Sr Technical Advisor, Child Survival Research

Nutrition International; Ottawa; On-site; CAD 105,000 - 114,000; Full time

Job summary

Nutrition International seeks a Sr Technical Advisor, Child Survival Research in Ottawa on a fixed-term maternity cover. You will lead high-impact research design, QA, and reporting across child survival initiatives.

The role requires a Master/PhD in nutrition or public health, 7+ years in NGOs/UN, strong project management, and English fluency (French a plus). You will work to advance evidence-based strategies in a global context.

Qualifications

• Master or Doctorate in nutrition or public health.
• 7+ years with NGOs, UN agencies or similar on public health research.
• Strong project management experience.
• Experience in research and evaluation in developing countries.
• Fluency in English; French is an advantage.

Responsibilities

• Lead technical inputs and QA of research designs, planning, implementation and reporting.
• Determine evidence needed to inform research design and strategic actions.
• Lead or support implementation, analysis and interpretation of results to improve NI’s child survival programs.
• Coordinate input from R&D Unit and identify consultants to support work.
• Manage research projects according to NI standards and TORs; prepare Charters.
• Handle end-to-end contracting with Budget and Compliance; ensure timely payments and deliverables.
• Steward donor relationships with regular engagement across units.
• Contribute to portfolio strategy development and monitoring.
• Analyze evidence to inform Child Survival strategies and ambitions.

Skills

Project management

Analytical ability

Communication skills

English fluency

Education

Master/PhD in nutrition

Tools

SPSS

STATA

Job description

Title: Sr Technical Advisor, Child Survival Research

Employment Type: Fixed Term for 18 Months (Maternity Cover)

Location: Ottawa, Canada- Hybrid OR Remote– Preferably location aligned with Eastern Time Zone

Submission Date: August 30, 2026

Salary: CAD $105,000 – CAD $114,000

About us

Founded in 1992, Nutrition International (NI) is a global organization dedicated to delivering proven nutrition interventions to those who need them most. At Nutrition International, we make a difference, because nutrition is the difference.

Woven into the very fabric of our approach is the passion and drive of our global team of over 600 people, working in 13 offices across 11 countries with one common goal: transforming the lives of people who need it most through improved nutrition.

If you are a motivated and passionate individual who shares our conviction that a better world is possible through improved nutrition, wants to leave the world a little better than they found it, and is looking to be part of a global team with a clear vision, we want to hear from you. Please consider applying for the position below.

If you are a motivated and passionate individual who shares our conviction that a better world is possible through improved nutrition, wants to leave the world a little better than they found it, and is looking to be part of a team with a clear vision, we want to hear from you. Please consider applying for the position below.

About the role

Nutrition International is a global leader in child survival and plays an active role in research, evidence generation, and critically, translating evidence into action in this area. For more than 30 years, we have been making gains in child survival and helped bring together key stakeholders to recommend and guide new policies, improve national health system capacity to deliver essential packages of child health and nutrition services, and innovate to improve coverage for hard-to-reach children. NI has recently developed our new Child Survival strategy for the next 6 years.

In this role you will:

• Lead technical inputs and quality assurance of research designs, planning, implementation, and reporting.
• Determine what evidence and information is needed to inform research design, and recommend the most strategic actions for NI to take in a specific country context
• Lead or support the implementation, analysis, and interpretation of results from this research for improving the quality of NI’s child survival programs
• Collaborate with portfolio staff to identify appropriate consultants to support implementation, analysis and/or reporting when required.
• Coordinate input from the Research and Development (R&D) Unit that may include technical direction, identification of research priorities and harmonizing research activities across the portfolio and R&D Unit
• Manage research projects as assigned according to NI standards and as designated by the Senior Director Programs, Technical.
• Prepare and maintain Research Charters for each research project; Lead planning and preparation of TORs; Identify appropriate consultants to support implementation, analysis and/or reporting
• Manage the contracting process from end-to-end -- work with Budget and Compliance, and other NI support service units to ensure timely management of payments and contracts; Quality assure deliverables
• Steward donor relationships through preparing deliverables and regular engagement, in close coordination with other units (P&G)
• Contribute to the development, implementation and monitoring of portfolio level strategy;
• Analyze evidence to continuously inform the Child Survival strategies, program approach and ambitions

About you

You will have a Master or Doctorate degree in nutrition or public health.

At least 7 years of work experience with NGOs, UN agencies or similar working on public health, design, implementation, analysis and publication of research

Strong project management skills, with experience in overseeing research projects.

Experience in research and evaluation, preferably in developing countries; Publications in reputable peer reviewed journals.

Analytical ability to analyze and interpret data. Working knowledge of statistics, decision analysis and visualization software such as SPSS, STATA and/or other open access tools.

Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including demonstrated ability to communicate research methods and results into publishable manuscripts and presentations.

Ability to build and maintain strong partnerships with key internal units and offices, and as required, implementing partners and/or consultants.

Fluency in English is essential and working capacity in French is an advantage.

What we offer

• A competitive market pay, pension, professional development allowance, health & wellness allowance, health and dental benefits, four weeks of vacation (plus public holidays) and other leave, and flexible work hours. We offer a collaborative and engaging work environment.

Nutrition International is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to an inclusive, equitable and accessible work environment. Upon request, accommodations due to a disability are available throughout the selection process.

Nutrition International upholds a zero-tolerance policy on sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment (SEAH). Following the principles of the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme, reference checks will include safeguarding verifications with previous employers. By applying to this position, candidates acknowledge and consent to these reference checks being conducted with previous employers.

Please note that all our offers are conditional subject to appropriate screening checks and satisfactory reference checks.

Nutrition International is committed to an inclusive, barrier-free work environment and encourages applications from all qualified individuals.

The closing date for receiving applications is August 30, 2026. We thank you for your interest, however only those selected for an interview will be contacted.