Health and Nutrition Advisor

CR348

Our client is a leading international NGO focusing on primary healthcare programmes

Main purpose of the role
To provide strategic and technical leadership to ensure the effective development and implementation of quality health and nutrition programmes based on best practice in response to the major health burdens affecting targeted countries/populations. Additionally, contribute to the expansion of organisational impact and health sector profile and influence on practice and policy through associated health related activities.

•        To provide strategic and technical leadership on the health and nutrition aspects of programmes through direct technical support to the field based Country Health Directors, MRT and Regional Programmes Managers at Head Office.
•        To ensure programme quality through the effective, systematic monitoring and evaluation of programmes under their responsibility.
•        To actively incorporate lessons learned into future health policy/guidance and programme design and monitor the applications of recommendations.
•        To actively contribute to the expansion of organisational impact and health sector profile and influence on practice and policy through associated health related activities.

Responsibilities
•        Technical Leadership
o        Lead in the health assessment, design, planning, ongoing implementation and monitoring of health and nutrition programmes.
o        Provide technical support to the Country Health Directors, MRT and Regional Programme Managers where appropriate.
o        Act as a reference person for all health related requests and enquiries from country programmes.
o        Act as focal person for specific nutrition related matters and other thematic health topics as agreed with the Director, Health & Policy.
•        Programme Development
o        Actively contribute to the strategic development of country programmes portfolio through horizon scanning and engagement in global health debate.
o        Identify and secure specific health and nutrition funding opportunities including institutional donors, research grants and alternative funding streams (e.g. private donors).
o        Actively promote and lead the mainstreaming of nutrition policy and activities across programmes.
o        Actively promote and lead the mainstreaming of other specific thematic health topics across programmes.
•        Quality Control
o        Commission and undertake regular technical review visits to country programmes.
o        Ensure recommendations for recent organisational review of nutrition programmes are taken forward through relevant policy, strategy and field based activity.
o        Technically approve programme proposal, reports specialist ToRs, evaluation and survey methodologies.
o        Review and approval of all health related budget lines (staff, drugs, materials, training, evaluation) etc.
o        Ensure adherence to international and agreed policy and standards within their country portfolios.
•        Policy Development
o        Actively contribute to the development, implementation and adherence to technical policy and guidance.
•        Human Resources
o        Recruit and select senior and specialist health personnel in collaboration with the HR Department.
o        Undertake briefing and de-briefing of all health personnel
o        Contribute to the performance appraisal and career development of senior health personnel through appraisal system.
o        Advise on staff health for all international personnel departing to the field.

•        Representation
o        Actively assist the Director, Health & Policy with representation to donors, in health forums, academic institutes and with other NGOs at national and international level including the Nutrition Cluster.
o        Actively support the Marketing and Communications Department in the health aspects of organisational profile and fundraising activities.
•        Operational Research
o        Identify and develop operational research and publication opportunities arising from programmes in collaboration with leading public health institutions where appropriate.
•        Training
o        Participate in the development and delivery of the health aspects of strategy and other collaborative initiatives with leading public health institutions

£38,000 - £41,500 depending on experience

London, UK

Qualifications, experience and competences

•        Medical or nursing qualification or relevant health background (e.g. experienced public health practitioner) and relevant higher degree (e.g. Masters in Public Health, Masters in Nutrition).
•        Additional qualification in tropical health or equivalent acquired through significant experience at field and or head office level.
•        Significant proven field experience in managing and implementing health and nutrition programmes in relief and transitional-development contexts.
•        Considerable experience in needs assessment, programme evaluation, and programme development and writing of funding proposals and reports.
•        Advanced experience of writing and critically appraising high quality proposals and compliance reports
•        Strong practical experience or knowledge of epidemiology and basic study methodologies.
•        Computer literate in Microsoft Office and Epi-Info.
•        Substantial proven experience of supporting health programmes through distance management.
•        Considerable proven experience of confidently and professionally representing organisations to health sector and donors at senior level.
•        Ability to communicate effectively to a wide range of audiences.
•        Excellent verbal and written language skills. Fluent English.
•        Strong proven ability in the development and delivery of health training courses.
•        Experience of working and constructively participating within a multi-disciplinary team
•        Experience of establishing strong working relationships with colleagues from different functions and cultures
•        Experience of proactively identifying and addressing issues
•        Experience of a flexible approach to managing and prioritising a high and diverse workload in a fast paced environment with tight deadlines
•        Understanding of and commitment to Merlin’s mission and values
•        Able and willing to travel to remote and insecure locations often at short notice

Desirable
Qualifications, experience and competences

•        Additional specialist qualification and/or significant proven experience in health systems management, evaluation, or health related research.
•        Previous regional knowledge or experience in Africa, Central & SE Asia, the Middle East and Eastern Europe.

To apply please send in an updated CV and covering letter explaining how your background and experience match what is requests in the person specification

Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis