About Action Against Hunger
Action Against Hunger-USA is part of the Action Against Hunger International network, which provides humanitarian relief in over 40 countries worldwide in the sectors of nutrition, health, water/sanitation, and food security. Action Against Hunger-USA, an independent NGO, currently manages operations in 8 countries: Kenya, South Sudan, Zambia, Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia, Haiti and Somalia. Action Against Hunger-USA has approximately 2000 staff based in the various country offices, Head Quarter in New York City and Operational Centre in Nairobi. Additional growth is anticipated.
About the Country Program in South Sudan
Action Against Hunger has been operational in South Sudan for past 30 years, addressing both chronic and acute needs through a comprehensive multi-sectoral approach. Our programs integrate Nutrition, Food Security & Livelihoods, Water, Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH), Protection, and Gender interventions to strengthen resilience and improve community well-being. To implement these programs effectively, Action Against Hunger engages both national and international staff, with a dedicated country team of approximately 100 professionals operating across regional and satellite offices. Action Against Hunger currently operates in five regions: Warrap, Northern Bahr el Ghazal, Pibor, Jonglei and Central Equatorial states with a robust portfolio of $15 million per year, covering emergency response, resilience-building, research, and innovation programs to drive sustainable impact. In 2024/2025, the key donors include ECHO, UNICEF, AICS, GFFO, SIDA, WFP, SSHF, GAC, The Netherlands MFA, FAP, Private donors and other partners committed to supporting humanitarian and development efforts in the country.
Summary of position
Under supervision and guidance of the Program Development and Quality Director, the Nutrition and Health Specialist provides support in operationalization of Nutrition and Health programs in the Mission through technical support, build capacities of staff and liaise with the focal points at state and national levels for efficient management and functioning of program/services on ground.
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Purpose
The Nutrition and Health Specialist will contribute in developing Action Against Hunger South Sudan Nutrition and Health technical strategy, manage current health projects and identify new, creative and innovative opportunities for health programming.
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ENGAGEMENT
The Nutrition and Health Specialist, under the guidance of the Program Development and Quality Director, will internally collaborate with Technical Specialists for programme integration and quality service delivery. Externally, the Nutrition and Health Specialist will play a key role in local representation with Ministry of Health, Nutrition Cluster and Health Cluster and other International Health Humanitarian Organisations for exchange of information. He/she will be responsible for development of proposals for nutrition and health program and reports submitted to various donors.
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DELIVERY
The Nutrition and Health Specialist will oversee the quality implementation of nutrition and health programming through budget monitoring, quality reporting to Action Against Hunger stakeholders and donors all in line with internal rules and regulations, funding regulations Action Against Hunger Charter of Principles and Core Values.
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Essential job functions
Key to the role is overseeing quality and timely implementation of nutrition and health interventions to ensure continuity of effective service delivery and save lives.
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Key Result Area 1: Implementation and supervision of activities in the framework of Action Against Hunger Nutrition and Health program, with a specific focus on its nutrition and medical elements:
\u00b7ย ย ย ย ย ย Provide technical advisory support and consultation on nutrition and medical treatment for inpatient treatment of children under 5 with severe acute malnutrition and medical complications to the Stabilization Centre staff (in collaboration with Nutrition and Health Program Manager) and other health facility teams.
\u00b7ย ย ย ย ย ย Provide support and follow up on implementation of the national SC/ITP guidelines for treatment of children under 5 with SAM and medical complications at the stabilization centres, admission and referral procedures and reporting, with a focus on correct diagnosis / treatment of medical complications in children under 5 with SAM and correct general management of SAM inpatient children in stabilization centres according to the national guidelines, as well as, referral to OTP after the children are cured of medical complications
\u00b7ย ย ย ย ย ย Provide support and follow up on implementation of the national CMAM guidelines for treatment of children under 5 with SAM and without medical complications and with MAM at the nutrition sites, with special focus on clinical assessment and proper referral by the nutrition site staff
\u00b7ย ย ย ย ย ย In-charge of the overall management of the pharmacy, both at national and base level and guide the field team accordingly
\u00b7ย ย ย ย ย ย Supervise SC and OTP/TSFP pharmacy/drug inventory and stock reports developed by the staff and provide support where necessary
\u00b7ย ย ย ย ย ย Support and supervise the procurement of drugs, medical equipments and other supplies by the base as well as at national level under various grants and in collaboration with HEARO tech team
\u00b7ย ย ย ย ย ย Supervise and provide technical support to ensure proper referral and follow-up of children under 5 with SAM and medical complications to higher hospitals and back
\u00b7ย ย ย ย ย ย Support data management at national and base level on relevant SC and health indicators including basic analysis and data use for decision making
\u00b7ย ย ย ย ย ย Support the teams in conducting and compilation of mortality audits reports at stabilization centres and nutrition sites and ensure findings are used for improved programming
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Key Result Area 2: Capacity building and management of Nutrition and Health teams at the bases/sites:
\u00b7ย ย ย ย ย ย Train the nutrition and medical team on the national guidelines and conduct refresher training/orientation on regular intervals
\u00b7ย ย ย ย ย ย Provide on-the-job coaching/training to the nutrition/health/medical staff on management of acute malnutrition in children under 5 at the stabilization centre and nutrition sites
\u00b7ย ย ย ย ย ย Train the newly recruited medical staff on management of acute malnutrition, especially the treatment of children with medical complications and support the Nutrition Program Manager in following up on the same
\u00b7ย ย ย ย ย ย Support in providing training to the MoH staff on the treatment of medical complications in children under 5 with SAM based on the national guidelines
\u00b7ย ย ย ย ย ย Build capacity of the nutrition/health/medical team on monitoring and reporting indicators, and pharmacy / supply management
\u00b7ย ย ย ย ย ย Maintain updated global and national information and resources on nutrition and health and ensure dissemination of the same to field teams
\u00b7ย ย ย ย ย ย Support in development of job descriptions of nutrition and health team on ground (technical component), as well as development of interview guides.
