Location: Gwoza LGA, Borno State
Position Status: Full time, Regular
Qualification: BSC in Nursing or Medicine
ABOUT MERCY CORPS
Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible. In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we partner to put bold solutions into action — helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within. Now, and for the future.
PROGRAM / DEPARTMENT SUMMARY
With the insurgency affecting North-East Nigeria and displacing millions of people, Mercy Corps is to implement a multi-sector response that covers Nutrition, Food assistance, Agriculture, WASH, Shelter and Protection to support the conflict-affected population. The nutrition response supports both nutrition-sensitive and specific interventions that contribute to the prevention, detection and management of malnutrition. These include a). Promotion of Maternal, Infant, Young Child Nutrition (via support groups, one-to-one counselling and community-wide SBC for IYCF); b). Provision of supplemental Nutrition Assistance i.e. the distribution of Fresh Food Vouchers, backyard gardening and poultry production aiming at improving dietary diversity among targeted households; c). Nutrition surveillance activities i.e. community nutrition screening, nutrition surveys and assessments aiming at monitoring the nutrition situation of targeted vulnerable individuals; d). Management of children with uncomplicated Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) through established Outpatient Therapeutic Program (OTP) services, as well as support referral and follow-up of SAM patients with medical complications to Stabilization Centers (SCs) and children with Moderate Acute malnutrition (MAM) to Targeted Supplementary Feeding Program (TSFP).
GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY
The Clinical Officer will be responsible for the day to day implementation and delivery of quality Outpatient Therapeutic Program (OTP) services in Gwoza LGA. He /She will provide technical support for medical consultation, outreach EPI, health/ nutrition education, sanitation and child health as per standard protocols/ guidelines. He/ She is expected to provide supervision, technical assistance, build the capacity of program staff and all OTP related reporting.
ESSENTIAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
STRATEGY & VISION
- Collaborate with other team members for effective integration between other services like Nutrition and health services.
- 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.**
PROGRAM MANAGEMENT** - Coordinate and facilitate the implementation of OTP services, site selection and prepare weekly movement plan.
- Ensure that mobile/ outreach OTP sites have all the nutrition and medical supplies, tools/ items necessary for the management of uncomplicated severe acute malnutrition.
- Provide basic health services including consultations for SAM cases, emergency services, referral, health education, EPI as per standard guidelines.
- Ensure admitted SAM patients receive necessary routine medication, immunization is up to date, health and nutrition education given.
- Ensure admission and discharge criteria for SAM patients are respected as per the national CMAM guidelines.
- Ensure referral of children with complicated SAM to SC and those with MAM are referred to TSFP for appropriate nutrition care.
- Facilitate training and closely work with MOH staffs at Health centres within the catchment areas.
- Organize daily, weekly and monthly overview and reports of consultations, EPI and health education.
- Ensure referral system and linkage between SC, OTP and TSFP services at community and at the health facility level.
- Adherence to medical and nutritional treatment protocols and procedures for children and infants.
- Participate in capacity-building training, in health education sessions and IEC/BCC application
- Follow up absentees/defaulters and keep a current record of both beneficiaries and the staff. TEAM MANAGEMENT
- Makes sure that the team participate in the daily routine work for sustainability and smooth phase-out strategy.
- Provide on the job training and capacity building for OTP staff with supports and liaison with the line manager.
- Supports the integration of program activities with those implemented at Health Facilities in the catchment areas, through regular liaison, information sharing and on job training and supervisions. FINANCE & COMPLIANCE MANAGEMENT
- Ensure compliance with donor and Mercy Corps regulations related to emergency programming. INFLUENCE & REPRESENTATION
- Train and support community nutrition Monitors and make sure they transmit/convey messages clearly to the community.
- Creates and maintain a relationship with local health and other authorities to link services with the existing health structure smoothly.
- Upholds the image and values of Mercy Corps at all times, 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.
- Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC’s policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues. SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Mobile/ Outreach OTP teamAccountability
Reports Directly to: Senior Program Officer – Nutrition, with a dotted line to Nutrition Advisor.
Works Directly with: Nutrition team.
**
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE ** - BSC in nursing or medicine with a minimum of two years’ work experience in an NGO environment in clinical setups.
- Previous experience in the treatment of patients with severe acute malnutrition is a MUST.
- Familiarity with the intervention areas
- Microsoft Office Skills (Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, Word).
- Willing and able to be based within remote areas, where services are limited.
- Fluency in Hausa, Kanuri and English.
- SUCCESS FACTORS
He/ She should be able to work independently, have good interpersonal and communication skills. He/ she should have an understanding of humanitarian principles and their application to program implementation. Must be able to solve problems and multi-task on a range of administrative and programmatic issues.
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, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.
How to apply
Interested candidates are requested to click HERE to create an account using your email address. Kindly indicate under the source question that you are a Current (or Former) Mercy Corps Team Member. The application closes on 14 March 2021.
