The AHAN Health and Nutrition Manager is responsible for implementing Outcome 2 actions that contributes to improving demand for and access to quality health services for WRA and CU5 delivered at facilities and in villages. This will be accomplished through the following tasks:
- Technical support and leadership of key outputs: (1) qualitative research including on the behaviors and practices that influence household nutrition in three provinces; (2) C-Change adaptation to influence enabling behaviors by village leaders based on study findings; (3) Mother’s Groups to improve the knowledge and skills of mothers (and other caregivers) to care for their families, particularly during a child’s first 1,000 days; and (4) inputs towards health system reform and capacity strengthening as relevant to the prevention and treatment of severe/acute malnutrition (SAM), the integrated management and treatment of neonatal and childhood illnesses (IMNCI), reproductive health, the improved access to essential medicines and supplies for nutrition (e.g. supplements, deworming and other medicines), and support to integrated outreach visits;
- Oversight of two Health and Nutrition Coordinators who will implement trainings with the District Health Office (DHO) and the Lao Women’s Union (LWU), set-up/monitor Mother’s Groups and C-Change groups together with 12 District Coordinators, and who will build and maintain strong connections with the Provincial Health Departments and District Health Offices at the three target provinces; and
- Contribute towards attaining verifiable impact, appropriateness, efficiency, effectiveness, coverage, coherence, sustainability, and coverage contextual transversal issues throughout the life of the project.
This position is based in either Savannakhet Province or Vientiane Capital and reports to the Technical Team Manager – Integrated Nutrition (WV).
Areas of Responsibility:
- Liaise with and maintain excellent relations with key actors in health and nutrition in Lao PDR at central and province-level as strategically relevant to nutrition via the Reproductive, Maternal, Neonatal and Child Health Strategy, and the National Nutrition Strategy and Action Plan
- Support qualitative research designed by Burnet Institute and conducted by a local research group
- Technical oversight of clinical trainings for district hospital and health center staff, and for community representatives, and supervision of subsequent service delivery of IMCI, IMAM, Reproductive Health, and integrated outreach through Health Centers, including stock management of essential medicines and supplies for nutrition in participating districts, following government guidelines
- Facilitate adaptation of findings into the Community Change for Social Action (C-Change) approach to empower community leaders to find their own answers and propose their own strategies to change harmful traditional practices related to nutrition, and lead roll out of C-Change Groups in villages
- Adopt study and research findings, where applicable, into the development of tailored Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials, adaptations to existing training modules, and development of new training material and additional modules and IEC materials for key messages identified in the Lao National Social Behavior Change Communication (SBCC) Strategy and project research.
- Oversee the training, support, incentivize and resourcing of Village Health Volunteers to lead nutrition groups for mothers & grandmothers including co-design of Mother’s Groups content and roll out of trainings (Master Trainers, Volunteers) and village activities
- Support quarterly integrated outreach promoting Maternal Newborn and Child Health (MNCH) to improve quality of service and strengthen nutrition surveillance data
- Coaching and training of District Coordinators
- Activity planning and implementation in collaboration with relevant WASH, agriculture (home gardens and small animal raising) and gender activities
- Monitoring of implemented activities, reporting and application of lesson’s learned according to the Project Logframe and M&E Plan
Leadership of all nutrition and health activities
- Plan, direct and implement with the operation team allnutrition and health activities, ensuring improved quality of health services at facilities and in communities, compliance to WV and EU standards, and that all Partners meet their obligations under the project
- Direct management of 2 Nutrition & Health Coordinators
Collaboration and Coordination
- Manage proactive and responsive relationship with Project Team, Partners, Government stakeholders, and other partners in the field, under the direction of the Technical Team Manager (Integrated Nutrition).
- Liaise with health technical departments in NO for support and orientation towards the WVI strategy.
- Coordinate with GoL local authorities and support strategic review/reporting as relevant to project alignment to national policies/guidelines.
Monitoring, Evaluation, Reporting and Communication
- Establish and maintain effective project reporting, monitoring, evaluation, and communication systems. Submit timely accurate and professional reports that meet donor and WV requirements.
- Where required, elaborating report from provincial level to Project Director and Technical Team Manager.
- Support quality data collection, analysis and application of learning.
Financial management
- Budget follow up - In close collaboration with the Operational team and the Technical Team Manager, follow up the expenses and planning of future spending related to Sub-Objective/Outcome 2.
Learning Evidence
- Consistently look for more effective and efficient implementation methods and opportunities to increase impact.Facilitate learning of best practice by ensuring a continuous learning process is developed and in place with key staff and partners/sub-grantees.
Networking and Advocacy
- Ensure WV is taking a lead role in nutrition within the health sector in the area of implementation, including seeking cooperation for joint advocacy opportunities
- Maintain strong relations with local authorities and partners, coordinating and information exchange with INGO, local NGO and possibly Nutrition Health Cluster group.
Educational Background:
Master in Public Health, Doctor, Nurse/Nutritionist with experience in the management of nutrition programs
Skills/Experience:
- Technical training and demonstrated knowledge in community and clinical nutrition or in these areas within maternal and child health
- Knowledge and practical skills in development work, including program logic, theory of change, and community empowerment
- Good understanding of community and clinical nutrition priorities within Lao Government policies, laws, and institutions and ability to work collaboratively with various stakeholders.
- Ability to identify and plan work strategically and to work towards deadlines.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills in English and Lao.
- Ability to train others, ability to provide technical guidance and support to operation staff.
- Possess strong organizational, IT, and writing skills.
- Ability to function efficiently and effectively with little day-to-day supervision.
- Willingness to travel to the districts and villages on a frequent basis.
- At least 8 years’ experience in community development with a focus on Nutrition and Health
- Project and staff management knowledge and skills.
Job Function:
Organization Info
Listing Stats
Post Date:
Aug 3 2019
Active Until:
Sep 3 2019
Hiring Organization:
World Vision
industry:
Nonprofit