Nutrition Program Assistant at Mercy Corps Nigeria

Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible. In disaster, in hardship, in morethan 40 countries around the world, we partner to put bold solutions into action - helping people triumph over adversity and buildstronger communities from within. Now, and for the future. Mercy Corps has been present in Nigeria since 2012, focusing itsinterventions on humanitarian assistance, economic development, and conflict mitigation.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Nutrition Program Assistant

Location: Kala Balge - Borno

Program / Department Summary

• With the insurgency affecting North East Nigeria and displacing millions of people, Mercy Corps is to implement a multi-sector response that covers Nutrition and WASH, to support the conflict-affected population.
• The nutrition response supports both nutrition sensitive and specific interventions that contribute to prevention, detection and management of malnutrition.

These include:

• Promotion of Maternal, Infant, Young Child Nutrition (via support groups, one-to-one counselling and community wide SBC for IYCF);
• Provision of supplemental Nutrition Assistance i.e. distribution of Fresh Food Vouchers, backyard gardening and poultry production aiming at improving dietary diversity among targeted households; 
• Nutrition surveillance activities i.e. community nutrition screening, nutrition surveys and assessments aiming at monitoring the nutrition situation of targeted vulnerable individuals; 
• Management of children with uncomplicated Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) through established Outpatient Therapeutic Program (OTP) services, as well as support referral and follow-up of SAM patients with medical complications to Stabilization Centers (SCs) and children with Moderate Acute malnutrition (MAM) to Targeted Supplementary Feeding Program (TSFP).

General Position Summary

• The Nutrition Assistants will directly implement nutrition program activities in the areas of intervention. The activities will include supporting recommended maternal and Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) practices through appropriate Social and Behavior Change Communication (SBCC) using CNMs, peer-to-peer support groups (Care group & Male Engagement), General Nutrition Sensitization during the distribution of fresh food vouchers.
• He/ She will also support the roll out of the Mother Led MUAC approach aimed at enhancing mothers’ knowledge on malnutrition, improving coverage, increasing timely case identification and referral of malnourished children below 5year and supporting the OTP/TSFP activities.

Essential Job Responsibilities
Strategy & Vision:

• Collaborate with other team members for effective integration between other services like Nutrition and health services
• Collaborate with Local authorities and other partners to harmonize different efforts for better impact and sustainability.
• Able to learn and update his/ her information or knowledge to adapt the changing situation and context

Program Management:

• Directly implement the activities defined in the program in close collaboration with the nutrition
• Facilitate community mobilization and sensitization meetings during community led nutrition
• Implement awareness and sensitization activities on optimal IYCF practices, promotion of dietary diversification, malnutrition and its causes and including available CMAM services.
• Support establishment and functionality of Peer to Peer Support Groups e. Care groups & Male Engagement.
• Provide technical support to nutrition promoters and follow-up their day-to-day
• Support implementation of Mother Led MUAC i.e. coordination with community structures and any other key stakeholder, organize necessary materials/ tools required for the trainings, participate/ lead the training sessions.
• Follow-up with CMNs to ensure periodic active case finding at community level and identified malnourished cases referred for nutrition treatment at nearby health facilities.
• Ensure that nutrition promoters and Peer to Peer Support Groups follow the agreed implementation plan and guideline.
• Regularly assess the capacity of the supervised members and provide relevant formal and on the job
• Supervise and Support the running of OTP/TSFP Sites programs.
• Facilitate good working relationship between MCN and target
• Ensure timely submission of weekly reports, monthly reports and MUAC screening data & reports to nutrition officer for compilation.
• In collaboration with the nutrition officer and Field Managers, develop success stories, lessons learnt and case studies.

Team Management:

• Identify technical gaps among staff line managed and in liaison with the line manager provide on the job training and/ support supervision.
• Participate in developing detailed project implementation plan and orient the line managed on agreed actions.

Finance & Compliance Management:

• Ensure compliance with donor and Mercy Corps regulations related to emergency

Influence & Representation;

• Creates and maintain relationship with local health and other authorities to link services with the existing health structure smoothly,
• Upholds the image and values of Mercy Corps at all times,

Security:

• Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country
• Proactively ensure that team members operate in a secure environment and are aware of policies.

Organization Learning:

• As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities they serve, we expect all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves.

Accountability to Referees:

• Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our beneficiaries and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.
• Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC's policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.
• Supervisory Responsibility
• Community Nutrition Monitors, Peer to Peer Support Group

Knowledge and Experience

• University degree / HND or OND in Nutrition, Natural/Social Sciences, or equivalent
• Experience in the Nutrition and social approach – IYCF a
• Familiarity of the intervention areas
• Microsoft Office Skills (Outlook, Excel, Power Point, Word).
• Fluency in English, Hausa, Kanuri
• Previous experience with MC is an added

Success Factors

• Must be a resident of the proposed LGA.
• He/ She should be able to work independently, have good interpersonal and communication skills.
• He/ she should have understanding of humanitarian principles and their application to program implementation.
• Must be able to solve problems and multi-task on a range of administrative and programmatic issues.
• Mercy Corps team members represent the agency both during and outside work hours.
• Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC's policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.

Accountability:

• Reports Directly to: Senior Nutrition Program
• Works Directly with: Nutrition.

Application Closing Date
31st March, 2026.