Nutrition Officer at Chabash Development and Health Initiative

Job Summary:

• The Nutrition Officer will be responsible for implementing and monitoring CDHI’s nutrition activities at community and facility levels. This includes community management of acute malnutrition (CMAM), TSFP-Tom Brown, Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF), and nutrition education and behavior change interventions. The position will ensure high-quality program delivery in line with donor requirements, national nutrition guidelines, and CDHI’s policies. The Nutrition Officer will also build the capacity of field staff and community volunteers, support data collection and reporting, and strengthen linkages between communities and health facilities.

Key Responsibilities

Program Implementation

• Lead the implementation of nutrition activities including CMAM, IYCF, and micronutrient supplementation.
• Conduct nutrition screening, referral, and follow-up for malnourished children under five and pregnant and lactating women (PLW).
• Support management of Outpatient Therapeutic Programs (OTP), Supplementary Feeding Programs (SFP), and community outreach activities.
• Organize and facilitate community mobilization, sensitization, and behavior change communication (BCC) sessions on optimal feeding and hygiene practices.
• Ensure integration of nutrition services with health, WASH, and protection interventions.

Capacity Building and Supervision

• Provide technical support, mentoring, and on-the-job training to Nutrition Assistants, IYCF counselors, and community volunteers.
• Support the organization of trainings on CMAM, IYCF, and maternal nutrition for staff and government health workers.
• Conduct regular field visits to monitor quality service delivery and adherence to protocols.

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting

• Collect and compile accurate nutrition data (admissions, discharges, recovery rates, etc.) from facilities and communities.
• Support data verification, analysis, and timely submission of weekly and monthly reports to the MEAL unit and project manager.
• Participate in joint supervision, needs assessments, and program evaluations.
• Document best practices, success stories, and lessons learned for internal and donor reporting.

Coordination and Representation

• Collaborate with Local Government Health Authorities, State Primary Health Care Development Agencies, and other partners.
• Represent CDHI in local nutrition sector coordination and technical working group meetings.
• Strengthen community-facility linkages and referral systems for malnutrition and related health conditions.

Accountability and Safeguarding

• Ensure that program implementation adheres to CDHI’s safeguarding and accountability policies.
• Promote gender-sensitive, inclusive, and equitable access to nutrition services.
• Uphold confidentiality, respect, and dignity in all interactions with beneficiaries and staff.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Nutrition, Dietetics, Public Health, Nursing, or a related field (Master’s degree is an advantage).
• Minimum of 3 years’ professional experience implementing nutrition programs with NGOs or development agencies.
• Proven experience in CMAM and IYCF programming (both facility- and community-based).
• Familiarity with Nigeria’s National Guidelines for Integrated Management of Acute Malnutrition (IMAM).
• Strong understanding of community engagement and social behavior change communication.
• Proficiency in data collection tools (DHIS2, Kobo, ODK) and basic data analysis.
• Excellent communication, facilitation, and teamwork skills.
• Fluency in English and at least one local language (Hausa, Kanuri, or Fulfulde preferred).
• Willingness to travel frequently to field sites and work in challenging environments.

Core Competencies

• Technical knowledge of nutrition and public health
• Team leadership and supervision skills
• Analytical and reporting ability
• Strong interpersonal and community mobilization skills
• Ethical conduct and accountability
• Adaptability and problem-solving