Nutrition Program Officer at Mercy Corps

Program / Department Summary

• Mercy Corps Nigeria is preparing to deliver a 24-month assistance and early recovery intervention in line with the Borno State Government Strategic Transformational Initiatives-STIs (2020-2030) and 25-Year Development Framework.
• 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.

General Position Summary

• The Nutrition Officer is responsible for overseeing day-to-day implementation of nutrition activities in the BEGE Consortium Program.
• She/he will work closely with other sectors such as MEL, CASH, and Livelihood ensuring smooth project implementation and delivery of program objectives.
• Activities will include Promotion / supporting adoption of recommended maternal and Infant and Young Child nutrition in emergency (MIYCN-E) practices, distribution of Food Vouchers to target participants, food redemption monitoring, regular vendors review meeting, monitoring and supervision of community-level nutrition screening including the rollout of Family Led MUAC approach and as well participation in planned nutrition surveys and assessments.

Essential Job Functions

• Implement all nutrition activities within the work plan and offer technical guidance to the team.
• Support the implementation of nutrition activities and ensure smooth coordination across sectors.
• Ensure that beneficiaries are effectively targeted according to vulnerability criteria.
• Conduct monthly SNA food redemption across communities within the LGA.
• Collaborate with other team members for effective integration between other services like Nutrition, WASH, Protection, and health sector.
• Collaborate with local authorities and other partners to harmonize different efforts for better impact and sustainability.
• Able to learn and update his/ her information or knowledge to adapt to the changing situation and context.
• Provide technical inputs on the execution of the implementation of Food assistance activities in a timely manner.

Program Management:

• Coordinate with other sectors (Cash, Livelihoods, Shelter, MEL, WASH) and support units to ensure activities are conducted within MC policy and with the maximum benefit to the program.
• Provide inputs to the design and implementation of training in any areas related to the program activities for staff, communities, and program beneficiaries.
• Supervise community mobilization and sensitization activities aimed at promoting appropriate Maternal, Infant and Young Child Feeding Practices and Fresh Food Vouchers to improve Household dietary Diversification.
• Regularly monitor and supervise redemption exercise as well as beneficiary targeting.
• Ensures beneficiary complaints mechanisms and Accountability to the Affected Population is addressed in the appropriate way that does not discredit the image of Mercy Corps.
• Spearhead the rollout of the Mother Led MUAC approach i.e., coordinate with community structures and any other key stakeholder, organize necessary materials/ tools required for the training, and lead the training sessions.
• Participate in nutrition assessment and surveys planned in the catchment area.
• Actively participate in area-level nutrition, food security and Health sector meetings.
• Ensure timely submission of quality weekly and monthly nutrition activity reports.
• Regularly monitor and ensure that the nutrition team in the field has the necessary tools (i.e., data collection tools, job aids, IEC materials etc.) and supplies required for quality implementation of planned nutrition activities.
• Maintain filing of all Mercy Corps beneficiaries, and ensure all lists are well captured electronically and manually.
• Facilitate and co-facilitate community meetings, events and training as required.
• Build and maintain good external relationships and coordination with relevant food assistance actors within and out of Maiduguri.
• Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and to not jeopardize its humanitarian mission.
• Coordinate Porridge Mum Approach
• Oversee the IYCF Counsellors
• Any Other duties as assigned.

Team Management:

• Identify technical gaps among staff line managed and in liaison with the line manager provide on the job training and/ support supervision.
• Participate in developing detailed project implementation plan and orient the line managed on agreed actions.

Finance & Compliance Management:

• Ensure compliance with donor and Mercy Corps regulations related to emergency programming.

Influence & Representation:

• Creates and maintain relationships with local health and other authorities to link services with the existing health structure smoothly.
• Always upholds the image and values of Mercy Corps.

Security:

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

Organizational Learning:

• As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient, and relevant to the communities they serve, we expect all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves.

Accountability to Beneficiaries:

• Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our beneficiaries and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.

Supervisory Responsibility:

• Transaction monitors
• Community Nutrition Mobilizers.
• CNM Supervisor
• IYCF Counsellor.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Nutrition, Agriculture or any related discipline.
• 2 years of experience working on the development, implementation, administration and compliance of a field-based international development or humanitarian program; general gender and protection mainstreaming experience & knowledge required.
• At least 1 year of experience implementing Supplementary Nutrition Assistance (fresh and fleshy food and vegetables).
• Experience using voucher modality and knowledge of Nagis platform.
• Experience working with local partners especially market vendors is required.
• Demonstrated strengths in analytical skills, monitoring and evaluation, and report writing.
• Strong interpersonal, intercultural and communication skills.
• Excellent oral and written skills and computer skills.
• Fluency in English and Hausa is required.