Country: India
Closing date: 15 Feb 2017
Main Purpose
To help in the start-up phase of the new Nutrition project in Jharkhand including development of resource material, annual plan documents, study protocol
Is the reference person for all nutrition related questions for the field staff in the project.
To serve as the trial monitor for the anthropological study, the operational research component (evaluating the safety and validity of anthropometric criteria in the Indian context) as per the MSF nutrition study protocol)
Mission summary details:
One established Kala Azar project in Patna, Bihar focusing on HIV-Kala Azar coinfection
One project focusing on tackling antimicrobial resistance in Asansol, West Bengal.
Soon to begin nutrition project in Jharkhand (February 2017)
Capital Co-ordination Office in Delhi
Focus is on operational research so as to provide evidence for policy change “small foot print big impact”.
BACKGROUND
Estimates by the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) in 2006 show that 48 per cent, or 61 million, under-five children in the country are stunted (they have low height for their age); 43 per cent, or 53 million, are underweight; and nearly 20 per cent, or 25 million, are wasted (low weight for height). Jharkhand, with unacceptable levels of under nutrition even higher than the national average, is one of the most vulnerable and high burden states in India
MSF has been working in India in the field of nutrition since 2008 running one of the first community based management of nutrition (CMAM) projects and treating more than 17,000 children with SAM. This project was handed over to government authorities in 2015.
However, a lot of work still remains to be done in India in providing access to treatment for malnutrition drawing on our experience and lessons learnt from Bihar. The Jharkhand project aims to contribute to the establishment and scale-up of nutrition interventions for community based treatment of severe acute malnutrition for children 6 to 59 months in rural India.
The project is focused on bringing about a change in the way that treatment for SAM (complicated and uncomplicated) is viewed and managed in India, and to enable and initiate the sustainable scale up of SAM community-based management programs throughout the country.
A strong advocacy component will accompany the project throughout its duration to ensure that evidence and lessons learned are translated into concrete actions through a gradual involvement of governing bodies at national and state level, and with the support of other nutrition stakeholders and partners.
The project implementation will be divided in two main phases over 5 years: Phase 1 focusing on the generation of evidence based recommendation to guide formulation of more context-specific guidelines for community management of SAM in India, and Phase 2 focusing on the implementation of a decentralized, adapted and simplified model of care through integration in one state.
Accountabilities
lTo support the Medical Team in all needed medical-technical aspects in start-up of
the project
lTo be the first referent for technical support of the medical team in matters related to nutrition, ensuring that the nutritional guidelines, protocols and principles are followed, and that high quality medical care is provided to the patients in the program.
lTo ensure that the clinical study protocol and timeline are followed by the team and to function as
the trial monitor for the same
Technical Support to the mission
Ø Participates in the definition of the project annual planning and its updates, as well as the budget.
Ø To help formulate new ideas for future areas of nutritional intervention and operational research
Ø To take the lead in developing and conducting any nutritional surveys in India
Ø Monitors that treatment protocols are followed in nutritional activities
Nutrition Clinical Trial Monitor
Ø Serves as the trial monitor for the duration of the anthropometric study to ensure that protocols that have been put in place are being followed and data being collected is accurate and ethical
Ø To ensure that the rights and well-being of human subjects are protected.
Ø To ensure that the reported trial data are accurate, complete, and verifiable from source documents.
Ø To ensure that the conduct of the trial is in compliance with the currently approved protocol/amendment(s), with GCP, and with the applicable regulatory requirement(s)
Ø Acting as the main line of communication between the sponsor (MSF) and the principal study investigator.
External Representation
Ø To support the development of collaborative relationships with the community in the areas where MSF is working.
Ø Together with the Medical Coordinator and Advocacy Manager / Access Campaign, provide technical support to all advocacy related activity being undertaken at the field and national level
Ø To actively contribute to communicate the MSF identity, values and principles among counterparts.
Ø To represent MSF at nutrition conferences including participation and presentation of program findings
Reporting
Ø To provide regular reports about the mission nutrition activities to coordination and HQ
Ø To ensure nutrition meeting minutes are recorded and filed in the institutional data base
Ø To be involved in the scientific writing and publication of nutritional reports in peer reviewed journals
Ø To write any nutrition related reports that may be needed for external dissemination
Others
Ø To actively participate in the emergency preparedness, planning and response elements of MSF´s mission in India and the region
Ø To be flexible in case of any unforeseen circumstances.
Ø Organises/Participates in meetings with managers and coordinators in order to ensure smooth collaboration of all departments in terms of activities running.
Ø Organises/Participates in meetings in health facility with MSF staff and collaborators.
Requirements
Education
Medical or paramedical background; Essential diploma in nutrition;
Knowledge of specific issues related to malaria, nutrition and program implementation
Working experience of at least two years in nutrition related jobs
Previous experience in design and implementation of nutritional surveys/assessments
Experience
Public health or epidemiology background (by training and/or by proven experience);
Significant field experience with MSF and preferably with India context.
Desirable 2 years of previous experience and previous experience in other NGO’s.
Languages
Mission language
Competences
Identification with MSF
Cross-cultural awareness
Self-control
Strategic Vision
Quality and Results Orientation
Planning and Organization
Internal User and /or beneficiary oriented
Leadership
People Management
Teamwork
How to apply:
To apply, all applicants should please send their CV and cover motivation letter under the reference “Nut Jharkhand” to:
recruitment-bcn@barcelona.msf.org.
Please submit your CV and cover letter in ONE file and name the file with your LAST NAME.
Closing date: February 15th, 2017
Replies will only be sent to short-listed candidates.
Médecins Sans Frontieres, as a responsible employer, under article 38 of “Ley de Integración Social del Minusválido de 1982 (LISMI)” invite those persons with a recognized disability and with an interest in the humanitarian area to apply for the above mentioned position.