Médecins Sans Frontières-Holland in Nigeria Limited by Guarantee is an international, private, nongovernmental, non-profit humanitarian organization. Our organization offers assistance to populations in distress, to victims of natural or man- made disasters, to victims of armed conflict, without discrimination irrespective of race, religion, creed or political affiliation. We have been working in Nigeria since February 1996. A Memorandum of Understanding between Médecins Sans Frontières-Holland and the Federal Government of Nigeria facilitates this. MSF-OCA employees are guided by a Code of Conduct, which aims to strengthen and support ethical cultures throughout MSF-OCA, based on the core values that guide our medical humanitarian mission.
We are looking for one (1) NUTRITION ASSISTANT position in our Sokoto project.
Job title: NUTRITION ASSISTANT
Duty Station: Sokoto
Job Type: Definite Contract (1 Year with Possibility of Extension)
Publication Date: 17 June 2026
Deadline for Applications: 23 June 2026 (5:00 PM)
Main objective and responsibility of the position
Under the supervision of the Head of Nutrition Assistants, and the Nutrition Nurse, participating in the nutritional case management of children suffering from acute malnutrition according to MSF nutritional and hygiene protocols, standards and procedures in order to ensure the delivery of quality medical care for patients and their communities and improve the health conditions of the targeted population.
General Accountabilities:
- Carrying out basic health care (swabbing, applying local treatments, etc.) following the rules on hygiene and asepsis.
- Informing caretakers on the functioning of the centre: lay out, daily activity plan (number and frequency of the meals, medical visit, weight measurement, etc.) and other general information.
- Distributing meals according to medical prescriptions for each patient, ensuring that no other food is given in place. Reporting on daily basis, the intake of the patients under nutritional treatment.
- Providing hygienic training and sanitation education to children, mothers and the targeted population and stimulating mothers to breast-feed.
- Monitoring and reporting weight and other vital indicators, if necessary, (temperature, heart and respiratory rates) of each patient. Applying the correct procedures in the event of a fever or hypothermia and reporting to the nurse pathologic symptoms such as, apathetic, anorexia, not drinking, vomiting, fever, dehydration, diarrhea, etc. Preparing ORS, when required.
- Supervising drinking water availability in the ward, and ensuring it is well identified.
- Supervising the maintenance of clean premises and materials
- Performing minor maintenance and cleaning of the biomedical equipment following user manual and protocols. Alerting the supervisor in case of malfunctioning of any device.
Context Specific Accountabilities:
- Provides basic nursing and nutrition-related care to patients, including swabbing and application of local treatments, in strict compliance with hygiene, asepsis, and IPC protocols.
- Informs mothers and caregivers about the functioning of the nutrition centre, including layout, daily activity plans, feeding schedules, medical consultations, and weight monitoring procedures.
- Prepares and distributes meals strictly according to medical and nutritional prescriptions for each patient; ensures that no un-authorized food is provided or substituted.
- Accurately monitors, documents, and reports daily food intake of patients under nutritional treatment, and immediately flags any poor intake or refusal to feed.
- Provides hygiene promotion and sanitation education to children, mothers, and caregivers, emphasizing hand hygiene, safe feeding practices, and environmental cleanliness.
- Actively promotes and supports continued breastfeeding, in line with MSF and WHO guidelines.
- Recognizes and applies correct procedures in cases of fever or hypothermia, and promptly report any abnormal or pathological signs to the Nurse, including apathy, anorexia, poor drinking, vomiting, fever, dehydration, diarrhea, or any change in clinical condition.
- Prepares and administers oral rehydration solution (ORS) when prescribed and according to protocol.
- Ensures continuous availability of safe drinking water in the ward and that it is clearly identified and appropriately used.
- Supervises and contributes to maintaining clean premises, feeding areas, and materials, ensuring adherence to IPC and hygiene standards.
- Performs minor cleaning and routine maintenance of biomedical and nutrition-related equipment in accordance with user manuals and MSF protocols.
- Immediately alerts the head of nutrition Assistants or Nutrition Supervisor in case of equipment malfunction or damage, ensuring patient safety and continuity of care.
- Distributes therapeutic supplements (F75, F100 and RUTF) according to medical prescriptions for each patient, ensuring that any supplement is given
- Reports on daily basis, the intake of the patients under nutritional treatment to the Nutrition Supervisor.
- Ensures 24/7 nutrition care of patient in the acute NOMA ward and the post-operative ward.
- Collaborates with nurses to ensure accurate anthropometric measurements of NOMA and ITFC patients (weight, height, MUAC, z-score) and recording the values of each patient in their file and data folder, according to protocol.
- Nutrition care of NOMA patient in the post-operative ward during surgery (therapeutic feeding, anthropometric measurement).
- Provides nutrition health education sessions to patients and their relatives on the need for good nutrition to prevent NOMA diseases.
- Conducts food demonstration session to patients and their relatives on the appropriate way to prepare local supplements.
- Collaborates with other medical departments to deliver appropriate care to patient
- Updates data supervisor and nutrition supervisor on daily patient’s data for easy data capturing.
- Ensures filling of patient information and nutrition status and assessment in patient CRF (Case Reporting File) form.
- Report daily activities to the Nutrition Supervisor.
- Under the direction of the Head of Nutrition Asisstants and Nutrition Supervisor, ensures patients are vaccinated by Vaccination Implementer according to Nigerian guidelines.
REQUIREMENTS (QUALIFICATIONS):
Education Degree in Nutrition and Dietetics or Registered Nurse or BNSC or CHEW Literacy and sound knowledge on nutrition protocols Experience Previous ITFC Experience preferred (1 year minimum)
Languages Hausa and English (fluent).
Competencies Results, Teamwork, Flexibility, Commitment, Service, Cultural.
APPLICATION PROCESS:
Please use this link: https://forms.office.com/e/avTnbn6KZr complete your application. -To complete your application, please email your Cover Letter, latest Curriculum Vitae (CV) and photocopies of only necessary credentials as one document with telephone contact details (daytime) to [email protected] with the subject of the email – Application for Nutrition Assistant. Lastly, only one online application form should be submitted as multiple submissions will not be considered.
Notes:
- The deadline for the position is 23rd June 2026 (5:00 PM)
- Only shortlisted candidates would be contacted. If you do not hear from us within a month, please assume your application has not been successful on this occasion
- No Transportation and/or Allowance will be provided during the recruitment process.
- Any document sent to MSF-OCA (CV, cover letter, copies of diploma etc.) will not be returned.
- No accommodation will be provided upon resuming to the job location if selected
- By submitting your application, you consent to Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) using your personal data only for purposes related to the recruitment process. The information collected is necessary to assess and validate the application to select the most suitable candidate. Your data will be treated confidentially and destroyed after 12 months. Only MSF staff directly involved in the recruitment process have access to your data. MSF does not sell or share your data with third parties under any circumstances.
MSF is an equal opportunities employer and promotes diversity within the organization. Qualified women are encouraged to apply.
