Health and Nutrition Program Advisor/ Conseillère en santé et nutrition

Job Posting Organization:
Relief International (RI) is an international non-profit organization that partners with communities impacted by conflict, climate change, and disaster to save lives, build greater resilience, and promote long-term health and wellbeing. Established with a mission to provide humanitarian assistance and development support, RI operates in 15 countries across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. The organization employs over 7,000 staff and local volunteers who work collaboratively to deliver programs in Health and Nutrition, WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene), Education, and Livelihoods. RI emphasizes evidence-based, conflict-sensitive, and climate-smart programming, ensuring that interventions reach those in need while fostering local partnerships and community engagement. The organization is an alliance of four entities—Relief International, Inc., Relief International-France, Relief International-UK, and Relief International-Europe—operating under a unified leadership structure to enhance operational efficiency and impact.

Job Overview:
The Health and Nutrition Advisor will be stationed in N'Djamena, Chad, with frequent field visits to Wadi Fira, where RI is set to launch its health and nutrition programming. This role is crucial as RI aims to provide primary health care and nutrition support to health facilities in Eastern Chad, alongside deploying a Mobile Medical Unit (MMU) to serve remote and underserved communities. The position demands a seasoned professional adept in emergency response programming, capable of leading diverse teams, adapting to changing contexts, and building strong partnerships with government authorities, UN agencies, and NGO partners. The advisor will offer technical leadership and strategic guidance to field management and health and nutrition teams, overseeing the design, development, monitoring, and evaluation of health interventions. Additionally, the advisor will engage with national and regional health authorities, representing RI at a senior level and contributing to health sector coordination. This role is pivotal in shaping quality standards and protocols, enhancing program impact, and leading health-related aspects of proposal development, reporting oversight, and capacity building for technical staff. By promoting best practices in health programming and aligning interventions with humanitarian and national health priorities, the advisor will ensure that RI's health initiatives are effective and responsive to community needs.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Health and Nutrition Program Advisor will be responsible for a comprehensive range of duties, including:

• Contributing to the development of long-term operational and strategic plans, translating these into actionable departmental work plans.
• Identifying, building, and maintaining strategic partnerships with local and international stakeholders.
• Representing RI in various forums, influencing and advising both internally and externally.
• Providing technical guidance to program managers on health and nutrition interventions, ensuring beneficiary participation and accountability in all project aspects.
• Supporting the evaluation and impact analysis of health and nutrition programs, including proposal writing and donor reporting within required timeframes.
• Identifying and pursuing new health funding opportunities, including consortiums and geographical expansions.
• Conducting regular monitoring visits to assess program progress and compliance with standards.
• Strengthening reporting systems for health data collection and analysis.
• Advising on quality control and storage of health and nutrition supplies. 1
• Developing and maintaining strategic relationships with the Ministry of Health, UN agencies, INGOs, and donors. 1
• Leading the development of health and nutrition components in funding proposals. 1
• Assessing and strengthening health management structures and team capacities. 1
• Implementing guidelines for maintaining quality health and nutrition services. 1
• Improving data collection and reporting systems at the facility level. 1
• Leading emergency preparedness and response efforts during disease outbreaks or humanitarian crises. 1
• Ensuring alignment of health projects with donor guidelines and international standards. 1
• Providing feedback and recommendations on program quality and service delivery improvements. 1
• Fostering a collaborative team culture that promotes accountability and professional growth. 1
• Supporting program managers in staff recruitment and onboarding, ensuring alignment of technical expertise with program needs.

Required Qualifications:
The ideal candidate for the Health and Nutrition Program Advisor position should possess the following qualifications:

• A Master’s degree in Public Health or a related field.
• A minimum of 5 years of professional experience, with at least 3 years in the humanitarian sector.
• Strong expertise in proposal development, report writing, and public health project management, including design, monitoring, implementation, and evaluation.
• Proven experience in project planning, grant management, and oversight in humanitarian emergency settings.
• Excellent negotiation and advocacy skills, particularly in engaging with donors and government officials.
• Strong ability to develop, implement, and train others in program cycle management, monitoring, and evaluation tools.
• Fluency in spoken and written French and English.
• Experience in fostering community participation and maintaining a strong presence in program areas.
• Hands-on experience managing staff and programs in resource-limited and remote locations.

Educational Background:
Candidates must have a Master’s degree in Public Health or a related field, which provides the necessary theoretical foundation and practical knowledge required for effective health and nutrition program management. This educational background is essential for understanding public health principles, epidemiology, and the complexities of health interventions in humanitarian contexts.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 5 years of professional experience, with at least 3 years specifically in the humanitarian sector. This experience should encompass a range of responsibilities, including project management, proposal development, and oversight of health and nutrition programs in emergency settings. Candidates should demonstrate a proven track record of successfully leading teams and managing projects under challenging conditions, showcasing their ability to adapt and respond to evolving needs in the field.

Languages:
Fluency in both spoken and written French and English is mandatory for this position. This bilingual proficiency is crucial for effective communication with local partners, government officials, and international stakeholders. Additional language skills relevant to the region may be considered an asset, enhancing the advisor's ability to engage with diverse communities and stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
This position is based in N'Djamena, Chad, with frequent travel to Wadi Fira. The role is classified as requiring standard pre-employment checks and does not have budget responsibility. The advisor will report to the Project Manager and will have direct reports from the Nutrition and Medical teams, including a Health and Nutrition Coordinator, Medical Doctors, Pharmacists, Midwives, Community Health Supervisors, and Nutrition Supervisors. The organization values integrity, adaptability, collaboration, inclusivity, and sustainability, and expects the advisor to uphold these values in their conduct and interactions.