Regional Nutrition and Health Specialist at Action Against Hunger International

Founded in 1979, Action Against Hunger International (ACF) is an international humanitarian recognized in the fight against hunger. ACF mission is to save lives through the prevention, detection, and treatment of malnutrition, especially during and after emergency situations and conflicts.

Essential Duties
Objective 1: Strengthen Country Program Support

Lead the country team in developing contextualized country and sector strategy plans in line with the ACF Global/International Strategy Plan (ISP) and mission priorities
Support and facilitate country-level initiatives in and around early warning and anticipatory action, emergency preparedness and response, SBCC and continuous quality improvement initiatives
Lead country teams in designing and formulating quality nutrition and health programs according to ACF global standards, policies and priorities
Ensure and support the implementation of quality programs at the country level through continuous monitoring and supportive supervision mechanisms
Provide ongoing technical and operational support to country teams, both remotely and through regular in-person supportive supervision
Provide capacity building training to country teams based on the results of ongoing needs and gaps assessments
Assess country team areas of support, needs and gaps on a regular basis and provide timely support in coordination with relevant offices within ACF
Facilitate collaboration, sharing of knowledge, expertise and best practices among country offices
Initiate and promote cross fertilization of approaches to nutrition and health programming in country offices to improve results and impact

Objective 2: Ensure Program Quality and Effectiveness

Develop simplified technical and sectoral operational guidelines useful for smooth implementation of initiatives in a harmonized and standardized manner.
Support the implementation of Nutrition security framework for nutrition and health program quality assurance
Conduct regular evaluations of country program outcomes to measure impact and identify areas for improvement
Develop and implement a regional harmonized Nutrition and Health monitoring and evaluation framework to ensure consistency and comparability across country programs
Promote the use of digital tools and technologies to improve data collection, analysis, and reporting and data use
Conduct periodic reviews of country programs to assess adherence to standards, identify areas for improvement, and provide technical support
Promote a mindset of ongoing learning, adaptation, and innovation throughout the organization
Implement appropriate quality improvement methodologies, such as the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycle, Lean Six Sigma, Bottleneck analysis for Health system strengthening or the Model for Improvement
Equip staff with the necessary skills and knowledge to implement quality improvement initiatives effectively
Collaborate with cross-functional teams responsible for identifying and addressing quality issues
Collect and analyze data to identify trends, patterns, and areas for improvement
Ensure that staff are held accountable for meeting quality standards and that program information is transparent and accessible
Share knowledge and experiences related to quality improvement initiatives within the organization and with external partners
Ensure that quality is a priority at all levels of the organization, from program design to implementation and evaluation and Supply Chain maturity Model for last mile delivery improvement

Objective 3: Promote Organizational Learning, Innovation and Uptake

Support country teams in mobilizing resources and implementing prioritized nutrition and health research topics and promote the use and uptake of results at multiple stages
Lead the development and implementation of pilot projects to test innovative approaches and learn from experimentation
Foster a culture of continuous improvement by encouraging staff to identify and implement improvements in their work
Contribute to the development and refinement of Action Against Hunger's strategic initiatives, ensuring that the organization's technical strategy aligns with emerging trends and best practices in nutrition and health
Establish and strengthen a regional Nutrition and Health knowledge management platform to facilitate the sharing of best practices, lessons learned, and research findings among country teams.
Represent the technical, knowledge, and innovation hub in regional discussions, fostering collaboration and integration with other sectors and departments
Support the documentation, capitalization, and dissemination of program experiences and lessons learned from ACF Signature approaches, contributing to organizational learning and knowledge management
Advocate for the use of Action Against Hunger's guidelines, manuals, and position papers to ensure consistency and quality in program implementation
Establish and maintain relationships with other agencies and partners in the region to stay informed about emerging trends, best practices, and innovative approaches in nutrition and health
Offer expert advice and guidance to country programs on technical issues related to nutrition and health, ensuring that programs are evidence-based and aligned with best practices
Support the development and implementation of capacity-building initiatives for field staff, including training programs and mentorship opportunities
Encourage a culture of innovation and experimentation within the organization, identifying and promoting new approaches to nutrition and health programming
Support the evaluation of program outcomes and identify areas for improvement, contributing to continuous learning and program refinement
Advocate for alignment between Action Against Hunger's technical strategy and its overall organizational goals and objectives

Objective 4: Foster Strategic Partnerships, Resource Mobilization and Program Development

