Nutrition Specialist at Helen Keller International

Helen Keller International (HKI), established in 1915, is an international non-governmental organization (NGO) dedicated to saving the sight and lives of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged. Headquartered in New York City, HKI currently conducts programs in 21 countries in Africa and Asia, as well as in the United States.

HKI implements integrated package of cost-effective interventions that are proven to improve maternal and child nutrition. HKI supports policies and programs on food fortification, vitamin A supplementation, infant and young child feeding, nutrition-sensitive agriculture, community-based management of acute malnutrition and prevention and treatment of neglected tropical diseases. At the core of HKI’s programs is advocacy and social behavior change communication to various stakeholders. HKI also undertakes cutting-edge research to influence policy decisions and inform program quality.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Nutrition Specialist

Location: Nigeria
Employment Type: Full time

Scope of the Position

• The Nutrition Specialist will provide technical expertise and guidance on nutrition interventions, including assessments, program design, and implementation.
• The successful candidate will ensure the delivery of high-quality nutrition programs in line with established standards and protocols.

Specific Responsibilities

• Provide technical expertise and guidance on nutrition interventions, assessments, and program design. Conduct training and capacity-building activities for project staff and community health workers on nutrition-related topics.
• Monitor and evaluate the impact of nutrition programs, ensuring compliance with national and international standards.
• Develop and adapt nutrition-specific strategies and protocols based on evidence-based practices and guidelines.
• Raise community awareness and consumption of diversified, nutrient dense, fortified and nutritionally adequate foods.
• Improve nutritional status and intervention outcome through increasing production of diverse and safe foods, increased household food availability and gender sensitive interventions.
• Coordinate capacity building and technical support for beneficiaries on nutrition-Specific and sensitive agriculture issues including dietary diversification and nutrient dense diets, food preparation and utilization; best practices; and energy and time saving technologies for women.
• Work with the M&E officer to monitor beneficiary adoption of the new nutrition targeted agricultural practices and food consumption methodologies.
• Promote food safety including appropriate methods of handling, preservation, processing, storage, and utilization of foods.
• Establish linkages and facilitate collaboration across relevant sectors, agencies and public and private sector stakeholders working with the targeted communities.
• Promote water and sanitation activities in the targeted communities.
• Strengthen and promote community engagement processes in the project areas, particularly identifying project beneficiaries, assessing their needs, and addressing and resolving community issues.
• Perform and document regular monitoring of all project activities in close coordination with the project team.
• Any other duties as assigned from time to time.

Required Qualifications / Competencies

• Master's Degree in Nutrition, Public Health, or a related field.
• Minimum of 8 years of experience in nutrition program management, implementation, and technical support.
• Demonstrated expertise in designing and implementing evidence-based nutrition interventions.
• Strong technical knowledge of nutrition and public health principles and practices.
• Excellent training and capacity-building skills.
• Analytical and critical thinking abilities with a focus on program quality and impact.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to work collaboratively with diverse teams.
• Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills In English Language, as well as the ability to report to and advise the State Coordinator on emerging issues.
• Able to work on own initiative with a creative approach to problem-solving.

Application Closing Date
15th December, 2023.