Nutrition Specialist at Care Best Initiative

Care Best Initiative (CBI) is a fast-growing, woman-led, and youth-driven Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) founded in 2019 and presently operational in states within North-East, Nigeria. Our objectives are to save lives, alleviate the suffering of children, women, and other vulnerable people; and maintain human dignity during and in the aftermath of man-made crises and natural disasters; as well as to prevent and strengthen preparedness for the occurrence of such situations; and to promote the right of children, women and vulnerable people in the society. Our actions are multi-sectorial inclined, gender-sensitive, and socially inclusive.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Nutrition Specialist

Location: Borno
Employment Type: Contract
Job type: Contractual - Twelve (12) months
Responsible for: Delivering CBI Nutrition program
Reports to: Program Coordinator
Department: Programs

Background

• We have implemented various donor and self-funded projects/activities in several areas of humanitarian needs among Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), returnees, and host communities.
• We are actively present in Northeast (Borno, Adamawa, Yobe, and Bauchi States) and Northwest (Zamfara, Sokoto, and Kebbi states) Nigeria. CBI employs a multi-sectorial stakeholder-engagement and community-inclusion approach to the implementation of all her programs and activities and is well experienced in advocacy, influencing awareness creation, and behavioural change programming.
• Our thematic areas of operations cut across sectors like Health (FP, SRH, HIV/AIDS & RI), Education, Nutrition (CMAM, MIYCN), Protection (GBV, Child Protection, GE&I), Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, Food Security & Livelihood (FSL) among others with the objectives to improve access to basic and reproductive health services, and support distressed families. We also facilitate developmental programs, such as stakeholders’ advocacy campaigns against systemic and deep-rooted gender inequalities and barriers that will improve the socio-economic status of the most vulnerable (including orphans, PLWHA, PWDs, out-of-school children, Almajiri students, and Islamiyya students), promote infrastructural and environmental development, and promote equitable gender and social activities in communities.
• As our activities are also aimed at strengthening the resilience of the most vulnerable and building their capacity and self-reliance through education, sensitization, and awareness creation, CBI works in partnership with the Ministry of Budget and Planning, the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, and Women’s Affairs, Ministry of Health as well as other relevant line-ministries for implementation. CBI also partners with other local and international partners and is an active member of several Clusters, working groups, and CSO Networks in all her states of operation and at the national level is a member of the Coalition of NGOs in Nigeria.

Job Purpose

• The Nutrition Specialist will play a crucial role in providing technical guidance and supporting nutrition-related interventions by managing, implementing, monitoring, evaluating, and reporting the programme progress, achievement and sustainable results in maternal, infant and child nutrition programmes/projects. This position requires a deep understanding of nutrition principles, as well as experience in implementing and managing nutrition programs in emergency contexts.

Job Description / Principal Accountabilities

• Program Design and Implementation:
  • Develop nutrition intervention strategies based on assessments of the target population's needs and context.
  • Implement nutrition programs in accordance with international standards and guidelines, ensuring alignment with the organization's goals and objectives.
  • Maintain supply chain for treatment and outreach services in the project through Team Leader(s) and logistics.
  • Provide support in recruitment and mentoring field teams to ensure quality implementation
  • Provide operational and technical support to the Senior Project Manager and project team
  • Keep abreast of development trends to enhance programme management, efficiency and delivery.
  • Participate in strategic programme discussions on the planning of nutrition programmes/projects.
  • Establish specific goals, objectives, strategies, and implementation plans for the nutrition sector(s) based on results-based planning terminology and methodology (RBM). Prepare required documentations for programme review and approval.
• Capacity Building and Training:
  • Lead capacity building activities in the project, including need based capacity building support. Organize and implement capacity building initiatives to enhance the competencies of project specific human resource and community to promote sustainable results on nutrition specific interventions.
  • Conduct workshops and sessions on topics such as infant and young child feeding practices, nutritional assessments, and treatment of malnutrition.
  • Contribute to the development and implementation of policies and procedures to ensure optimum efficiency and efficacy of sustainable programmes and projects.
• Monitoring and Evaluation:
  • Establish monitoring and evaluation frameworks to track the progress and impact of nutrition interventions and ensuring adherence to protocols and quality standards.
  • Collect and analyze nutrition data to inform decision-making and program adjustments.
  • Prepare regular reports on nutrition program activities, achievements, and challenges for internal and external stakeholders.
  • Support program and monitoring by field visits and review /development of relevant tools, indicators and MOVs.
• Coordination and Collaboration:
  • Coordinate with relevant stakeholders, including government authorities, NGOs, UN agencies, and community leaders, to ensure the integration and complementarity of nutrition interventions with other humanitarian activities.
  • Participate in nutrition cluster meetings and working groups to share information, coordinate responses, and advocate for nutrition priorities.
• Advocacy and Communication:
  • Advocate for the importance of nutrition interventions in humanitarian settings and raise awareness about nutrition-related issues among affected populations, stakeholders, and donors.
  • Support communication efforts by contributing to the development of nutrition-related materials, including educational resources and awareness campaigns.

