MCH & Nutrition Officer

Job Posting Organization:
FHI 360 is a non-profit organization dedicated to human development, committed to sustainably improving living conditions by providing integrated and context-appropriate solutions. Established with a mission to address the interdependent challenges of current development, FHI 360 employs experts across various fields including health, education, nutrition, environment, economic development, youth, research, technology, communication, and social marketing. This diverse expertise allows the organization to effectively tackle complex issues in multiple countries, enhancing the quality of life for communities worldwide.

Job Overview:
The MCH & Nutrition Officer plays a crucial role under the supervision of the MCH & Nutrition Senior Technical Advisor, supporting the implementation of maternal, neonatal, child health, and nutrition activities at both health facilities and community levels. The officer is responsible for capacity building among service providers, improving service quality, monitoring program indicators, and integrating nutrition interventions with maternal and child health services, including vaccination efforts. The position requires active participation in local coordination of interventions, ensuring alignment with national guidelines and project standards, thereby contributing to the overall health and nutrition landscape in the targeted districts.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Technical Implementation Support: Assist in the implementation of maternal and child health/nutrition activities in project intervention districts. Strengthen the integration of services such as prenatal consultations, emergency obstetric and neonatal care, postnatal care, essential newborn care, integrated management of childhood illnesses, infant and young child feeding, and malnutrition screening and management. Enhance specific interventions in emergency contexts, including hygienic deliveries and community-based integrated management of childhood illnesses, in collaboration with stakeholders.
• Support to Health Districts: Collaborate with District Framework Teams (ECD) to support operational planning at the district level. Participate in integrated supervisions across health districts, health facilities, and community sites. Assist in implementing national health and nutrition policies.
• Formative Supervision and Quality Improvement: Conduct regular formative supervisions using national and FHI 360 tools (quality checklists, coaching). Identify gaps in care quality and participate in maternal and perinatal death surveillance and response activities. Propose and monitor continuous improvement plans.
• Capacity Building: Train health providers (midwives, nurses, community health workers) and provide on-site coaching. Support the development and use of training tools, promoting best practices in nutrition and maternal and child health. Ensure compliance with FHI 360 and US government regulations and procedures.
• Monitoring, Evaluation, and Data Utilization: Support the collection and validation of data through DHIS2/SNIS. Analyze key maternal, child health, and nutrition indicators and contribute to performance reviews (monthly, quarterly). Produce technical reports for the project.
• Coordination and Partnership: Ensure close collaboration with regional and district health management and other technical and financial partners in the project intervention areas. Participate in regional and district health coordination frameworks. Represent FHI 360 locally as required.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a State Midwife or State Nursing Engineer diploma. Additional training in public health or nutrition is considered an asset. A minimum of 5 years of experience in implementing maternal, neonatal, child health, and/or nutrition activities is required. Experience in formative supervision/mentoring and capacity building of health providers is essential. Candidates should have the ability to analyze and interpret data, identify errors, and prepare reports. Proven ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with stakeholders and community actors is necessary. Experience working with donor-funded projects or international NGOs is preferred. Familiarity with health data collection, analysis, and utilization is desired. Cultural sensitivity and understanding of political, contextual, and ethical issues in the assigned areas are important. Excellent oral and written communication skills in French are required. Problem-solving skills and the ability to implement corrective measures when necessary are essential. Strong organizational and analytical skills are necessary. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite is required. Experience working in hard-to-reach areas is an asset.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a diploma in midwifery or nursing, specifically as a State Midwife or State Nursing Engineer. Additional qualifications in public health or nutrition are advantageous and may enhance a candidate's profile for this role.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in the implementation of maternal, neonatal, child health, and nutrition activities. Candidates should have a solid background in formative supervision and mentoring, as well as experience in capacity building for health service providers. Familiarity with data collection, analysis, and reporting in health contexts is also essential, along with experience working with international NGOs or donor-funded projects.

Languages:
Fluency in French is mandatory for this position, as excellent oral and written communication skills in French are required. While not specified, proficiency in additional languages may be considered beneficial, particularly in local dialects or languages relevant to the communities served.

Additional Notes:
The job posting does not specify the contract duration, seniority level, or whether the position is full-time or part-time. However, FHI 360 is an equal opportunity employer and emphasizes its commitment to safeguarding against abuse, exploitation, and harassment in its work environments. The organization also participates in screening checks for employment, including reference and criminal record checks. FHI 360 offers a competitive benefits package and promotes professional development, supporting a healthy work/life balance for its employees.