\u00b7ย ย ย ย ย ย Support the Nutrition Program Managers in the recruitment and onboarding of qualified medical staff in collaboration with HR department and the Field Coordinator, as required
\u00b7ย ย ย ย ย ย Support in the development and supervision of action plans for nutrition/health/medical team members (Medical doctors, nurses, nurse aids)
\u00b7ย ย ย ย ย ย Support in health/medical staff appraisals on the technical competencies, jointly with the Nutrition Program Managers and Field Coordinators
\u00b7ย ย ย ย ย ย Work closely with the Nutrition Program Managers in the management of the overall planning, coordination and distribution of work in the stabilization centresย
\u00b7ย ย ย ย ย ย Provide feedback to Nutrition Specialist and Nutrition Program Managers regarding the quality of the medical and nutrition treatment given at the SC and nutrition sites on regular basis and recommendations for further improvement
Key Result Area 3: Enhanced Project management including design, implementation and monitoring of interventions on Nutrition and Health:
\u00b7ย ย ย ย ย ย Engage with the technical leads to develop and integrated multi-sectoral approach, proposals and budgets, focusing on health interventions.
\u00b7ย ย ย ย ย ย Develop health technical content, as well as, relevant budget for donor proposals
\u00b7ย ย ย ย ย ย Ensure proposals and reports are SADD-sensitive.
\u00b7ย ย ย ย ย ย Training of field health staff on project implementation, reporting, with focus on high quality services.
\u00b7ย ย ย ย ย ย Supportive supervision to the field teams in implementation of the health component of the program on ground and provide on-job-training wherever required.
\u00b7ย ย ย ย ย ย Regular technical review of health work plan, project presentations, reports and other related documents.
\u00b7ย ย ย ย ย ย In close collaboration with Nutrition Program Managers, participate in the organisation and leading of team meetings and individual meetings during visit to the bases and provide appropriate feedback and guidance.
\u00b7ย ย ย ย ย ย Support Nutrition Program Managers in review of monthly Activity Progress Report (APR) and donor reports, with focus on health component, including malaria testing and treatment and morbidity.
\u00b7ย ย ย ย ย ย Work closely with the MEARL unit on review, analysis and feedback of health program data to the field team every month.
\u00b7ย ย ย ย ย ย Participate in development and review of best practices, lessons learnt and other documentations on Nutrition and Health.
\u00b7ย ย ย ย ย ย In case of any public health emergency in the country, will be in-charge of coordinating the entire emergency response at Mission level with support of other team members, including liaising with government officials, HEARO and other stakeholders, ensuring appropriate implementation of the emergency response on ground, regular documentation and reporting of the same.
Key Result Area 4: Effective Representation at the external and internal stakeholder management and coordination:
\u00b7ย ย ย ย ย ย Represent Action Against Hunger during nutrition and health-related meetings with stakeholders while ensuring active participation and feedback to the organization.
\u00b7ย ย ย ย ย ย Support the Nutrition Program Managers and Field Coordinators in liaising with CHD and SMoH staff.
\u00b7ย ย ย ย ย ย Participate in joint supervision of Nutrition Program with the MoH / donors along with the Nutrition Program Managers, as and when required.
\u00b7ย ย ย ย ย ย Support Nutrition Program Managers in developing a database and liaising with partners in the area for beneficiaries transferred for medical care (including HIV, TB and Kala Azar)
\u00b7ย ย ย ย ย ย Support teams on reporting of health services in the DHIS-2 through relevant channels.
\u00b7ย ย ย ย ย ย Ensure that the relationship established with partners respects the principles and values of the Action Against Hunger partnership policy
\u00b7ย ย ย ย ย ย Liaison with WASH department in collaboration with the Nutrition Program Manager and field WASH team, to ensure minimum WASH package being implemented at the stabilization centres and nutrition sites.
\u00b7ย ย ย ย ย ย Perform any other task as per requirement
Gender Equality commitments
\u00b7ย ย ย ย ย ย Foster an environment that supports values of women and men, and equal access to information.
\u00b7ย ย ย ย ย ย Provide a work environment where women and men must be evaluated and promoted based on their skills and performance.
\u00b7ย ย ย ย ย ย Respect beneficiaries\u2019 women, men, boys and girls regardless of gender, sex orientation, disability, religion, race, colour, ancestry, national origin, age or marital status.
