Nutrition Technical Advisor at Evidence Action

Job purpose

• Small-quantity lipid-based nutrient supplements (SQ-LNS) are a WHO-recommended intervention to prevent malnutrition. Evidence shows that SQ-LNS prevents stunting and wasting and can reduce child mortality by 24%. Evidence Action is supporting the Nigerian government's rollout of SQ-LNS to children 6-18 months of age living in areas with elevated mortality and malnutrition.
• Multiple Micronutrient Supplementation (MMS) MMS during pregnancy improves maternal and child health outcomes by addressing multiple micronutrient deficiencies. Compared to iron and folic acid supplementation (IFA), MMS reduces stillbirths by 9%, small for gestational age by 8%, and low birth weight by 12%. Evidence Action is supporting the Nigerian government's scale-up of MMS for pregnant women in FCT, Oyo, and Jigawa states, building on the successful piloting of the program in FCT and Oyo State.
• The successful candidate will provide technical assistance for the roll-out of SQ-LNS at the central level and in nine high-burden states: Adamawa, Bauchi, Gombe, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi, Plateau, and Sokoto. The successful candidate will also provide technical assistance to three states (FCT, Oyo, and Jigawa) for the scale-up of MMS.

Duration: 6 Months

Duties and responsibilities

•  Evidence Action is looking for a qualified individual, preferably an individual with a demonstrable track record of high-level nutrition program coordination, to serve as an advisor to the Federal and State Ministries of Health in Nigeria. This role involves providing technical assistance for the nationwide implementation of Small Quantity Lipid-based Nutrient Supplements (SQ-LNS) and MMS across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. The Advisor will offer direct technical guidance to the government, support crucial planning, facilitate cross-ministerial coordination, and assist with decision-making related to the SQ-LNS and MMS rollout.

Government Engagement & Partnership Management

• Provide expert technical assistance to government stakeholders on Small Quantity Lipid-Based Nutrient Supplements (SQ-LNS) and MMS programming, with primary focus on securing national-level concurrence and facilitating adoption of the targeted distribution optimization tool for SQ-LNS, to enhance program efficiency and coverage.
• Serve as primary technical liaison between Evidence Action and the government
• Build and maintain strategic relationships with key government decision-makers at the federal and state levels to advance SQ-LNS and MMS policy integration

Targeted Distribution Optimization Tool - Adoption & Implementation

• Lead the presentation and advocacy efforts for the SQ-LNS targeted distribution optimization tool with national and state-level government stakeholders
• Develop compelling evidence-based briefs, presentations, and documentation demonstrating the tool's impact on program efficiency and beneficiary coverage
• Facilitate capacity-building workshops and training sessions for government staff on utilizing the optimization tool effectively
• Support government teams in integrating the tool within existing health system workflows and data management platforms
• Document lessons learned and success stories from tool implementation to support scale-up advocacy

Technical Assistance & Capacity Building

• Provide hands-on technical assistance to government nutrition and health teams on SQ-LNS program design, targeting, procurement, supply chain, and distribution
• Support government capacity in monitoring SQ-LNS and MMS program quality, coverage, and adherence to protocols
• Assist in troubleshooting implementation challenges and developing context-appropriate solutions
• Mentor government focal persons to build sustainable in-house technical capacity for SQ-LNS programming

Strategic Planning & Coordination

• Participate in national and state-level nutrition coordination forums to position SQ-LNS and MMS within broader nutrition agendas
• Support resource mobilization efforts by providing technical inputs for funding proposals and donor engagement

Advocacy & Communication

• Present SQ-LNS and MMS evidence and program results at government-led forums, technical meetings, and stakeholder convenings
• Support government communications on SQ-LNS and MMS to communities, health workers, and development partners

Key Performance Indicators

• Achievement of state-level concurrence on targeted distribution optimization tool (documented agreement/policy adoption)
• Number of states procuring and adopting the SQ-LNS optimization for targeted distribution
• Number of states procuring SQ-LNS and MMS through the CNF
• Number of government stakeholders trained and demonstrating competency in tool utilization
• Integration of optimization tool into government systems and workflows
• Quality of government partnerships as measured by engagement consistency and collaborative outputs
• Documentation of lessons learned and technical assistance impact

Requirements

Experience

• Advanced degree in nutrition, public health, or related field
• Minimum 5 years of experience in nutrition programming, preferably including SQ-LNS or complementary feeding interventions
• Demonstrated experience providing technical assistance to government health systems
• Proven track record in securing policy-level agreements or government adoption of program innovations
• Civil service experience at the Director level