OVERSEAS PLACEMENT
Nutrition Advisor, Cambodia

ABOUT CUSO-VSO

CUSO-VSO is a non-profit development agency that works through volunteers. Each year, we send hundreds of global citizens to work on collaborative development projects in more than 20 countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean. We are one of North America’s leading international development organizations that works through volunteers.

ABOUT THE HEALTH PROGRAM IN CAMBODIA

There has been considerable progress made in Cambodia over the last decade to improve the health of the nation. However, continuing challenges include high maternal, neonatal, infant and under-five mortality rates, which remain amongst the worst in South-East Asia. Over the past 10 years, both infant and child mortality have steadily increased; infant and under-five deaths stand at 95 and 124 per 1,000 live births respectively, while 437 mothers in every 100,000 die in childbirth.

Many illnesses and deaths occur from conditions that are preventable and treatable. Continuation of unhealthy living practices stems largely from a lack of adequate water and sanitation, insufficient knowledge of home care and public health services, traditional beliefs and chronic poverty.

VSO volunteers, with a variety of skills and from clinical and non-clinical backgrounds, are working in four provinces to increase the quality, range and uptake of reproductive, child health and nutrition services and the adoption of healthy living practices in the four provinces.

THE VOLUNTEER’S ROLE

The volunteer will be working closely with staff of the nutrition unit in Oddor Meanchey Provincial Health Department.  The roles, responsibilities and activities will include:

• Assisting in the development of a monitoring and evaluation tool and related skills
• Mentoring the nutritional focus group who are responsible for all nutrition activities
• Support the nutrition team to promote the structured sharing of information between health centers, communities and other Non-Profit Organizations (NGOs)
• To increase communication skills and information sharing within the nutrition team
• To develop skills in proposal writing, assist with proposals and identify potential donors
• Liaise between Provincial Health Department (PHD) and health facilities to help with improving health education and related practices
• Strengthen the PHD’s links with National Nutrition Program
• Support the collection and analysis of data for nutrition unit

SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

Essential qualifications for this volunteer placement:

• Degree in Nutrition/Dietetics or Dietician
• At least 3 years experience of working in a nutrition setting
• Experience in training, coaching and mentoring
• Experience of working with women and children

Essential Qualities:

• Ability to work on own initiative with little supervision
• Good knowledge of foods and interest in developing knowledge of local Khmer foods
• Committed to learning the Khmer language
• Willing to live in a remote area and able to stay in communities and villages
• Willing to travel around the province (some remote areas)
• Willing to ride a motorbike (pre-departure training costs covered by CUSO-VSO) and the willingness and stamina to ride on rough roads over long distances.

TRAINING AND FINANCIAL SUPPORT

Our training and support package covers the costs of being an overseas volunteer, allowing you to enjoy a modest but healthy lifestyle while you volunteer abroad. This includes:

• Attendance at a CUSO-VSO assessment day (candidates are expected to cover the first $150 of the most cost-effective travel expenses and accommodation costs).
• Travel and accommodation costs associated with five day pre-departure training course held in Ottawa.
• Return airfare and visa/permit (this includes a return flight in the case of a family emergency).
• Coverage for required vaccinations, medications and health insurance.
• Accommodation while overseas.
• A modest living allowance, which varies depending on the country where you are placed.
• Quarterly payments to support you in your placement

APPLICATION PROCESS

Please apply online at http://www.cuso-vso.org/volunteer/apply-online/, quoting referral code CAM471/2/2 and the name of the placement.

www.cuso-vso.org