with staff to achieve goals and ensure accountability to beneficiaries, partners, colleagues and donors by providing ongoing feedback in a context of mutual respect.
• Contribute to recruitment and ongoing supervision and evaluation of program staff in technical area and contribute to an atmosphere conducive to professional growth and development.

Required Qualifications/Competencies

· Master’s degree in Public Health, Human Nutrition or related discipline; plus

· At least 8 years of experience in international public health programming with an emphasis on nutrition, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

· Strong experience in maternal and child health and nutrition programming, particularly breastfeeding, complementary feeding, diets of women and adolescent girls, health service delivery, and nurturing care.

· Experience overseeing technical quality of activities integrating nutrition into maternal and child health, food security, and livelihoods, with previous USAID experience a requirement.

· Knowledge of USAID and other donor policies, strategies, and program priorities.

· Excellent knowledge of the technical literature on women’s and children’s health and nutrition.

· Ability to direct multiple long- and short-term activities simultaneously with minimal supervision.

· Demonstrated success in working with local government and NGO stakeholders.

· Strong interpersonal skills and experience working in diverse teams and cross-cultural settings.

· Broad capacity building and training experience.

· In-depth experience undertaking and supporting research, data collection, analysis and report and article writing.

· Experience managing and coordinating staff and partners to achieve results.

· Excellent time management and personal organization skills.

· An ability to work in challenging and changing environments, and to see through challenges to find solutions; an ability to maintain balance when under stress.

· Demonstrable respect for all persons regardless of religion, ethnicity, class or gender, with a high comfort level working in a diverse environment with a demonstrated commitment to high professional ethical standards.

· Excellent written and oral communication skills in English; fluency in Bengali is advantageous.

· Experience working in Bangladesh is highly desirable.