Job Title: Nutrition Officer – IRC

Published August 17, 2023 · Updated August 17, 2023

Sector: Health

Employment Category: Fixed Term

Employment Type: Full-Time

Open to Expatriates: No

Location: Kakuma, Kenya

Work Arrangement:

Job Description

Working under the guidance and supervision of the Nutrition Manager, the Nutrition Officer will be directly responsible for implementation of the Integrated Management of Acute Malnutrition (IMAM) program, nutrition surveillance, hospital feeding, nutrition education & counseling and promotion of maternal infant and young child nutrition in the camp.

Main Responsibilities.

Provide technical support in the 5 key functional areas for the nutrition program including monitoring and evaluation and referrals.
With the support of nutrition team, ensure the smooth implementation of a home-based Therapeutic Feeding Program (CMAM).
Supervise and work in strict collaboration with the team in the screening activities of severely malnourished children.
Develop and coordinate the adherence and reporting of nutrition education sessions as per developed annual plan.
Train the nutrition team in detecting cases and home-based care.
Collaborate with others and the logistics officer follow-up on food requests and timely release to outreach sites.
Assist the nursing staff in the implementation of TF activities within the pediatrics’ ward, (SC) ward and ensure the management of the commodities (food, drugs, and equipment) is done responsibly.
Train and support the pediatrics (SC) staff in severe malnutrition case management according to international guidelines.
Establish proper coordination and tools harmonization with partners involved in food/nutrition activities.
Ensure the establishment of nutrition monitoring activities and train health staff in case detection and referral system.
Plan and Participate in the conduction of nutrition research studies, Standard process documentation, publication, and surveys.
Train and mentor IRC staff and partners in GMP, MIYCN, MNDC, IMAM and Dietetics.
Participate in program planning and roll-out of new program areas in liaison with key collaborators and cooperating partners.
Implement comprehensive MIYCN program with strong BCC and BFHI/BFCI approaches.
Ensure dietetic management of patients with nutrition related medical conditions.
Modify recipes to suit budgetary capacity and patients’ needs.
Facilitating the requisition and stock management of supplementary and therapeutic supplies to nutrition sites.
Improve the provision of quality nutrition counseling and education in the hospital and other contact points in the health programme.
Enhance integration of Nutrition activities with other health programs.
Develop and use developed activity work plans based on the program annual work plan.

Capacity Building & Human Resource Management:

Assist Nutrition Manager in carrying out capacity assessment and gap analysis and come up with a capacity building plan that include OJT and training of staff in all clinical aspects of nutrition especially in CMAM and MIYCN.
Provide informed support to the health facilities staffs, assist in assessing of beneficiaries and carry out referrals to the SC if any need arises or for further medical care.
Assist in strengthening the capacity of staff and community representatives in programmatic and technical nutrition related aspects, through identification, capacity assessments, trainings, and continuous engagements.

Reporting:

Ensure timely reporting weekly and monthly, quarterly, and annual program reports and ensuring timelines are adhered to.

Coordination:

Ensure proper communication, coordination, and harmonization of tools with the different collaborators involved in nutrition activities.
Carry out weekly field visits to ensuring program quality control and implementation in all aspects.
Participate in key calendar events and campaigns that contribute to the maternal and child health wellness.
Represent IRC in interagency food and nutrition coordination meetings.

Logistics and Finance:

Work together with the Manager in preparation of the monthly cash forecasts based on planned activities in a timely manner.
Offer support to the nutrition supervisor-store in commodity request, management of stock and accountability of the stocks.
Support the Nutrition Head in budget preparation, planning, allocation, management, review tracking and analysis to ensure proper allocation of resources, accountability, and unified spending.
Support nutrition supervisor-store and facilitate the movement of food to and from field.

Communication and Reporting

Maintain excellent relationships internally within IRC and with all IRC’s partners, the MOH, other team members and local authorities.
Carry out any other tasks as requested by supervisor, such as trainings, program representation, resource mobilization, advocacy, strengthening of partnerships, and program-related administrative duties.

Other

To be flexible as required.

Key Result Areas:

Adhered use of IMAM protocol in OTP/SFP/SC.
Improved GAM, SAM and MNDC to sphere standards.
Improved IYCF key practices and health and nutrition seeking behavior.
Improved GMP program
Improved community ownership of the best Nutrition Practices.
Improve link between Nutrition and other key health programs.

Qualifications

Qualified Graduate Nutritionist.
Previous field coordination and management experience in a related field.
Problem solving and organizational skills.
Diplomatic and an effective communicator at all levels.
Supportive personnel management style and ability to develop teams.
Strong leadership skills.
Strong community Nutrition experience.
Fluent written and spoken English.
Digital literacy.
Qualification in Nutrition and Dietetics or Community Nutrition.
Previous experience in Arid and Semi-Arid Lands of Kenya.
Previous experience working in insecure contexts.
Strong background in humanitarian projects.

Standards of Professional Conduct: The IRC and IRC workers must heed to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – Code of Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability and Equality. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and implements policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Harassment-Free Workplace, Fiscal Integrity, Anti-Retaliation, Combating Trafficking in Persons, and several others.

Gender Equality IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and we value diversity at our organization. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, age, marital status, disability status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform crucial job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request reasonable accommodation.

Kenyan nationals are encouraged to apply. International allowances are not available for this position. Salary and employee benefits are compliant to the Kenyan NGO Sector.