Senior Technical Advisor -Nutrition 225 views0 applications

FHI 360 is seeking to recruit for a Senior Technical Advisor-Nutrition under the USAID MCHN Activity. The purpose of the position is to provide ongoing strategic level technical and coordination support to Uganda’s nutrition programming at national (Ministry of Health and the Office of the Prime Minister’s   Multisectoral Nutrition platform) and subnational levels (through regional implementing partners and regional referral hospitals). The Advisor will also lead implementation of MCHN’S nutrition interventions at service delivery level in Kampala City. The position holder will be supervised by and report to the Activity’s Technical Director for Nutrition.

Roles and responsibilities:

Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), UNAP Secretariat:

• Provide ongoing strategic level assistance to the OPM’s UNAP secretariat (Department of Strategic Coordination and Implementation) to advance implementation of UNAPII at central and local government levels. This will include working with the Secretariat, related Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and nutrition technical working groups and committees to roll out agreed upon priorities, workplans and activities

• Assist with deepening of institutionalization of use of multisectoral nutrition programming data to drive implementation of UNAP II priorities across MDAs and at district level

Ministry of Health (MOH), Nutrition Division

• Provide technical support to the Division and its Nutrition Technical Working Group (TWG) and related platforms to advance a shared vision of purpose, responsibilities and core functions, relationships, and approaches a to harness actions and resources within and across the sector, MDAs and non-state actors for effective implementation of strategies
• Support MOH to identify and engage high level officials to champion nutrition coordination platforms and   drive engagement with other coordination platforms within and
• Provide technical Assistance in national and subnational level roll out (review/updating, dissemination, and use/tracking utilization) of priority nutrition policies guidelines, training packages and tools, including Maternal Infant Young Child and Adolescent Nutrition (MIYCAN), Baby Friendly Health Facility Initiative (BFHI), Nutrition Assessment Counselling and Support (NACS). Nutrition Quality Service Assessment (NSQA) tool.

Implementation of nutrition interventions in Kampala 

• Provide strategic level leadership for implementation of UNAP II priorities in Kampala
• Support Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) to cascade nutrition policies, guidelines, tools, proven high-impact practices to and through sub-national structures to service delivery level at facility and community levels
• Lead and coordinate with public and private actors in Kampala to deepen integration of nutrition interventions at healthcare facility (public and private) and community levels (as per national guidelines) through data-driven site-level capacity building interventions, including use of the quality improvement approach.
• Closely work with the Activity team and other actors in the nutrition programming space in Kampala to advance a structured approach to improving nutrition health management information systems at healthcare facilities in Kampala, including the quality of records and data and reporting for nutrition indicators

Cross-cutting:

• Actively identify, generate, and participate in operational research/implementation science related to nutrition
• Make technical presentations, lead development of technical briefs, technical reference materials, and reports, based on evidence, as necessary
• Contribute to the USAID MCHN Activity Collaborating, Learning and Adapting and knowledge management agenda, specifically on MIYCAN and UNAP II
• Represent USAID MCHN leadership at national and subnational high-level engagements as may be requested
• Closely work with the rest of Activity team to generate and manage learning ideas, knowledge products, and a dynamic agenda for nutrition communities of practice
• Participate in USAID MCHN Activity work planning and strategy development, monthly reporting, quarterly and annual reporting

Job Summary:

Provides technical guidance on the subject matter aspects of one or more large functional areas, improving policies, projects, or delivery of service. Provides final authorization and approval of the technical portions of proposals and project design, based on the design and direction set by technical leadership. May manage other professional staff members. Leads project activities and sub activities and assists with project implementation. Ensures project activities are on track with work plans, with technical expertise informing project implementation. Oversees project timelines and budgets. Assists in the development of donor reports and presentations. Provides significant input to business development. Successfully leads new business development initiatives including project design, budgeting, and recruitment efforts (success is measured in terms of establishment of partnerships, recruitment of teams and overall quality of resulting proposals / initiatives). Develop indicators for use by supervisor.

