Background/IRC Summary:

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC offers lifesaving care and life-changing assistance to people affected by war or disaster. At work today in over 40 countries and 22 U.S. cities, we restore safety, dignity, and hope to millions who are uprooted and struggling to endure. The IRC leads the way from harm to home. The IRC has been present in Nigeria since 2012 when the organization responded to flooding in Kogi state. In February 2014 the IRC moved into Adamawa State in NE Nigeria to provide humanitarian interventions through a multi-sectoral, integrated approach for conflict-affected populations. IRC Nigeria now operates a country office in Abuja and field offices in Mubi and Yola of Adamawa State, Maiduguri, Monguno, and Gwoza of Borno state, Damaturu of Yobe State, and a current extension to Zamfara and Katsina states, northwest Nigeria. Currently, IRC Nigeria implements programs for primary health care, nutrition, environmental health, women’s protection and empowerment, protection, child protection, education, economic recovery, and development. The country program developed a strategic plan in the first half of 2021. IRC aim to provide the best possible impact for some of the most vulnerable children, women, and men. In all that we do, IRC strives to deliver through IRC’s core values of Integrity, Accountability, Service and Equality.

Project Overview:

The BHA (Bureau of Humanitarian Assistance) project, “Integrated Emergency Response to the Displaced Population in Zamfara, Sokoto, And Katsina States, Northwest Nigeria “ depending on fund availability will be carried out by a consortium led by the International Rescue Committee (IRC) in collaboration with the Alliance for International Medical Action (Alima), Cooperazione Internazionale (COOPI), and Life Helpers Initiative (LHI) and Grassroot Initiative for Strengthening Community Resilience (GISCOR), aims to leverage each partner’s expertise to provide immediate humanitarian assistance to internally displaced people populations through area-based approach. The Consortium partners will provide an integrated multisectoral intervention in Health, Nutrition, WASH, Protection, and Multi-purpose Cash Assistance (MPCA) activities in Zamfara, Katsina, and Sokoto states in collaboration with state governments, UN organizations and other key actors in Northwest Nigeria. The project will be implemented by a dedicated support, quality assurance, and coordination team, who will work closely with all partners through a management unit of well-structured consortium governance for the activity.

Job Overview/Summary

Under the supervision of the Nutrition Manager, the Nurse Assistant will be responsible for all BHA projects in his/her Local Government Area and is expected to ensure integrity, high level transparency and commitment in the implementation of the project. He or she is responsible for overseeing all nutrition activities for IRC supported OTPs/stabilization center (SC) in assigned LGA in Zamfara state. The Nutrition Assistant will oversee and supervise supported SMOH OTPs/SC staff/CHVs and reports to the Nutrition Manager.

Major Responsibilities:

