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 contextually 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, focusing on the implementation of maternal, neonatal, child health, and nutrition activities at both health facilities and community levels. This position is integral to strengthening the capacity of service providers, improving service quality, monitoring programmatic indicators, and integrating nutrition interventions with maternal and child health services, including vaccination efforts. The officer will also participate in local coordination of interventions, ensuring alignment with national guidelines and project standards. The role requires a proactive approach to enhancing health outcomes through effective program delivery and collaboration with various stakeholders.

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. Collaborate with stakeholders to enhance emergency-specific interventions, including hygienic deliveries and community-based integrated management of childhood illnesses.
• Support to Health Districts: Collaborate with District Framework Teams (EFDs) and support operational planning at the district level. Participate in integrated supervisions across health districts, health facilities, and community sites. Support the implementation of 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 ensure on-site coaching. Support the development and use of training tools while 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 authorities and other technical and financial partners in project intervention areas. Participate in regional and district health coordination frameworks and represent FHI 360 locally when 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 five years of experience in implementing maternal, neonatal, child health, and/or nutrition activities is required. Experience in formative supervision/mentoring and capacity building for health providers is essential. Candidates should demonstrate the ability to analyze and interpret data, identify errors, and prepare reports. Proven ability to create and maintain effective working relationships with stakeholders and community actors is necessary. Experience working with donor-funded projects or international NGOs is preferred, along with experience in health data collection, analysis, and utilization. Cultural sensitivity and understanding of political, contextual, and ethical issues in assigned areas are crucial. Excellent oral and written communication skills in French are mandatory, along with strong problem-solving abilities and organizational skills. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite is required, and experience working in hard-to-reach areas is a plus.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a diploma in midwifery or nursing, with a focus on maternal and child health. Additional qualifications in public health or nutrition are advantageous and may enhance a candidate's profile.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of five years of relevant experience in the implementation of maternal, neonatal, child health, and nutrition activities. Candidates should have a background in formative supervision and mentoring, as well as experience in capacity building for health providers. Familiarity with data collection, analysis, and reporting in health contexts is also essential.

Languages:
Fluency in French is mandatory for this position, as effective communication with local stakeholders and communities is critical. Proficiency in additional languages may be beneficial but is not explicitly required.

Additional Notes:
The expected hiring salary range for this role is XOF 9,000,000 - 11,000,000 annually for basic salary. FHI 360 considers various factors when determining an offer amount, including relevant experience and education, internal equity, market pay, and budget constraints. This job posting summarizes the main duties of the position and does not prescribe or restrict the exact tasks assigned. FHI 360 is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer, committed to preventing abuse, exploitation, and harassment in its work environments and programs. All offers of employment will be subject to appropriate screening checks, including reference, criminal record, and terrorism finance checks. FHI 360 also participates in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme (MDS), which involves requesting information from previous employers regarding any substantiated findings of misconduct. The organization is dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive workforce and encourages all qualified applicants to apply.