EpiC Tajikistan Primary Health Care /Nutrition Specialist

FHI 360 is a nonprofit organization that mobilizes research, resources and relationships so that people everywhere can access the opportunities they need to lead full, healthy lives. We implement projects related to infectious diseases, health, education, economic strengthening and humanitarian response. Our staff of more than 2,000 experts work in over 50 countries around the world. FHI360 currently has offices in 40 countries and active registrations in 69 countries.

EpiC Project Description:

Meeting Targets and Maintaining Epidemic Control (EpiC), a global project funded by the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and the U.S. Government (USG) that provides strategic technical assistance and direct service delivery to achieve HIV epidemic control among all at-risk populations; strengthen global health security (GHS), including outbreak response; improve maternal, newborn and child health (MCH), address malaria; and nutrition.

In 2020, FHI 360 through EpiC launched a new multi-year project in Central Asia being implemented in Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan. Currently, in Tajikistan EpiC implements HIV, GHS, MNCH and nutrition activities, working closely with the Ministry of Health and Social Protection of the Population (MOHSPP).

We are currently seeking qualified candidates for the position of EpiC Tajikistan Primary Health Care (PHC)/Nutrition Specialist. The position will be based in Dushanbe, Tajikistan and is open to citizens of Tajikistan or persons who have legal authority to work in Tajikistan. 

Job description:

The PHC/Nutrition Specialist provides clinical and technical leadership to strengthen the quality of PHC services in Antenatal Care (ANC), Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF), Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI), and management of Severe and Moderate Acute Malnutrition (SAM/MAM) in Khatlon province. The role is centered on PHC-level service delivery, advising district and regional health authorities and PHC facilities on clinical standards, quality improvement, and evidence-based integration of nutrition and child health services. The PHC/Nutrition Specialist also strengthens linkages between PHC facilities and community-based services to ensure early identification, referral, follow-up, and continuity of care for nutrition and child health.

Position Responsibilities:

• Advise district and regional health authorities and PHC clinical teams on quality implementation and management of ANC, IYCF, IMCI, and PHC-level SAM/MAM services, including screening, early detection, referral pathways, and follow-up.
• Provide ongoing clinical mentoring and supportive supervision to PHC doctors, nurses, and midwives through case reviews, skills reinforcement, clinical demonstrations, and coaching on nutrition and health counseling.
• Conduct competency assessments and jointly develop and support implementation of Quality Improvement (QI) plans and processes (including establishing or supporting QI teams, facilitating QI cycles) within PHC facilities ensuring alignment with district MNCH/nutrition priorities, and updated national clinical protocols and tools.
• Deliver PHC-based trainings, simulations, and clinical orientation sessions using adult-learning methods, and provide hands-on guidance for proper use and maintenance of PHC equipment and supplies.
• Facilitate clinical audits and reviews, including IMCI case audits, ANC documentation reviews, growth monitoring assessments, and PHC-level malnutrition case reviews.
• Support the adaptation, rollout, and implementation of national clinical protocols and tools; ensure PHC teams have timely access to updated job aids, counseling tools, and decision-support materials; and contribute PHC-level technical inputs to regional, district and national discussions related to the National Plan on Nutrition (2026–2030).
• Strengthen coordination between PHC providers, district health authorities, and community health workers (CHWs) to improve early identification of SAM/MAM, referral quality, household follow-up, and continuity of nutrition and child health services.
• Support integration of community-level IYCF counseling, growth monitoring, and nutrition screening into PHC workflows in collaboration with district and regional Health Lifestyle Centers (HLSCs).
• Ensure harmonization of PHC counseling tools and community-facing materials with the EMCE plan and provide technical inputs to MNCH and nutrition communication materials to ensure accuracy and alignment with PHC service delivery standards.
• Promote routine data use and continuous improvement through data review, performance monitoring, and structured feedback to PHC facilities, including PHC-level data contributions used by local authorities in intersectoral coordination council meetings and district development planning.
• Collaborate with the EpiC SI team and PHC staff to strengthen reporting accuracy, improve use of nutrition and PHC indicators, and support interpretation of data for decision-making, QI cycles, and district planning.
• Participate in technical working groups and district-level consultations related to PHC, nutrition, and child health, including regional and district intersectoral platforms supporting evidence-based MNCH and nutrition priorities.
• Coordinate with the MNCH Clinical Specialist, HIV, and GHS teams to ensure alignment of PHC practices with infection prevention and integrated service delivery standards.
• Contribute to development of training materials, project reports, workplans and other deliverables.
• Perform other duties as required.

  Required Qualifications:

• Medical degree with specialization in pediatrics, family medicine, obstetrics, public health, or related clinical field.
• Past experience with nutrition service delivery is required. Minimum 5 years of clinical experience in PHC settings, nutrition counseling, ANC service delivery, IMCI, and/or SAM/MAM management is preferred.
• Demonstrated experience working with district and regional health authorities and familiarity with PHC service delivery models in Tajikistan.
• Strong mentoring, clinical coaching, and quality improvement experience at PHC level.
• Practical knowledge of national protocols for ANC, IMCI, IYCF, and SAM/MAM management.
• Strong experience with the MOHSPP and USG-funded health programs.
• Strong mentoring, analytical, and coordination skills.
• Strong Russian, and Tajik written, oral, and presentation skills. English language is preferred
• Team player with strong interpersonal and stakeholder engagement skills

Travel Requirements:

• Up to 50%, within Khatlon province mostly.

This job description summarizes the main duties of the job. It neither prescribes nor restricts the exact tasks that may be assigned to carry out these duties. This document should not be construed in any way to represent a contract of employment. Management reserves the right to review and revise this document at any time.

This job posting summarizes the main duties of the job. It neither prescribes nor restricts the exact tasks that may be assigned to carry out these duties. This document should not be construed in any way to represent a contract of employment. Management reserves the right to review and revise this document at any time.

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