Senior Nutrition Officer

Organization Background

JSI Research & Training Institute, Inc. (JSI) is an international organization based in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. JSI works extensively with national and local governments, ministries of health, health care providers, traditional leaders, and communities to expand access to services for vulnerable populations. JSI is committed to improving the health of underserved populations through innovative approaches in a range of public health areas, including HIV, reproductive, maternal, and child health, technical and organizational capacity building, supply chain strengthening, strategic information management, and health systems management, and policy development.

Position: Senior Nutrition Officer
Reports to: Senior Child Health Officer
Location: Vientiane Capital, Laos PDR

Job Summary

JSI Research & Training Institute, Inc. (JSI) is seeking Senior Nutrition Officer for a five-year USAID-funded Maternal Child Health Nutrition Activity in Laos (LMCHN). The project aims to build upon previous USAID and Government of Laos investments to improve priority maternal child health outcomes among the most underserved populations in targeted areas of Laos. This will be achieved through a health system strengthening and community engagement approaches to ensure equitable access to quality services. This will be a full-time position based in Vientiane. The Senior Nutrition Officer will report directly to the Senior Child Health Officer.

Primary Responsibilities & Duties

The Senior Nutrition Officer is responsible for the design and implementation of the nutrition activities in the LMNCH program. Key responsibilities include:
• Leads the planning, implementation, and monitoring of all LMNCH program activities that have a nutrition component, including those implemented with health workers and in the community.
• Leads the design and implementation of activities on simplified approaches to the integrated management of acute malnutrition, specifically design of the family MUAC.
• Supports the Provincial teams to strengthen the functions of the Provincial Nutrition Committees and ensure alignment of LMNCH program activities with Provincial multi-sectoral nutrition plans.
• Supports the implementation of broader nutrition-related behavior changes activities at the community level.
• Leads engagement with the MOH and key development partners supporting the delivery of the National Plan of Action on Nutrition (2021-2025) and contributing to national level nutrition forums and technical working groups on nutrition including the SUN CSA alliance.
• Works closely with the Provincial teams, including frequent travel to Provinces and Districts and builds the skills of both Provincial staff as needed.
• Works closely with other LMCHN Technical Team members to ensure maximum integration and sustainability across all program activities.
• With the LMCHN RMEL and Technical Teams is responsible for the oversight of any nutrition-related indicators and supports the implementation of any research activities needed to further improve the quality of and access to nutrition services in the community.
• Carries out any other additional tasks as needed and assigned by the Manager
• Ensure that in your line of duty, you are aware of child safeguarding principles and guidelines and apply it in your day-to-day roles as you interact with communities and children;

Desired Qualifications

● A health professional, preferably with a master’s degree in public health or a nutrition-related field.
● Minimum 6 years of relevant experience in maternal child health and nutrition programs.
● Experience in working with government agencies, civil society and mass organizations.
● Good analytical skills and ability to apply evidence-based global best practice in nutrition to the Lao context.
● Excellent interpersonal skills, good team player and ability to manage multiple tasks.
● Must be able to read, write and speak English well and have excellent written and oral presentation skills in Lao.

JSI is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer committed to workplace diversity. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all qualified applicants and employees without regard to age, race, color, national origin, ancestry, creed, religion, gender, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, sexual preference, genetic information, political affiliation, HIV status, or protected veteran status in any employment decisions. M/F/V/D.

JSI is a child-safe organization, and the safety and wellbeing of children is a priority of our organization. We have robust recruitment procedures to ensure that all staff are suited to work with the children served by our programs. A criminal record check will be undertaken for successful applicants.