Develop and implement a regional resource mobilization strategy to diversify funding sources in collaboration with Business development and grants department
Explore opportunities for public-private partnerships including IDA/GIK to leverage resources and expertise from the private sector
Support and facilitate partnership with regional and local universities, research institutions and academia.
Explore the development and implementation of sustainable financing mechanisms to ensure the long-term sustainability of nutrition and health programs
Conduct research to identify potential funding sources, including regional bodies, government grants, private foundations, and corporate sponsors
Collaborate with business development, regional, and country teams to develop compelling proposals that articulate the program's goals, objectives, and impact
Foster relationships with key stakeholders, such as government agencies, academic institutions, and private sector organizations, to secure funding and support for nutrition programs
Engage with private fundraising and collaborate with technical teams to develop effective strategies for attracting corporate and individual donors
Review and provide feedback on concept notes and proposals from country teams, ensuring that they incorporate evidence-based nutrition approaches and interventions
Work with donors to negotiate favorable terms and conditions for grants and contracts
Oversee the implementation of funded programs, ensuring that they are delivered on time, within budget, and in accordance with donor requirements
Track program expenditures and report on financial performance to donors and stakeholders in collaboration business development and finance team
Proactively identify areas where additional funding is needed to support program activities
Represent Action Against Hunger at regional and national forums to advocate for increased investment in nutrition and health programs

Objective 5: Regional Representation, Coordination, and advocacy

Represent Action Against Hunger at global and regional forums and conferences to raise awareness of the organization's work and influence policy decisions
Collaborate with other humanitarian and development organizations to strengthen the collective impact of interventions in the region
Develop and implement a regional positioning strategy to effectively align Action Against Hunger's regional priorities
Actively participate in relevant regional and special national coordination bodies, working groups, and technical fora to represent Action Against Hunger's interests and expertise
Advocate for policies and initiatives that support nutrition and health interventions at the regional and national levels
Identify and pursue funding opportunities for nutrition and health programs at the regional level, collaborating with donors and partners
Build and maintain strong relationships with international organizations, donors, academic institutions, and other stakeholders to strengthen Action Against Hunger's network and influence
Develop and disseminate Nutrition and Health related press releases, advisories, bulletins and other communication materials to raise awareness of Action Against Hunger's work and promote its impact in collaboration with communication and advocacy department
Contribute to the Knowledge Innovation Hub by sharing information, case studies, and lessons learned on nutrition and health programs
Facilitate collaboration and knowledge exchange among country programs and regional partners to enhance program effectiveness and learning
Serve as a spokesperson for the organization on nutrition and health issues at regional levels, providing expert insights and advocating for Action Against Hunger's priorities
Stay informed about regional and global trends in nutrition and health, identifying opportunities for Action Against Hunger to respond through advocacy and policy engagement

Objective 6: Enhance Human Resources Management for Nutrition and Health Staff

Develop a regional leadership development program to identify and nurture future sector leaders within the organization
Promote gender equality and diversity within the nutrition and health workforce
Ensure that staff have access to mental health support and well-being programs
Develop and implement a comprehensive human resources strategy aligned with the organization's overall strategic objectives and the specific needs of nutrition and health programs in the region
Conduct regular needs assessments to identify the skills and competencies required for nutrition and health staff at different levels
Develop and implement a robust recruitment and selection process that ensures the identification and hiring of qualified candidates with the necessary technical expertise and skills
Provide technical guidance and support to HR teams in the development of job descriptions, screening of applications, and conducting technical interviews for nutrition and health positions
Establish and maintain a talent pool of qualified nutrition and health professionals to facilitate timely recruitment and deployment
Develop and implement a comprehensive induction and orientation program for new nutrition and health staff to familiarize them with the organization's culture, policies, and procedures
Provide ongoing training and development opportunities to enhance the skills and knowledge of nutrition and health staff
Establish performance management systems to monitor staff performance, provide feedback, and identify areas for improvement
Promote a positive and supportive work environment that fosters employee engagement, motivation, and well-being
Ensure compliance with all relevant labor laws and regulations and promote fair and equitable employment practices

Requirements
Required Qualifications and Experience

Advanced degree in public health, Medicine, nutrition, or a related field
Minimum of 5 years of experience working in humanitarian or development contexts, with a focus on nutrition and health
Strong understanding of the principles and practices of nutrition and health programming in emergency and humanitarian settings
Demonstrated experience in designing, implementing, and monitoring nutrition and health programs
Proven ability to develop and manage partnerships with government agencies, donors, and other stakeholders
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to work effectively in a multicultural environment
Fluency in English is essential; proficiency in other languages relevant to the region is desirable
Willingness to travel frequently to country programs within the region