Nutrition Officer at the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS)

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS) is responsible for the formulation and implementation of policies and strategies in the Nigeria’s agricultural sector, to sufficiently provide food for an increasing population, adequate supply of raw materials to a growing industrial sector, effectively expand the market for crop, livestock, agro and agro-allied products, continually create employment opportunities, and to widely diversify the economy, for national development. The Ministry provides resources to the sector for the implementation of various projects and programmes. The efforts is complemented with the support and funding from donor partners in the implementation of various agricultural projects and programmes in the country.

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS) in collaboration with International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) are implementing a Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprises in the Niger Delta states (LIFE-ND).

To facilitate implementation of the project, the partners want qualified and competent personnel from the region to fill the underlisted vacant position in Akwa Ibom State Project Coordinating Office in the capacity below:

Job Title: Nutrition Officer

Location: Uyo, Akwa Ibom

Description

• The Nutrition Officer will be responsible for the facilitation of nutrition mainstreaming in project interventions in the Niger Delta region.

Specific Duties

• Facilitate the analysis of nutrition gaps along the supply chain of priority commodities in the project locations.
• Facilitate the periodic food survey and report dissemination on Knowledge, Attitude and Practice (KAP).
• In collaboration with selected relevant institutes and/or private sector, facilitate the promotion of value added products development and consumption among project beneficiaries.
• Organize nutrition publicity on project nutrition activities; facilitate the development and testing of appropriate campaign messages, tools and materials to promote nutrition education, social and behavioural change communication.
• Facilitate capacity building and training sessions on nutrition-sensitive agriculture for project staff, implementers, nutrition officers, ADPs and extension workers.
• In collaboration with other stakeholders and partners, facilitate the activities on Home Grown School Feeding Initiative, vegetable garden and integrated homestead food production.
• Establish and maintain working relationships with the line ministries (such as health, gender, education) to build synergy in nutrition-sensitive interventions in LIFE-ND.
• Track and document substantive data and information on nutrition-sensitive activities and maintain regular technical reports on nutrition outcomes, nutrition indicators and food security as linked to project interventions.
• Work collaboratively with the technical specialists on gender and climate in documenting interface on nutrition outcomes.

Reporting and Location:

• The officer will report directly to the State Project Coordinator. The position will be in the State Project Coordinating Office located in Uyo.

Qualifications and Experience

• Advanced University Degree from an accredited institution in the field of Human Nutrition, Food Science or equivalent in a field related to Food Security.
• At least 3 years' experience in, and demonstrated understanding of food and nutrition initiatives in rural development. Knowledge of the Niger Delta region is an advantage.
• Experience in previous food survey and/or nutrition programme is required.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English. Working knowledge of another local language in Niger Delta region is essential and desirable.
• Experience of interacting with a variety of internal and external stakeholders is desirable.
• Strong project coordination skills; and basic knowledge on gender and climate change issues is desirable.

Job Tenure:

• The appointment will be for a period of two (2) years in the first instance, renewable subject to satisfactory performance.

Application Closing Date
28th January, 2025.