Maternal and Child Health & Nutrition Program Director (Northern Districts)

Malawian Nationals, women and minorities encouraged to apply. All applications must be received by January 31st 2014. (close of business,  Phoenix, Arizona - USA - Time) Position is subject to cooperative agreement award. Location:  City to be decided in the Northern Districts of Balaka and Machinga, Malawi - Africa MISSION STATEMENT Motivated by Christ's love, this position plays a key role in promoting the wholistic ministry of Food for the Hungry (FH) through the framework of the organization’s vision, “God called and we responded until physical and spiritual hungers ended worldwide.”  In order to accomplish this vision, FH’s mission is to “walk with churches leaders and families in overcoming all forms of human poverty by living in healthy relationship with God and His creation.”  POSITION/SCOPE WITHIN THE ORGANIZATION •This position reports directly to Shep Owen, Africa Regional Director •This position reports functionally to  the Malawi DFAP ACDIVOCA Chief of Party or Deputy COP •This position directly and indirectly manages 35 staff •This position  manages/oversees an operational budget ranging from  $750  to $1.5M US dollars PURPOSE OF THE JOB The Maternal Child Health and Nutrition (MCHN) Technical Advisor (TA) is responsible to train, coordinate and advise local partners to ensure the strategy development, implementation and operational activities of the Malawi DFAP occur in order to meet the MCHN targets of the Worldvision led program.  The MCHN TA will provide technical and financial oversight to 1-3 local partners who will manage an implementation team of approximately 40 staff.  He or she will coordinate and communicate with the Ministry of Health, NGO’s, USAID and other stakeholders to ensure the timely and quality implementation of MCHN component of the Malawi DFAP  in the Northern districts of Balaka and Machinga.  He or she will be the highest ranking FH employee in the country and will be responsible to represent FH in Malawi and liaison with Africa Regional support for registration and other associated administrative issues.

Skills/Requirements

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned. Key Result #1 – MCHN technical program management support  - 60% Ensure that local partners implment MCHN Programs according to the DFAP proposal and the stated objectives and indicators. Provision of technical guidance and oversight to local partners for the implementation of activities and interventions focused on supporting adequate nutrition and health related practices, including the “First 1,000 Days Approach: Preventing Chronic Malnutrition” and the SUN initiative. Provision of technical guidance and oversight to local partners for the implementation of activities and interventions focused on increasing household dietary diversity and quality including proper ration use.  Provision of technical guidance and oversight to local partners for the implementation of activities and interventions focused on addressing essential hygiene practices. Ensure local partners  integrate MCHN objectives and activites well with the other program components. Ensure local partners conduct all program reporting in a timely and quality fashion according to agreements. Provide technical oversight to the development and management of the Health Information Systems (HIS). Ensure local partners manage the budget allocated to the stated objectives as directed by the DFAP DCOP and in accordance with their international and local financial policies. Engage FH Global Service Center Health Unit for technical assistance or other significant issues pertaining to the MCHN component. Obtain approval from DCOP where program changes affect other Malawi DFAP program interventions. Key Result #2 - Monitoring and Evaluation - 15% Ensure local partners develop and utilize proper Monitoring and Evaluation tools pertaining to the MCHN program.  Ensure local partners write and submit reports in a timely fashion, meeting both internal and donor requirements.  Ensure local partners carry out  evaluations and appropriate corrective/preventative actions are implemented. Key Result #3 – Personal/team development and budget management.  (15%) Develop and empower local partner staff to work efficiently and grow in their skills.  Meet regularly with local partner leadership to discuss/monitor development plans and individual goals. Maintain and manage individual and team goals and objectives; Provide leadership and coaching and timely completion of annual and mid-year reviews for local partner staff; Pursue ongoing training, professional and personal development for team member and self in the forms of seminars, conferences, offsite time spent at library or other venues; Manage and maintain the annual income and expense budget and other financial measures of the Department; Key Result #4 - Coordination and representation - 10% Support the local partner to represent the Malawi DFAP MCHN program to the Government, UN, NGO’s and other parties. Supporting and creating linkages with the Nutritional Policy and Strategic Plan, District Executive Committees, Village Health Committees and Health Surveillance Assistants. Ensure FH and FH’s activities are registered with the respective government agencies. Ensure FH's activities are well coordinated with the relevant government and non government actors. Ensure Donor and other funding partner relations are developed and maintained managed to enhance FH programming in country. Monitor the social, economic, political, religious and environmental conditions and report and recommend action on such conditions. QUALIFICATIONS  To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty/function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Affirms in word and deed FH’s Statement of Vision, Mission and Faith.  http://fh.org/about/vision Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and Google systems Ability to sit at a computer for 8 hours a day doing repetitive motions on a keyboard Ability to lift 25 pounds above shoulder height consistently Ability to travel in a car, on rough roads for up to 8 hours at a time Able to travel up in-country and internationally up to 25% time Excellent written and verbal communication skills Strong people skills Highly organized Able to multi-task EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE. Masters Degree in Nutrition, Public Health or equivalent in a relevant discipline A minimum of five (5) years of significant professional experience in implementing and managing nutrition, hygiene and public health development programs. At least four years management experience working on a large (>$500K budget per year) government or multinational funded development program.  Demonstrated technical expertise implementing through and building the capacity of local partners Demonstrated technical expertise managing development activities at the community and household level targeted towards vulnerable populations Demonstrated technical expertise related to integrating livelihood, agriculture and nutrition program towards the end result of reducing malnutrition Experience conducting social and behavior change communication approaches, tools, and programs Experience addressing gender equality in nutrition and public health Experience managing teams and individuals Experience managing and developing budgets Experience in capacity building and the transfer of skills through designing and leading technical trainings SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES Directly supervises 3 MCHN Coordinators and 32 MCHN Promoters.  Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems. LANGUAGE SKILLS   Strong English writing and speaking skills required.  Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or government regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public. APPLY