Nutrition Assistant at Life at Best Development Initiative

ROLE PURPOSE: 

A Nutrition Assistant at LABDI typically supports the planning, implementation, and monitoring of nutrition programs, focusing on improving the health and well-being of women and children, particularly in developing countries. Responsibilities include analyzing data, providing technical support, and contributing to reports and communication materials. 

SCOPE OF ROLE:

Reports to: This position reports up through the Life At Best Development Initiative structure, to the Nutrition Officer as the technical lead based in Nangere Yobe State. 

 JOB DISCRIPTION

• Advocacy visit / awareness creation and engaging community stakeholders on the Nutrition project activities for community acceptance and participation.
• Plan and organize nutrition activities at designated MAM sites in liaison with the nutrition officer and other program staff.
• Support field level technical assessments and plan and organize LABDI community led supplementary program in project location site in liaison with the Nutrition Officer/Manager.
• Conduct extensive routine integrated management of acute malnutrition (IMAM) Screening using mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) tape, bilateral pitting edema detection, operating under the SOPs of the CMAM component and principles.
• Supporting targeting of beneficiaries; formation and establishment of Mother Care groups; selection of community volunteers and members of community structures.
• Work closely with care group promoters and lead mothers to ensure all aspects of the program are understood and agreed and appropriate referrals take place to and from the community to MAM sites.
• Ensure effective referrals of the identified malnourished children to the appropriate program (OTP, SC, Tom Brown) based on the level of malnutrition identified.
• Engage in the IYCF counselling and IYCF message sessions during OTP days and ensure names of caregivers are recorded in the IYCF counselling register.
• Educate lactating/breastfeeding mothers on maternal infant and young child nutrition (MIYCN) and effective breastfeeding positions (Cradle, Cross-cradle, side lying and under-arm etc.) for good mother – child bonding during breastfeeding.
• Through liaison with the community Mobilizer’s provide effective follow up of all beneficiaries: particularly tracing of children who are absent from the program, sick children and children with social problems... etc.
• Oversee the distribution of complementary food recipe in preparation for complementary food demonstration activities.
• Respond to inquiries regarding the technical aspects of the program admission and discharge whenever necessary at the MAM sites.
• Follow-up and ensure the field team interacts with the beneficiaries and community leaders properly.
• Screen and refer Moderate acute malnutrition cases to the Tom Brown TSFP activity for 8 weeks.
• Extensive follow up on OTP referred care givers to ensure the daily ration of ready to use therapeutic food (RUTF) is given only to the OTP referred / malnourished Child.
• Participate in the hygiene promotion education to care givers and children at community and household level.
• Organize and oversee the weekly / monthly MIYCN support group activities and ensure attendance data are well recorded for accountability.
• Weekly and monthly reports writing on the nutrition project activities. 
• Conduct regular technical monitoring of nutrition activities and document findings to inform improvements in 
• Attend refresher training on Safeguarding and commit to setting at least one Safeguarding goal each year.

BEHAVIOURS (Values in Practice)

Accountability:

• Holds self-accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modelling Life At Best Development Initiative values.
• Holds the team and partners accountable to deliver on their responsibilities - giving them the freedom to deliver in the best way they see fit, providing the necessary development to improve performance, and applying appropriate consequences when results are not achieved.

Ambition:

• Sets ambitious and challenging goals for themselves and their team, takes responsibility for their own personal development and encourages their team to do the same.
• Widely shares their personal vision for Life At Best Development Initiative, engages and motivates others.

Collaboration:

• Builds and maintains effective relationships, with their team, colleagues, Members and external partners, and supporters.
• Values diversity and sees it as a source of competitive strength.
• Approachable, good listener, easy to talk to.

Creativity:

• Develops and encourages new and innovative solutions.
• Willing to take LABDI planned risks.

Integrity:

• Honest, encourages openness and transparency; demonstrates highest levels of integrity.

Note:

LABDI has zero tolerance to sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA), any act of child abuse including sexual exploitation and sexual abuse constitute acts of serious