Health & Nutrition Project Manager

Location

Starting Date & Initial Contract Details

November 2021. Full time, 12 months.

Role Overview

The Health & Nutrition Project Manager will lead one of the Medair projects responding to health and nutrition humanitarian needs in Afghanistan. The Project Manager role includes identification of new or developing needs in current or new project areas, start-up phase of new response and implementation of existing projects. The Project Manager provides technical support, leadership and strategic direction, as well as managing and training health/nutrition staff to meet quality standards in health and nutrition delivery, encouraging beneficiary participation and liaising with other stakeholders. This role also includes planning and contributing to the development of the health/nutrition project proposals and reports.

Project Overview

Medair provides multi-sector response including health, nutrition, WASH and food assistance in Daykundi, Kandahar and Uruzgan Provinces. Projects include mobile health and nutrition teams working in remote, hard to reach or underserved areas or may be short term health system strengthening to existing facilities. Medair provides Primary Health Care and maintains capacity to respond to emergencies such as disease outbreak or displacement in areas of operation.

Our Culture

Key Activity Areas

Health and Nutrition Project Management

• Manage the assigned health and nutrition project(s) to meet the project objectives within budget and time frame and report promptly any operational concerns to line manager and country health.
• Provide strong leadership of the health and nutrition team, setting clear objectives and indicators for health and nutrition activities in collaboration with the country health & nutrition advisor, field managers, and support staff.
• Contribute to development and implementation of the Medair health and nutrition strategy, including proactive planning for responsible start up and exit in consultation with country health advisor, health staff and Managers.
• Monitor and supervise health and nutrition activities, evaluating progress using quantitative and qualitative data, and involving the health and nutrition team in analysis and taking action to ensure continued progress.
• Ensuring quality of service delivery; action protocols, Job Aids, data collection tools at clinic and community level, registers, and OTP/TSFP admission -ration cards etc are according to Medair and national standards.
• Provide input into the integration of beneficiary participation and accountability in all aspects of the project
• Develop new proposals, linked to the assessed needs and gaps and the Medair country strategy, in conjunction with the relevant field managers and the country health and nutrition advisor.
• Ensure community involvement, participation in project locations and integration of other sector activities.

Staff Management

• Responsible to recruit health and nutrition staff to implement the project; work with HR staff to ensure timely vacancy posting, prepare JDs, draft written tests with Advisor guidance & coordinate interview selection process.
• Line-manage the Health/ Nutrition Manager(s) of the assigned project(s), including day-to-day management, development and training, appraisals, etc. Eventually, line manage other health and nutrition project staff.
• Facilitate regular meetings to assist information sharing between project staff, to ensure all staff members are aware of project objectives and current work plans and to provide the opportunity for feedback.
• Provide coaching and technical supervision to staff in order to develop ownership and full responsibility for health and nutrition activities. Assess the training needs of clinical staff, ensure that training is conducted.
• Provide coaching and technical supervision to staff to develop ownership and responsibility for health activities.

Financial Management

• Manage the health & nutrition budget for the project and ensure all expenses are according to budget and meet the Medair standards with regard to financial management, including accountability and good governance.

Communication and Coordination

• Communicate and coordinate with the local stakeholders, particularly beneficiaries, community leaders, governing authorities, cluster partners and UN Agencies including WFP and UNICEF.
• Ensure Medair is well represented at coordination forums and works with Joint Operational Principles.
• Develop and maintain regular, transparent and supportive communication structures with the health and nutrition team, Medair in-country health and nutrition managers, advisors, GSO Advisors.
• Participate in health and nutrition coordination meetings, Medair internal training, and technical working groups at provincial level or as required, representing Medair and feeding back on relevant issues.

Logistics

• Responsible to ensure timely procurement of project supplies according to budget and project design, medicines, consumable supplies, nutrition commodities and equipment for project activities. Liaise with the nutrition, health, logistics and finance staff to ensure items are procured, transported, stored, and managed.

Quality Management

• Responsible to ensure Medair systems and operating procedures are used within the health and nutrition team, ensuring that all standardised formats are used, and guidelines are followed.
• Ensure health and nutrition projects are implemented in line with donor proposals and requirements and in accordance with Medair, donor, country and international standards.

Team Spiritual Life

• Reflect the values of Medair with team members, local staff, beneficiaries, and external contacts.
• Work, live, and pray together in our Christian faith-based team settings. Fully contribute to the rich spiritual life of your team, including team devotions, prayers, and words of encouragement.
• Encouraged to join and contribute to Medair’s international prayer network.

This job description covers the main tasks that are anticipated. Other tasks may be assigned as necessary.

Qualifications

• Higher level qualification, preferably in nutrition or relevant field as nursing/midwifery/doctor/community-based training. University degree in a relevant subject, preferably nutrition or public health.
• Strong working knowledge of English (spoken and written).

What is the ROC and why is it required?

Experience

• 3 years post-qualification professional experience in a relevant field
• Management experience implementing health or nutrition projects.
• 2 years’ experience working in a health / nutrition programme in a humanitarian context desirable.
• Good numerical, report writing and administration skills. Able to prioritise and oversee multiple tasks.
• Highly organised and effective communicator. Able to take the initiative in project decisions.