Dietitian Educator, Global Child Health

About SickKids

Dedicated exclusively to children and their families, The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) is one of the largest and most respected pediatric healthcare centres in the world.  As innovators in child health, we lead and partner to improve the health of children through the integration of healthcare, leading-edge research and education.  Our reputation would not have been built – nor could it be maintained – without the skills, knowledge and experience of the extraordinary people who come to work here every day.  SickKids is committed to ongoing learning and development, and features a caring and supportive work environment that combines exceptionally high standards of practice.

When you join SickKids, you become part of our community. We share a commitment and determination to fulfill our vision of Healthier Children. A Better World.

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to work alongside the world’s best in pediatric healthcare.

Position Description

The Dietitian Educator will work primarily on Increase Gains in Nutrition by Integration, Education, Evaluation, Empowerment (IGNIT3), a capacity-building project in Malawi, Ghana and Pakistan led by The Centre for Global Child Health at the Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids). The project aims to improve nutrition for the poorest and most marginalized especially women, adolescent girls, and children.  More information on the project can be found at www.sickkids.ca/en/news/archive/2023/sickkids-centre-for-global-child-health-receives-funding-from-canadian-government-to-help-address-malnutrition-in-ghana-malawi-and-pakistan/

The Dietitian Educator will provide technical leadership for i) education development and delivery and ii) development and implementation of clinical care guidelines working collaboratively with local partners in Blantyre, Malawi at the Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (KUHeS) and the Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital. 

The Dietitian Educator will be a resource to the project team regarding nutrition education and the role of the dietitian as this is an emerging role in Malawi. This position will have a strong quality focus and will ensure that education activities are implemented in accordance with contextually relevant best practices in dietetics education, and with the objective of strengthening capacity and long-term sustainability in partner-countries.  You will be part of a collaborative team with diverse stakeholders including other interprofessional educators.  

What we do at the SickKids Centre for Global Child Health 
The SickKids Centre for Global Child Health (C-GCH) provides a dedicated hub for global child health-focused activities and connects researchers and health-care professionals around the world. The Centre is dedicated to improving the lives of children and their families in resource-poor environments through collaboration in research, capacity building through education, and the active communication of results through advocacy. 
More information on the CGCH can be found at www.sickkids.ca/globalchildhealth/

Here’s What You’ll Get to Do

• Provide leadership and contribute to the development and refinement of paediatric dietetics and nutrition education programming (both in-person and online) that integrates best practices in the context of the partner’s specific regulations, requirements and need
• Develop course materials, tools and resources to facilitate competencies outlined in the paediatric nutrition curriculum  
• Use a team teaching model with faculty, to serve as a:
  • Lecturer in the classroom and virtually to teach theoretical content using a variety of interactive teaching methods
  • Clinical educator in both skills lab and clinical settings to foster integration of theoretical education and practice 
• Faculty development and mentoring of partner country faculty
• Contribute to the development and implementation of clinical nutrition care guidelines to advance the role of the dietitian, interprofessional practice and improve care delivery for patients and their families 

Other responsibilities as required include but are not limited to:  

• Contribute to an evaluation plan and monitor evaluation results, adjusting programming accordingly to ensure continuous improvement of education programming and accountability for results
• Contribute to and/or prepare reports, work plans, and various project documents and deliverables in conjunction with the project management team
• Work with stakeholders and partners to document and disseminate best practices and lessons learned via reports, publications and presentations at conferences
• Foster partnership and strengthen relationships with stakeholders in partner-countries including nursing associations, academic institutions, clinical facilities, regulatory bodies, Ministries, donors and other NGOs

Here’s What You Will Need

Essential Requirements

• Registration with the College of Dietitians of Ontario
• Master’s degree in Nutrition or related field (or evidence of working towards)
• Minimum of 3 years relevant work experience in clinical paediatrics, preferably in an acute care setting 
• Experience in adult education and education programming, including individual and group education
• Demonstrated and successful experience mentoring new staff/learners 
• Knowledge of best practices in dietetics and interprofessional education
• Demonstrated ability to develop and enhance collaborative partnerships
• Global health credibility and strong understanding of global health and nutrition issues, including social determinants of health, health equity, gender equality, health promotion and burden of illness in resource-limited settings
• Adaptable, innovative, creative and results oriented
• Excellent time management skills and ability to manage multiple priorities
• Ability to flex work hours to align with the academic teaching schedule and time difference 
• Ability to travel internationally (for up to 4-8 weeks at a time approximately twice per year)  

Assets

• Previous experience working in resource-limited setting
• Experience with a variety of teaching and learning strategies including e-learning 

Considerations for living and working in Malawi 
Working in global health is very rewarding, however applicants should be aware of the challenges and unique aspects involved with living and working in a resource constrained setting.  Staff will be provided with pre-departure orientation and in-country support.  Please also review the following before you apply. 

• Staff must be aware of current health and safety advisories issued by the Canadian Government for the destination country.  Information on Malawi is here travel.gc.ca/destinations/malawi
• Malawi is considered a low-income country as categorized by the World Bank which impacts the healthcare setting in different ways (set-up, human resources challenges, access to equipment, consumables, etc.)
• Staff will be required to adapt their teaching and clinical instruction approach to the local context considering the resources available, routines of nutrition care, the dietitian role, local policies/procedures and culture, norms and values

This role reports to the Senior Manager, Interprofessional Education, Stephanie de Young (she/her). If you have questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to Stephanie directly at [email protected].

Employment Type
Location: Toronto, Ontario with travel to Malawi for up to 4-8 weeks at a time approximately twice per year
Contract Length: 18 months with possibility of extension  
FTE:  0.8 (Flex to 1.0FTE required when traveling to Malawi) 
Employment Type: Hybrid (onsite and remote). Laptop provided.

Our Commitment to Diversity

The children and families we care for are from a variety of communities, and so are our employees. We welcome and encourage everyone to join our organization and be part of our team.

 When requested, SickKids will provide access and inclusion supports to eligible candidates to support their full engagement during the interview and assessment process.  Information received related to access or inclusion will be addressed confidentially.

Thank you for your interest in joining SickKids. Only those applicants selected for an interview will be contacted. In accordance with our Hospital policy, employment at SickKids is conditional upon the Hospital’s receipt of all necessary documentation.

FOR EXTERNAL APPLICANTS ONLY: As a health care institution, our highest priority is the safety of patients, families and staff.  As a result, we are adopting all prevention measures to ensure the safety of our patients, families and our staff.  Therefore, any offer of employment is conditional upon you submitting proof that you have been fully vaccinated with a Health Canada or World Health Organization (WHO) approved COVID-19 vaccination as soon as possible and no later than fourteen (14) calendar days prior to the effective start date, in addition to satisfying any other condition(s) that may be set out in an offer.  If a candidate fails to satisfy this condition (or any other condition(s) set out in an offer), any offer of employment shall be immediately rescinded.

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How to Apply

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