Job Title: Nutrition Assistant

Location: JRS Kakuma

Reporting to: Project Field Manager – Kakuma

Date: 1 January 2024

About Jesuit Refugee Service

JRS Kenya is an international Catholic organization with a mission to accompany, serve and advocate on behalf of refugees and other forcibly displaced persons, that they may heal, learn and determine their own future. In Nairobi, JRS is working with Urban refugees and other persons of concern in 3 main areas: Education, Sustainable livelihood and MHPSS/Protection while in Kakuma Refugee Camp focussing on Education, Integrated psychosocial inclusive Education programme in Centres and Safe Shelters.

JRS was Founded in November 1980 as a work of the Society of Jesus, JRS was officially registered on 19 March 2000 in Vatican City as a foundation.

JRS is present in over 56 countries worldwide, providing services to more than 811,884 individuals. The work is overseen by 10 regional offices with support from the International Office in Rome.

Operational Context/Role

JRS is seeking to recruit a suitable candidate for the position of nutritionist in the livelihood department. The incumbent will report to the project director for Kakuma.

Reporting to the Project Field Manager in Kakuma, the Nutrition Assistant will be based in our Kakuma office. This is a fixed term contract typefor One (1) Year non-renewable.

Child Safeguarding and PSEA commitments

JRS has zero tolerance towards all forms of sexual exploitation and abuse and takes seriously all concerns and complaints about sexual exploitation and abuse against children and vulnerable adults by JRS personnel. JRS is committed to Safeguard children and vulnerable adults and has policies which outline the expected behaviour, code of conduct and responsibility of all persons acting on behalf of JRS (Staff, consultants, volunteers, interns, Pastoral team, and other representatives). All staff working for JRS are expected to abide by these policies and guideline.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

Program development, management, oversight, and implementation:

1. Conduct initial client nutritional assessment, create therapeutic and individualized client meal plans that consider the needs of the client including medical, nutritional, cultural, age, religious and ethical concerns.
2. Conducts individual and group sessions with client/guardian based on level of care.
3. Provides weekly updates on the nutritional status of each patient caseload as part of project team meetings.
4. Counsel patients on any dietary issues and healthy eating habits
5. Evaluate if the meal plans have a positive effect on clients’ health
6. Create educational material about healthy eating habits
7. Speak to groups about the importance of nutrition to prevent specific health issues
8. Set clear objectives and provide support to clients to help them in their progress
9. Document clients progress.

Coordination and Collaboration:

1. Work with the MEAL officer to develop tools to facilitate collection of data for internal monitoring and evaluation of Livelihoods projects.
2. Conduct and document feedback sessions in the year for project beneficiaries.
3. Coordinate with the other project staff to ensure appropriate budgeting and efficient use and stewardship of project resources; ensuring all deliverables are met on time and to a high standard.

Communication and Reporting:

1. Support the supervisor in producing high quality project implementation reports that meet the requirements of JRS and Donors.
2. Ensure that success stories and lessons learned are properly documented, effectively disseminated and, where appropriate, incorporated into wider advocacy initiatives.

Person Specification – Essential Requirements

Qualification

• Degree in nutritional science, dietetics or other relevant field from a recognized university.
• At least 5 years of relevant experience working in humanitarian or development projects with project management skills, capabilities and demonstrated operational history of adaptive management.
• Demonstrated experience and knowledge of livelihoods-based development and emergency response operations.
• Experience in designing Livelihood strategies and proposals.
• Strong data collection, analysis and report writing skills.
• Proven experience as nutritionist/dietician
• Knowledge and experience in working with people struggling with various chronic health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, Gastrointestinal problems
• Valid license to practice the profession

Skills

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Strong report writing skills.
• Good presentation, training, and facilitation skills.
• Ability to work within a tight timeframe.
• Ability to work as part of a team and demonstrate flexibility, motivation, and maturity.
• Solutions-focused self-starter with proven ability to multi-task, prioritize duties, and manage own time effectively.
• Good Analytical Creativity and critical thinking skills

Qualities

• Demonstrates integrity by modelling JRS’ values and ethical standards and acts in accordance with the JRS code of conduct.
• Advocates and promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of JRS.
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.
• A positive team player who can effectively collaborate, and who can stand alone when necessary.
• Treats all people fairly without favouritism.

Core Values

• Commitment to JRS mission, vision and values, and the ability to convey with enthusiasm JRS’s role in accompanying and serving forcibly displaced people and in advocating for their right to protection and a life in dignity.
• High integrity, honesty, and confidentiality; ability to deal tactfully and discreetly with situations, people, and information.
• Acceptance of diversity and inclusion.
• Willingness to work in flexible, sub-optimal, stressful, and unstable environments.

JRS Commitment

JRS is committed to creating an inclusive and equitable work environment. We prohibit discrimination against any candidate or employee based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, marital status, or any other legally protected status. All hiring decisions are based on merit, qualifications, and organizational needs, and we are dedicated to fair treatment in all stages of recruitment and employment. We welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds to enrich our organization with their unique perspectives and experiences

Salary Level

• This position is graded at job Group 5.
• KES 96,609 Gross per month.

Only short-listed candidates who meet the minimum qualification and shortlisting criteria will be contacted