Nutrition Officer Job Vacancy in Marsabit, Kenya

Position Title: Nutrition Officer

Closing date: 9 Nov 2022 

LOCATION

Marsabit County

REPORTING TO

Nutrition Programme Manager (NPM)

OVERALL PURPOSE

To improve the nutritional status of the population of Marsabit County through the provision of emergency nutrition services (CMAM)

PROJECT OVERVIEW

Medair will support MoH health facilities to implement outreach emergency nutrition services for outpatient therapeutic feeding and supplementary feeding for children < 5yrs and pregnant lactating women. Outreach services will be provided to remote, drought affected communities in Marsabit County

FUNCTIONAL LINKS

Internal:

NPM, Project Support and Logistics team; GSO Health and Nutrition Advisor, WASH PM

External:

Liaise with local partners; local authorities, community leaders, members of County Health and Nutrition Departments, health facility and outreach staff, CNVs

RESPONSIBILITES

  • Provide supportive nutrition supervision for the staff in nutrition sites (outreach and facility)
  • Ensure daily collection of project data, compile required reports on a weekly and monthly basis
  • Provide on job training of nutrition staff of all sites
  • Ensure quality of nutrition activities is in line with standard international guidelines and Kenya IMAM guidelines
  • Liaise with local authorities and communities to assure local acceptance of Medair activities
  • Support quality stock management of nutrition commodities

ACTIVITIES

Medical / Technical:

  • Ensure outreach sites are set up appropriately
  • Provide on job training for local nutrition staff
  • Supervise nutrition activities in all OTP/TSFP sites, both outreach and supported Health Facilities
  • Assist in mobilizing the community to ensure active participation and recruitment of Community Nutrition Volunteers (CNV)
  • Train CNV to share key health seeking and IYCF messages and to provide nutrition screening and referral in the community
  • Communicate with local authorities and community leaders to ensure they have a good understanding of Medair’s programming and interventions.
  • Provide weekly and monthly nutrition reports to Nutrition PM as required
  • Ensure referral systems to Stabilisation Centre, PHC and secondary health care are in place
  • Uphold infection prevention measures according to COVID-19 protocol

Staff Management:

  • Supporting Nutrition PM in line management as requested.
  • Recruit CNVs at each outreach site to support community nutrition screening and referral, including “Family MUAC”
  • Guide outreach team leaders and head of clinic to deliver quality nutrition services

Quality Management:

  • Complete weekly site supervision of outreach sites including a standardised supervision checklist
  • Provide feedback to the implementing staff and NPM, and devise mechanisms to address identified gaps and where there are areas of improvement
  • Ensure required documentation is in place and complete such as patient nutrition cards
  • Supervise stock management of medicines and nutrition supplies, any other item distributed such as soap. Report any identified fraud cases at site level to the Nutrition Manager.

External Representation

  • Attend coordination meetings if required as requested by NPM
  • Refer to the Nutrition Project Manager (or GSO HN Advisor if NPM unavailable) before making any commitment (verbal or written) on behalf of Medair.

Logistics:

  • Assist HF and outreach sites to prepare stock requests for medicines and nutrition supplies, for approval by the NPM
  • Help ensure appropriate stocks are available at all times for patient caseload
  • Assist in monitoring expiration dates to ensure stocks are utilized prior to their expiration date or the Medair team is notified in advance to utilize in other locations.
  • Link with WASH PM to support coordination of WASH activities in facility and outreach sites

The candidate should Uphold Medair values at all times and contribute to the wellbeing of the team.

QUALIFICATION / EXPERIENCE:

· Bachelor’s Degree in nutrition, Nursing or Public Health

Work experience

2 years work experience in Nutrition sector and 1 year experience working in a similar position and job location.

  • Experience working with CMAM programming
  • Trained and experience in IMCI

Languages

  • English (oral & written)
  • Swahili (Oral $ written)
  • Knowledge of local language is desirable

IT

Working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, and use of email

  • Familiar with ODK reporting tools

SKILLS / ATTRIBUTES

  • Self-motivated, desires to serve the community, good interpersonal skills and strong coordination skills.

Team building

  • Enjoys working within teams
  • Values and understands each role within the team
  • Supports the team to work well together

Adaptability

  • Able to work well under pressure
  • Flexible and willing to work in difficult and busy environments
  • Able to handle multiple tasks simultaneously

Technical expertise

  • Knowledge of nutrition programming, OTP, TSFP, IYCF and community engagement
  • Clear and concise reporting skills
  • Competent in IMAM reporting
  • Completion of IMAM and IYCF or MIYCN training
  • Experience in implementing all CMAM activities

Management & Leadership

  • Enjoys capacity building, training others
  • Clear, constructive and timely communication

WORK CONDITIONS

This position is based in Marsabit, with frequent travel to project sites in sub counties. The Nutrition Officer will need to have his/her own accommodation in Marsabit.

JOB COMMITMENT

Starting date: 1st December 2022

Duration of commitment: 9 months, until August 2023

How to apply

Interested candidates to send cover letter, and resume to recruitment-ni@medair.org not later than 9th November 2022.