NUTRITION TECHNICAL ADVISOR

OVERVIEW

Jhpiego is an international, non-profit health organisation affiliated with Johns Hopkins University. The organisation develops innovations to strengthen the capacity of healthcare workers, improve health systems and enhance the delivery of quality healthcare services.

Since 1999, Jhpiego has collaborated with the Government of Malawi and various partners to implement interventions in maternal, newborn and child health, family planning, HIV/AIDS prevention, care and treatment.

Jhpiego invites applications from highly qualified professionals for the position of Nutrition Technical Advisor under the Maternal, Newborn, Child Health and Nutrition (MNCH-N) programme in Malawi.

The successful candidate will provide technical expertise and leadership in the design, implementation and oversight of nutrition interventions, ensuring integrated and high-quality service delivery across programme locations.

JOB TYPE: Full Time

Date Posted: Saturday, 31st October 2026

Application Deadline: Thursday, 12th November 2026

Duty Station: Lilongwe, Malawi

POSITION: NUTRITION TECHNICAL ADVISOR

JOB SUMMARY

The Nutrition Technical Advisor will provide technical leadership and guidance on nutrition interventions under the MNCH-N programme. The role involves coordinating nutrition activities across the continuum of care, strengthening the capacity of healthcare workers and community health workers, supporting quality improvement initiatives, and ensuring effective integration of nutrition services into broader maternal, newborn and child health programmes.

Working under the supervision of the Project Director and Technical Director, the Advisor will collaborate closely with the Senior MNH Advisor, Child Health Advisor and other technical, programme and operations staff.

DUTIES AND KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Technical Leadership and Service Delivery

• Coordinate the implementation of high-impact nutrition interventions across the continuum of care, from preconception through early childhood, within the MNCH-N framework.
• Provide technical guidance and support for nutrition interventions, including Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF), Community-Based Management of Acute Malnutrition (CMAM), micronutrient supplementation and nutrition counselling.
• Support the integration of nutrition services into key healthcare contact points, including 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 throughout antenatal, perinatal 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 the identification and treatment of moderate and severe acute malnutrition through inpatient Nutrition Rehabilitation Units (NRUs) and outpatient CMAM services.
• Promote the uptake and use of essential micronutrients, including iron-folate for pregnant women and vitamin A for children under five.
• Support the availability, procurement and utilisation of essential nutrition commodities and supplies in line with Ministry of Health guidelines.

2. Capacity Strengthening and Quality Improvement

• Lead the development, adaptation and dissemination of evidence-based Maternal, Infant and Young Child Nutrition (MIYCN) training materials, job aids and mentoring tools for healthcare workers and partners.
• Provide and facilitate on-the-job training, simulation exercises and mentorship for healthcare providers and community health workers on nutrition protocols and quality improvement initiatives.
• Oversee mentoring and professional development of nutrition professionals, healthcare workers and local partner staff to ensure high-quality nutrition service delivery.
• Provide technical oversight of nutrition services for children with Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) and Moderate Acute Malnutrition (MAM) at primary and hospital levels.
• Collaborate 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.

3. Programme Implementation and Coordination

• Lead the development, implementation and monitoring of nutrition activities within the integrated project work plan, ensuring alignment with government and donor priorities.
• Work closely with the Project Director, Technical Director and MNCH advisors to set and achieve nutrition priorities.
• Collaborate with Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) and data teams to develop and implement monitoring plans and ensure effective use of nutrition data for programme review and adaptation.
• Document successes, lessons learned and challenges.
• Contribute to timely 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 and respectful communication with team members, promoting a collaborative and supportive working environment.

4. 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 immunisation 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 platforms to address maternal and child malnutrition.

KEY REQUIREMENTS

Academic Qualifications

Applicants must possess:

• An advanced degree (MPH, MSc or equivalent) in Nutrition.
• Alternatively, a Public Health or Clinical degree with experience working in nutrition at health centre level.

Professional Experience

The successful candidate should have:

• A minimum of six (6) years of progressively responsible experience in designing, implementing and coordinating large-scale nutrition programmes, preferably in Malawi or similar low-resource settings.
• Demonstrated experience providing technical assistance and on-the-job training to healthcare professionals (HCPs) and community health workers (CHWs) on nutrition-related topics.
• Experience integrating nutrition services into broader MNCH or primary healthcare programmes.
• Experience working with government health structures, health facilities and local partners.
• Experience implementing programmes and providing training and mentorship in IYCF, CMAM, micronutrient supplementation and nutrition counselling services.

TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

Applicants should demonstrate:

• 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 programmes for healthcare workers and community volunteers on nutrition.
• Strong understanding of data utilisation for programme monitoring, quality improvement and informed decision-making in nutrition programmes.
• 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 and the ability to work effectively with diverse teams and stakeholders.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks, prioritise and meet deadlines in a fast-paced working environment.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively, providing strong technical advisory support to regional teams.
• Commitment to improving nutritional outcomes and integrating services within a comprehensive public health approach.
• Willingness and ability to travel throughout the programme's operational sites.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

All staff, irrespective of their position, are expected to comply with and follow Jhpiego's operational procedures, policies and codes of conduct.

SALARY AND BENEFITS

Jhpiego offers competitive salaries and a comprehensive employee benefits package.

HOW TO APPLY

Interested and suitably qualified candidates should apply through the official Jhpiego careers website.

Application Link: www.jhpiego.org/careers

Applicants must submit one single document containing all the following:

• A cover letter.
• An updated Curriculum Vitae (CV).
• Names and contact details of referees.

Important: All application documents must be combined into a single file for upload before submission.

Closing Date: Thursday, 12th November 2026.

For further information about Jhpiego, visit: www.jhpiego.org

BACKGROUND CHECK: The successful candidate will be subject to a pre-employment background investigation.