Project Manager-Nutrition

The Project Manager-Nutrition is responsible for leading and ensuring high-quality, timely, and effective implementation of the Wasting Prevention and Treatment Programme across target provinces and districts in Lao PDR. The role involves coordination with the Ministry of Health, management of programme resources and teams, and delivery of results aligned with UNICEF and SCI standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead and be accountable for overall programme implementation, ensuring alignment with UNICEF agreements, national policies, and SCI standards.
• Manage and supervise the project through setting up PRIME system of SCI, supervise project staff and coordinate closely with technical, MERL, operations, and finance teams to ensure effective delivery.
• Strengthen coordination and partnerships with MoH at national, provincial, and district levels, as well as with UNICEF and other stakeholders.
• Develop and oversee monthly, quarterly, and annual workplans for programme implementation across community and facility levels.
• Ensure strong monitoring systems are in place, with timely, high-quality reporting in line with donor requirements.
• Promote adaptive management through regular performance tracking, data use, and documentation of lessons learned and best practices.
• Represent the programme in national and sub-national coordination forums, technical working groups, and relevant stakeholder meetings.
• Lead and maintain strong coordination with MoH, SCI, UNICEF, and other partners to ensure aligned planning and implementation.
• Facilitate regular communication and joint planning with government counterparts and partners at district, provincial, and national levels.
• Ensure effective financial and grant management, including budget planning, expenditure tracking, and compliance with donor and organizational requirements.
• Identify and proactively manage programme risks, ensuring mitigation measures are in place.
• Ensure compliance with SCI policies and procedures, including child safeguarding, code of conduct, health and safety, and equal opportunities.
• Promote gender-responsive, inclusive, and equity-focused programme implementation, prioritizing vulnerable and hard-to-reach populations.
• Perform any other duties assigned by the line manager.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s or master’s Degree, preferably in public health (MPH), Nutrition
• Minimum 5 years of experience in managing public health, nutrition, or health systems strengthening programmes.
• Strong experience working with government counterparts (MoH, PHO, DHO), including capacity building, training, and supportive supervision.
• Demonstrated experience in coordination and representation with UN agencies, donors, partners, and government stakeholders.
• Strong skills in team leadership, mentoring, and performance management.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and data interpretation skills, including use of programme and monitoring data.
• Solid understanding of programme design, implementation, and community-based approaches.
• Effective communication, facilitation, and stakeholder engagement skills, with cultural and political sensitivity.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and work in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong coordination and process management skills, ensuring quality and timely delivery of outputs.
• Excellent written and spoken English and Lao language skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams
• Proven experience in project management, including planning, implementation, budget oversight, and multi-grant management.
• Familiar with the Nutrition program of Lao PDR (desirable)
• Previous experience of working on Nutrition program and projects (desirable)
• Trained on IMAM, IYCF, SBCC and other nutrition interventions (desirable)
• Advanced knowledge of the Health System and structure of Laos (desirable)
• Experience working with UNICEF (desirable)

Skills

• Public Health Management
• Nutrition Programme Management
• Public Health Systems Strengthening
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Capacity Building
• Training Delivery
• Supportive Supervision
• UN Agency Coordination
• Donor Coordination
• Team Leadership
• Mentorship
• Performance Management
• Data Interpretation
• Programme Monitoring
• Program Design
• Community-Based Approaches
• Project Planning
• Budget Oversight
• Multi-Grant Management
• Process Management

Languages

English, Lao