Nutrition Coordinator Job Re-Advertisement (Torit, South Sudan)


Merlin (UK,) an International Non-Governmental Organization specializing in the provision of health care worldwide, is working in the Republic of South Sudan to address the humanitarian and health needs in areas within Eastern Equatoria and Jonglei States. 

It is currently seeking to employ a Nutrition Coordinator for South Sudan Country Programme to be based in Torit.

Position: Nutrition Coordinator (re-advertised)
Location:
 Torit, South Sudan
Duration: 12 months
Line manager: Country Health Director
Person specification: Nutritionist with experience in implementing CMAM approach

Merlin Profile
 

Merlin is a UK based charity which responds worldwide with vital health care and medical relief for vulnerable people caught up in natural disasters, conflict, diseases and health system collapse. 

Merlin has been working in Southern Sudan since 1997 when a sleeping sickness programme was set up in Tempura. 

Since 2004, Merlin has been working in Eastern Equatorial State first in the Magwi County and then in Torit and Lopa counties.
 
With support from UNICEF, Merlin is implementing a nutrition project in Magwi, Torit, Lopa and Ikotos counties in Eastern Equatoria State; and Boma Payam in Pibor County, Jonglei State. 

Based in Torit, the Nutrition Coordinator will ensure that the project activities are implemented both in health facilities and communities within the areas of operation. 

S/he will work closely with the Merlin Senior Health Coordinators (Nimule, Boma and Torit) and other key staff for technical guidance and support.        

Main Purpose of the Role
 
The overall objective of the position is to develop and maintain all nutrition aspects of Merlin’s projects in Southern Sudan. 

The post holder will work under the supervision of the Country Health Director in close collaboration with project Senior Health Coordinators and project coordinators as well as partners at all levels, including government and other agencies.

Overall Objective
  • Implementation of the Outpatient Therapeutic Programme
  • Support and supervision of nutrition activities in Southern Sudan
  • Training and capacity building of staff in nutrition
  • Information and data management of nutrition data
Main Responsibilities
 
Programme Implementation
  • Ensure that the implementation of the Outpatient Therapeutic Programme (OTP) and Stabilization Centre (SC) activities conform to internationally accepted standards and country guidelines
  • Provide support and supervision on nutrition activities to those staff implementing health
  • and nutrition programmes in Southern Sudan.
  • Provides guidance to staff implementing health and nutrition programmes on the integration of a nutrition component into the overall primary health care programmes and curative services.
  • In collaboration with partner agencies (UNICEF and WFP) support field sites with the organization of the logistics of food commodities.
  • Together with Project health coordinators and country health directors ensure proper
  • Communication, coordination and harmonization of tools with the different stakeholders involved in food/nutrition activities (UNICEF, MSF, ACF etc)
Training and Capacity building
  • Conduct training of community-based management of acute malnutrition (CMAM) for project staff and MOH counterparts implementing health and nutrition programmes in Southern Sudan.
  • Ensure the establishment and strengthening or nutrition monitoring activities and train health staff (Merlin and partners) in case detection and referral mechanisms.
  • Conduct and train health staff on surveys, causal analysis and other assessments of nutritional status of target groups.
Information Analysis and Management
  • Ensure proper collection and analysis of data form field sites and participate in the creation of a nutrition data base for projects in Southern Sudan.
  • Ensure the establishment and proper use of nutrition monitoring and evaluation framework
  • Review the outreach and appropriateness of activities for different livelihood groups
  • Ensure the capture and dissemination of lessons learnt and good practice relating to successful integration of nutrition components within existing primary health care services.
  • Submit relevant reports and documentation to the Country Health Director
Other
  • Represent Merlin at appropriate co-ordination and health and nutrition programming and collaborate with organizations working in food/nutrition
Person Specification
 
Essential
 
Qualifications, experience and competences
  • Degree in Nutrition.
  • Strong previous field coordination and management experience in community-based management of acute malnutrition.
  • Experience of gathering and analyzing nutritional data
  • Supportive personnel management style and ability to manage teams
  • Experience of training and capacity building
  • Strong leadership skills
  • Strong communication skills, with excellent written and spoken English
  • Confident and proficient in the use of MS Office
  • Experience of establishing strong working relationships with colleagues from different functions and cultures
  • Previous experience of working and living in insecure contexts
  • Experience of a flexible approach to managing and prioritizing a high workload and multiple tasks in a fast paced environment with tight deadlines
  • Experience of proactively identifying and addressing issues
  • An understanding of and commitment to Merlin’s mission and values
Desirable
 
Qualifications, experience and competences
  • Previous use of SMART nutrition survey methodology
  • Previous experience in the support and provision to primary health care projects
  • Qualification in Public/Community Health and/or Development studies
  • Good experience in humanitarian programming
  • Experience of working in East
Closing date for receipt of applications will be on the 02nd Nov 2012. 

Applications and scanned copies of supporting documents/ academic qualifications should be sent by e-mail to: hr.officer@merlin-southsudan.org

Only short-listed applicants will be contacted. 

Due to the urgency of this position, applications will be short-listed on a regular basis. 

Merlin South Sudan Programme is an equal opportunities employer.