Nutrition Officer at Global Village Healthcare Initiative for Africa (GHIV Africa)

LOCATION: Nganzai LGA, covering Kirikasamma, Kolkol, Red Bricks, and Lawanti communities

PROJECT: UNICEF Rapid Response Mechanism (RRM)

REPORTING TO: Head of Programs, GHIV Africa

POSITION SUMMARY

The Nutrition Officer will lead the implementation of nutrition-related activities under the UNICEF RRM Project in Nganzai LGA, covering Kirikasamma, Kolkol, Red Bricks, and Lawanti communities from July to September 2024. This role involves supervising Nutrition Assistants, providing technical support, and collaborating with other departments within GHIV Africa to ensure effective project delivery. The Nutrition Officer will be responsible for community engagement, establishing and strengthening nutrition sites, conducting screenings, providing counseling and supplementation, and promoting hygiene practices.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Community Engagement: Conduct Community Entry/Engagement, Initiate and maintain strong relationships with community stakeholders, including local leaders and community members, to ensure smooth implementation of project activities.
• Stakeholder Collaboration: Work collaboratively with local authorities, community-based organizations, and other relevant stakeholders to promote the project’s objectives and ensure community buy-in.
• Establishment and Strengthening of Nutrition Sites
  • Mobile OTP Establishment: Set up mobile Outpatient Therapeutic Program (OTP) sites and enhance the capabilities of existing nutrition sites within the selected LGAs.
  •  Resource Management: Ensure that all OTP sites are well-equipped with necessary supplies and staffed adequately to provide timely and effective services.

Screening and Counseling

• Mass MUAC Screening: Organize and conduct mass screening of children using color-coded Mid-Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) tape to identify cases of acute malnutrition.
• IYCF Counseling: Provide Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) counseling sessions for pregnant and lactating women to promote optimal feeding practices.

Supplementation and Awareness

• Supplementation Administration: Distribute nutritional supplements and deliver nutrition awareness messages to pregnant women across the four LGAs.
• Education Campaigns: Implement educational campaigns to raise awareness about the importance of nutrition during pregnancy and lactation.

Monitoring and Evaluation

• Regular Monitoring: Conduct routine monitoring visits across the project sites to assess progress and measure the impact of activities against set objectives.
• Data Collection and Reporting: Collect, analyze, and report data on program performance, challenges, and outcomes to the Head of Programs and relevant stakeholders.

Support Groups and Hygiene Promotion

• Support Group Establishment: Form and support 20 mother-to-mother support groups (M2MSG) and 10 father-to-father support groups (F2FSUG), each comprising 15 members, to facilitate peer education and support.
•  Hygiene Promotion: Distribute Aqua tabs and soaps to caregivers of SAM children and conduct hygiene promotion sessions to prevent malnutrition and related diseases.

Active Case Finding and Sensitization

• Active Case Finding: Conduct outreach activities to identify SAM children aged 6-59 months for treatment.
• Sensitization Campaigns: Sensitize caregivers on the importance of early identification and treatment of malnutrition and promote best hygiene practices.

Capacity Building

• Mother MUAC Training: Provide orientation and training to women in the community on how to use MUAC tape to monitor their children’s nutritional status.

Collaboration and Support

• Interdepartmental Collaboration: Work closely with the Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) and Protection units to ensure integrated and effective project implementation.
• Technical Support: Provide technical guidance and support to Nutrition Assistants and other team members to enhance their capacity and performance.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Nutrition, Public Health, or a related field. Master’s degree is an advantage.

Experience: Minimum of 3 years of relevant experience in nutrition program implementation, preferably in emergency or humanitarian settings.

Skills: Strong organizational, communication, and leadership skills. Proficiency in data collection and analysis. Ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team.