Nutrition Technical Advisor

Jhpiego is an international, non-profit health organization affiliated with the Johns Hopkins University. Jhpiego develops innovations to enhance the capacity of health care workers, strengthening health systems and improve delivery of care towards improving the health and well-being. Jhpiego has been collaborating with the Government of Malawi and various partners in implementing a wide-range of interventions in maternal, newborn and child health, family planning, HIV/AIDS prevention and care and treatment, since 1999. 

Jhpiego is seeking a qualified Nutrition Technical Advisor to provide technical expertise and leadership in the design, implementation, and oversight of nutrition interventions for the MNCH-N program in Malawi. The Advisor will ensure integrated and high-quality service delivery, while also offering technical guidance to project staff and partners involved in nutrition activities across the regions. Reporting to the Project Director and Technical Director, the Nutrition Advisor will work closely with the Senior MNH Advisor, Child Health Advisor, and other relevant technical, programmatic, and operations staff to ensure seamless and integrated implementation of MNCH-N activities.

The Nutrition Technical Advisor will be based in Lilongwe, Malawi, reporting directly to the Technical Director.

Technical Leadership & Service Delivery

• Coordinate the implementation of high-impact nutrition interventions across the continuum of care—from preconception through early childhood—within the MNCH-N framework.
• Provide technical guidance and support for nutrition activities, including infant and young child feeding (IYCF), community-based management of acute malnutrition (CMAM), micronutrient supplementation, and nutrition counseling services.
• Support integration of nutrition services into key contact points such as antenatal care (ANC), postnatal care (PNC), Kangaroo Mother Care, Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI), Emergency Triage Assessment and Treatment (ETAT), and Integrated Family Health Outreach Clinics (IFHOCS).
• Promote essential IYCF practices throughout ante-, peri-, and postnatal care, including implementation of revised UNICEF/WHO Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative guidelines.
• Strengthen facility and community-based growth monitoring and promotion activities.
• Oversee identification and treatment of moderate and severe acute malnutrition through inpatient (NRUs) and outpatient (CMAM) services.
• Promote uptake and use of essential micronutrients, including iron-folate for pregnant women and vitamin A for children under five.
• Support the availability, procurement, and utilization of essential nutrition commodities and supplies in alignment with Ministry of Health guidelines.

Capacity Strengthening & Quality Improvement

• Lead development, adaptation, and dissemination of evidence-based MIYCN training materials, job aids, and mentoring tools for health workers and partners.
• Provide and facilitate on-the-job training, simulation, and mentorship for healthcare providers and community health workers on nutrition protocols and quality improvement initiatives.
• Oversee mentoring and professional development of nutrition professionals, health workers, and local partner staff to ensure delivery of high-quality nutrition services.
• Provide technical oversight of nutrition services for children with SAM and MAM at both primary and hospital levels.
• Collaborate with technical and quality improvement advisors, Ministry of Health, and stakeholders to monitor and improve quality of integrated MNCH-N services using local service delivery data.

Program Implementation & Coordination

• Lead the development, implementation, and monitoring of nutrition activities in the integrated project work plan, ensuring alignment with government and donor priorities.
• Work closely with the Project Director, Technical Director, and MNCH advisors to set and achieve nutrition priorities and respond to requests from counterparts and partners.
• Collaborate with MEL and data teams to design and implement monitoring plans, ensuring effective use of nutrition data for program review and adaptation.
• Document successes, lessons learned, and challenges; contribute to timely quarterly and annual reporting of nutrition activities and results.
• Oversee and mentor local partners’ nutrition implementation activities and monitor progress against work plans.
• Maintain effective and respectful communication with team members, fostering a collaborative and supportive work environment.

Stakeholder Engagement & Multisectoral Collaboration

• Work with the Ministry of Health and partners to strengthen integrated MNCH-N service delivery across antenatal, birth, postnatal, infant, child health, and immunization services.
• Coordinate with other USG and non-USG projects to identify synergies and enhance the quality of integrated MNCH-N services.
• Participate in and promote multisectoral collaboration spaces to address maternal and child malnutrition.

Strategic Growth and Partnerships 

• Identify new innovative ideas in MNCH-N programing with proven effectiveness and efficiency as well as cost efficiency
• Facilitate the development of best practices and help in coming up with integration of new services within the MNCH-N program
• Support any other strategic growth and partnership efforts for Jhpiego Malawi as may be required from time to time.

Communication & Knowledge Management

• Contribute to documentation of outcomes, success stories, and lessons learned; contribute to scientific publications and conference abstracts.
• Contribute to knowledge sharing across teams, regions, and external stakeholders.
• Collaborate with communications staff to support implementation of communication strategies and ensure effective communication and documentation of lessons and best practices from nutrition programs.

• Advanced degree (MPH, MSc, or equivalent) in Nutrition, Public Health, Food Science, or a related field. 
• Minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible experience in designing, implementing, and coordinating large-scale nutrition programs, preferably in Malawi or similar low-resource settings. 
• Demonstrated experience in providing technical assistance and on-the-job training to HCPs and CHWs on nutrition-related topics. 
• Experience in integrating nutrition services within broader MNCH or primary healthcare programs.
• Experience working with government health structures, health facilities, and local partners

• Deep technical knowledge of evidence-based nutrition interventions, including IYCF, CMAM (SAM/MAM), micronutrient supplementation, and nutrition assessments. 
• Proficiency in developing and delivering training and mentorship programs for health care workers and community volunteers on nutrition. 
• Strong understanding of data utilization for program monitoring, quality improvement, and informed decision-making in nutrition programs
• Knowledge of community-level nutrition approaches and referral systems for malnutrition cases
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with attention to detail. 
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with diverse teams and stakeholders. 
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple tasks, prioritize, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment. 
• Ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative team, with strong technical advisory capabilities for regional teams. 
• Commitment to improving nutritional outcomes and integrating services within a comprehensive public health approach. 
• Willingness and ability to travel throughout  the operational sites
• Fluency in written and spoken English and professional proficiency in Chichewa are required (proficiency in other local Malawian languages is highly desirable).

All staff, irrespective of their position, are expected to comply with and follow Jhpiego operational procedures, policies, and codes of conduct. 

                   Jhpiego offers competitive salaries and a comprehensive employee benefits package.

                                                                     Please apply at www.jhpiego.org/careers

Applicants must submit a single document for upload, including a cover letter, resume, and references.

                       For further information about Jhpiego, visit our website at www.jhpiego.org

Note: The successful candidate selected for this position will be subject to a pre-employment background investigation.

Jhpiego is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to tough international child safeguarding standards.

Jhpiego, a Johns Hopkins University affiliate, is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of gender, marital status, pregnancy, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, other legally protected characteristics or any other occupationally irrelevant criteria. Jhpiego promotes Affirmative Action for minorities, women, individuals who are disabled, and veterans.

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