Accountabilities:

Technical Requirements:

• Provide technical leadership in a specific technical component and / or project wide activity.
• Works on problems of moderate to complex scope that require evaluation of variable factors.
• Demonstrates good judgment in selecting methods, techniques, and evaluation criteria for obtaining solutions, with some supervision.
• Networks with key internal personnel.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Project Design Implementation:

• With technical oversight, provide technical leadership in design, development, planning, implementation; and capacity- building of specific technical components of projects
• Creates technical portion of the project plan, within the given resource and financial constraints
• Leads the day to day technical and operational activities of assigned projects
• Track delivery of project outputs
• Monitors staff members’ LOE (Level of Effort) needs to ensure adequate coverage of resources
• Coordinates requests from CO (Country Office) for technical assistance
• Leads the design, development, planning, and implementation of global level innovative technical strategies
• Maintains a constructive dialogue and technical exchange with field counterparts and technical staff members of implementing partners
• Develops tools for the design and implementation of specific technical components
• Ensures technical implementation is consistent with best practices in the industry / subject and meet client / funder contractual obligations for of one or more large functional areas
• May supervise junior technical staff members, sub-contractors, and others implementing technical project work
• Functions at the advisor capacity with oversight of technical project administrative and finance compliance, technical deliverables, and team management. (Includes projects and consultants)
• Develops tools for the design and implementation of specific technical components
• Leads the day-to-day technical activities of assigned projects
• Track delivery of project outputs
• Monitors staff members’ LOE needs to ensure adequate coverage of resources
• Coordinates requests from CO for technical assistance.

Business Development and Client/Funder Support:

• Collect data for inclusion in proposals
• Assists with proposal research
• Assists with developing proposal strategies
• Draft proposals, budgets, and work plans
• Develops and maintains relationships with potential clients / funders, partners, peers, etc. to develop new business.
• Participate in business development meetings with partners/clients.
• Develop strategies to grow the business.
• The other higher-level (develop strategies to grow the business, lead design, etc.) are appropriate.
• Participate in client / funder meetings and provide technical input.
• Draft sponsor reports and presentations.
• Represents the organization and / or Institute to external entities at professional meetings and conferences.
• Maintains collaborative relationships with donor/client organizations, relevant government agencies, bilateral and other NGOs (non governmental organizations) and consistently maintained and viewed as a knowledgeable resource in their technical area.
• Continually maintains a dialogue and technical exchange with field counterparts and technical staff members of implementing partners.
• Participate in client / funder meetings and draft reports/presentations.

Partner/Sub-Award Management:

• May be daily POC (Point of Contact) with clients for some projects on technical matters.

Capacity Building, Training and Supervision:

• Develops and implements technical training and capacity building interventions.
• Identifies strategies to address training gaps.
• May supervise or provide technical guidance to staff members locally and in the region.

Operations Management (Finance, HR, etc.):

• Manages the processes, services, planning, organizing, coordinating, and controlling of all technical resources for a project.

Project/Program Reporting:

• Drafts sponsor financial and technical reports.
• Collates and uploads output and deliverables data to sponsor data systems.
• Prepares and delivers presentations to sponsors on progress.
• Helps in the development and review of work plans.
• Creates technical content, owning the content, true experts at an advanced level (maybe the most senior technical person).
• Serves as the primary author for technical deliverables (e.g., reports, presentations, manuscripts).
• Gathers and aggregates data to provide a summary / high level overview.

Quality Assurance:

• Ensures technical deliverables are consistent with best practices in the industry / subject and meet client / funder contractual obligations
• Identifies areas for improved efficiency or effectiveness within prescribed parameters, and institutes enhancements to procedures.

