EpiC Tajikistan Primary Health Care (PHC)/Nutrition Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
FHI 360 is a nonprofit organization dedicated to mobilizing research, resources, and relationships to ensure that people everywhere can access the opportunities they need to lead full, healthy lives. Established with a mission to improve lives through integrated, evidence-based solutions, FHI 360 has grown to employ over 2,000 experts and operates in more than 50 countries worldwide. The organization has offices in 40 countries and maintains active registrations in 69 countries, focusing on various sectors including infectious diseases, health, education, economic strengthening, and humanitarian response.

Job Overview:
The EpiC Tajikistan Primary Health Care (PHC)/Nutrition Specialist plays a crucial role in providing clinical and technical leadership to enhance the quality of primary health care services in areas such as Antenatal Care (ANC), Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF), Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI), and the management of Severe and Moderate Acute Malnutrition (SAM/MAM) in Khatlon province. This position is centered around PHC-level service delivery, where the specialist will advise district and regional health authorities and PHC facilities on clinical standards, quality improvement, and the evidence-based integration of nutrition and child health services. The specialist will also work to strengthen the connections between PHC facilities and community-based services, ensuring early identification, referral, follow-up, and continuity of care for nutrition and child health.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The responsibilities of the PHC/Nutrition Specialist include advising district and regional health authorities and PHC clinical teams on the quality implementation and management of ANC, IYCF, IMCI, and PHC-level SAM/MAM services. This involves screening, early detection, referral pathways, and follow-up. The specialist will provide ongoing clinical mentoring and supportive supervision to PHC doctors, nurses, and midwives through case reviews, skills reinforcement, clinical demonstrations, and coaching on nutrition and health counseling. Additionally, the specialist will conduct competency assessments and collaboratively develop and support the implementation of Quality Improvement (QI) plans and processes within PHC facilities. They will deliver PHC-based trainings, simulations, and clinical orientation sessions, facilitate clinical audits and reviews, and support the adaptation and rollout of national clinical protocols and tools. The specialist will also strengthen coordination between PHC providers, district health authorities, and community health workers to improve early identification of SAM/MAM, and ensure the integration of community-level IYCF counseling, growth monitoring, and nutrition screening into PHC workflows. Furthermore, the specialist will promote routine data use and continuous improvement through data review and performance monitoring, participate in technical working groups, and coordinate with other teams to ensure alignment of PHC practices with infection prevention and integrated service delivery standards.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a medical degree with specialization in pediatrics, family medicine, obstetrics, public health, or a related clinical field. A minimum of 5 years of clinical experience in primary health care settings, nutrition counseling, ANC service delivery, IMCI, and/or SAM/MAM management is preferred. Demonstrated experience working with district and regional health authorities and familiarity with PHC service delivery models in Tajikistan is essential. Strong mentoring, clinical coaching, and quality improvement experience at the PHC level is required, along with practical knowledge of national protocols for ANC, IMCI, IYCF, and SAM/MAM management. Candidates should also have strong experience with the Ministry of Health and Social Protection of the Population (MOHSPP) and USG-funded health programs, as well as strong analytical and coordination skills.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a medical degree with specialization in relevant fields such as pediatrics, family medicine, obstetrics, or public health. Additional training or certifications in nutrition or related areas would be advantageous.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 5 years of clinical experience in primary health care settings, particularly in areas related to nutrition counseling, ANC service delivery, IMCI, and management of SAM/MAM. Experience working with district and regional health authorities in Tajikistan is also necessary, along with a strong background in mentoring and quality improvement practices.

Languages:
Strong proficiency in Russian and Tajik, both written and oral, is mandatory. English language skills are preferred but not required. The ability to communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders is essential for this role.

Additional Notes:
This position may require travel up to 50% within Khatlon province. The job description outlines the main duties but does not restrict the exact tasks that may be assigned. FHI 360 is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to safeguarding against abuse, exploitation, and harassment. All offers of employment will be subject to appropriate screening checks, including reference and criminal record checks. FHI 360 also participates in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme (MDS) and will request information from previous employers regarding any substantiated findings of misconduct. The organization fosters a healthy work/life balance and offers a competitive benefits package.