Health Field Officer II at ICRC - International Committee of the Red Cross

Job Description

• Under the supervision of the BIU Health Team Leader, the incumbent will be part of the team implementing Health and Nutrition activities in an assigned Area of Responsibility (AoR). S/he will be the focal point for all matters related to the ICRC supported nutrition component in Primary Health Care program in his/her AoR.
• This covers the implementation of Community Management of Acute Malnutrition (CMAM) and Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) activities at facility and community level.
• The overall goal will be to set up and operationalize Outpatient Therapeutic Program (OTP) centres, Stabilisation Centres (SC), form and activate IYCF support groups, strengthen coordination between sectors (intra) and other actors (inter) and ensure scale up and integration of nutrition activities in mainstream health and EcoSec activities in the assigned AoR.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Establish/ foster linkage between the health facility and the community in the respective catchment areas.
• Training of health workers and community volunteers (CVs) on different health issues including IYCF, hygiene promotion and malnutrition
• Develop the technical capacity of PHCC staff implementing CMAM and IYCF through on job mentoring.
• In collaboration with State Primary Health Care Development Agency (SPHCDA), State Ministry of Health (SMoH), Local Government Authorities (LGAs) nutrition focal and facility in charge, ensure case finding through screening and defaulter tracing is functional at all health facilities and there is a link between facility and community nutrition activities and services.
• Monitor and analyse consumption of therapeutic feeds and in collaboration with the Health Delegate and Nutrition Health Delegate (ND) identify solutions to overcome any inconsistencies in stock.
• Ensure adequate linkage between the OTP centres and SCs to ensure smooth referral processes for children referred to the SC from OTP and SC back to OTP.
• Monitor the achievement of nutrition objectives as per the PfR (planning for results) and the related Plan of Action
• Train and mentor SC supervisors to train SC staff on clinical management of paediatric SAM inpatients with complications in line with the national protocols.
• Collaborate with all other ICRC departments and sectors to ensure nutrition activities are integrated.
• Ensure proper records are kept of all expenditure (e.g. WAD) and usage of materials
• Ensure that documentation is properly done for all items distributed (donation certificates, delivery notes, beneficiary lists and supply request order)
• Ensures that health workers in supported facilities and CVs have the supplies necessary to do their jobs (e.g. registers, flip charts, lesson plans)
• Prepare IYCF monthly reports using the information provided by health workers and Community Volunteers
• To provide reports according to the requirements of the BIU Health team Leader, MUB Health Delegate and ABJ Nutrition Delegate (Quarterly reports, Monthly nutrition narratives, CMAM and SC databases, Bi - weekly updates, success stories, case studies etc.).
• Together with Health Delegate, monitor, report and follow all suspected or confirmed outbreaks including but not limited to malnutrition and disease outbreak especially of preventable diseases.

Education and Experience Required

• Medical Doctor or University degree in Nurse/Midwife; registered with strong 5 years’ experience in Public Health and Nutrition.
• Paediatric and nutritional clinical experience an advantage
• Excellent spoken and written English and knowledge of local language (Hausa) is an advantage.
• Very good understanding of culture/health structure in Northeast
• Applicants should have a Nigerian nationality or hold a working permit.

Desired profile and Skills:

• Computer literacy; proficient in Microsoft Office software skills (outlook, Excel Power Point, Word).
• Ability to work within a team and experience in dealing with health authorities and MoH staff.
• Good negotiation and diplomatic skills.