Health & Nutrition Technical Advisor | Addis Ababa

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About the Organization

Samaritan’s Purse is a nondenominational evangelical Christian humanitarian organization providing spiritual and physical aid to hurting people around the world. Employees are required to carry out their duties in accordance with the organization's Safeguarding Policy, Code of Conduct, and core values. This includes remaining alert and responsive to any child and adult safeguarding risks and upholding strong institutional safety practices at all times.

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Overview of the Role

The Health and Nutrition Technical Advisor serves as the primary source of health- and nutrition-related technical support for Samaritan’s Purse (SP) Ethiopia's ongoing and upcoming health programs. This role acts as the primary interface between field health staff and the SP International Health Unit (IHU) technical team.

The position works in close collaboration with Health Program Managers, the Senior Programs Manager, and other members of the programs team (M&E, Program Development, Emergency Management) to ensure high-quality, evidence-based responses to public health and emergency needs.

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Key Responsibilities

Technical Leadership & Strategic Planning

• Provide strategic and technical leadership to ensure all health and nutrition programs align with national policies, humanitarian standards, and global best practices.
• Lead the development and continuous revision of the Samaritan's Purse Ethiopia health and nutrition strategic plan.
• Regularly analyze national health and nutrition trends, integrating findings into assessments, planning, and program design.
• Lead the design of innovative, high-impact health and nutrition programs, donor proposals, and technical budgets in collaboration with implementation teams.

Program Quality & Field Support

• Deliver timely, needs-based technical support across all program areas and regions, offering clear guidance on service quality monitoring and program implementation.
• Collaborate with Area Health Program Managers and field teams to address technical inquiries, resolve training needs, and review program reports.
• Conduct regular field visits to provide ongoing technical support, coaching, and capacity building to all health and nutrition program staff.
• Support field teams in monitoring program performance, documenting lessons learned, capturing impact stories, and preparing high-quality reports.

Coordination & Representation

• Coordinate directly with International Headquarters (IHQ) technical advisors and contextualize global guidance for effective field implementation.
• Represent the organization in national and regional health cluster meetings, ensuring active participation and alignment with relevant coordination forums.
• Oversee program design and implementation, strengthen staff capacity, and support evidence-based responses to emergency public health needs.

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Education and Experience Needed

• Education: Master of Public Health, Nutrition, or an equivalent advanced degree. Background with formal clinical training is preferred.
• Experience: 6 to 7 years of progressive professional experience in the Ethiopian health sector, including at least two years of field experience in the northern part of Ethiopia.
• Direct experience in primary healthcare, child health, reproductive health, health systems strengthening (HSS), and BHA programming is highly valued.
• Languages: Professional written and spoken proficiency in English and Amharic is required. Working knowledge of the specific regional language where the programs are active is mandatory; knowledge of any other national language is a plus.

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Required Skills & Competencies

• Excellence in technical writing, report presentation, and interpersonal communication.
• Proven ability to transfer technical knowledge and skills to remote, multi-cultural, and multi-disciplinary teams.
• High level of attention to detail, anticipation, and follow-up while maintaining strict confidentiality regarding sensitive program data.
• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills within a fluid, fast-paced environment.
• Self-starter personality, internally driven to lead collaborative efforts and solve practical problems where limited standardizations exist.

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Physical Demands & Work Environment

• Physical Demands: Regularly required to sit, stand, walk, run, and navigate difficult field conditions. Must occasionally lift and/or move equipment weighing up to 100 pounds. Requires close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Work Environment: Operates in a fluid security context with regular travel across the country. Exposure to hot, humid weather conditions, moderate noise levels (with potential exposure to loud noises near construction or maintenance workshops), and communicable diseases is expected.

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