• Support planning and implementing the project activities and outputs at the field level to ensure the project achieves its objective of improving access to quality Nutrition services.
• Track the performance of the project activities and targets against the expected results and advise on implementation process to ensure the project is progressing towards attaining its targets in each LGA.
• Ensure quality and timely identification and treatment of medical complications associated with malnutrition in OTP/SC in liaison with the other clinical services. Give and advice on the referral these children to the nearest SC on good time after necessary first aid is given.
• Supervise and coordinate the strict patient management of children in the OTP/SC and ensure the laid protocols are followed.
• Participate in daily operations at the OTP/SC with the medical team at the PHC/SC.
• Strictly monitor and record the vital signs as required and act on any deviation from the Normal and give all the support required.
• Escort patients to other referral hospitals when necessary.
• improvement of the MIYCN program in the OTP/SC and ensure mothers establish breastfeeding well and counsel them at the OTP corners on best nutrition practices.
• Monitor therapeutic Feeds (RUTF), Therapeutic Milk, ReSoMal and ensure that children get them as required.
• Conduct periodic analysis of progress of the project at the LGA level and promote learning and sharing of best practices and lessons learnt through documentation.
• Identifying program gaps in the supported OTP/SC services with immediate solution for further necessary steps to address those gaps.
• Provide capacity building and on-the-job coaching to Facility staff in IMAM services including MIYCF best practices in supported facilities.
• Oversee the implementation of quality Nutrition program activities at all IRC supported health facilities in the targeted areas.
• Design and lead assessments to ensure the voices of women and girls inform Nutrition program design.
• Support proper Nutrition data collection and recording in the IRC supported OTP/SC units and support the compilation of data and generation of quality Nutrition reports on a regular and timely manner.
• Support health facility-level reporting to SMOHs through LGA health authorities especially the HMIS.
• In line with the communication strategies of the consortium, ensure visibility of the project and project strategies at field level.
• Support collection of stories and photographs that demonstrate the positive impact of the project.
• Monitor the performance of each supported OTP facilities with regular visits to the LGA health office, health facilities and communities.
• Create an enabling environment to promote information sharing, partnerships and cordial relationship between community, government structures and target communities where the project works
• Collaborate with other relevant sectors especially Environmental Health, as well as Health, Women Protection & Empowerment, and Child Protection to ensure holistic service package is available in response to the needs.
• Develop nutrition sector work plans for all the IRC nutrition grants assigned to him/her by the Supervisor.
• Supervise and coordinate the implementation and monitoring of nutrition project activities in line with proposal targets and work plan timelines.
• Coordinate routine project reporting, including mid-term and end of grant reports to the donor.
• Conduct nutritional surveillance in the program sites, including host community and internally displaced persons (IDPs)based on agreed methodologies including surveys, process monitoring, SMART, LQAS, SQUEAC and other rapid methods.
• Work with the field-based nutrition staff and community health Volunteers to establish, implement and monitor community-based management of acute malnutrition activities, coupled with patient follow up, referrals and education for their better management at community level.
• Coordinate with other IRC departments and implementing partners to develop training curricula and implementation plans for community Health Volunteers (CHV’s).
• Assist in response and management of any nutrition emergencies e.g. acute food shortages and participate in the development of disaster preparedness systems.
• Oversee implementation and integration of comprehensive growth monitoring program/Mass MUAC screenings at community level and report accordingly.
• Routinely monitor staff performance according to their job description and provide written feedback in a timely manner.
• Review personnel issues and concerns of nutrition staff and assist with determining and implementing solutions.
• Participate in the development of proposals, budgets and concept notes in coordination with the supervisor.
• Monitor the purchase and use of materials, equipment and supplies
• Maintain the equipment in good condition and submit regular inventory reports of the same.
• Monitor and evaluate appropriate implementation of  projects against program objectives and IRC’s Program Framework.
• Identify opportunities for program development.
• ANY OTHER ACTIVITY assigned by the supervisor.

Key Working Relationships

Position Reports to: Nutrition Manager

Indirect/Technical Reporting: Senior Consortium Manager, Nutrition Coordinator, Stabilization centers manager, Health Manager Health coordinator.

Position directly Supervises: Non.

Key Internal Contacts:

• Country Program: SPC, Deputy Director Program, Finance Manager, Supply chain Manager, Senior Area Manager, DDFM

Key External Contacts:

• INGO

Minimum Qualifications:

Education:

• BNSC or Diploma in Nursing/ Midwifery with strong nutrition background.
• Registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria

Work Experience:

• At least 3 years’ experience in managing and implementing Nutrition programs OTP/SC.
• Flexible, diplomatic and have the ability and willingness to live and work under pressure of workloads.
• Able to lead a team and experience in staff management.
• Good in using Microsoft package.
• Ability to work with displaced communities with diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds.

Standards of Professional Conduct; The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – Code of 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, Harassment-Free Workplace, Fiscal Integrity, Anti-Retaliation, Combating Trafficking in Persons and several others.

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.

Working Environment

IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants based on merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.