LOCATION: Damboa, Borno State
POSITION STATUS: Full time, Regular
QUALIFICATION: Bachelors degree in Nutrition or other related Field
EXPERIENCE: 2 – 3 years
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 Program Nutrition Officer is responsible for overseeing day to day implementation of nutrition activities i.e.Promotion/ supporting adoption of recommended maternal and Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) practices, Distribution of Fresh Food Vouchers to selected vulnerable Households with children U5 years, Community level nutrition screening including the rollout of Mother Led MUAC approach and as well participate in planned nutrition surveys and assessments.
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
- Responsible for monitoring and supervision of the day-to-day implementation of nutrition and related activities and ensure it is in accordance with the agreed work plan.
- Support capacity-building activities for field-level nutrition staff including on-job training and supportive supervision.
- 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.
- 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.
- Regularly monitor and ensure that the nutrition team in the field have the necessary tools (i.e.data collection tools, job aids, IEC materials etc.) and supplies required for quality implementation of planned nutrition activities.
- Participate in nutrition assessment and surveys planned in the catchment area.
- Participate in periodic program monitoring and evaluation activities including baselines, endlines, midterm reviews, lesson learning exercises and compilation of success stories.
- Closely collaborate with other sector teams to ensure an integrated Nutrition approach internally with MC sectors and externally with complementary activities implemented by other nutrition actors.
- Actively participate in area-level nutrition, food security and Health sector meetings.
- Ensure timely submission of quality weekly and monthly nutrition activity reports.
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 a 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 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 RESPONSIBILITY
- Nutrition Assistants & IYCF Counsellors
Accountability
Reports Directly to: Senior Program Officer – Nutrition
Works Directly with: Nutrition team, Food security/CASH team
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE
- Minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree in Nutrition or other related fields.
- Minimum of 2 years of experience focused on nutrition/food security, including community mobilization, participatory planning and rural/community development.
- Previous similar experience with International NGO will be an asset.
- Familiarity of the intervention areas, preferably a resident.
- Microsoft Office Skills (Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, Word).
- Willing and able to be based within remote areas, where services are limited.
- Professional, good organizational capacity, good human relationships, motivated, flexible, culturally sensitive
- Fluency in Hausa, Kanuri and English
SUCCESS FACTORS
The successful candidate will be capable of multi-tasking, rapid decision-making, have initiative, drive and a lot of energy, as well as high emotional intelligence, constructive mentoring skills and proven experience with capacity building. S/he will be committed to long-term program sustainability and the delivery of high-impact activities at the community level. Successful Mercy Corps team members have a strong commitment to teamwork and accountability, thrive in evolving and challenging environments and make effective written and verbal communication a priority.
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 21 March 2021.
