World Vision (WV) was awarded a multi-million EUR grant from the European Union (EU) to lead a consortium of partners to implement their Accelerating Health Agriculture and Nutrition (AHAN) project under pillar 3 of the EU Partnership for Improved Nutrition in Lao PDR. Consortium partners include World Vision Australia (lead) with four implementing partners: World Vision Laos, Agronomes et Vétérinaires Sans Frontière (AVSF), Green Community Development Association (GCDA) and the Burnet Institute.
The AHAN Project has the Overall Objective of creating supportive conditions for enhanced household (HH) nutrition through the following Outcomes: 1) Improved access to and availability of sufficient and/or diverse foods year round; 2) Improved dietary and care practices among Women of Reproductive Age (15-49 years) and children under 5; 3) Reduced incidence of selected Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (Gender) related diseases/illnesses linked to undernutrition; 4) Improved gender equitable relations at the HH level, particularly in decision-making and distribution of workload; and 5) Strengthened multi-sector coordination and support for nutrition. The project will be implemented across three provinces and 12 districts of Lao PDR over 36 months.
The AHAN Nutrition and Health Coordinator will contribute to achieving Outcome 2 by providing technical support for qualitative research and project inputs towards health system reform and capacity strengthening, as relevant to improving undernutrition at the target districts. This includes improved prevention and treatment of malnutrition and selected diseases/illnesses linked to malnutrition; improved access to contraceptives, nutritional supplements, deworming and other essential medications, and support to integrated outreach visits.
Responsibilities of this position will include:
- Supporting qualitative research in the three target provinces designed by Burnet Institute and conducted by a local research group;
- Roll out of trainings to community representatives and district health staff in the participating districts, and the supervision of subsequent service delivery on health and nutrition topics;
- Liaising with and maintain excellent relations with key actors in health and nutrition from the provincial level down to the community level.
- Implementation of WV’s Community Change for Social Action (C-Change) approach and curriculum to address harmful food restrictions, taboos and other cultural practices at provincial level
- Train, support, incentivize and resource Village Health Volunteers to lead mothers groups
- Support quarterly Maternal Newborn and Child Health (MNCH) outreach clinics to improve quality of service and strengthen nutrition surveillance data
Implementation of Outcome 2 actions that will contribute to improving WRA and CU5’s access to quality health services at facilities and in villages for reduced malnutrition
- Manage health system and capacity analysis for the delivery of child health services at District Hospitals and Health, as prerequisite to the trainings
- Manage trainings and service delivery supervision on reproductive health, integrated management of childhood illness, severe acute malnutrition management, and medical stock management for community representatives for Health Centre and District Hospital staff (following national technical tools and guidelines)
- 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
Coordination and reporting within World Vision and with Partners
- Liaise with National Office technical departments for support and orientation towards the WVI strategy, including child protection
- Clarify and elaborate district activity reports for submission to the Operation Managers and AHAN Nutrition and Health Manager
- Ensure incorporation of lessons learned and data analysis into activity implementation
Budget follow up
- Plan and reconcile expenditures related to Outcome 2 activities in close collaboration with the Health and Nutrition Manager, Operational and the Technical Team Managers, and AHAN Director
Logistic functions related to the Nutrition and Health Coordinator Plans
- Technical follow up and validation of procurement related to Health/Nutrition activities and plan for future spending, in close collaboration with the Operational and the Technical activities
- Conducting trainings and follow-up supervision of Health Centre and project staff trained
- Supporting integrated outreach
- Coordinate/Follow-up support and referrals from Mother’s Group members
Relations with local authorities and partners
- Coordinate and exchange information with INGO and local NPA
- Coordinate with GoL local authorities and mass organisations through agreed reporting system and alignment to national guidelines
The AHAN Nutrition and Health Coordinator will be based in Saravan Province with frequent field travel to target districts in both Saravan and Attapeu provinces.
- Demonstrated experience in teaching, training and supportive supervision – experience with ‘training of trainers’ projects is preferred. Experience in IMCI or CMAM desirable
- At least 2 years’ experience health programs in Lao PDR preferably with experience implementing donor-funded projects
- A health professional with over 5 years of clinical experience and/or health program management – technical knowledge of nutrition, integrated management of childhood illnesses, and sexual and reproductive health is preferred
- At least 5 years’ experience managing health programs in Lao PDR preferably with experience implementing donor-funded projects
- Current medical or relevant health professional registration
- Additional qualification(s) in public health, nutrition or health management or Current medical or relevant health professional registration preferred
- Experience in public health, nutrition or health management, inimplementing qualitative field research, and demonstrated experience in teaching and training – experience with ‘training of trainers’ projects is preferred
- Demonstrated analytical, critical appraisal and problem solving skills
- Demonstrated ability to meet competing deadlines and manage own workload
- Fluency in ENGLISH and a LAO language
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills including an ability to engage key stakeholders effectively (AHAN project partners: World Vision, AVSF, GCDA, provincial health staff, district health staff, community representatives; other local partners such as Ministry of Health, National Nutrition Centre, UNICEF, WHO)
- Able to travel frequently within southern Lao DPR
- Experience in report writing, evaluation
- Computer literate, particularly in the use of Microsoft Office programs
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team
- Knowledge of accounting principles, budget management and financial tracking during project implementation