Nutrition Technical Advisor

Jhpiego is an international non-profit health organization affiliated with Johns Hopkins University. It has worked with the Government of Malawi since 1999 on maternal, newborn and child health, family planning, and HIV/AIDS programs.

Jhpiego is seeking a highly qualified Nutrition Technical Advisor to provide technical expertise and leadership in designing, implementing, and overseeing nutrition interventions for the MNCH-N program in Malawi, ensuring integrated and high-quality service delivery. The Nutrition Technical Advisor will also provide technical guidance to project staff and partners involved in nutrition activities in the regions. Reporting to the Project Director and Technical Director, the Nutrition Technical Advisor will work closely with the Senior MNH Advisor, Child Health Advisor, and other technical, programmatic, and operations staff to ensure seamless, integrated MNCH-N implementation.

Responsibilities

Technical leadership and service delivery - Coordinate implementation of high-impact nutrition interventions across the continuum of care, from preconception through early childhood, within the MNCH-N framework. - Provide technical guidance for nutrition activities, including infant and young child feeding (IYCF), community-based management of acute malnutrition (CMAM), micronutrient supplementation, and nutrition counseling. - Support integration of nutrition services into antenatal care (ANC), postnatal care (PNC), Kangaroo Mother Care, Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI), Emergency Triage Assessment and Treatment (ETAT), and Integrated Family Health Outreach Clinics (IFHOCS). - Promote essential IYCF practices across ante-, peri-, and postnatal care, including implementation of revised UNICEF/WHO Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative guidelines. - Strengthen facility- and community-based growth monitoring and promotion activities. - Oversee identification and treatment of moderate and severe acute malnutrition through inpatient (NRU) and outpatient (CMAM) services. - Promote uptake of essential micronutrients, including iron-folate for pregnant women and vitamin A for children under five. - Support availability, procurement, and use of essential nutrition commodities in line with Ministry of Health guidelines.

Capacity strengthening and quality improvement - Lead development, adaptation, and dissemination of evidence-based MIYCN training materials, job aids, and mentoring tools for health workers and partners. - Provide and facilitate on-the-job training, simulation, and mentorship for health care providers and community health workers on nutrition protocols and quality improvement. - Oversee mentoring and professional development of nutrition professionals, health workers, and local partner staff. - Provide technical oversight of nutrition services for children with SAM and MAM at primary and hospital levels. - Work with technical and quality improvement advisors, the Ministry of Health, and other stakeholders to monitor and improve the quality of integrated MNCH-N services using local service delivery data.

Program implementation and coordination - Lead development, implementation, and monitoring of nutrition activities within the integrated project work plan, aligned with government and donor priorities. - Work with the Project Director, Technical Director, and MNCH advisors to set and achieve nutrition priorities and respond to partner requests. - Collaborate with MEL and data teams on monitoring plans, ensuring effective use of nutrition data for program review and adaptation. - Document successes, lessons learned, and challenges, and contribute to quarterly and annual reporting of nutrition activities and results. - Oversee and mentor local partners' nutrition implementation activities and monitor progress against work plans. - Maintain effective, respectful communication with team members and foster a collaborative work environment.

Stakeholder engagement and multisectoral collaboration - Work with the Ministry of Health and partners to strengthen integrated MNCH-N service delivery across antenatal, birth, postnatal, infant, child health, and immunization services. - Coordinate with other USG and non-USG projects to identify synergies and improve the quality of integrated MNCH-N services. - Participate in and promote multisectoral collaboration to address maternal and child malnutrition.

Required qualifications

• Advanced degree (MPH, MSc, or equivalent) in Nutrition or a Public Health/Clinical field, with experience in nutrition at health centre level.
• At least 6 years of progressively responsible experience designing, implementing, and coordinating large-scale nutrition programs, preferably in Malawi or similar low-resource settings.
• Demonstrated experience providing technical assistance and on-the-job training to health care providers and community health workers on nutrition topics.
• Experience integrating nutrition services within broader MNCH or primary health care programs.
• Experience working with government health structures, health facilities, and local partners.
• Experience implementing programs and providing training and mentoring in IYCF, CMAM, micronutrient supplementation, and nutrition counseling.
• Deep technical knowledge of evidence-based nutrition interventions, including IYCF, CMAM (SAM/MAM), micronutrient supplementation, and nutrition assessments.
• Proficiency in developing and delivering training and mentorship programs for health care workers and community volunteers on nutrition.
• Strong understanding of data use for program monitoring, quality improvement, and informed decision-making in nutrition programs.
• Knowledge of community-level nutrition approaches and referral systems for malnutrition cases.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with attention to detail.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with diverse teams and stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple tasks, prioritize, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative team, with strong technical advisory capabilities for regional teams.
• Commitment to improving nutritional outcomes and integrating services within a comprehensive public health approach.
• Willingness and ability to travel throughout the operational sites.

Other information

• All staff, regardless of position, are expected to comply with Jhpiego's operational procedures, policies, and codes of conduct.
• Jhpiego offers competitive salaries and a comprehensive employee benefits package.
• The successful candidate will be subject to a pre-employment background investigation.

How to apply

• Apply using the Apply button on this listing.
• Applicants must submit a single document for upload, including a cover letter, resume, and references, before 12th November 2026.