Nutrition Officer at Center for Advocacy, Transparency, and Accountability Initiative (CATAI)

Project Background

• Over fourteen years of conflict in northeast Nigeria have devastated livelihoods and social services, leaving over 2.2 million people displaced and 3.9 million others in need of humanitarian assistance in Borno State.
• The prolonged crisis, worsened by climate shocks such as flooding and drought, has deepened vulnerabilities and eroded coping capacities.
• In Kaga and Konduga LGAs, recurring displacement, damaged infrastructure, and poor access to services have left communities highly dependent on aid.
• Both LGAs are classified as high-severity areas for Nutrition and WASH, with Global Acute Malnutrition (GAM) rates above 10%, exceeding emergency thresholds.
• Food insecurity, poor IYCF practices, and unsafe water sources have heightened malnutrition and disease risks.
• The 2024 Alau Dam failure and resulting floods in Konduga further contaminated water sources, increasing exposure to cholera and diarrheal diseases
• Access to safe water and sanitation remains critically low, disproportionately affecting women and girls, who face protection risks while fetching water from unsafe points.
• Weak community health and WASH systems, limited volunteers, and poor referral linkages have undermined early detection and treatment of malnutrition, while the absence of functional water management structures threatens service sustainability
• To address these urgent needs, the Center for Advocacy, Transparency, and Accountability Initiative (CATAI) proposes a six-month integrated nutrition and WASH intervention targeting 20,900 individuals (9,000 IDPs and 11,900 host community members) in Kaga and Konduga.
• The project will strengthen early detection and treatment of malnutrition, promote improved IYCF practices, and restore access to safe water through rehabilitation and solarization of non-functional water points. It will also include hygiene promotion, WASH NFI distribution, and formation of community WASH committees to ensure sustainability
• CATAI’s approach—mainstreaming protection, gender, and disability inclusion—aligns with the 2025 CBPF 2nd Standard Allocation priorities, delivering multi-sectoral lifesaving assistance to reduce preventable deaths, restore dignity, and enhance community resilience in Borno State.

General Objective

• Working under the guidance and supervision of the Nutrition Supervisor, the Nutrition Officer will be responsible for the effective implementation and monitoring of all nutrition program activities—including Community Management of Acute Malnutrition (CMAM) and/or Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF)—in accordance with the standards and protocols of the Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH) and global nutrition best practices.

Key Performance Indicator

• Key performance indicators (KPIs): Timely implementation and reporting of CMAM/IYCF activities, quality and completeness of data collection and reporting tools, level of community participation and satisfaction, adherence to PSEA and safeguarding principles.”

Program Implementation and Monitoring:

• Ensure quality implementation and day-to-day management of nutrition activities at Outpatient Therapeutic Program (OTP) or IYCF sites.
• Participate in identifying eligible project beneficiaries and community focal persons, including Community Nutrition Mobilizers (CNMs) and Lead Mothers (LMs).
• Support the organization of beneficiaries and volunteers into groups for the dissemination of nutrition messages.
• With support from supervisors, plan and conduct training sessions for beneficiaries, volunteers, and community focal persons.
• Participate in planning and conducting community and household assessments as required.
• Ensure defaulter tracing and follow-up of OTP beneficiaries at the community level.
• Provide consistent nutrition education and Behavior Change Communication (BCC) to mothers and caregivers.
• Disseminate Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials and reporting tools as required.
• Implement outpatient therapeutic feeding of severely malnourished under-fives and integrate IYCF activities.
• Train and mentor community nutrition teams and volunteers through capacity gap analysis, refresher sessions, and on-the-job coaching.
• Participate in surveillance and MUAC screening for under-fives and pregnant/lactating women.
• Strengthening collaboration with other sectors (Health, Food Security & Livelihoods, and Protection) to promote an integrated response.

Community Engagement and Representation:

• Maintain good collaboration between CATAI and local community leaders.
• Act as a liaison with local populations and authorities to identify needs, grievances, and major events that could impact activities.
• Ensure that beneficiaries and community members understand project objectives and participate actively.
• Always represent CATAI professionally while on duty.

Reporting and Data Management:

• Collect, compile, and analyze data, pictures, and field information to prepare accurate weekly internal reports for the supervisor.
• Present weekly achievements, challenges, and recommendations for improvement.
• Contribute to quality data management and reporting for CMAM and IYCF activities.
• Ensure monitoring tools and files are well-maintained and archived at the field office.
• Contribute to project planning, coordination meetingss and periodic donor reporting updates 5 Ws and activity information.
• Support the M/E team in data verification, activity monitoring and lessons learned documentation
• Support the strengthening of the Community Feedback and Complaints Mechanism (CFCM) within the project area.

Logistics and Administration:

• Contribute to the logistical and administrative organization of nutrition activities.
• Participate in defining material and tool requirements for program delivery and in planning interventions.
• Ensure proper use, safety, and accountability of nutrition materials and supplies.

Priorities of the Department:

• Ensure quality implementation of CMAM and IYCF programs according to global and national standards.
• Maintain accurate and timely data management and reporting.
• Strengthen the integrated referral approach within nutrition components and across sectors.
• Build the technical capacity of the nutrition team and community mobilizers in key thematic areas.

Qualifications and Required Skills
Mandatory Requirements:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in medicine, nutrition, dietetics, nursing, or a related field.
• Experience: Minimum of 2years of experience in CMAM and IYCF program implementation—preferably in emergencies, host community, or IDP camp settings.
• Languages: Fluency in English and Hausa (proficiency in Kanuri is an added advantage).

Knowledge and Skills:

• Strong understanding of nutrition surveillance systems and reporting mechanisms.
• Proven ability to plan, conduct, and facilitate nutrition training (including CMAM and IYCF).
• Good analytical and reporting skills.
• Computer literacy: Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).

Interests:

• Commitment to NGO values and humanitarian principles.
• Good knowledge of the Borno State operational context and willingness to travel within project locations.

Transversal Skills:

• Strong team management and coordination abilities.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to mobilize communities and promote participation.
• High level of integrity, organization, and accountability.
• Diplomatic and adaptable in a multicultural and multisectoral work environment.

Core Values:

• Commitment to CATAI’s mission and humanitarian principles.
• Integrity, accountability, and professionalism.
• Respect for diversity and inclusion.
• Strong teamwork and collaborative spirit.

Policy Statements:

• Center for Advocacy Transparency and Accountability Initiative (CATAI) operates in an equal opportunity environment and has policies that actively encourage gender equality, diversity, and social inclusion; child safeguarding; adolescent and youth initiatives; PSEA; GBV; VAC; and Fraud.
• CATAI has a zero-tolerance policy for sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment. All selected candidates must undergo reference checks and background verification and will be required to sign and comply with CATAI’s Code of Conduct and safeguarding policies.
• CATAI does not charge any fee to facilitate its recruitment processes.