Nutrition Assistant at Unique Care and Support Foundation (CASFOD)

Role Purpose: 

The Nutrition Assistant provides crucial support to the nutrition team in the implementation of various nutrition program activities at the community or facility level. This role involves assisting with direct service delivery, data collection, community mobilization, and ensuring the smooth day-to-day operations of nutrition interventions, contributing directly to improved nutritional outcomes for beneficiaries.

Key Responsibilities:

Program Implementation Support:

• Assist in conducting nutrition screenings (e.g., Mid-Upper Arm Circumference - MUAC measurements) for children under five, pregnant, and lactating women.
• Support the identification and referral of malnourished individuals (SAM/MAM cases) to appropriate treatment centers (e.g., Outpatient Therapeutic Program - OTP, Stabilization Centre - SC).
• Help with the distribution of nutrition commodities such as Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF), Ready-to-Use Supplementary Food (RUSF), and micronutrient supplements, ensuring accurate record-keeping.
• Assist in organizing and facilitating health and nutrition education sessions for caregivers, focusing on topics like Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) practices, hygiene, and disease prevention.
• Support community-level awareness campaigns and sensitization activities.

Data Collection and Reporting:

• Accurately record beneficiary data, including admissions, discharges, referrals, and daily attendance at nutrition sites or during outreach activities.
• Assist in compiling and summarizing routine program data from the field.
• Ensure all reporting forms are correctly filled out and submitted in a timely manner to the supervisor.
• Help maintain proper records and filing systems for nutrition program documentation.

Community Engagement:

• Work closely with community health volunteers (CHVs) and community leaders to facilitate program acceptance and participation.
• Assist in mobilizing community members for nutrition activities, screenings, and awareness sessions.
• Build a good rapport with beneficiaries and ensure respectful interaction.

Supply Chain Support:

• Assist in monitoring the stock levels of nutrition supplies and equipment at the field level.
• Support the proper storage and handling of nutrition commodities to prevent damage or spoilage.
• Help in preparing supply requests for needed materials.

Monitoring and Quality Assurance:

• Support the supervisor during field visits and monitoring activities.
• Identify and report any operational challenges or bottlenecks affecting program implementation to the Nutrition Officer or Coordinator.
• Adhere to all established nutrition program protocols and guidelines.

Qualifications and Experience:   

• Diploma or Certificate in Nutrition, Community Health, Nursing, Social Work, or a related field. A bachelor’s degree is a plus.
• Minimum of 1 year of practical experience working in community-based programs, preferably within the health or nutrition sector.
• Familiarity with basic nutrition concepts, including malnutrition screening and IYCF practices.
• Experience in data collection and record-keeping.
• Prior experience in Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria or similar humanitarian/community settings is often highly valued.
• Ability to work effectively with vulnerable populations and diverse communities.