JOB ADVERT Nutrition and Health Specialist (National Status) Action Against Hunger is an equal opportunity employer. Women are strongly encouraged to apply. OUR ORGANISATION Created in 1979, Action Against Hunger is a non-governmental organisation that fights against hunger. Its charter of humanitarian principles- independence, neutrality, non-discrimination, free and direct access to victims, professionalism, and transparency – has been part of its identity for 45 years. Its mission is to save lives by eliminating hunger through the prevention, detection and treatment of under-nutrition, particularly during and after emergencies linked to conflicts or natural disasters. Action Against Hunger focuses its actions on 7 main areas of expertise: Nutrition and Health – Mental Health, Psychosocial Support – Food Security and Livelihoods – Water, Sanitation and Hygiene – Advocacy – Climate – Research. In 2023, Action Against Hunger provided aid to 21 million people in nearly 51 countries worldwide. www.actioncontrelafaim.org YOUR WORK ENVIRONMENT Action Against Hunger has been working continuously in Sierra Leone since 1991. The organisation is well recognized as a key actor in both humanitarian/emergency response (civil war, Ebola virus epidemic 2014-2016, and COVID-19 pandemic) and now in a more development setting. Action Against Hunger currently plays a strong role in Health System Strengthening, working on national level policies and plans, building capacities national and district levels to deliver improved services. Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation has also become a central element of Action Against Hunger interventions in the country. Due to Sierra Leone’s vulnerability to climate change, seen through changing rain patterns and increasing incidence of major floods and landslides, Action Against Hunger works to increase local community resilience to climate related shocks through dissemination of knowledge related to climate resilient agricultural practices and sustainable land management, and increased access to meteorological information. YOUR POSITION AND RESPONSIBILITIES Under the supervision of the Consortium Coordinator, you will be dedicated to the NuCAMPS programme with the responsibility of providing strategic leadership and technical oversight for the effective implementation of health and nutrition (N&H) activities in NuCAMPS, ensuring quality service delivery, partner capacity strengthening, and cross-sectoral integration. More precisely, your missions will be to: Mission 1: Contribute to the definition and orientation of the country strategy, focusing on health/nutrition and positioning, and support funding initiatives. - Liaising with the Consortium Coordinator & HOD Health and Nutrition, continuously analyze the context and situation related to Health and Nutrition, evolving humanitarian needs, and provide timely advice to the country team.
- Collaborating with the HOD Nutrition & Health to contribute to technical assessments, identify program needs, and identify fundraising concepts at the national level. Provide technical direction and guidance to the Health and Nutrition program in its design, implementation, monitoring, and reporting.
- Supporting the CC & HoD N&H, participate in the country’s strategic planning process, contribute to sectoral strategy development (Health and Nutrition), and oversee its implementation.
- Ensuring the Health and Nutrition sector is integrated with other ACF sectors (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene; Food Security and Livelihood; Mental Health and Care Practices; Gender; Protection; Advocacy projects, etc.).
- Identifying existing gaps, lessons learned in Health and Nutrition and needs identified at the district level and collaborate with the Consortium Coordinator & HOD Nutrition/Health to formulate appropriate intervention strategies.
Mission 2: Provide program guidance, direction, and oversight for quality implementation at the country level. - Ensuring timely inception of Health and Nutrition programs, with standardized program kick-offs internally and with the Ministry of Health and district level health authorities.
- Overseeing that program activities are timely implemented according to approved program documents (proposals, log frames, budgets, MEAL plans, etc.).
- Providing quality monitoring, supervision, and oversight of program activities implemented by partners.
- Ensuring programs adhere to high-quality standards in alignment with ACF global guidelines, Ministry of Health strategies, protocols, and donor requirements.
- Collaborating with N&H HOD to ensure technical implementation guide are followed up with partner sector leads, guide MOUs and TORs developed are in line with NUCAMPS plans in collaboration with the DHMT and Partners on program implementation.
- Supervise technical Training program on Health and Nutrition strategies, (IMAM guidelines/ protocols, Maternal Infant and Young Child and Adolescent Nutrition, Micro Nutrition Supplementation and more are done accordingly and project-specific documents to enhance program quality.
- Leading the development, supervision, and management of program assessments and surveys, including reporting at field level.
- Supporting timely implementation of partner activities, track program expenditures, review budgets, and facilitate necessary project amendments.
- Ensuring the involvement of communities, local authorities, and implementing partners in program design, development, implementation, monitoring, and learning.
- Working with the MEAL department to establish a beneficiary accountability system, ensure timely feedback to health and nutrition issues, and address programmatic concerns in collaboration with the CC & HOD.
- Facilitating inter-program coordination with other sectors (FSL, WASH, MHCP, Advocacy, etc.) and ensure health and nutrition activities are integrated into other sectors throughout program cycle management.
