Senior Officer, Nutrition at the International Medical Corps (IMC)

International Medical Corps is a global, humanitarian, nonprofit organization dedicated to saving lives and relieving suffering through health care training and relief and development programs. Established in 1984 by volunteer doctors and Nurses, International Medical Corps is a private, voluntary, nonpolitical, nonsectarian organization. Its mission is to improve the quality of life through health interventions and related activities that build local capacity in under-served communities worldwide.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Senior Officer, Nutrition

Location: Nigeria

Job Summary

• This role is responsible for  overall day-to-day implementation  of all Nutrition programming at duty designation and state as applicable, participate in defining intervention priorities, develop necessary contacts and relationships with government, non-government, donors, and UN agencies at the field level; Contribute to the development of strategies and manage existing programs and resources, and provide day to day mentoring, support, advise and coaching to a wide team of Nutrition & Food Security in the operation areas.
• Ensure that the International Medical Corps program is delivering the highest level of quality of nutrition services in line with the national and international guidelines.
• To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function with or without reasonable accommodation:

Main Tasks and Responsibilities

• In Charge of the CMAM & MIYCN Components of the entire Nutrition Program implementation 
• Support, advice, mentor, and coach assigned nutrition team as required in the Nutrition Program 
• Support and work in strict collaboration with the nutrition team in the screening activities of severely malnourished children. 
• Identify training gaps for the incentive staff and beneficiaries within nutrition program and communicate the same to the program manager. Effective implementation of IMC's Emergency Nutrition Projects within the framework of pertinent national policy, strategy, and guidelines 
• Ensure observance, and always respect the dignity of beneficiaries and members of the community.  
• Participate in any nutrition sector-specific assessments and make technical recommendations for appropriate activities, both for initial disaster response phase and for the longer-term disaster risk reduction and transition phase. 
• Determine the cause of malnutrition in the emergency response and formulate appropriate responses that Will address the cause. 
• Assess the immediate lifesaving nutrition interventions needed (such as CMAM) in addition to the. Prevention activities (ENA, 'FE) that need to be implemented at the same time. 
• Provide direct hands-on technical support to Nutrition Staffs and IMC partners to manage emergency nutrition projects effectively and innovatively with focus on key technical areas. 
• Ensure that emergency nutrition and related projects are technically sound, environmentally friendly, and socially and culturally acceptable. 
• Actively represent International Medical Corps in nutrition sector discussions and activities, serve as an International Medical Corps nutrition sector resource person, and display technical and organizational leadership in sectorial activity commensurate with the role as a primary resource person for International Medical Corps as required.
• Update the nutrition manager on the implementation of the CMAM/IYCF-E on weekly basis, 
• Assign tasks among the staff according to the variation in workload, holidays, unplanned absences, or illness. 
• Work with State MOH, and other officials to ensure all aspects of program understood and agreed to implement the program. 
• Conduct Joint supportive supervision and capacity assessment of the OTP sites on monthly basis with State and I-GA nutrition focal person and incorporate the finding to the monthly progress report. 
• Ensure referrals to the SC are monitored smoothly. 
• Follow up management of stocks with the storekeeper; monitor rates of consumption and ensure supplies are ordered in a timely manner in liaison with the Nutrition Manager. 
• Ensure all criteria are understood by the teams, including admission, discharge, and transfer to and from the various components of the program. 
• Responsible for International Medical Corps' nutrition response and recovery activities across a wide range of actors within international Medical Corps, donors, host governments, UN, and NGO partners to ensure consistency of programming as directed. 
• Strong negotiation skills with partners, host community and government officials. 
• Actively participate and represent IMC in LGA nutrition Cluster meetings. 
• Assist in the development of, or provide technical review for, emergency response proposals to be submitted by International Medical Corps to ensure that proposed activities and programs align with best practices in the nutrition sector. As appropriate, suggest new developments in the nutrition sector to International Medical Corps programming. 
• Be fully aware of national policies, strategies and other initiatives and developments by the government and other stakeholders in nutrition. Regularly assess the implications for IMC's program and priorities of any changes in the operating environment in this sector and report on these to the Nutrition Manager and Nutrition Coordinator as required. 
• Actively participate in surveys done at the Community level (KAP, SMART, Causal Analysis, Barriers, Coverage) 
• Provide technical support and training where required to all team members and partners. 
• Build the capacity of Technical, Community Health Volunteers (CHVs) and committees to deliver quality service and undertake participatory monitoring of the implementation of the project works and record lessons and reports. 
• Prepare biweekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual reports to line manager as well as feed into donor reports. 
• Strengthen partnerships, institutional linkages and working relationships. 
• Ensure that all staff fully complete and sign time sheets monthly for submission to Maiduguri office. 
• Timely raise PRs and regularly update departmental Procurement tracking sheet (PTS) 
• Ensure payments made locally are compliant with the Procurement & Authorization Chart with appropriate supporting documentation. 
• Compile and consolidate weekly and monthly reports of the MIYCN & OTP Program in the mission. 
• Supports the Stabilization Centre Program
• Carries out MIYCN & OTP program Monitoring and Supervision and monitor program gaps and report them to the Nutrition Program 
• Facilitate and strengthen referral mechanism of the entire nutrition program.
• Perform other duties as assigned. The duties and responsibilities listed in this document are representative of the nature and level of work assigned and not necessarily all inclusive.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Nutrition, Nursing, or another Medical related course; master’s in public health is an added advantage. 
• Minimum of 2 years' experience in nutrition work and implementation of nutrition intervention programs, including community mobilization, monitoring and evaluation aspects. 
• Significant experience on community management of acute malnutrition and Infant feeding in Emergency in host communities/ IDP camp setting; Understanding of nutritional surveillance and information systems. 
• Proven ability and experience in planning and conducting formal training session on nutrition including CMAM and IYCF 
• Proven capacity to supervise, train and coach local staff and community workers.
• Excellent communication skills and a willingness to be respectful, kind, sensitive and empathize with children and their care takers. 
• A willingness and capacity to be flexible and accommodating when faced with difficult and frustrating working conditions. 
• Ability to deal with relations with local authorities as a Nutrition representative of IMC in the working areas. 
• Ability to integrate into the local environment including awareness of political, religious, and economic aspects of the community. 
• Excellent inter and intra-personal skills to ensure consistent positive relations with key stakeholders. 
• Strong report writing and computer skills. 
• Fluent in written and spoken English and local language. 
• Commitment to and understanding of IMC's aims, values, and principles.

Application Closing Date
31st December, 2023.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online