TITLE: Nutrition Assistant
TEAM/PROGRAMME: Program Development and Quality LOCATION: Sokoto
GRADE: 5 CONTRACT LENGTH: Fixed term
CHILD SAFEGUARDING: (select only one)
Level 3: the role holder will have contact with children and/or young people either frequently (e.g., once a week or more) or intensively (e.g. four days in one month or more or overnight) because they work in country programs; or are visiting country programs; or because they are responsible for implementing the police checking/vetting process staff.
ROLE PURPOSE:
Breakthrough ACTION (BA) is a five-year cooperative agreement from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to lead USAID’s social and behavior change (SBC) programming around the world. Breakthrough ACTION/Nigeria (BA-N) focuses on malaria; maternal, newborn, and child health including nutrition (MNCH+N); family planning (FP); and tuberculosis (TB); and increasing the capacity of national and sub-national entities to coordinate and oversee quality SBC programming. BA-N will collaborate closely with the relevant USAID service delivery and commodities implementation partners from the outset to ensure seamless coordination between supply, demand, and quality of services. BA-N will work at the national level and in 11 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The Nutrition Assistant will provide technical support and guidance for the implementation of BA-N’s integrated SBC community component in Nigeria in unison with BA-N’s overall strategic SBC approach at the community level, in the media, on mobile/digital platforms, and advocacy approaches with opinion leaders. S/he will support the implementation of the Nutrition SBC component of the program. Within the project, the Nutrition officer will report to the state coordinator integrated SBC and will work in close collaboration with the respective BA-N Unit officers for each of these components listed above under the leadership of the BA-N Deputy Project Director integrated SBC and Family planning. The Nutrition officer will support in planning and program implementation of the Nutrition community SBC component in Sokoto State.
In the event of a major humanitarian emergency, the role holder will be expected to work outside the normal role profile and be able to vary working hours accordingly.
SCOPE OF ROLE:
Reports to: This position reports up through the Save the Children structure, to the Snr MNCH+N advisor as the technical lead based in Abuja. However, on a day-to-day basis, this position is located within the BA-Nigeria office will report to State Coordinator based in Sokoto State.
Staff directly reporting to this post: N/A
Role Dimensions: The role necessitates close collaboration with various approaches within the BA-N project, as well as efficient coordination with USAID implementing partners, government partners, and community stakeholders within the state.
KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY :
Support Nutrition/SBC implementation at State/LGA Level
Provide technical assistance to CVs and LGAS and WDCs on health and nutrition, with focus on the implementation of effective methodologies/activities to improve nutrition knowledge, attitudes, and practices of mothers/caregivers and communities.
Provide technical support and guidance to Women Empowerment Groups and other community groups on the implementation and reporting of nutrition activities including food demonstrations, nutrition messaging, nutrition card games, etc. during their meetings and other secondary community activities on nutrition developed.
In collaboration with State Nutrition Officer and LGA PHC teams and other partners, keep track and monthly update of Health Facilities with RUTF and share the updated list with CVs and LGAS for referrals.
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.
BEHAVIOURS (Values in Practice)
Accountability:
Holds self-accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modelling Save the Children 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 Save the Children, 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 disciplined risks.
Integrity:
Honest, encourages openness and transparency; demonstrates highest levels of integrity.
QUALIFICATIONS
A Bachelor's degree or its equivalent (a Master's degree would be an added advantage) in Public Health, Nutrition, Nursing, Social Science, 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 AND 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 Save the Children’s mission and vision; commits to its objectives and willing to adopt Save the Children’s methodology and framework
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 SCI 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.
Safeguarding our Staff:
The post holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with the SCI anti-harassment policy
Health and Safety
The role holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with SCI Health and Safety policies and procedures.