Nutrition Program Intern at Mercy Corps

Program / Department Summary

• The Nutrition Intern will be based in Maiduguri to support the implementation of nutrition activities in the USAID-BHA-funded THRIVE program (Transitioning Households to Recovery from Vulnerability) in JERE LGA, Borno State.
• It is a 24-month program implemented by a consortium led by CRS and will provide context-specific humanitarian assistance with the goal of initiating early recovery in four wards in Jere LGA: Mairi, Mashamari, Dusuman, and Maimusari. THRIVE program covers various sectors i.e., Food Assistance, Multi-purpose Cash Assistance, Shelter & Settlement, Nutrition, WASH, Protection, Agriculture & ERMS.
• The nutrition response supports both nutrition-sensitive and specific interventions that contribute to the prevention, detection, and management of malnutrition. It largely focuses on filling gaps in Community Management of Acute Malnutrition services i.e., Support community nutrition screening, referral and follow-up of SAM and MAM cases and the treatment of Moderate Acute Malnutrition using the Tom Brown supplementary feeding program. It will also collaborate with other Nutrition and health Actors to ensure the existence and functionality of the Stabilization Center, Outpatient Therapeutic Program (OTPs) and other Primary health care services.
• The program will also support supplemental Nutrition Assistance through the distribution of Fresh Food Vouchers to ensure that vulnerable participants, especially Pregnant and Lactating Women and Children Under 2 years, consume diets that meet the minimum dietary diversity as well as improve health-seeking Behavior. This program is also integrating robust Maternal, Infant and Young Child Nutrition in emergency component to equip participants with knowledge and skills to prevent acute malnutrition.

General Position Summary

• The Nutrition Intern will support the day-to-day implementation of nutrition activities in four wards in Jere LGA: Mairi, Mashamari, Dusuman, and Maimusari. Activities will include promotion / supporting adoption of recommended maternal and Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) practices, Distribution of Fresh Food Vouchers to target participants, monitoring and supervision of community-level nutrition screening including the rollout of Mother Led MUAC approach and as well participation in planned nutrition surveys and assessments.

Essential Job Responsibilities

• Support the Nutrition Officer to ensure THRIVE nutrition program progress according to the developed schedule and work plan.
• Support in beneficiary registration, community mobilization and sensitization.
• Support in Nutrition fresh & fleshy food voucher redemption process.
• Ensure equal representation of various community groups in the implementation of activities.
• Keep the program officers and management updated about the security situation in the project implementation area.
• Support the Documentation of lessons learned and success stories on the project.
• Adherence to all MC policies and procedures as outlined in the MC policies and procedures manual.
• Conduct himself/herself professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and not jeopardize its humanitarian mission in the country of operation.
• Other duties as assigned.

Security:

• Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country leadership.
• Proactively ensure that members operate in a secure environment and are aware of policies.

Supervisory Responsibility:

• None

Accountability:

• Reports Directly To: Nutrition Program Officer

Accountability to Participants and Stakeholders:

• Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our program participants, community partners, other stakeholders, and to international standards guiding international relief and development work. We are committed to actively engaging communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.

Minimum Qualification & Transferable Skills

• Experience in the Nutrition and social approach – SNA a plus.
• Diploma or Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant field.
• Ability to work under pressure.
• Strong interpersonal intercultural and communication skills.
• Excellent oral, written skills and computer skills.
• Ability to quickly learn and adapt.
• Fluency in English, Hausa, and any other local languages.

Success Factors

• Strong work ethic, ability to learn in the most efficient way to complete task and finding ways to save time while completing daily assignments. Mercy Corps team members represent the agency both during and outside work hours. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC’s policies and procedures and values always and in all in-country venues.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

• Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the world’s most complex challenges. We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives. We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening and evolving to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive than we are today.

Equal Employment Opportunity

• Mercy Corps is an equal-opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be collectively stronger and have a sustained global impact. We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, colour, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran status or any other protected group in the locations where we work.

Safeguarding & Ethics

• Mercy Corps is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with through our work, whether team members, community members, program participants or others, are treated with respect and dignity.
• We are committed to the core principles regarding the prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary-General and IASC and have signed on to the Interagency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. 
• We will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment by or of our team members. As part of our commitment to a safe and inclusive work environment, team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner, respect local laws and customs, and adhere to the Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times.
• Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct e-learning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.