Nutrition Assistant at Life at Best Development Initiative (LABDI) - 2 Openings

Life at Best Development Initiative (LABDI) is a team of change-makers who believe that every helping hand can create a better future for survivors of wars. We started extending help to vulnerable children and women who were affected by the insurgency which began in Borno state, Nigeria, in 2009. This moment intensified when we found that there were many such vulnerable children, women, and households who needed help with food, shelter, and education. Our team expanded and we spread out into different parts of the BAY states to make sure we cover all possible areas and help as many children, women, and households as possible. We support children, families, and communities affected by insurgencies and natural disasters.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Nutrition Assistant

Locations: MMC and Dikwa, Borno
Employment Type: Full-time
Reports to: This position reports up through the Life at Best Development Initiative structure, to the Nutrition Officer as the technical lead based in Maiduguri Head Office. However, on a day-to-day basis.

Job Description

• Advocacy visit / awareness creation and engaging community stakeholders on the Nutrition project activities for community acceptance and participation.
• Plan and organize nutrition activities at designated MAM sites in liaison with the nutrition officer and other program staff.
• Support field level technical assessments and plan and organize LABDI community led supplementary program in project location site in liaison with the Nutrition Officer/Manager.
• Conduct extensive routine integrated management of acute malnutrition (IMAM) Screening using mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) tape,
• bilateral pitting edema detection, operating under the SOPs of the CMAM component and principles.
• Supporting targeting of beneficiaries; formation and establishment of Mother Care groups; selection of community volunteers and members of community structures.
• Work closely with care group promoters and lead mothers to ensure all aspects of the program are understood and agreed and appropriate referrals take place to and from the community to MAM sites.
• Ensure effective referrals of the identified malnourished children to the appropriate program (OTP, SC, Tom Brown) based on the level of malnutrition identified.
• Engage in the IYCF counselling and IYCF message sessions during OTP days and ensure names of caregivers are recorded in the IYCF counselling register.
• Educate lactating/breastfeeding mothers on maternal infant and young child
• nutrition (MIYCN) and effective breastfeeding positions (Cradle, Cross-cradle, side lying and under-arm etc.) for good mother – child bonding during breastfeeding.
• Through liaison with the community, volunteers provide effective follow up of all beneficiaries: particularly tracing of children who are absent from the program, sick children and children with social problems... etc.
• Oversee the distribution of complementary food recipe in preparation for
• complementary food demonstration activities.
• Respond to inquiries regarding the technical aspects of the program admission and discharge whenever necessary at the MAM sites.
• Follow-up and ensure the field team interacts with the beneficiaries and community leaders properly.
• Screen and refer Moderate acute malnutrition cases to the Tom Brown TSFP activity for 8 weeks.
• Extensive follow up on OTP referred care givers to ensure the daily ration of ready to use therapeutic food (RUTF) is given only to the OTP referred / malnourished Child.
• Conduct extensive routine integrated management of acute malnutrition (IMAM) Screening using mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) tape, bilateral pitting edema detection, operating under the SOPs of the CMAM component and principles.
• Supporting targeting of beneficiaries; formation and establishment of Mother Care groups; selection of community volunteers and members of community structures.
• Work closely with care group promoters and lead mothers to ensure all aspects of the program are understood and agreed and appropriate referrals take place to and from the community to MAM sites.
• Ensure effective referrals of the identified malnourished children to the appropriate program (OTP, SC, Tom Brown) based on the level of malnutrition identified.
• Engage in the IYCF counselling and IYCF message sessions during OTP days and ensure names of caregivers are recorded in the IYCF counselling register.
• Educate lactating/breastfeeding mothers on maternal infant and young child nutrition (MIYCN) and effective breastfeeding positions (Cradle, Cross-cradle, side lying and under-arm etc.) for good mother – child bonding during breastfeeding.
• Through liaison with the community, volunteers provide effective follow up of all beneficiaries: particularly tracing of children who are absent from the program, sick children and children with social problems... etc.
• Oversee the distribution of complementary food recipe in preparation for complementary food demonstration activities.
• Respond to inquiries regarding the technical aspects of the program admission and discharge whenever necessary at the MAM sites.
• Follow-up and ensure the field team interacts with the beneficiaries and community leaders properly.
• Screen and refer Moderate acute malnutrition cases to the Tom Brown TSFP activity for 8 weeks.
• Extensive follow up on OTP referred care givers to ensure the daily ration of ready to use therapeutic food (RUTF) is given only to the OTP referred / malnourished Child.
• Advocacy visit / awareness creation and engaging community stakeholders on the Nutrition project activities for community acceptance and participation.
• Plan and organize nutrition activities at designated MAM sites in liaison with the nutrition officer and other program staff.
• Support field level technical assessments and plan and organize LABDI community led supplementary program in project location site in liaison with the Nutrition Officer/Manager.
• Participate in the hygiene promotion education to care givers and children at community and household level.
• Organize and oversee the weekly / monthly MIYCN support group activities and ensure attendance data are well recorded for accountability.
• Weekly and monthly reports writing on the nutrition project activities. 
• Provide technical support and guidance to CVs and LGAS on MUAC screening and referral, referral- follow-up for children U5. 
• In collaboration with LGA teams, support sensitization activities for targeted communities to identify and address barriers to recommended nutrition practices with a focus on traditional/religious leaders and other key stakeholders.
• Conduct regular technical monitoring of nutrition activities and document findings to inform improvements in programme implementation.
• Ensure regular communication and sharing of lessons learned and challenges with the programme team and partners to inform implementation.
• Participate in meetings, training, and other assessments/events as required.
• Plan logistics and materials needs for the activities to be carried out.
• Attend annual refresher training on Safeguarding and commit to setting at least one Safeguarding goal each year.

