Nutrition Information System (NIS) Advisor

About FHI 360:

Family Health International (FHI) 360 is a non-profit human development organization dedicated to improving lives in lasting ways by advancing integrated, locally driven solutions. Our staff include experts in health, education, nutrition, environment, economic development, civil society, gender, youth, research, and technology — creating a unique mix of capabilities to address today's interrelated development challenges. FHI 360 serves more than 70 countries and all U.S. states and territories.

Background:

FHI 360 is seeking qualified candidates for a NIS Advisor position for the USAID-funded Feed the Future (FTF) Ethiopia Community Nutrition Activity (ECNA). This activity will build upon a long tradition of USAID nutrition funding in Ethiopia and will focus on enhancing multisector coordination and accountability; and improving nutrition practices and health-seeking behaviors and delivery of quality nutrition services within USAID’s FTF zones of influence. This will be a full-time position based in Addis Ababa for a duration of five years. Ethiopian nationals are strongly encouraged to apply.

Job Summary:

The NIS Advisor will be responsible for strategic prioritization and oversight of digitalized nutrition initiatives to strengthen Ethiopia’s Health Management Information System (HMIS) and nutrition supply chain in close alignment with government structures and complementary USAID investments. The Advisor will guide project efforts to enhance health provider capacity in utilizing nutrition information systems and supply chain logistics to monitor nutrition-specific interventions and associated nutrition commodities to improve the quality of nutrition services in target health facilities. The NIS Advisor will also collaborate with key stakeholders across sectors to strengthen the use of the Unified Nutrition Information System for Ethiopia (UNISE) in selected woredas.

Accountabilities:

• Provide strategic technical leadership and oversight for project interventions to strengthen the NIS (including supply chain management and UNISE) in close partnership with government stakeholders, donors, and implementers.
• Recommend and support prioritization of digitalized NIS solutions to improve health facility efficiencies and delivery of quality nutrition services.
• Lead capacity building efforts to strengthen the NIS skills of staff, government, local organizations. and private sector at the national and sub-national levels.
• Collaborate with government and stakeholder partners on evaluation protocol and activities to generate and synthesize evidence around digitalized NIS innovations.
• Work with the project’s monitoring and evaluation (M&E) team to develop indicators and mechanisms for monitoring and documenting NIS activities and accomplishments.
• Oversee the monitoring of NIS implementation to track progress, timely delivery of deliverables; and contribute to donor reports and learning documents and publications.
• Represent the project at strategic digitalized health/nutrition forums and share key findings and state-of-the art innovations with the project team and local partners.
• Provide technical oversight for regional staff and manage consultants, as needed.

  Applied Knowledge & Skills:

  • Ability to manage projects, set realistic priorities, and plan for the successful implementation of activities.
  • In-depth functional knowledge around specialization and detailed knowledge of related areas in the organization.
  • General understanding of the external environment and how it affects the industry in general and the organization, including political, legal, environmental, financial, and social influences.
  • General understanding of the organization’s structure, policies and practices, and the impact on one’s own area.
  • Strong diagnostic, analytical and problem-solving skills.
  • Ability to exchange information, present recommendations and collaborate with colleagues and peers within the organization and possibly externally.
  • Ability to influence others of the benefits/importance of an idea or plan of action and to gain their support or commitment.
  • Strong negotiation skills and ability to reach mutual points of agreement and benefit among peers and colleagues.

    Competencies:

    There are 31 FHI 360 development competencies, of greatest focus for this particular job will be:

    • Project Management (Planning and Time Management) - Accurately scopes out length and difficulty of tasks (sets objectives/goals/measures). Breaks down work into steps, schedules, task/people assignments. Marshals people, time, and resources efficiently. Arranges information in a useful manner and orchestrates multiple activities at once.
    • People Management (Making Others Great) – Facilitate professional development of staff by providing challenging, learning assignments and opportunities. Shares and solicits feedback monthly at the very least. Helps establish compelling development plans. Assigns responsibility and accountability for tasks/decisions. Monitors process, progress, and results. Creates a climate in which people want to do their best.
    • Creating and Managing Systems and Processes – Recognizes the need for standardization and balances client and organization need in systems design. Anticipates the effects of process change on people while optimizing task efficiency and simplicity.
    • Employees are expected to possess or have high potential for the development of these three fundamental competencies.

