Reports to: ERNE Programme Unit Coordinator

Liaises with: ERNE Programme Coordination Unit staff, Nutrition Advisers in ERNE countries of operation and Nutrition and Health teams in the Strategy, Advocacy, and Learning Directorate. The role involves coordination with the relevant ECHO Technical staff.

Manages: No direct reports

Job location: This is a headquarters based position. The location of the role is negotiable for the correct candidate

Pay Band: Pay Band 5: (€45,563 - €53,603)

Contract: Three Year fixed term contract

Job Purpose:

The Global CMAM Surge Adviser is a member of the ERNE Programme Coordination Unit established in Concern Worldwide in Dublin, Ireland. The function of the unit is to ensure the effective implementation of the programme; in conjunction with technical support structures established countries of operation; and any other country programmes potentially included in the programme. The purpose of the Global CMAM Surge Adviser is to provide technical support to the set-up and continued implementation of the CMAM Surge approach in relevant ERNE countries of operation for Concern and partners; and to lead the further development and scale-up of the approach and practical tools based on learning and inputs from a range of stakeholders. The role will also require engagement with ECHO technical counterparts in conjunction with the Concern Worldwide Senior Nutrition Adviser and other senior staff as necessary; as well as ensuring learning from the pilot is articulated and disseminated. The ERNE Programme Coordination Unit comprises technical functions to support ERNE programme innovations.

In 2012, Concern Worldwide developed and piloted the Community-based Management of Acute Malnutrition (CMAM) Surge approach. The approach compliments routine CMAM services by using health systems strengthening (HSS) principles to ensure that health systems are able to better respond to and anticipate increases in demand for acute malnutrition treatment services.

Since the initial pilot in 2012, the CMAM Surge approach has been introduced in 13 countries across the globe with support from a wide range of NGO and donor partners. Scale-up has been especially rapid and widespread in francophone west and central Africa, leading to the establishment of a West Africa CMAM Surge Task Force in 2018. At global level, a Global CMAM Surge Technical Working Group (TWG) has been launched to help further consolidate learning across regions, guide the generation of evidence and best practice, and support the refinement of the approach. A key focus of this group, as lead by the Global CMAM Surge Adviser, will be to adapt the current approach to integrate more analysis and response actions to ensure the broader continuity of essential child health services, beyond treatment of acute malnutrition. There have been now been a range of experiences using the CMAM Surge in different contexts, including some initial pilots in the ‘Health Surge’ approach, that need to be further consolidated and built upon.

The role of the Global CMAM Surge Advisor will be to:

  • Provide technical assistance to Concern country programme staff, government and NGO partners, and donors in countries currently implementing or planning to implement CMAM Surge, ensuring the quality and consistent application of the approach. There will be a particular focus on the countries where the ERNE project is being implemented, however technical support will extend to priority CMAM Surge programming in other countries and led by other stakeholders.

  • Identify areas for CMAM Surge innovation and contextualisation, including development and refinement of the approach to integrate a broader ‘Health Surge’ approach to the most relevant child illnesses/ conditions in each context in addition to acute malnutrition. This will be done in close consultation with the Concern HQ-based Nutrition and Health Unit Advisers, country programme staff, the Global Technical Working Group, and Regional Task Forces. In particular, ECHO Nutrition Technical Assistants will be included in this process through the established governance and management structures established for this programme.

  • Document learning and lead the development and revision of CMAM Surge and Health Surge tools and guidance, in close consultation with those listed above.

  • Ensure strong collaboration and build relationships with key stakeholders via the CMAM Surge Global Technical Working Group and by linking with other relevant technical mechanisms and partners in close coordination with the Senior Nutrition Adviser and Maternal & Child Health/Health Systems Support Unit in Concern HQ.

Key Responsibilities:

Skills and Experience Required:

Essential:

  • Minimum Master’s degree in either nutrition, public health, or health systems strengthening

  • At least three years’ experience in a relevant overseas position.

  • Experience in the development and implementation of CMAM Surge or related health systems strengthening approaches in low resource settings

  • Proven record of experience in capacity building of staff of various levels (NGO and donor partners; national, district, and health facility staff).

  • Good communications skills, able to build strong relationships with the various actors at global, regional, and country levels

  • Experience in playing a key role in working groups, task forces or coordination at national and/or regional level

  • Professional level proficiency in spoken and written French and English

  • Ability to work independently, good self-management and working towards tight deadlines.

  • Being pro-active.

  • Willingness to travel up to 50% of the time

Desirable:

  • Previous experience working in Sub-Saharan Africa.

  • Experience in working collaboratively with diverse actors such as research organizations, NGO head office and country teams, government representatives

  • Experience in evaluating cost-effectiveness of health systems strengthening interventions

  • Experience with project management and donor compliance (e.g. reporting, contract and procurement basics)

This vacancy is archived.

Recommended for you