Nutrition Officer at International Rescue Committee (IRC)

Job Overview/Summary

Under the supervision of Nutrition Manager, the Nutrition Officer will be responsible for all OCHA project in his/her Local Government Area and is expected to ensure integrity, high level transparency and commitment in the implementation of the project. He or she is responsible for overseeing all nutrition activities for IRC supported SC/OTPs in assigned LGA in Katsina state. The Nutrition Officer will oversee and supervise supported SMOH SC/OTPs staff/CNMs and reports to the Nutrition Manager.

Major Responsibilities:

Program Management, Technical Quality, and Strategy

Nutrition program management:

• Support planning and implementing of the project activities and outputs at the field level to ensure the project achieves its objective of improving access to quality Nutrition services.
• The Nutrition Officer will take lead in coordinating with LGA authorities reviewing all the technical reports from the Implementing Partners which authorities assigned to them. 
• Track the performance of the project activities and targets against the expected results and advise on implementation process to ensure the project is progressing towards attaining its targets in each LGA.
• Conduct periodic analysis of progress of the project at the LGA level and promote learning and sharing of best practices and lessons learnt through documentation.
• Identifying program gaps in the supported SC/OTP services with immediate solution for further necessary steps to address those gaps with support from Nutrition Manager.
• ·         Provide capacity building and on-the-job coaching to Facility staff in CMAM services including IYCF best practices in supported facilities.
• Oversee the implementation of quality Nutrition program activities at all IRC supported health facilities in the targeted areas.
• Design and lead assessments to ensure the voices of women and girls inform Nutrition program design.
• Support proper Nutrition data collection and recording in the IRC supported OTP units and support the compilation of data and generation of quality Nutrition reports on a regular and timely manner.
• Support health facility-level reporting to SMOHs through LGA health authorities especially the HMIS.
• In line with the communication strategies of the consortium, ensure visibility of the project and project strategies at field level.
• Support collection of stories and photographs that demonstrate the positive impact of the project.
• Monitor the performance of each supported SC/OTP facilities with regular visits to the LGA health office, health facilities and communities.
• Track work plan progress and participate in the review meetings with LGAs and Implementing Partners in the assigned LGAs.
• Act as liaison between the IRC, LGA and other implementing partners in the assigned LGA.
• Create an enabling environment to promote information sharing, partnerships and cordial relationship between community, government structures and target communities where the project works
• Foster inter program linkages, exchange information and experiences and contribute actively to protection and disaster risk reduction mainstreaming in the Nutrition program.
• Collaborate with other relevant sectors especially Environmental Health, as well as Health, Women Protection & Empowerment, and Child Protection to ensure holistic service package is available in response to the needs.
• Develop nutrition sector work plans for all the IRC nutrition grants assigned to him/her by the nutrition coordinator. Supervise and coordinate the implementation and monitoring of nutrition project activities in line with proposal targets and work plan timelines.
• Support routine project reporting, including mid-term and end of grant reports to the donor.
• Conduct nutritional surveillance in the program sites, including host community and internally displaced persons (IDPs)based on agreed methodologies including surveys, process monitoring, SMART, LQAS, SQUEAC and other rapid methods.
• Work with the field-based nutrition staff and community health Volunteers to establish, implement and monitor community-based management of acute malnutrition activities, coupled with patient follow up, referrals and education for their better management at community level.
• Coordinate with other IRC departments and implementing partners to develop training curricula and implementation plans for community Health Volunteers (CHV’s).
• Assist in response and management of any nutrition emergencies e.g. acute food shortages and participate in the development of disaster preparedness systems.
• Promote mother infant and young child feeding best practices in various health facilities.
• Oversee implementation and integration of comprehensive growth monitoring program/Mass MUAC screenings at community level and report accordingly.
• Participate actively in execution of operational research and Documentation of Best Nutrition practices in various health facilities/Outreach sites if need be.
• Participate actively in planned program Rapid Nutrition assessment, nutrition surveys and KAP Assessments.
• Monitoring and supervising both IRC and MOH staff seconded to IRC to ensure work is performed efficiently.
• Routinely monitor staff performance according to their job description and provide written feedback in a timely manner.
• Oversee continuous training programs for the nutrition staff as well as organizing trainings with consultants as per the annual work-plan & budget.
• Review personnel issues and concerns of nutrition staff and assist with determining and implementing solutions.
• Participate in recruitment of nutrition staff as appropriate.

Key Deliverables

• Regular communication to provide updates on projects using various forms of communication relevant for the message and audience; these include the security situation, monthly field visit reports and reports on workshops/trainings conducted.
• Updates on outcomes of reviews needs assessments and capacity building plans.
• Draft success stories on key project impacts in the assigned LGAs.
• Notify the Nutrition Managers on changes in security context in the assigned LGA as and when they occur to inform implementation, security and safety of staff and other related partners.
• Support the implementation of an appropriate visibility strategy.
• Report challenges and/or solutions and gaps if any.
• Facilitate the data flow of all reporting.

Program Development / Grant Management

• Contribute to design, planning, and drafting new proposals.
• Contribute to donors’ reporting whenever necessary.
• In collaboration with Nutrition Managers, develop an expenditure plan, review budget vs. actual expenditure for Nutrition grants monthly and take necessary actions.
• Ensuring budgets are used appropriately and efficiently and spending is in line with the IRC financial procedures and donor requirements.
• Ensure data collection, data compilation, timely preparation and submission of all internal reports including weekly and other associated monthly, quarterly, donor and special reports.

Education:

• Health professional (Nutrition and dietetics, MD or RN ) with strong Nutrition background.
• A mature person of high professional discipline and moral integrity, able to work independently and under stress as the situation may dictate.

Work Experience:

• At least 3 years’ experience in managing and implementing Nutrition programs.
• Able to lead a team and experience in staff management.
• Experience in outbreak response interventions
• Ability to work with displaced communities with diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds.

Languages:  English  and Hausa