Mission 3: Manage the Health and Nutrition team using ACF’s Partnership Approach - Collaborating with the Consortium Coordinator (CC) and HOD to lead timely recruitment and training of sector program teams for project implementation.
- Anticipating future funding needs and, in liaison with the CC & HOD, revise the sector organogram as required.
- Ensuring ACF and partner project staff are well – oriented on new projects activities designed on Health and Nutrition.
- Ensuring staff have clear job descriptions and individual Plans of Action (POAs) in consultation with the CC.
- Conducting staff performance reviews, provide regular feedback and update the Consortium Coordinator as per ACF human resources policies.
- Identifying training needs for the team based on assessments and recommend training programs in collaboration with the CC & HOD.
- Organizing and delivering technical training sessions tailored to team profiles and cultural contexts.
- Conducting regular and ad hoc meetings with teams and individual staff members to inform program implementation
- Developing and supervising action plans for individual team members in alignment with detailed implementation plans.
- Supporting teams in organizing and coordinating their work
- Resolving team-related issues with support from Consortium Coordinator and consult the HR Manager or Field Coordinator/s when necessary.
Mission 4 Represent ACF and develop local partnerships - Positioning ACF as a strong Health and Nutrition partner in the country by actively participating in and presenting program outcomes and study results at coordination forums at district and national levels, as required by the Consortium Coordinator.
- Attending external meetings with partners and actors involved in Health and Nutrition.
- Collaborating with the CC & HOD to advocate for support to address gaps in Health and Nutrition (e.g., funding, supply chain breakdowns, poor service conditions at facilities).
- Maintaining and strengthening relationships with government line ministries involved in Health and Nutrition multi-sectoral platforms at the national and district level.
- Ensuring partnerships adhere to ACF’s principles and values as outlined in its partnership policy.
- Consolidating lessons learned to ensure long-term sustainability and the spread of best practices.
Mission 5: Document program Learning - Collaborating with MEAL Specialist and partners’ PMs, ensure project has clear MEAL plans, and detailed implementation plans and that monthly Activity Progress Reports (APRs) generate required data.
- Implementing recommendations from program assessments and evaluations in subsequent programming stages.
- Documenting and widely sharing program learnings and best practices within ACF’s country program and through partner forums, the Ministry of Health, and other relevant platforms.
- Leading regular program review workshops and document outcomes (mid-reviews, end-of-project reviews, and lessons learned).
- Working with the Consortium Coordinator, HOD Nutrition & Health and technical advisors to develop and undertake research and evidence-generation activities from program implementation.
- Contributing to the country program’s newsletter by highlighting key achievements and lessons learned.
- Compiling bi-annual and annual sector program reports, including total reached statistics.
- Ensuring learning from beneficiary feedback and accountability systems is well – documented and shared appropriately.
YOUR PROFILE - A bachelor’s in science, nutrition & dietetics with 6 years of field-level project management experience in IMAM & MIYCAN . Medical background/experience will be an added value
- Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics with 4years of experience in Health and nutrition programs with UN/international INGOs or GOSL
- A bachelor’s in science or master’s in public health with 6yrs experience in nutrition program
- At least 4 years of experience in managing teams/ programs
- Experience in managing partners’ activities in different districts across Sierra Leone.
- Professional experience in public health, nutrition and dietetics- clinical experience is an added advantage
- Excellent communicator with exceptional English writing and reporting skills, displaying a familiarity with sector-related terminology
- Good capacity for multi-partners coordination
- Strong representation and negotiation skills desired
- Experienced in coaching and leading formal trainings
- Proven experiences in program program cycle management
- Analytical and logical thinking; extremely detail oriented yet able to connect the dots
- Organizational qualities
- Computer literate in Word, Excel and Outlook and Microsoft office package
- Proven ability to work independently under pressure with tight deadlines
YOUR EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS - Starting Date: 1st August 2026
- Location: Falaba with Frequent travels to Bonthe district and occasionally Freetown
- 12 months fixed term contract with possible extensions
- Basic salary: Based on Action Against Hunger’s salary scale and according to experience
- Monthly Transport Allowance: 30% of basic salary
- Monthly Housing Allowance: 25% of basic salary
- Seniority Bonus: 3% of the basic salary after 1 year of service
- Annual Leave Allowance: 30% of annual basic salary
- Medical coverage: Including spouse and four children under the age of 18 years
- Training: Free and unlimited access to the certifying e-learning platform Talentsoft ©
Action Against Hunger is an equal opportunity employer. Women are strongly encouraged to apply. Action Against Hunger is committed to supporting people with disabilities and actively combats all forms of discrimination. We value diversity and inclusion, and strive to create a work environment where everyone can thrive and contribute to our humanitarian mission. |
