Nutrition Technical Officer

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 dynamic and experienced Nutrition Officer to lead and coordinate the implementation of lifesaving Maternal, Newborn, Child Health, and Nutrition (MNCH-N) services in Malawi. This role offers a unique opportunity to shape impactful health interventions and contribute to sustainable improvements in maternal and child health across the country.

The Nutrition Officer should possess deep expertise in Maternal, Infant, and Young Child Nutrition (MIYCN), along with experience working with the Ministry of Health (MOH) and other stakeholders to implement integrated MNCH and nutrition programs within the Malawi context. In collaboration with the Nutrition Technical Advisor, the officer will provide technical oversight of project-supported services for children with Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) and Moderate Acute Malnutrition (MAM) at both primary care and hospital levels.

The Nutrition Officer will be based in one of Jhpiego’s operating districts in Malawi and will report directly to the Nutrition Technical Advisor.

• Work with the district teams and partners to strengthen provision of integrated MNCH + Nutrition activities as part of antenatal, birth, postnatal, infant, child health and immunization services
• Oversee mentoring and capacity building for nutrition professionals, health workers [doctors, nurses, midwives], professional associations, and local partner staff at district levels for provision of evidence based MIYCN interventions, including SAM/MAM screening and management interventions
• Support with capacity strengthening and mentoring of HSAs during supervision and mentoring to provide growth monitoring and other nutrition services.
• Provide and facilitate mentoring and capacity building at the facility level for provision of quality nutrition services across the antenatal, birth, postnatal, infant and child health care continuum
• Provide technical oversight of project-supported services for children with SAM and MAM at primary and hospital level
• Oversee procurement of applicable essential nutrition commodities at district level in line with guidelines.
• Work closely with Quality Improvement advisors and key stakeholders to integrate nutrition QI metrics as part of multi site initiatives.
• Participate in and promote spaces for multisectoral collaboration to address maternal and child malnutrition.
• Prepare technical reports of project nutrition activities and results.
• Document successes, lessons learned and implementation challenges and contribute to timely quarterly and annual reporting of project nutrition activities and results
• Oversee local partners’ nutrition activities and mentor and monitor local partners’ technical staff and their work plan activities 

• Bachelor's degree or higher in nutrition; specialization in Maternal, Infant and Young Child Nutrition (MIYCN) strongly preferred
• At least 6 years of experience supporting integrated MNCH and Nutrition programs in the Malawi context
• Up to date with global recommended MIYCN best practices and resources
• Excellent knowledge of maternal, newborn and child health and nutrition services in the Malawi context
• At least 2 years of experience supporting SAM and MAM programs in the Malawi context
• Flexibility to adapt to changing work environments and conditions
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to work independently and with team members and partners at all levels 
• Strong analytical and conceptual skills and the ability to think and plan strategically 
• Fluency in written and spoken English strongly preferred 
• Availability to travel within the country 40% of the time

• Fluency in written and spoken English is required. Professional proficiency in Chichewa is required. Other local Malawian languages are desirable.

• Willingness and ability to travel to all project implementation areas across the three regions of Malawi

All staff irrespective of their position are expected to comply with and follow Jhpiego operational procedures and 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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