Nutrition Assistant (Based on Donor Funding) at COOPI - Cooperazione Internazionale

Job Summary

• The Nutrition Assistant will be responsible for planning and implementation of nutrition specific activities under the food security and nutrition operation area in Yobe focusing on IDPs and vulnerable host communities.
• He/She will ensure comprehensive mobilisation of the community for nutrition screening of children under five, forming and monitoring support groups and comprehensive SBCC/IYCF training.

Main Duties / Responsibilities
Under the direct supervision of the Nutrition Officer and in collaboration with the Project Managers, Nutrition Coordinators, and other collaborators of the projects and of the Base, they will:

• Perform screening of the nutritional status of children under two in their designated locations and refer MAM/SAM cases to health/CMAM centres
• Represent COOPI at community level and maintain active engagement with community structures.
• Ensure collaboration with other partners, actors and community gateways at LGA level
• Ensure liaison with existing community structures, (groups and individuals, women groups, religious leaders where possible.
• Maintain good working relationship with health facilities in the LGA so as to facilitate access to health services for Beneficiaries when need arises.
• Provide training on nutrition (IYCF) and hygiene practices
• Referral of all malnourished children to appropriate nutrition centers for onward management.
• Report any problems in a timely manner to the Nutrition Officer
• Maintain accurate register of beneficiaries receiving top up for nutrition.
• Ensure that nutrition is integrated into other Primary Health care services.
• Ensure that pregnant women and children are properly validated or verified during admission
• Ensure that top up received by households in CBT or GFA are directed toward consumption of nutritious food by children below two years. Through unrelenting sensitization and re-sensitization.
• Conduct cooking demonstrations as key SBCC strategy for the delivery of key messages on nutrition and hygiene.
• Train Lead mother/fathers and women in SBCC strategic groups (e.g. Father to father, mother to mother support groups) on family MUAC screening.
• Lead Community Mobilizers in Mass MUAC Screening
• Submit weekly nutrition and health report to the Nutrition Officer.

Work with program teams to ensure COOPI information on program activities is shared within LGAs and provide for beneficiary feedback in line with relevant guidelines and frameworks:

• Collaborate with government and humanitarian partners to ensure the smooth sharing of information in consultation with the Nutrition officer, Nutrtion Coordinator/Deputy Project Manager

Code of conduct and associated policies:

• Treat beneficiaries with dignity and apply COOPI’s Code of Ethics and Conduct, the UN Convention for the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) in the field, including sensitizing Field Monitors and vendors/agents on such principles.
• Promote the zero-tolerance policy regarding corruption and ensure adherence to COOPI Code of Conduct and Anti-Fraud policy.

Profile of the Candidate (Education, Training, Experience, Competences, Skills)
Education:

• University Degree / HND, or B.Sc in Nutrition, health or any related field with additional years of related work experience and/or specialized training/courses. At least 2 years working with INGO in nutrition.

Experience:

• At least 1 - 2 years working in nutrition with an NNGO/INGO.
• Experience working in North West or North East Nigeria will be an added advantage.

Technical Skills & Knowledge:

• Sound understanding of cash and voucher assistance concepts and principles with a broad knowledge of best practices and techniques.
• Knowledge of nutrition activities, processes and the ability to quickly assimilate COOPI and donors’ processes and systems;
• Ability to rapidly analyse and integrate diverse information.

Competencies:

• Good communication and negotiation skills with the ability to persuade, influence and adapts quickly to different situations;
• Excellent oral, and writing skills.
• Well organized and detail-oriented;
• Ability to work independently and in a team with other departments and units

Essential:

• Be professional, motivated, flexible, and culturally sensitive
• Be excellent in communication skills and proficient in report writing.
• Excellent working knowledge of Microsoft Office programming (Access, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, and Word).
• Excellent communication, writing, and analytical skills.
• Excellent communication, coordination, and facilitation skills.
• Ability to work in a team, and establish effective working relationships with people from different nationalities and cultural backgrounds.
• Ability to work under tight deadlines and simultaneously manage multiple tasks in an autonomous manner.
• Previous work experience with NNGO/INGOs and UN Organization is desirable

Preferred:

• Knowledge of the local context and language (Hausa and Kanuri).
• Willing and able to be based and travel regularly within remote areas, where services are limited.
• Previous experience in a similar position
• This ToR shall be inclusive of any other task specifically those assigned by the Nutrition Officer, PM and DPM.