Job Holder Entry Requirements
Knowledge (Education & Related Experience):

• Degree in nutrition, public health, or a related field. Master’s degree preferred in nutrition, public health, nutritional epidemiology, health/nutrition research
• Minimum of (3) years of experience in nutrition programming, preferably in nutrition, public health, nutrition planning and management, or maternal, infant and child health/nutrition care.
• Strong understanding of nutrition principles, including clinical nutrition, infant and young child feeding, and treatment of acute malnutrition.
• Experience in designing, implementing, and monitoring nutrition interventions using international standards and guidelines (e.g., Sphere standards, WHO guidelines).
• Proficiency in data collection, analysis, and reporting using relevant software applications.

Skills (Special Training or Competence):
General professional competencies:

• Proven experience in computer systems and network administration
• Previous experience from working in complex and volatile contexts
• Team management
• Documented results related to the position’s responsibilities

Training skills:

• Clear written and verbal communication
• Fluency in English, both written and verbal
• Good knowledge of the local humanitarian and security context
• Context / Specific skills, Knowledge and experience:
• In-depth knowledge of the Office 365 suite
• Designing and managing IP networks
• Bandwidth optimization and high availability techniques.
• Knowledge of installation, configuration and maintenance of HF and VHF radios is an asset.

Performance Management:
The employee will be accountable for the responsibilities and the competencies, in accordance with CBI Human Resource and Performance Management manual. The following documents will be used for performance reviews:

• The Job Description
• The work and development plan
• The Mid-term / End of trial period Performance Review Template
• The End-term Performance Review Template
• The CBI Competency Framework.

Key Behaviours:

• Interpersonal and intercultural sensitivity.
• Social and receptive (active listener).
• High degree of integrity.
• Ability to work independently and as a part of the team, as the situation dictates.
• Proactive and ready to take initiative.
• Ability to assimilate and handle a wide range of information efficiently and effectively.
• High level of stress tolerance and ability to work under pressure with minimum supervision.
• Willingness to undertake extensive field trips within the PCO working area.

Key Relationships (excluding own line manager and staff):
Internal:

• Program Coordinator
• Finance and Support Services team
• Various staff based in all CBI core departments, as and when necessary (e.g. funding, PDA, MEAL, finance, PPA)

External:

• Partners
• Consultants
• Service Providers/Stakeholders (Other NGOs)
• Government agencies
• Community leaders/CBOs.

Application Closing Date
31st March, 2024.

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

Note

• Only applications submitted online will be reviewed
• Only one application email should be submitted as multiple submissions will be tantamount to automatic disqualification however, applications submitted before this date will be reviewed on a rolling basis
• By submitting your Application for this position you agreed to CBI ZERO Tolerance to:
• Fraud
• Sexual Harassment, Exploitation, Abuse, and Child Abuse
• Our employees enjoy a work culture that promotes diversity and inclusion.
• Care Best Initiative (CBI) provides Equal Employment Opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, or genetics.
• Qualified women are strongly encouraged to apply.