Applied Knowledge & Skills:

• Ensures appropriate and timely technical support for field projects.
• Ensures the quality of implemented technical activities and systems at all levels.
• Conducts routine coordination with employees and consultants, on-site and in the field.
• Strong knowledge and skills in a specific technical area/function and general understanding of concepts and principles of related technical areas/functions.
• Solid knowledge of standards for the technical area/field, operational processes and procedures, work, and task flow.
• Has the ability to manage projects, set realistic priorities, and plan for the successful implementation of activities.
• Proficient writing and verbal communication skills.
• Relevant computer software skills (including, at a minimum, the standard applications in MS Office).
• Ability to manage their own work to job and performance standards.
• Must be able to read, write and speak fluent English fluent in host country language.

Competencies:

There are 31 FHI 360 development competencies, of greatest focus for this particular job will be:

• Project Management (Planning and Time Management) – Accurately scopes out length and difficulty of tasks (sets objectives/goals/measures). Breaks down work into steps, schedules, task/people assignments. Marshals people, time, and resources efficiently. Arranges information in a useful manner and orchestrates multiple activities at once.
• People Management (Making Others Great) – Facilitate professional development of staff by providing challenging, learning assignments and opportunities. Shares and solicits feedback monthly at the very least. Helps establish compelling development plans. Assigns responsibility and accountability for tasks/decisions. Monitors process, progress, and results. Creates a climate in which people want to do their best.
• Creating and Managing Systems and Processes – Recognizes the need for standardization and balances client and organization need in systems design. Anticipates the effects of process change on people while optimizing task efficiency and simplicity.
• Employees are expected to possess or have high potential for the development of these three fundamental competencies.

Problem Solving & Impact:

• Demonstrates the ability to assess needs within agreed upon duties and considers course of action best to meet those needs.
• Effectively applies knowledge of technical area to solve a range of problems.
• Demonstrates the ability to develop solutions to problems that cannot be solved using existing methods or approaches.
• Faulty decisions/ recommendations /failures to complete assignments will normally result in serious delays to assigned projects resulting in considerable expenditure of additional time, resources, and funds.
• Decisions and actions impact primarily workflow, project processes and timeframes.
• Problems encountered are varied, requiring review of practices and precedents to resolve.
• Problem solving involves evaluating and resolving discrepancies with data, analyses, processes, etc. within prescribed guidelines.
• Policies or guidelines exist for most problems; others must be referred to by a supervisor or more senior professional.

Supervision Given/Received:

• May supervise junior staff members.
• Coordinates own workflow and sets individual priorities.
• Works under general guidelines for completion and accuracy as determined by the supervisor.
• Accomplishes results through lower-level staff managers or through experienced staff who exercise independence in their assignments.
• May manage a centralized functional area of activity.
• Serves as mentor to more inexperienced technical staff.
• Typically reports to a Director.

Required Experience & Qualifications

• Education:
• Master’s degree in one of the following or related fields: Medicine, Nursing, Nutrition and Public Health is required.
• A minimum of 8 years of related work experience in the same field, preferably in Uganda.
• Experience in technical and programming in Multisectoral Nutrition, Health Systems Strengthening and Integrated MIYCAN approaches, with additional expertise in community health and nutrition activities, including IMCI/ICCM, essential nutrition
• Working experience:
• Documented experience providing technical assistance, capacity building and business development in the specific technical domain.
• Prior work experience in a non-governmental organization (NGO), government agency, or private organization.
• International or Domestic (US) Program Development or Program management preferred.

Typical Physical Demands:

• Typical office environment.
• Ability to spend long hours looking at a computer screen and doing repetitive work on a keyboard.
• Ability to sit and stand for extended periods of time.
• Ability to lift 5 – 25 lbs.

Technology to be Used:

• Personal Computer, Microsoft Office 365 (i.e., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Skype/TEAMS, e-mail), office telephone, cell phone and printer/copier.

Travel Requirements:

• 10% – 25%

Date Revised: 9/13/2021

This job posting summarizes the main duties of the job. It neither prescribes nor restricts the exact tasks that may be assigned to carry out these duties. This document should not be construed in any way to represent a contract of employment. Management reserves the right to review and revise this document at any time.

FHI 360 is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer whereby we do not engage in practices that discriminate against any person employed or seeking employment based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law.

FHI 360 will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws.

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