Guided by the remarkable legacy of its co-founder Helen Keller, Helen Keller International partners with the most vulnerable communities to break the persistent cycles of poverty. By ensuring the essential foundations of good health, adequate nutrition, and a clear vision, the organization helps millions of people generate lasting change in their lives.
Present in more than 20 countries in Africa, Asia, Europe and the United States, and supported by a committed global community, the organization works to ensure that every individual can fully realize their potential.
As part of its activities in Madagascar, Helen Keller International is recruiting a VAS Program Coordinator on a fixed-term contract (CDD) with the possibility of renewal.
Program overview:
Vitamin A supplementation (VAS), administered twice a year to at least 80% of children aged 6 to 59 months in settings with high infant mortality, can reduce mortality in children under five years of age by up to 24%.
Vitamin A is distributed twice a year through various distribution mechanisms. Some countries conduct mass campaigns where teams visit every household to administer vitamin A to children. Others have integrated vitamin A into their health systems, alongside routine immunizations or growth monitoring. A third group of countries uses a hybrid system combining campaigns and facility-based distribution. Finally, some countries are in the process of transitioning from one approach to another. For several decades, Helen Keller International has supported Ministries of Health in 14 sub-Saharan African countries in the distribution of vitamin A and currently helps distribute more than 30 million vitamin A capsules annually.
In Madagascar, the SVA program, funded by the GiveWell Foundation, is implemented in eight priority regions: Betsiboka, Boeny, Diana, Ihorombe, Melaky, Menabe, Sava, and Sofia. The intervention places particular emphasis on strengthening the health system to ensure the sustainable and routine distribution of SVA at basic health centers and community sites.
This program is part of the Ministry of Public Health’s national roadmap for the sustainable integration of SVA into primary health care.
Context
Helen Keller International is a technical assistance NGO whose mission is to save the sight and lives of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged people. It combats the causes and consequences of blindness and malnutrition by establishing evidence-based and research-based programs in vision, health, and nutrition.
In Madagascar, Helen Keller supports the efforts of various ministries in the fight against malnutrition through the implementation of various projects and programs, including strengthening Vitamin A Supplementation (VAS) through routine and catch-up strategies, as well as nutrition and food fortification initiatives.
The Vitamin A Supplementation (VAS) Program Coordinator is responsible for defining, planning, and implementing Helen Keller’s vitamin A supplementation programs in Madagascar. Reporting directly to the VAS Program Manager, this position requires frequent travel to the regions where Helen Keller operates, as well as regional travel to other countries where the organization is active. The position is based in Antananarivo, Madagascar.
Responsibilities :
The main objectives:
- Contribute to the definition and continuous improvement of SVA programs;
- To ensure the technical, operational and strategic management of the program.
Specific responsibilities
The VAS Program Coordinator will be required to:
Programmatic planning and management
- Develop the program implementation strategy for each region;
- Develop the detailed annual work plan;
- Define input requirements and ensure regular monitoring of their availability;
- Prepare the necessary documents for the delivery of inputs to the regions and districts;
- Contribute to the development and monitoring of the program budget.
Partnership and grant management
- Prepare the databases and information necessary for establishing grant contracts with sub-recipients;
- Contribute to the drafting, monitoring and implementation of grant contracts;
- Maintain regular communication with regional and district managers to monitor the progress of the program;
- Ensure follow-up on contractual commitments and deliverables.
Technical monitoring and coordination
- Actively participate in coordination activities in the regions;
- Support supervision and monitoring and evaluation activities;
- Participate in the review of programmatic data and performance analysis;
- Contribute to the mentoring of regional and district teams;
- Participate in the mid-term review and program evaluation exercises.
Development of management and communication tools
- Participate in the design, adaptation and validation of the SVA program management tools;
- Contribute to the development of communication and social mobilization tools;
- Support demand creation activities in collaboration with local partners;
- Participate in technical workshops, coordination meetings and national forums on nutrition.
This job description is not exhaustive and may evolve according to the needs of the program.
How to apply
Required qualifications
- Minimum degree: Bac+5, public health, nutrition, program management, monitoring and evaluation or related field or Doctorate in Medicine;
- Minimum 7 years of relevant experience in managing public health or humanitarian programs;
- Good understanding of subsidy mechanisms, contract management and health system strengthening;
- Excellent analytical, organizational and coordination skills;
- Strong writing skills, with the ability to produce high-quality technical and narrative reports;
- Impeccable command of French (spoken and written) and acceptable level of professional English, enabling writing and communication in an international environment;
- Proficiency in common computer tools (MS Office, especially advanced Excel);
- Knowledge of image processing and graphic design software (Publisher, Canva or equivalent);
- Good interpersonal skills, a sense of teamwork and the ability to collaborate with institutional partners at different levels.
To apply,
qualified candidates should send a cover letter and resume to Madagascar.recruitment@hki.org, indicating the job title in the subject line. Applications will be accepted until March 31, 2026.
Helen Keller is dedicated to building an inclusive workforce where diversity of all kinds is fully valued.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to ethnicity, race, caste, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or any other characteristic that does not affect the ability to perform the required duties.
We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities.
If you are a qualified person with a disability and require accommodations during the application or interview process, please contact us at the email address above or by phone:Â Madagascar.recruitment@hki.org
HELEN KELLER INTL
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