Maternal Child Health (MCH) Advisor job at International Rescue Committee (IRC)

Background information about the job or company (e.g., role context, company overview)

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you're a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.

Job Summary

The Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Advisor provides technical leadership and strategic guidance to strengthen maternal, newborn, and child health programs. The advisor supports the design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of evidence-based interventions aimed at improving the health and survival of women, newborns, and children. The role involves close collaboration with government counterparts, donors, implementing partners, and community stakeholders to ensure high-quality, integrated MCH services and sustainable health system strengthening.

Responsibilities or duties

Key Responsibilities

1. Technical Leadership and Program Design

• Provide technical guidance for the design and implementation of MCH activities, ensuring alignment with national policies and global best practices.
• Lead the development of strategies, tools, and training materials for MCH interventions, including antenatal care, safe delivery, postpartum care, newborn and child health, and nutrition.
• Support integration of MCH services with reproductive, adolescent, and nutrition programs.

2. Capacity Building and Mentorship

• Strengthening the capacity of the community, HEWs, health workers, program staff, and partners through training, mentorship, and supportive supervision.
• Develop and disseminate technical standards, job aids, and operational guidelines for MCH programming, such as but not limited to IMNCI, ICCM, ANC, safe delivery, PNC, exclusive and complementary breastfeeding, Vit A supplementation, Deworming, Counseling, and linking to malnourished children and linking any sick child to health services.

3. Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning

• Contribute to the development of indicators, data collection tools, and monitoring frameworks for MCH programs.
• Analyze MCH program data to identify gaps, measure progress, and inform adaptive management.
• Document and disseminate lessons learned, success stories, and best practices.

4. Partnership and Coordination

• Collaborate with Ministries of Health, local governments, NGOs, and other stakeholders to strengthen coordination and harmonization of MCH activities.
• Represent the organization in MCH technical working groups, donor meetings, and national forums.
• Provide technical input to proposal development, donor reports, and strategic planning processes.

Qualifications or requirements (e.g., education, skills)

Qualifications and Experience

• Master’s degree in public health, Nursing, Medicine, Midwifery, or a related field.
• Minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible experience in designing and managing maternal and child health or reproductive health programs in low- or middle-income countries.
• Demonstrated technical expertise in maternal, newborn, and child health, including facility- and community-based approaches.
• Experience working with Ministries of Health, donors, e.g., USG, and implementing partners.
• Strong analytical, presentation, and communication skills.
• Fluency in English and speaking other local language is an asset.

Core Competencies

• Strong leadership and technical advisory skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and collaboration abilities.
• Proven ability to build capacity and foster partnerships.
• Results-oriented, with strong problem-solving and analytical skills.

Any other provided details (e.g., benefits, work environment, team info, or additional notes)

NB: This advert will close on 30th March 2026.

• Provide technical guidance for the design and implementation of MCH activities, ensuring alignment with national policies and global best practices.
• Lead the development of strategies, tools, and training materials for MCH interventions, including antenatal care, safe delivery, postpartum care, newborn and child health, and nutrition.
• Support integration of MCH services with reproductive, adolescent, and nutrition programs.
• Strengthening the capacity of the community, HEWs, health workers, program staff, and partners through training, mentorship, and supportive supervision.
• Develop and disseminate technical standards, job aids, and operational guidelines for MCH programming, such as but not limited to IMNCI, ICCM, ANC, safe delivery, PNC, exclusive and complementary breastfeeding, Vit A supplementation, Deworming, Counseling, and linking to malnourished children and linking any sick child to health services.
• Contribute to the development of indicators, data collection tools, and monitoring frameworks for MCH programs.
• Analyze MCH program data to identify gaps, measure progress, and inform adaptive management.
• Document and disseminate lessons learned, success stories, and best practices.
• Collaborate with Ministries of Health, local governments, NGOs, and other stakeholders to strengthen coordination and harmonization of MCH activities.
• Represent the organization in MCH technical working groups, donor meetings, and national forums.
• Provide technical input to proposal development, donor reports, and strategic planning processes.

• Strong leadership and technical advisory skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and collaboration abilities.
• Proven ability to build capacity and foster partnerships.
• Results-oriented, with strong problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Strong analytical, presentation, and communication skills.

• Master’s degree in public health, Nursing, Medicine, Midwifery, or a related field.
• Minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible experience in designing and managing maternal and child health or reproductive health programs in low- or middle-income countries.
• Demonstrated technical expertise in maternal, newborn, and child health, including facility- and community-based approaches.
• Experience working with Ministries of Health, donors, e.g., USG, and implementing partners.
• Fluency in English and speaking other local language is an asset.