Encargado/a de Salud Brigadas Integrales Salud y Nutrición​-SanJuanCotzal,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 collaborates with national entities to combat hunger and malnutrition, supporting initiatives like the 'Great Crusade for Nutrition.' Guatemala faces significant challenges with chronic malnutrition and anemia, exacerbated by climate change impacts. WFP's work aims to break the cycle of hunger and poverty through equitable and inclusive actions, empowering vulnerable populations.

Job Purpose

The Health Officer for Integrated Health and Nutrition Brigades will coordinate and oversee the operations of health and nutrition 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 officer will also contribute to health promotion, community engagement, and accurate data reporting to support public health interventions in vulnerable areas.

Responsibilities

The Health Officer will ensure the protection, dignity, safety, and well-being of all individuals served, providing equitable primary healthcare to children under five and women in prioritized communities, including managing prevalent childhood illnesses, prenatal, and neonatal care. Responsibilities include triaging, basic clinical evaluation, identifying health risks, and referring cases according to Ministry of Health (MSPAS) standards, as well as diagnosing medical complications related to nutritional status. The role involves managing and prescribing medications according to protocols, supervising drug administration, ensuring rational use of medicines, and managing stock. Collaboration with nutritionists is key for nutritional status assessment and managing acute malnutrition cases. The officer will participate in epidemiological surveillance, strengthen referral and counter-referral systems with MSPAS, and coordinate referrals to hospitals or Nutritional Recovery Centers. Additionally, the role includes health promotion, counseling on disease prevention and hygiene, promoting vaccination, engaging community leaders, and supporting training for brigade members. Accurate data registration and reporting of health and nutrition information are also crucial.

Work Experience

Requires a total of 3 years of experience, including basic epidemiological surveillance and low-to-medium complexity basic clinical practice. Experience with the protocol for managing acute malnutrition, Ministry of Health (MSPAS) care standards, and official MSPAS registration instruments is essential. Knowledge of medication supplementation and referral/counter-referral systems is required. Proficiency in Microsoft Office and internet use is necessary. Desirable experience includes primary care, managing acute malnutrition complications, participatory methodologies for nutrition education, working in rural communities, and prior experience with UN or international development organizations.

Skills

Key competencies include adaptability, flexibility, effective communication, planning, organization, inclusion, respect, self-management, and group management/conflict resolution. Technical skills involve basic clinical practice, epidemiological surveillance, and medication management. Experience in community development, development programs, and health sectors is relevant. Strong leadership, decision-making, written and oral communication, assertiveness, cultural sensitivity, and collaborative work abilities are highly valued.

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