Nutrition Officer

Job Posting

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About the Role

• We are seeking a qualified, experienced and committed Nutrition Officer to support the effective implementation of nutrition programme activities for vulnerable and crisis-affected populations.
• The Nutrition Officer will be responsible for the day-to-day implementation, technical support, monitoring and reporting of assigned nutrition activities in accordance with approved programme plans, relevant nutrition guidelines, national protocols, donor requirements and humanitarian standards.
• The successful candidate will work closely with the Nutrition Programme Manager, health teams, community-based personnel, MEAL, programme and support functions to ensure that nutrition services are accessible, appropriate, safe and responsive to the needs of affected communities.
• The role will contribute to nutrition screening, identification and referral of cases, community nutrition activities, infant and young child feeding, nutrition education, community mobilization, nutrition surveillance, commodity monitoring, data collection and reporting.
• This is an opportunity for a nutrition professional committed to quality nutrition programming, prevention and management of malnutrition, community engagement, accountability and improved nutrition outcomes for vulnerable populations.

Key Responsibilities

Nutrition Programme Implementation:

• Support the day-to-day implementation of assigned nutrition programme activities.
• Ensure activities are implemented in accordance with approved workplans, programme objectives and technical guidelines.
• Support timely delivery of nutrition interventions at community and service-delivery levels.
• Coordinate assigned activities with the Nutrition Programme Manager and other relevant programme staff.
• Monitor implementation against approved targets, schedules and activity plans.
• Identify implementation gaps and recommend appropriate corrective actions.
• Ensure nutrition activities are properly documented.
• Support effective programme start-up, implementation, transition and close-out activities.

Nutrition Screening and Identification:

• Conduct and support nutrition screening of children, pregnant and breastfeeding women and other target groups as applicable.
• Use approved nutrition screening tools and procedures appropriately.
• Identify individuals at risk of malnutrition and ensure appropriate referral.
• Support active case finding through community outreach and screening activities.
• Ensure screening results are accurately recorded and reported.
• Follow up on identified cases in accordance with programme procedures.
• Escalate complicated or high-risk cases to appropriately qualified health or nutrition personnel.
• Promote early identification and referral of nutrition-related conditions.

Management and Follow-up of Nutrition Cases:

• Support appropriate identification, referral and follow-up of individuals requiring nutrition services.
• Work with qualified health and nutrition personnel to support management of acute malnutrition in accordance with approved protocols.
• Monitor referred beneficiaries and support continuity of care where applicable.
• Track follow-up activities and identify missed or defaulting cases.
• Support community-based follow-up and referral activities.
• Ensure nutrition records are complete, accurate and confidential.
• Identify barriers affecting access, treatment adherence or continuity of care.
• Escalate complicated cases and clinical concerns to appropriately qualified personnel.

Infant and Young Child Feeding:

• Support implementation of appropriate infant and young child feeding (IYCF) activities.
• Promote recommended breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices in accordance with approved guidance.
• Provide approved nutrition education to caregivers.
• Identify and refer mothers and children requiring additional nutrition or health support.
• Support community-based IYCF awareness and counselling activities.
• Ensure IYCF messaging is culturally appropriate and contextually relevant.
• Promote appropriate and safe feeding practices during emergencies.

Maternal and Adolescent Nutrition:

• Support nutrition activities targeting pregnant and breastfeeding women.
• Support screening and referral of women at risk of malnutrition.
• Promote appropriate maternal nutrition practices through approved education and counselling.
• Support nutrition education for adolescent girls and other vulnerable groups where applicable.
• Coordinate with health teams to ensure appropriate referral of maternal and nutrition-related concerns.
• Contribute to community awareness on the importance of maternal and adolescent nutrition.

Community Nutrition and Outreach:

• Participate in community-based nutrition screening and outreach activities.
• Support nutrition activities in communities, health facilities, outreach sites and other approved locations.
• Conduct household visits and follow-up activities as assigned.
• Support identification of vulnerable households and individuals requiring nutrition services.
• Coordinate community mobilization activities with Community Nutrition Workers, Mobilizers and Volunteers.
• Promote early referral and appropriate utilization of available nutrition services.
• Support outreach and mobile nutrition activities where required.

Nutrition Education and Behaviour Change:

• Conduct nutrition education sessions for caregivers, community members and other target groups.
• Provide accurate and approved information on nutrition, malnutrition prevention and healthy feeding practices.
• Promote appropriate hygiene, sanitation and food safety practices relevant to nutrition outcomes.
• Support behaviour change activities related to maternal, infant and child nutrition.
• Adapt nutrition education approaches to the local context and needs of different groups.
• Use approved nutrition communication and education materials.
• Identify misinformation or harmful practices and escalate or address them using approved technical guidance.

Community Engagement and Participation:

• Engage communities throughout nutrition programme implementation.
• Promote meaningful participation of affected populations in nutrition activities.
• Support establishment and strengthening of community nutrition structures.
• Work with community leaders, health committees, women’s groups and other relevant structures as appropriate.
• Collect community feedback on nutrition services and programme activities.
• Ensure feedback and concerns are appropriately documented and escalated.
• Promote dignity, inclusion and non-discrimination in nutrition programming.

Nutrition Commodities and Supplies:

• Support monitoring of nutrition commodities, supplies and programme materials.
• Maintain accurate records of nutrition commodities received, used and remaining where assigned.
• Monitor commodity availability and identify potential shortages or stock issues.
• Support appropriate storage, handling and use of nutrition commodities.
• Monitor expiry dates and report damaged or compromised commodities.
• Support physical stock counts and verification exercises.
• Coordinate with relevant programme, pharmacy, logistics and procurement personnel on commodity requirements.
• Report commodity-related risks that may affect service delivery.

Quality Assurance and Supportive Supervision:

• Monitor the quality of assigned nutrition activities.
• Conduct routine field monitoring and supportive supervision of community-based nutrition activities.
• Identify gaps in technical quality, implementation or documentation.
• Provide appropriate technical guidance within the scope of the position.
• Support corrective actions identified through monitoring and supervision.
• Promote adherence to approved nutrition protocols and programme standards.
• Participate in programme quality reviews and learning activities.
• Escalate technical issues beyond the scope of the position to the Nutrition Programme Manager.

Monitoring, Evaluation and Data Quality:

• Collect accurate nutrition programme data in accordance with approved tools and procedures.
• Ensure timely completion of nutrition registers, screening forms, beneficiary records and monitoring tools.
• Review data for completeness, consistency and obvious errors.
• Support routine data verification and quality checks.
• Work with the ME