Nutrition Officer

BACKGROUND: 

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover, and gain control of their lives. The IRC works with people forced to flee from war, conflict and disaster and the host communities which support them, as well as those who remain within their homes and communities. We began work in Ethiopia since 2000 and currently implementing emergency and development programs in health, water and sanitation, economic recovery and development (ERD), women’s protection and empowerment, education, child protection, and multi-sectoral emergency response. 

The IRC has a focus on narrowing the gender gap in humanitarian aid and ensuring that we contribute to gender equality, diversity, and inclusion in both our programs and operations by working to establish a context where our clients (including those from minority groups) enjoy the same rights and opportunities as well as an equal access to services. The IRC also has a strong commitment to creating an equitable and inclusive culture, where safeguarding is upheld in our workplace and programs. We are determined to protect our clients and staff from safeguarding violations through prevention and, where misconduct is alleged, to address it without fear or favor.

Job Overview:

The nutrition officer oversees the targeted supplementary feeding program (TSFP) and ensures the effective implementation of the Emergency Nutrition response project at the woreda (district) level. Their focus is on both the host community and IDP (Internally Displaced Persons) sites. They coordinate and implements the TSFP program in align with organizational and international standards. Furthermore, the officer provides ongoing technical support to government health care providers, including nurses, midwives, public health officers, and Health Extension Workers. This position will be based at different districts/woredas under our field office and will directly report to the program manager.

Major Responsibilities:

• Take charge of planning and coordinating field-level TSFP activities, which include tasks such as preparing and estimating administrative costs for direct distributions. Additionally, submit operational requests to the program manager.
• Prepare distributions plans providing estimates of the proposed number of beneficiaries and how distribution shall be affected.
• Timely submit of the Food Distribution Plans to WFP for approval.
• Lead the scoping/distribution planning community sensitization missions.
• Prepare all TSFP tools required prior to each distribution and alert volunteers/ensure they are trained to undertake distributions.
• Prepare food returns documentation from direct distributions- explained and documented.
• Collaborate with the MHNT in the Woreda to create joint work plans that connect the TSFP with the HMNT Community Case Management of Malnutrition (CMAM) activities.
• Act as the link between the TSP team and the zonal/woreda administrations, WoHo and service recipient community.
• As and when required actively represent IRC nutrition coordination cluster.
• Verify, compile, and share complete timely reports of the TSFP activities to woreda and, IRC Health and manger nutrition managers in shire.
• Prepare and submit on time to the WFP Shire office the weekly, monthly TSFP beneficiary reports, monthly distribution report including the waybill tracking sheets and the monthly report invoice.
• Participate in the preparation of the weekly Nutrition cluster 5Ws report on TSFP.
• Develop TSFP process monitoring checklist in collaboration with M&E
• Undertake regular TSFP monitoring field visits to provide on-job training, identify capacity gaps, material needs and collect TSFP activity reports from the field.
• Review existing TSFP training packages and adapt (as required)
• Mentor and coach, the Nutrition Assistants and Screeners.
• Conduct TSFP and other nutrition-related training for HEWs and Health Development Army (HDAs) and Health workers in the Woredas.
• Consistently and proactively monitor/assess the safety and security of the team; promptly reporting concerns or incidents to IRC management and liaising with community leaders and other external parties as required to maintain/enhance the security environment for IRC programs.
• Perform any other related duties as required.

Safeguarding Responsibilities:

• Promote and actively participate in initiatives and efforts to build team engagement, inclusion and cohesion in IRC [team/office].
• Foster ongoing learning, honest dialogue and reflection to strengthen safeguarding and to promote IRC values and adherence to IRC policies.

Job Requirements:

Educational Requirements:

• Diploma/BSc/MSc or equivalent experience in Nursing, public Health /MD
• Minimum work experience of 5 years for Diploma, 2 years for BSc and 1 year for MSc/MD.

Preferred experience & skills:

• Excellent communication skills as well as an overall ability to be clear and concise in all communications.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills; proven track record to prioritize and deliver on time.
• Strong analytic problem-solving skills
• Excellent working both independently and in a dynamic, cross-functional team structure.
• Highly proficient in Microsoft Office suite
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with partners.
• Ability to manage and work through change in a proactive and positive manner Meets timelines for all reporting and delivery of outputs.
• Results-based attitude, as well as excellent organization skills are a MUST.
• Excellent digital literacy, with a good knowledge of MS-office Windows including Word, Excel, Power point and Access would be an advantage.
• Demonstrated behavior of professional and personal ethics, clarity, and willingness.
• Basic supervisory/managerial skills with strong inter-personal skills.
• NGO experience in emergency health response project activities is preferable.
• Demonstrable experience in working with communities in participatory approaches and capacity building of health centers.
• Ability to plan, coordinate, and supervise implementation of health emergency intervention projects.
• Good technical and report writing skills with computer skills and knowledge.
• Excellent written and verbal skills.
• Self-motivated, honest, highly responsible, and punctual and ability to constructively address gaps and weaknesses.
• Proficiency in handling pressure in remote locations and a deep understanding of the cultural nuances.

Language Skills:

• Excellent verbal and written communication in English is mandatory and local language is advantageous.

How To Apply

Candidates meeting the above qualifications are encouraged to apply only through the below IRC On-line recruitment website: 

IRC Career Site: https://careers.rescue.org/us/en/job/req52264/Nutrition-Officer

• Please include 3 references from current and former employers.
• Applications will not be returned. IRC discourages phone calls or personal visits.
• Only applicants meeting the minimum qualification will be short listed and contacted.

Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply.

Your application letter/cover letter must include the following information. 

• Name of the position you have applied for 

• Date of application 

• Summary of  your qualifications and experience 

• Motivation/objective of why you have applied for the job

• Permanent Address and present address (if different from permanent) and telephone number if possible also email address 

• Disclose any family relationships with existing IRC employees. 

IRC is an equal employment opportunity employer.  IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability.

IRC strives to build a diverse and inclusive team at all levels who as individuals, and as a group, embody our culture statement creating a working environment characterized by critical reflection, power sharing, debate, and objectivity for us to achieve our aspirations as a team and deliver the best possible services to our clients. 

Professional Standards: The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity Anti-Retaliation and Combating Trafficking in Persons

Gender Equality: IRC is committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including parental leave, gender-sensitive security protocols, and other supportive benefits and allowances.