Encargado/a de Salud Brigadas Integrales de Salud y Nutrición -Chajul, Quiché

Organizational Context

The World Food Programme (WFP) in Guatemala supports the government's efforts to achieve sustainable and inclusive development, focusing on resilience, nutrition-sensitive programs, and rural transformation. WFP provides technical assistance for social protection and emergency preparedness, promotes behavior change for improved diets, and strengthens community resilience. Guatemala faces significant challenges with chronic malnutrition and anemia, exacerbated by climate-related emergencies. WFP's work aims to break the cycle of hunger and poverty, promoting equitable and inclusive approaches.

Job Purpose

The Health Officer for Integrated Health and Nutrition Brigades will coordinate and oversee the operations of mobile health teams in prioritized municipalities. The primary goal is to save lives by providing primary healthcare, disease prevention, basic epidemiological surveillance, and timely referrals for children under five and women. This role involves ensuring equitable and non-discriminatory care, managing medical supplies, collaborating with nutritionists on malnutrition cases, and strengthening referral pathways with the Ministry of Health. The position also includes health promotion activities and community engagement to enhance local health responses and reporting.

Responsibilities

Coordinate and manage integrated health and nutrition brigades, ensuring primary healthcare delivery, disease prevention, and epidemiological surveillance for children under five and women in prioritized areas. Provide primary healthcare, including managing common childhood illnesses, prenatal care, and neonatal care. Conduct triage, basic clinical assessments, and monitor patient cases, identifying health risks and referring complex cases according to Ministry of Health (MSPAS) standards. Evaluate and diagnose medical complications related to nutritional status, such as acute respiratory infections, diarrhea, malaria, and severe anemia. Manage and administer medications according to protocols, ensuring rational use and proper stock management of medical supplies. Support nutritional status assessments, identify, treat, and follow up on acute malnutrition cases in coordination with nutritionists. Establish and strengthen referral and counter-referral systems with MSPAS, coordinating patient transfers to hospitals or Nutritional Recovery Centers. Conduct health promotion activities, provide counseling on disease prevention and hygiene, and engage with community leaders to bolster local health responses. Ensure accurate and timely registration of health and nutrition data, consolidate information, and submit monthly reports.

Work Experience

Requires a minimum of 3 years of general experience, including basic epidemiological surveillance and basic clinical care in low to medium complexity settings. Must have proven knowledge of acute malnutrition management protocols (outpatient and inpatient), Ministry of Health (MSPAS) care standards, and official MSPAS registration instruments. Experience with medication supplementation and referral/counter-referral systems is necessary. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and internet use is required. Desirable experience includes primary care, managing acute malnutrition complications, prevention/treatment interventions, participatory methodologies for nutrition education, and working in rural communities or with international organizations.

Skills

Adaptability, flexibility, effective communication, planning and organization, inclusion and respect, self-management, group management, and conflict resolution. Expertise in community development, development programs, and health. Leadership, decision-making, strong written and oral expression, accuracy, interpersonal skills, assertiveness, cultural sensitivity, and collaborative work are also valued.

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