\u00b7ย ย ย ย ย ย Value and respect all cultures.
\u00b7ย ย ย ย ย ย Promote and uphold the PSEA policy and procedures.
Physical demands
\u00b7ย ย ย ย ย ย While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to sit for long periods and to concentrate on work, including typing, and turn out heavy volumes of work accurately, within short time frames under stressful situations in the context of a moderately noisy office with many interruptions. Must be able to proofread own work accurately so that only minor corrections are needed on an infrequent basis.
\u00b7ย ย ย ย ย ย To travel to the field, the employee must attest to a level of physical fitness capable of enduring physically difficult, highly stressful situations, which may include the necessity to walk long distances, to eat a limited diet and/or to reside in potentially uncomfortable housing or tents. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
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Working Conditions, Travel and Environment
\u00b7ย ย ย ย ย ย The duties of the job require regular job attendance at least five days per week. Must be available to work outside normal office hours or on the weekends as required.
\u00b7ย ย ย ย ย ย Must be able to travel as required for standard domestic and international business purposes. While performing the duties of this job in the field, the employee may be exposed to precarious settings under high security risks and/or very basic living conditions and outside weather conditions, as well as infectious diseases.
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REPORTING RESPONSIBILITIES
\u00b7ย ย ย ย ย ย Prepare monthly narrative reports on health program activities
\u00b7ย ย ย ย ย ย Support MEAL Coordinator at national level in review, compilation and analysis of nutrition and health reports, including malaria testing and treatment and morbidity
\u00b7ย ย ย ย ย ย Support in monthly & quarterly donor reports as required by each grant for the health services
\u00b7ย ย ย ย ย ย Supervise inventory and stock reports for stabilization centres and nutrition sites on pharmacy
\u00b7ย ย ย ย ย ย In case of managing public health emergency
\u00b7ย ย ย ย ย ย Preparation of other reports as needed
Commitment Anti-Discrimination and PSEA
We provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees & qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, ancestry, national origin, age, handicap, disability, marital status, or status as a veteran. The incumbent is required to carry out the duties in accordance with the Action Against Hunger Safeguarding policies (PSEA, Child safeguarding and Code of Conduct).ย Action Against Hunger-USA complies with all applicable laws governing nondiscrimination in employment.
Requirements
Required Qualifications and Professional Experience
\u00b7ย ย ย ย ย ย Master's degree in Nutrition / Public Health / Nursing with minimum 5 years' experience in similar position or Bachelor's degree with minimum 10 years' experience in similar position.
\u00b7ย ย ย ย ย ย At least 5 years of experience in outpatient and inpatient treatment in an international organisation on health programming.
\u00b7ย ย ย ย ย ย Technical expertise in CMAM, particularly management of complications in children under 5 with severe acute malnutrition.
\u00b7ย ย ย ย ย ย Knowledge / experience on how to undertake nutrition surveys and coverage assessments.
\u00b7ย ย ย ย ย ย Experience in pharmacy / nutrition supply management
\u00b7ย ย ย ย ย ย Mandatory experience in developing programs and writing proposals for different donors (e.g. UNICEF, WFP, ECHO, GAC, OCHA, AICS, AFD...)
\u00b7ย ย ย ย ย ย Excellent analytical skills, report writing and presentation skills
\u00b7ย ย ย ย ย ย Experience in Health System Strengthening and health programming
\u00b7ย ย ย ย ย ย Representation, coordination, advocacy skills and experience
\u00b7ย ย ย ย ย ย Experience in large and diverse team management with multiple grants
\u00b7ย ย ย ย ย ย Ability to work in complex environment
Required Skills & Competencies
\u00b7ย ย ย ย ย ย You are passionate about leading ambitious programming that has impact
\u00b7ย ย ย ย ย ย Strong results orientation, with ability to meet deadlines and produce high quality products.
\u00b7ย ย ย ย ย ย Strong cultural awareness and ability to work well in an international environment with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures.
\u00b7ย ย ย ย ย ย Ability and willingness to work under pressure
\u00b7ย ย ย ย ย ย Fluency in English (business level), both verbal and written
\u00b7ย ย ย ย ย ย Flexible personalityย
\u00b7ย ย ย ย ย ย Excellent communication and training skills
\u00b7ย ย ย ย ย ย Good management and representation competencies
\u00b7ย ย ย ย ย ย Ability to analyse data and produce quality graphs and reports.
\u00b7ย ย ย ย ย ย Easily integrate with remote areas living conditions
\u00b7ย ย ย ย ย ย Experience in South Sudan and or the region with international/national organization engaged in nutrition and health activities is highly desirable
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Benefits
Application Process.
All candidates should apply online on the link provided. Action Against Hunger-USA provides all staff with an attractive salary & benefits package. We provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees & qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, ancestry, sexual orientation, national origin, age, handicap, disability, marital status, or status as a veteran. Action Against Hunger-USA complies with all applicable laws governing nondiscrimination in employment.
Closing date for applications: June 5, 2025. The applications will be assessed on rolling bases. Suitable candidates are encouraged to apply before the deadline.