Senior Nutrition Officer

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

Senior Nutrition Officer

(Based in Vientiane Capital)

This position is available to LAO nationals only

About CRS

Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. CRS works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality. CRS’ relief and development work is accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance and peacebuilding.

Job Summary

As a lead for the BREASTFEEDING PROTECTION & PROMOTION project team, you will facilitate the achievement of project objectives through planning, coordinating and reporting of assigned project activities and providing technical guidance and advice in the area of maternal and child health and nutrition, especially infant and young child feeding to government partner(s) advancing Catholic Relief Services’ (CRS) work serving the poor and vulnerable. A significant focus of this work will be development of innovative professional development courses and activities related to breastfeeding protection, promotion, and support. Your coordination and relationship management skills will ensure that the project applies best practices and constantly works towards improving the impact of its benefits to those we serve.

Roles and Key Responsibilities

• Organize and lead the implementation of all assigned project activities as outlined in the detailed implementation plan in line with CRS program quality principles and standards, donor requirements, and good practices.
• Ensure learning properly accompanies project activities throughout the project cycle. Support accountability through coordinating project evaluation activities and guiding partners in their efforts to reflect on project experiences. Analyze implementation challenges and report any inconsistencies and/or gaps to inform adjustments to plans and implementation schedules.
• Coordinate and oversee working relationships with all project stakeholders and serve as the liaison between them and the project team to mobilize local actors and promote project activities and impact.
• Supervise and perform ad-hoc inspections of various processes and resources at project sites to ensure timely project activities implementation and adherence to established process standards and procedures. Ensure proper tracking of resource use for project activities through periodic budget reviews and follow-up with and assistance to implementing partner.

• Advise on government counterparts on global best practices in breastfeeding, IYCF, and MCHN and support them to apply in national standards, trainings, and materials.
• Support capacity strengthening initiatives in clinical health services through helping develop innovative professional learning and training strategies and courses.

• Coordinate provision of any logistical and administrative support to staff and partners.
• Ensure project documentation for assigned activities is complete with all required documents and is filed per agency and donor requirements. Assist with preparation of trends analysis reports and documentation of case studies and promising practices
• Ensure learning properly accompanies project activities throughout the project cycle. Support accountability through coordinating project evaluation activities following MEAL Policy. Proactively identify issues, report them to inform adjustments to plans and implementation schedules.

• Contribute to maintaining relationships with Ministry of Health stakeholders, donors, peer organizations, research and other institutions. Participate in forums in maternal and child health and nutrition to collect and share best practices and promote CRS’ work.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in the medical field required (doctor, midwife, nurse, etc).
• Minimum of 4 years of work experience in project support, ideally in the field of IYCF   and for an NGO.

• Additional experience may substitute for some education.

Preferred Qualifications

• Peer or professional breastfeeding support experience
• Clinical qualification or master’s degree in health-related field.
• Experience working with the Lao Ministry of Health and supporting clinical care.
• Experience developing professional training programs and/or quality of care improvement initiatives.
• Staff supervision experience a plus.
• Experience monitoring projects and collecting relevant data.
• Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Proficient in MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), Web Conferencing Applications, information and budget management systems, knowledge-sharing networks.
• Knowledge of technical principles and concepts in maternal and child health and nutrition. General knowledge of other related disciplines to ensure a proper cross-sectoral approach.
• Analysis and problem-solving skills with ability to make sound judgment
• Good relationship management skills and the ability to work closely with government and civil society partners
• Presentation, facilitation, training, mentoring, and coaching skills
• Proactive, results-oriented and service-oriented
• Attention to details, accuracy and timeliness in executing assigned responsibilities

Required Languages – Fluency in written and spoken Lao and professional level of written and spoken English required.

Travel – Must be willing and able to travel up to 40% across Laos.

Supervisory Responsibilities: Project Officer

Agency REDI Competencies (for all CRS Staff)

Agency competencies clarify expected behaviors and attitudes for all staff.  When demonstrated, they create an engaging workplace, help staff achieve their best, and help CRS achieve agency goals.  These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results.

• Personal Accountability – consistently takes responsibilities for one’s own actions.
• Acts with Integrity – consistently models values aligned with CRS Guiding Principles and mission.  Is considered honest.
• Builds and Maintains Trust – shows consistency between words and actions.
• Collaborates with Others – works effectively in intercultural and diverse teams.
• Open to Learn – seeks out experiences that may change perspective or provide an opportunity to learn new things.

Agency Leadership Competencies:

• Lead Change – continually looks for ways to improve the agency through a culture of agility, openness, and innovation.
• Develops and Recognizes Others – builds the capacity of staff to reach their full potential and enhance team and agency performance.
• Strategic Mindset – understands role in translating, communicating, and implementing agency strategy and team principles.

APPLICATION INFORMATION: To apply for this position, please submit an application letter stating your expression of interest along with your most current CV by email to LA_HR@crs.org

Closing date for applications: 23 June 2026. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

CRS’s talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.

CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer