Assistant Technical Officer, Nutrition, IYCF at Family Health International

Location: Mafa, Borno

Project Description

• Northeast Nigeria is currently facing a growing humanitarian crisis with a vast number of Internally Displaced Persons in need of emergency assistance.
• These IDPs are living among host communities, lacking access to livelihoods and resources, ultimately leading to unprecedented levels of malnutrition and food insecurity.
• FHI 360 has been working in Nigeria for over 30 years and responded to the humanitarian crisis in the NE for five years. In anticipation of a new project, and in support of ongoing ones, FHI360 seeks an experienced Assistant Technical Officer, Nutrition - IYCF to support our response to the humanitarian crisis in NE Nigeria.

Basic Function

• She/He reports to the Technical Officer Health and Nutrition. Position is responsible for providing quality Infant & Young Child Feeding in emergency (IYCF – E) services at community and facility levels.
• The incumbent will engage in and will work with other team members in the delivery of optimal infant and young child feeding in emergency.

Duties and responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate the facilitation of community IYCF support group activities
• Identify training needs and build technical capacity of IYCF Assistants, support group promoters, community nutrition mobilizers, and Lead persons.
• Direct skilled IYCF support services including Growth Promotion and Monitoring at IYCF corners/spaces and other contact points 
• Organize and participate in food demonstration sessions periodically
• Lead micronutrient supplementation including micro-nutrient powder distribution.
• Conduct regular focus group discussions with beneficiaries to assess barriers to optimal IYCF uptake
• Support the development of IYCF multimedia messages including radio jingles
• Ensure Gender mainstreaming in nutrition, and integration of other sectors
• Collaborate, campaign and build community awareness during IYCF celebration days
• Support the development of case studies and success stories from program implementation.
• Develop network with other actors in the operational area as well as community leaders/representatives
• Engage in community dialogue, sensitize stakeholders/community on IYCF-E activities and specific humanitarian programs implemented by FHI 360.
• Take monthly physical inventory of all nutrition supplies ensuring stock levels are accounted for and adequate.
• Support M & E unit during surveys, assessments, focus group discussions, preparation and submission of timely reports.
• Support other nutrition activities as necessary.
• Other duties as assigned.

Additional Responsibilities:

• This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive and the employee will also perform other related tasks as required and responsible for reporting and communication of progress and achievement of the specific assigned task.
• Inform TO IYCF of any professional problems encountered.

Qualifications and Requirements

• BSc in Human Nutrition and Dietetics, Public Health, Nursing, or closely related field with at least 1-3 years’ experience.
• MBBS with 1-3 years’ experience can also apply
• Experience working with a humanitarian organization
• Extensive knowledge of IYCF in humanitarian context.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Proven experience in working with IDPs or refugees, returnees, and host communities. 
• Familiarity with Nigerian law enforcement systems and NGOs and CBOs is highly desirable.

Knowledge, Skills & Attributes:

• Ability and willingness to stay at the LGA is required.
• Willingness and capacity to be flexible and accommodating when faced with difficult and frustrating working conditions like long distance walking to implementation sites.
• Excellent spoken and written Local dialects and English languages.
• Good interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to prepare weekly and monthly program reports.
• Be flexible and adaptable with regards to the implementation of the daily work.