Nutrition Community Health Worker at Unique Care and Support Foundation (CASFOD)

Role Purpose

The Community Health Worker Provider is responsible for the direct and effective implementation of the Outpatient Therapeutic Program (OTP) and Supplementary Feeding Program (SFP). The role involves the accurate assessment, treatment, monitoring, and counselling of children (and pregnant/lactating women) suffering from acute malnutrition, ensuring adherence to national and international protocols to achieve successful recovery and prevent relapse.

Key Responsibilities

• Clinical Assessment and Admission
• Screening, Treatment, and Management
• Anthropometric Screening: Conduct thorough assessments (weight, height/length, MUAC, bilateral pitting edema) for all beneficiaries.
• Medical Screening: Assess for medical complications, \"danger signs,\" and evaluate appetite using the standard Appetite Test.
• Admissions/Discharges: Accurately apply admission and discharge criteria for OTP and SFP based on national guidelines.
• Documentation: Ensure proper registration of all beneficiaries in relevant registers and individual treatment cards.
• Ensure that all screenings, admissions, and discharges at OTP sites strictly follow the National Integrated Management of Acute Malnutrition (IMAM) guidelines.
• OTP (SAM without complications): Provide RUTF based on weight/age and administer routine medications (antibiotics, deworming, Vitamin A, measles vaccination).
• TSFP (MAM): Provide Tom Brown/RUSF and conduct regular monitoring to prevent deterioration of SAM.
• Monitoring: Track weekly progress, identifying improvements, deterioration, or non-response.
• Referrals: Facilitate timely transfers to Stabilization Centers (SC) for complicated cases or those failing to respond to treatment.
• Counselling and Education
• Data Management and Supply Chain
• IYCF Counselling: Provide comprehensive Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) support, emphasizing exclusive breastfeeding and dietary diversity.
• Hygiene and Health: Counsel caregivers on WASH (Water, Sanitation, Hygiene) and the danger signs requiring immediate medical return.
• Cultural Sensitivity: Address misconceptions and cultural barriers related to malnutrition treatment.
• Reporting: Compile daily, weekly, and monthly program data (admissions, cures, defaulters) for the Nutrition Assistant.
• Stock Management: Monitor levels of RUTF, RUSF, and medications to prevent stock-outs.
• Storage: Ensure proper storage conditions to prevent spoilage or damage of nutritional commodities.

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Education: Bachelor’s degree or HND in Nutrition and Dietetics, Public Health, Nursing, CHEW, or Clinical Medicine.
• Experience: 1–3 years of proven experience in direct CMAM/IMAM implementation.
• Technical Skills: Hands-on experience with anthropometric measurements, appetite testing, and IYCF-E counselling.
• Contextual Knowledge: Prior experience in Maiduguri, Borno State, or similar humanitarian/emergency contexts is a significant advantage.
• Languages: Proficiency in English and local languages (e.g., Hausa, Kanuri) is highly desirable.