LGA Nutrition Officer at Action Against Hunger | ACF-International

Duty Station:     Damaturu, Yobe State

Position Overview:
To strengthen the capacity of the Local Government Area (LGA) nutrition focal person or team (as designated by the LGA) in planning, management, delivery, follow-up and advocacy of cost-effective malnutrition prevention and treatment interventions (interventions include – Infant & Young Child Feeding, Community Management of Acute Malnutrition , Maternal & Child Health Weeks). 

Specific Objectives: 

• Provide technical support in planning, implementation and monitoring of key nutrittion interventions by working closely with the nutrition focal persons (NFP) and MCH expert at LGA level. This includes micro planning for MNCHWs
• Work with NFP to support operational researches to identify barriers and facilitators of optimal breastfeeding and complimentary feeding practices as well as linked to access to CMAM and other nutrition interventions.
• Support the LGAs and health facilities on preparation and planning for implementation of activities identified via needs assessment, in close collaboration with NFP and MCH focal person.
• Train the health facility staff on the treatment of Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM), IYCF, and MNCHWs according to the Nigerian national guidelines.
• Together with the LGA and health facility nutrition focal point, identify the gaps of the HWs & CVs through supervision visits, and provide on-the-job coaching and training based on the gaps
• Plans trainings according to identified gaps for all the nutrition interventions.
• Provide technical support in the preparation of annual, quarterly, and monthly plans on IYCF/CMAM/MNCHWs and nutrition in general.
• Support the preparation of supportive supervision plan and follow its implementation
• Provide technical support in the preparation of IYCF/CMAM/MNCHW Nutrition M&E plans and its implementation
• Ensure compliance with National Guidelines for CMAM, IYCF and MNCHWs.
• Support exchange of information with teams and health facilities on absentees and defaulters for follow-up (CMAM), specific challenges for IYCF, etc. 
• Manage the Community Mobilization Assistants to ensure that ACF program objectives are communicated effectively within the communities in order to improve program effectiveness.
• Ensure that the proper performance evaluations are completed for each Community Mobilization Assistants on an annual basis.
• Responsible for LGA level results and overall regular reporting, data analysis, communication and management aspects of the project (finance, logistics). 

Qualifications
BSc Degree with a major in Nutrition. Graduate degree in a similar field a plus.

Essential Skills and Experience:

• Health / Public Health / Nutrition / diploma or equivalent.
• Experience of emergency nutrition work and the design and implementation of feeding programmes (ideally IYCF, CTC/CMAM), including IYCF monitoring and evaluation.
• Proven capacity to supervise, train and coach staff.
• Proven experience and ability in report writing.
• Computer literacy.
• Willingness and capacity to be flexible and accommodating when faced with difficult and frustrating working conditions.
• Prepared to live and work in an uncertain security environment.
• Commitment to and understanding of ACF’s aim, values and principles.
• Fluency in written and spoken English and Hausa.

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Experience in setting up IYCF program within CMAM program in an emergency context.
• Experience with working with partners, including the government.
• Previous experience working with mothers support group and strong negotiation skill for behavior change.
• Fluency in local languages (Kanuri, Fulani)
• Training in adult education/learning and effective training approaches.