Technical Officer, Nutrition

Job Posting Organization:
FHI 360 is a nonprofit human development organization dedicated to improving lives in lasting ways by advancing integrated, locally driven solutions. Established with a mission to address interrelated development challenges, FHI 360 employs a diverse team of experts in various fields including health, education, nutrition, environment, economic development, civil society, gender, youth, research, and technology. The organization operates in more than 70 countries and all U.S. states and territories, making it a significant player in global development efforts.

Job Overview:
FHI 360 is seeking four candidates for the position of Nutrition Technical Officer for the EpiC MNCH project, which will be implemented in the Zambezia and Nampula provinces of Mozambique. This project aims to enhance the quality of nutrition, neonatal, maternal, and child health outcomes, as well as immunization efforts, by collaborating with government partners to foster a culture of quality improvement. The Technical Officer will work under the supervision of the Senior Nutrition Technical Officer and will be responsible for planning and executing nutrition activities in both health facilities and community settings. This role involves providing technical support and training to government and partner organizations, ensuring the quality of training and care delivery initiatives in nutrition, and monitoring the implementation of these activities. The positions will be based in Nampula (2 positions) and Zambezia (2 positions).

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Technical Officer will support the Senior Nutrition Technical Officer in ensuring the quality, consistency, and effectiveness of nutrition services at health facilities and community levels, focusing on priority nutrition interventions (PIN). Responsibilities include providing hands-on technical support to health facilities and community platforms to strengthen maternal nutrition, infant and young child feeding (IYCF), and management of acute malnutrition. The officer will also assist in planning, delivering, and following up on nutrition trainings, mentoring, and supportive supervision for service providers at various levels. Additionally, the role involves contributing to the development of supervision and guidance systems to improve adherence to national nutrition standards and protocols, applying quality improvement approaches within nutrition service delivery, and collaborating with project technical staff and Community Nutrition Officers to implement service-strengthening activities. The officer will represent the project in provincial-level technical working groups on nutrition, support the collection and analysis of routine monitoring data, and contribute to the development of work plans and program reports.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor's degree in nutrition, Public Health, Nursing, Midwifery, Medicine, or a closely related health field. Preferred backgrounds include nutritionists or public health nutritionists, nurses or midwives with nutrition and maternal and child health (MNCH) experience, or medical doctors with hands-on experience in nutrition programming. A minimum of 4 years of experience in nutrition is required, with a strong understanding of PIN and public health, including maternal and child health programs. Candidates should have experience in supervising program staff, monitoring and evaluating performance, and familiarity with national nutrition and MNCH guidelines. Experience in designing and implementing training at the district and health facility levels is also necessary, along with demonstrated ability to establish effective working relationships with government staff and community stakeholders.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as nutrition, Public Health, Nursing, Midwifery, or Medicine. Candidates with specialized training or certifications in nutrition or public health nutrition will be preferred, particularly those with experience in maternal and child health programming.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 4 years of relevant experience in nutrition, with a strong understanding of public health principles, particularly in maternal and child health. Candidates should have experience in direct supervision of program staff, as well as in monitoring and evaluating staff performance and needs. Familiarity with national nutrition guidelines and protocols is essential, along with experience in training and mentoring at various levels of health service delivery.

Languages:
Excellent oral and written communication skills in Portuguese are mandatory for this position. Knowledge of the local language would be considered an advantage, as it would facilitate better communication with community stakeholders and enhance the effectiveness of nutrition interventions.

Additional Notes:
This position may require travel up to 50% of the time. FHI 360 is committed to equal opportunity and affirmative action, ensuring that all employment practices are free from discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law. The organization also emphasizes safeguarding against abuse, exploitation, and harassment in its work environments and programs. All offers of employment will be subject to appropriate screening checks, including reference and criminal record checks. FHI 360 offers a competitive benefits package and promotes a healthy work/life balance.