      Problem Solving & Impact:

      • Is sought out to provide advice or solutions around technical area.
      • Is informed about current developments around technical area.
      • Works under broad direction with considerable latitude for independent action.
      • Specific actions are guided primarily by professional standards and expected outcomes of the project.
      • Decisions and actions have an impact on the smooth operation and timeframes of the unit programs/projects; impact on the broader organization is generally indirect.
      • Problems encountered are complex and may involve unprecedented circumstances; resolution requires investigation, analysis, and review of professional/organizational standards.
      • Faulty decisions or recommendations will normally result in critical delays and modifications to projects or operations, cause substantial expenditure of additional time, resources, and funds; and jeopardize future business activity.

        Supervision Given/Received:

        • May supervise junior level staff members.
        • Work is reviewed in terms of meeting the organization’s objectives and schedules.
        • Accomplishes results through managers or senior members of a team.
        • Manages a technical area staff and function area within the organization.
        • Plays a coaching and mentoring role for others; may assist in team management as necessary, although has no formal people management responsibility.
        • Typically reports to a Director.

          Education:

          • Master's degree or its international equivalent in public health, computer engineering, nutrition, international development, or related field preferred.

            Experience:

            • Minimum of 12+ years of related work experience, including managing and implementing health information system activities for donor-funded programs, preferably within multi-sector programs in Ethiopia or similar country contexts.
            • Demonstrated abilities in a range of digitalized information models and methodologies.
            • Experience coordinating with governments, private sector, and local NGOs, as well as with local communities, in the design and implementation of digitalized health and nutrition information system initiatives.
            • Relevant computer software and database management skills.
            • Oral and written fluency in English.

              Typical Physical Demands:

              • Typical office environment.
              • Ability to spend long hours looking at computer screen and doing repetitive work on a keyboard.
              • Ability to sit and stand for extended periods of time.

                Technology to be Used:

                • Personal Computer/Laptop, Microsoft applications (i.e., Office 365, SharePoint, Skype/Zoom/Teams), cell phone/mobile technology, and standard office equipment.

                  Travel Requirements:

                  • 10% - 25%

                    This job posting summarizes the main duties of the job. It neither prescribes nor restricts the exact tasks that may be assigned to carry out these duties. This document should not be construed in any way to represent a contract of employment. Management reserves the right to review and revise this document at any time.

                    FHI 360 is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer whereby we do not engage in practices that discriminate against any person employed or seeking employment based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law.

                    Our values and commitments to safeguarding: FHI 360 is committed to preventing any type of abuse, exploitation and harassment in our work environments and programs, including sexual abuse, exploitation and harassment. FHI 360 takes steps to safeguard the welfare of everyone who engages with our organization and programs and requires that all personnel, including staff members and volunteers, share this commitment and sign our code of conduct. All offers of employment will be subject to appropriate screening checks, including reference, criminal record and terrorism finance checks. FHI 360 also participates in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme (MDS), facilitated by the Steering Committee for Humanitarian Response. In line with the MDS, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any substantiated findings of sexual abuse, exploitation and/or harassment during the applicant’s tenure with previous employers. By applying, job applicants confirm their understanding of these recruitment procedures and consent to these screening checks.

                    FHI 360 will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws.
                    
                    FHI 360 fosters the strength and health of its workforce through a competitive benefits package, professional development and policies and programs that support a healthy work/life balance. Join our global workforce to make a positive difference for others — and yourself.

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