Nutrition Officer at Lagos Food Bank Initiative

Job description

• The Nutrition Officer will play a crucial role in ensuring the effective implementation of nutrition-focused programs within the food bank. This position involves overseeing the Nutrition programs, aimed at addressing food insecurity, malnutrition, and dietary education for vulnerable populations. The role requires expertise in nutrition planning, community engagement, food safety, and collaboration with various stakeholders to improve nutritional outcomes.

Key Responsibilities:

• Conduct nutritional assessments and identify the specific dietary needs of target groups (children 0-5 years, pregnant/lactating women, elderly, chronically ill, etc.).
• Develop and implement nutrition education sessions and awareness campaigns during food bank outreaches and programs.
• Provide technical guidance on the nutritional value of donated food items and recommend adjustments where necessary.
• Collaborate with the Monitoring and Evaluation team to track the impact of nutrition-related programs and collect relevant data.
• Work closely with partner agencies, health institutions, and government bodies to align nutrition interventions with national standards.
• Train volunteers and community health workers on basic nutrition practices and program delivery.
• Participate in outreach programs, school feeding initiatives, and community nutrition support events.
• Prepare monthly and quarterly reports on nutrition programs and make recommendations for improvements.
• Stay updated on public health nutrition trends and integrate best practices into ongoing programming.
• Work closely with monitoring and evaluation officers to collect and analyze data related to nutrition outcomes.
• Train community volunteers, health workers, and staff on nutrition basics and delivery of nutrition interventions.
• Represent the organization in meetings with partners, health agencies, and government bodies on nutrition-related initiatives.
• Support the development of nutrition reports, success stories, and program documentation.
• Participate in all relevant food bank programs and outreach activities.

Qualifications & Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Nutrition and Dietetics.
• Certified Nutritionist
• Strong knowledge of community nutrition practices, malnutrition prevention, and public health education.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and nutrition data tools.
• At least 2 years of relevant experience in nutrition programming, preferably in a nonprofit or humanitarian setting.
• Strong knowledge of food safety, malnutrition prevention, and community nutrition strategies.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with fluency in English and at least one local language.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and data collection tools.
• Candidate must reside within close proximity to the food bank’s operational base in Ikeja, Lagos.

Preferred Skills:

• Certification in community nutrition.
• Experience working with vulnerable populations.
• Ability to work effectively in team-based and multicultural environments.
• Strong presentation, facilitation, and interpersonal skills.