Program Officer (Nutrition) at FINDEF

Location:   Gusau, Zamfara State, with field travel to Bungudu

Reports to: Program Officer

About the Project

This project aims to strengthen the resilience of the most vulnerable communities in Northeast and Northwest Nigeria by delivering integrated, multi-sectoral lifesaving services. Special attention is given to the needs of women, children, and persons with disabilities. 

Job Purpose:

The Nutrition  Officer will lead the day-to-day delivery of FINDEF\'s community-based nutrition activities in Bungudu LGA. The role, among others, directs Community Nutrition Mobilizer (CNM) screening, referral, follow-up, and Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) counselling within the catchment area of the Bungudu Stabilisation Centre run by PUI.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan and supervise the recruitment, training, and daily work of CNMs conducting MUAC screening of children aged 6–59 months in pre-selected communities.
• Ensure CNMs obtain informed consent from caregivers and apply MUAC and oedema screening procedures correctly.
• Oversee the referral of screened cases: Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) with medical complications to the PUI Stabilisation Centre, SAM without complications to the nearest Outpatient Therapeutic Programme (OTP) site, and Moderate Acute Malnutrition (MAM) to Targeted Supplementary Feeding Programme points.
• Coordinate follow-up of discharged children and tracing of defaulters from the Stabilisation Centre and partner OTPs.
• Deliver and supervise community and facility-based IYCF counselling for pregnant and lactating women, covering early and exclusive breastfeeding, complementary feeding, feeding of a sick child, weaning, personal and home hygiene, child spacing, and family planning.
• Supervise the distribution of WASH-in-Nutrition kits to caregivers of SAM children on admission at the Stabilisation Centre, with demonstrations on correct use.
• Track progress against the screening and counselling targets and submit accurate activity data to the MEAL team.
• Coordinate with PUI technical staff, the ZSPHCB, SMoH, and community structures on nutrition activities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor\'s degree or HND in Nutrition and Dietetics, Public Health, Nursing, or a related field.
• At least 5 years of experience in community nutrition programming in a humanitarian or development setting, including at least 2 year supervising community volunteers or mobilizers.
• Working knowledge of Nigeria\'s CMAM and IYCF guidelines, including SAM and MAM referral pathways.
• Hands-on experience with MUAC and oedema screening, case referral, and defaulter tracing.
• Experience planning and delivering training for community-level workers.
• Familiarity with KoboCollect or other mobile data collection tools.
• Proven ability to coordinate with SPHCB, MoH, LGA health authorities, partners, and community leaders.
• Proficiency in Hausa and English, with strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Good computer skills (Ms Word, PowerPoint and Excel).

Note

• Our organization procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation. 
• We uphold the Humanitarian Principles: humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and operational independence. We affirmatively engage the most vulnerable communities.
• FINDEF does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. FINDEF\'s recruitment process is transparent, and merit based. Lobbying of any form is not allowed and can lead to disqualification.
• FINDEF has zero tolerance to Sexual Exploitation and Abuse of beneficiaries. Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) is everyone\'s responsibility, and all staff are required to adhere to the Code of Conduct, that enshrines principles of PSEA, at all times (both during work hours and outside work hours).
• Familiarization with, and adherence to FINDEF\'s Code of Conduct is an essential requirement for all staff, in addition to related mandatory training.