Qualifications

• A Bachelor’s Degree or its equivalent in Public Health, Nutrition, Nursing, or a related field, with a minimum of three years of extensive experience in integrated programming as well as community mobilization in the areas of MNCH+N

Experience / Skills:
Essential:

• Computer skills: Proficient in the use of MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Google Workspace tools.
• Exceptional report writing and data analysis skills. 
• Familiarity and experience with participatory approaches and tools for training and implementing nutrition programs at the community level.
• Dedication to working with marginalized and disadvantaged groups, including in remote areas. 
• Sound strategic thinking and planning skills, including the ability to think creatively and innovate to set priorities, manageable work plans and evaluate progress. 
• Ability to integrate, leverage and build support from staff across teams and to build the capacity of others.
• Commitment to teamwork and understanding of how to contribute to a team setting.
• Ability to work effectively in partnership/collaboration with government and other partner organizations. 
• Effective Communication skills and fluency in both spoken and written English and the local language (Hausa is desirable for this role).

Desirable:

• Independence, adaptability, and flexibility.
• Understanding of the community health system and working with government and community stakeholders
• Proven experience and skills for facilitation and delivering training and capacity building in behaviour change communication for MNCH and health governance.
• Teachability, and ability to establish relationships with a wide range of audiences. 
• Ability to think critically and be proactive. 
• High level of Independence, flexibility, and adaptability
• Demonstration of creativity and problem-solving skills. 
• Strong sense of urgency and work ethic
• Willingness to work under ambiguous circumstances and challenging situations.
• Additionally, experience and expertise in nutrition-specific/sensitive programming, community mobilization, and familiarity with quantitative and qualitative research methods would be an added advantage. 
• Understands and believes in Life At Best Development Initiative’s mission and vision; commits to its objectives and willing to adopt Life At Best Development Initiative’s methodology and framework

Behaviours (Values in Practice):
Accountability:

• Holds self-accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modelling Life At Best Development Initiative values.
• Holds the team and partners accountable to deliver on their responsibilities - giving them the freedom to deliver in the best way they see fit, providing the necessary development to improve performance, and applying appropriate consequences when results are not achieved.

Ambition:

• Sets ambitious and challenging goals for themselves and their team, takes responsibility for their own personal development and encourages their team to do the same.
• Widely shares their personal vision for Life At Best Development Initiative, engages and motivates others.
• Future orientated, thinks strategically and on a global scale.

Collaboration:

• Builds and maintains effective relationships, with their team, colleagues, Members and external partners, and supporters.
• Values diversity and sees it as a source of competitive strength.
• Approachable, good listener, easy to talk to.

Creativity:

• Develops and encourages new and innovative solutions.
• Willing to take LABDI planned risks.

Integrity:

• Honest, encourages openness and transparency; demonstrates highest levels of integrity.

Additional job responsibilities:

• The duties and responsibilities as set out above are not exhaustive and the role holder may be required to carry out additional duties within reasonableness of their level of skills and experience.

Equal Opportunities:

• The role holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with the LABDI Equal Opportunities and Diversity policies and procedures.

Child Safeguarding:

• We need to keep children safe so our selection process, which includes rigorous background checks, reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse.

Application Closing Date
21st June, 2024.