District Child Health and Nutrition Officer

Job Posting Organization:
Pact is a global nonprofit organization that has been operational since its establishment, which has expanded its reach to over 60 countries. The organization is dedicated to fostering thriving, resilient communities that can chart their own development paths. Pact delivers solutions that are rooted in evidence and driven by data, ensuring that its programs are effective and impactful. The organization operates with a mission to create a world where all people are heard, capable, and vibrant. The Programs Team at Pact plays a crucial role in realizing this mission by bridging program management, technical support, and business development, which enables Pact to achieve its global strategy. The team is committed to program excellence through continuous learning, monitoring, and evaluation, and provides organizational and industry-wide thought leadership by leveraging a complementary set of cross-functional, multi-disciplinary skills, expertise, and experiences. The Programs Department influences progressive change through the development and implementation of global and regional strategies and business plans, supports the advancement of innovative solutions, pursues new business opportunities, and drives effective internal and external engagement to maximize Pact’s impact across the globe. The department adheres to and promotes a culture of inclusion, accountability, and respect in all aspects of its work.

Job Overview:
The District Child Health and Nutrition Officer is a pivotal role within Pact, responsible for providing both technical and programmatic support for the implementation of child health interventions under the ACHIEVE project at the district level. This position is crucial in supporting activities that aim to strengthen high-quality, integrated child health and nutrition services at various levels, including district, facility, and community levels. The Officer will be involved in a range of activities designed to improve emergency obstetric and newborn care, thereby reducing maternal and newborn mortality rates. The role requires a proactive approach to capacity strengthening of frontline health workers through various methods such as training, mentoring, coaching, and supportive supervision. Additionally, the Officer will promote the use of quality improvement tools and approaches to enhance maternal and newborn health service delivery. The position also involves identifying gaps in child health and nutrition service delivery, particularly concerning the availability and management of essential commodities and supplies. Collaboration with district health teams and other stakeholders is essential to ensure effective coordination and implementation of child health and nutrition activities. The Officer will also participate in supportive supervision visits and follow-up actions aimed at improving the quality of child health and nutrition services at health facilities. Furthermore, the role includes contributing to the development and adaptation of technical tools, job aids, training materials, and project documentation as needed, as well as supporting routine monitoring of child health and nutrition activities and tracking progress toward project targets. The Officer will assist in the collection, review, and utilization of data to inform program improvements and strengthen the quality of care, and will participate in district-level coordination meetings, technical discussions, and performance review meetings related to child health and nutrition. Lastly, the Officer will support the documentation and sharing of best practices, lessons learned, and success stories related to child health and nutrition interventions, ensuring compliance with all company policies and procedures, including completing all compliance training topics by the deadline and acknowledging the completion of such training.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The key responsibilities of the District Child Health and Nutrition Officer include supporting the implementation and coordination of project activities aimed at strengthening high-quality, integrated child health and nutrition services at facility and community levels. The Officer will assist in implementing interventions designed to improve emergency obstetric and newborn care and reduce maternal and newborn mortality. They will support the capacity strengthening of frontline health workers through training, mentoring, coaching, and supportive supervision. The Officer will also promote the use of quality improvement tools and approaches to enhance maternal and newborn health service delivery. Identifying gaps in child health and nutrition service delivery, including issues related to the availability and management of essential commodities and supplies, is another critical responsibility. The Officer will work closely with district health teams and other stakeholders to support the coordination and implementation of child health and nutrition activities. Participation in supportive supervision visits and follow-up actions to improve the quality of child health and nutrition services at health facilities is expected. The Officer will contribute to the development and adaptation of child health and nutrition technical tools, job aids, training materials, and project documentation as needed. Routine monitoring of child health and nutrition activities and contributing to tracking progress toward project targets are also part of the role. The Officer will assist in the collection, review, and use of data to inform program improvements and strengthen the quality of care. Participation in district-level coordination meetings, technical discussions, and performance review meetings related to child health and nutrition is required. Lastly, the Officer will support the documentation and sharing of best practices, lessons learned, and success stories related to child health and nutrition interventions, ensuring compliance with all company policies and procedures, including completing all compliance training topics by the deadline and acknowledging the completion of such training.

Required Qualifications:
The basic requirements for the District Child Health and Nutrition Officer position include a Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 3 years of relevant experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience. A minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing and Midwifery, Public Health, Health Management, or a relevant health field is required. Candidates with advanced Post-Graduate training in Public Health will have an added advantage. Additionally, at least 5 years of experience delivering, overseeing, and providing technical assistance in maternal and newborn health is necessary. Experience working at both health facility and community levels is also required. Candidates should possess a deep familiarity and technical understanding of child health and nutrition interventions across the continuum of antenatal care (ANC), delivery, postnatal care (PNC) services, with a focus on preventing the leading causes of death and improving health outcomes through the provision of person-centered, respectful care. Experience integrating malaria in pregnancy (MiP), nutrition, and HIV-focused services in child health and nutrition care is highly desirable. The ability to provide technical assistance, capacity strengthening, supportive supervision, and performance monitoring in child health and nutrition is essential. Demonstrated experience in leading successful teams, achieving deliverables on time and within budget, and interacting effectively and collaboratively with a broad range of senior and mid-level public and private sector counterparts, donors, and other key stakeholders is also required. Strong analytical, presentation, communication, and reporting skills are necessary, along with sound IT knowledge and skills in word processing, spreadsheets, databases, and presentations. The ability to work independently, demonstrate good leadership and communication skills, and work effectively with people from diverse backgrounds is crucial. Excellent written and spoken English is mandatory, and the ability to speak other Malawian local languages is an advantage.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for the District Child Health and Nutrition Officer position includes a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing and Midwifery, Public Health, Health Management, or a relevant health field. Candidates with advanced Post-Graduate training in Public Health will have an added advantage, as this additional education can enhance their understanding and effectiveness in the role.

Experience:
The level of experience needed for the District Child Health and Nutrition Officer position includes at least 5 years of experience delivering, overseeing, and providing technical assistance in maternal and newborn health. Candidates should have experience working at both health facility and community levels, which is crucial for understanding the dynamics of child health and nutrition service delivery in different contexts. Additionally, candidates should have a demonstrated track record of leading successful teams and achieving deliverables on time and within budget, as well as interacting effectively and collaboratively with a broad range of senior and mid-level public and private sector counterparts, donors, and other key stakeholders.

Languages:
The mandatory language requirement for the District Child Health and Nutrition Officer position is excellent written and spoken English. Additionally, the ability to speak other Malawian local languages is considered a good-to-have skill, as it can enhance communication and engagement with local communities and stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
There are no specific additional notes provided regarding contract duration, seniority level, or whether the position is full-time or part-time. However, it is implied that the role is full-time given the responsibilities and expectations outlined. The position may involve recruiting both nationally and internationally, depending on the candidate pool and organizational needs. Compensation and benefits details are not specified in the job advertisement.