Nutrition Assistant at FINDEF

Reports to: Program Officer
Job Summary

The Nutrition Assistant will contribute immensely to making nutritional activities mainstream with regards to the different beneficiaries in the program. (S)he will monitor, support, and provide guidance and training to beneficiaries and stakeholders on Nutrition activities. Throughout the intervention, the Nutrition Assistant will work towards ensuring quality delivery of nutrition interventions in the Project locations.

Specific Responsibilities

• Screen, tally, register and coordinate the screening of children to verify their age at the distribution point.
• Ensure quality of nutrition screening for children under-5 conducted by Community Nutrition Mobilizers (CNMs) in target Communities.
• Conduct sensitization and MUAC (middle upper arm circumference) screening of Pregnant and lactating women (PLW) and children under 2 years.
• Ensure that community nutrition interventions (MUAC screening and Referral, IYCF (MSGs, food demonstrations) and hygiene promotion are integrated in activities.
• Ensure quality of IYCF counselling sessions provided at individual and group sessions.
• The Nutrition Assistant will collaborate with other partner on nutrition activities and to refer children identified with SAM and provide technical support to the Nutrition Officer.
• Mainstream the nutritional activities in line with FINDEF standards in his or her LGA with regards to Infant and Young Child feeding (IYCF) programs.
• Provide guidance to LGA partners (IYCF Groups) on policy and methodologies to enhance service delivery at the Host community level.
• Build capacity of CNMs/ field Assistants and Mother Leaders by providing on-the-job training on CMAM and IYCF.
• Support quality data collection of activities conducted in the Communities.
• Promote increasing awareness of appropriate nutrition behaviours in project communities by ensuring behaviour change materials are visible in supported communities and health facilities.
• Ensure quality and timely reporting on all areas of implementation.
• Liaise closely with the MEAL team to understand the project outcomes.
• Support the development of case studies and success stories from programme implementation.
• Any other additional responsibility as required.

Required

• FINDEF has zero tolerance to Sexual Exploitation and Abuse of beneficiaries. Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) is everyone’s responsibility, and all staff are required to adhere to the Code of Conduct, that enshrines principles of PSEA, at all times (both during work hours and outside work hours).
• Familiarization with, and adherence to FINDEF’s Code of Conduct is an essential requirement for all staff, in addition to related mandatory training.
• Ability and willingness to frequently travel to villages and stay in the field where network coverage may be limited.
• Willingness and capacity to be flexible and accommodating when faced with difficult and frustrating working conditions like long distance walking to screening sites.
• Ability to work in an environment where there are physical discomforts associated with change in weather or discomforts associated with noise, dust or dirt.
• Professional, motivated, open, creative, mature, responsible, flexible and, culturally sensitive.
• Proficient in statistical and other software (Microsoft office; excel, word and PowerPoint)
• Previous NGO experience managing mobilization in different interventions (i.e., GFD, Nutrition and or cash transfer)

Qualifications and Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree/HND/OND in any of the following disciplines: Nutrition, Public Health, or related field. Certification in Nursing is an added advantage.
• Minimum of 3 years work experience in humanitarian contexts (conflict/insecure contexts)
• Minimum of 2 years’ experience in Nutrition, Biology, Public Health, Nursing, or food aid support. Experience in Nutrition and community-based programming will be an added advantage.
• Excellent communication skills and a willingness to be respectful, kind, sensitive and empathize with all beneficiaries and their care givers.
• Good communication skills (verbal and written).
• Fluency in written and spoken English. Fluency in Hausa/Fulani is an advantage.
• Acceptable IT Skills
• Strong interpersonal skills.