Nutrition and Research Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
Action Against Hunger-USA is part of the Action Against Hunger International network, which provides humanitarian relief in over 40 countries worldwide. Established to combat hunger and malnutrition, the organization has been operational since 1979 and has grown to manage operations in 8 countries including Kenya, South Sudan, Zambia, Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia, Haiti, and Somalia. With approximately 2000 staff members, Action Against Hunger operates from its headquarters in New York City and Washington D.C., as well as an Operational Center in Nairobi. The organization is committed to addressing the root causes of hunger and malnutrition through integrated programs in nutrition, health, water/sanitation, and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security, and anticipates further growth in its operations.

Job Overview:
The Nutrition and Research Specialist will lead Action Against Hunger’s flagship Relapse to Acute Malnutrition Prevention (RAMP) project in South Sudan. This role is pivotal in coordinating a large-scale operational pilot and a rigorous randomized controlled trial (RCT) aimed at preventing relapse after recovery from severe acute malnutrition. The specialist will be based in either Northern Bahr el Ghazal or Warrap states and will serve as the primary contact for the project, ensuring high-quality implementation in collaboration with various stakeholders including the Ministry of Health, UN agencies, and the US-based research team. The position requires a strong focus on ethical approvals, staff training, data collection, operational oversight, and quality assurance, making it essential for the successful delivery of the project.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Nutrition and Research Specialist will be responsible for a wide range of duties including:

• Program Management (40%): Leading the RAMP pilot and research study, ensuring timely and high-quality project execution, overseeing budget tracking and utilization, coordinating logistics for nutrition and health commodities, and managing recruitment and supervision of project staff.
• Execution of Study Implementation (35%): Providing technical oversight for RCT implementation, ensuring compliance with ethical standards, overseeing data collection processes, and conducting regular site visits for quality assurance.
• Partnerships and External Engagement (15%): Engaging with stakeholders such as the South Sudan Ministry of Health, donors, and academic partners, and representing the project in national forums.
• Analysis and Dissemination (10%): Collaborating with the US-based research team on data interpretation and dissemination strategies, facilitating stakeholder meetings, and contributing to policy briefs and reports.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master’s degree in public health, nutrition, epidemiology, nursing, or a related field. Additionally, a minimum of eight years of relevant experience is required, including at least three years in managing nutrition programs in humanitarian contexts. Proven experience with Community-Based Management of Acute Malnutrition (CMAM) programming and previous involvement in clinical trials or operational research is strongly preferred. Candidates should also have experience managing staff and large programmatic budgets.

Educational Background:
A Master’s degree in public health, nutrition, epidemiology, nursing, or a related field is mandatory for this position. This educational background is essential to ensure that the candidate has the necessary theoretical knowledge and practical skills to effectively manage nutrition programs and conduct research in challenging environments.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of eight years of experience in a similar role, with at least three years specifically focused on implementing or managing nutrition programs in humanitarian contexts. Candidates should have a strong background in Community-Based Management of Acute Malnutrition (CMAM) programming and experience in supporting or coordinating clinical trials and operational research in public health or nutrition.

Languages:
Fluency in written and spoken English is required for this position. Knowledge of local languages is considered an asset, as it can enhance communication with local stakeholders and beneficiaries, thereby improving the effectiveness of program implementation.

Additional Notes:
The position is based in South Sudan and may require travel to field locations under challenging conditions. The role demands a commitment to working outside normal office hours and on weekends as necessary. The successful candidate will be expected to manage a team, ensuring effective communication and collaboration among various stakeholders. The organization promotes gender equality and has a zero-tolerance policy towards abuse, ensuring a safe and respectful work environment for all employees.