Nutrition Officer

The International Rescue Committee 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 refugees forced to flee from war or disaster. At work today in over 40 countries and in 22 US cities, the IRC restores safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted and struggling to endure.

The IRC leads the way from harm to home.

The IRC Yemen Country program has been established in 2012, and currently is implementing integrated Health, Nutrition, Environmental Health (WASH), Economic Recovery and Development, Women Protection and Empowerment and Education programming in eight governorates. The IRC Yemen Country Program operates with its Country Office in Sana’a and its main Field Office in Aden. Other subfield offices include Abyan, Hodeida and Al Dhale, with the Al Dhale office covering Lahaj, and the Abyan office covering activities in Shabwa.

Job Overview/Summary:

The Nutrition Officer is responsible for the day to day management and smooth running of the Integrated Community-based Management of Acute malnutrition programming in Rusud  in line with the MoPHP national CMAM protocol, IRC protocols and the project proposals

Responsibilities:

Main Duties:

The Nutrition Officer is responsible to Oversee implementation of project activities in nutritionand community , as part of the wider integrated approach which aims to lower under-5 mortality rates in the IRC program operation areas through community-based identification, treatment and prevention of both Moderate and Severe Acute Malnutrition (MAM/SAM), and promotion of Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) Practices. She/he will be involved in training, supervising and assisting nutrition field staff to ensure the best possible health care , community health  and nutrition services are delivered to children U5. She/he will work in constant collaboration with the IRC Nutrition Manager, IRC Health Program Manager, District and Governorate Ministry of health staff, the DHO and nutrition Coordinator, other local authorities and community members in order to share nutrition issues so as to improve/promote the nutrition of the vulnerable groups from the targeted communities.

Reporting:

oEnsure that monthly reports are collected and compiled appropriately from all IRC supported sites

oCompile statistical data and draft appropriate reports on activities

oAnalyze nutrition situation and prevailing trends and provide constructive written feedback for nutrition field staff and CHVs

Main Duties:

Technical Support & Management:

oTraining of nutrition staff and CHWs on the implementation of treatment of Acute Malnutrition

oEnsuring adherence to the current MAM/SAM protocols in the supported facilities

oPlan and coordinate community mobilization and health and nutrition education activities

oEnsure quality supervision of diagnostic and treatment services and community level implementation of the nutrition program

Direct technical supervision of supported MoPHP staff and IRC nutrition assistant.

oEnsuring technical management of CHWs in collaboration with the Community Health Teams

oLine management of Nutrition Assistant including evaluations and appraisals

oOrganize monthly meetings with the team and report the outcome to the head of the program

oEnsure that an updated register of the staff (absences, leave,..) is maintained.

Coordination & Representation:

oOrganize and implement the Nutrition Program and ensure that the program complies with Ministry of Health guidelines.

oIn collaboration with the Nutrition Program Manager, ensure that the local authorities and particularly the DHO is involved in the planning, implementation and monitoring of quality  Nutrition program

oLiaise with key partners including District Health Departments, local leaders, NGO partners, and other stakeholders (as necessary) to ensure good links between nutrition program and other sectors

oEnsure integration of Nutrition PHC activities, particularly as regards Nutrition Education, EPI and other Child Health and nutrition services (SFPs and TFCs).

oEnsure good links between the nutrition, Health and EH program

oHold regular planning and coordination meetings with all the nutrition field staff and CHWs

Administrative and Other Duties:

oProvide monthly written reports on activities to the Program Manager

oParticipate in the follow-up of supplies consumption and orders

oOverall planning of stock levels, making sure that they are sufficient for the functioning of the supported facilities (weekly, monthly or quarterly)

oMake monthly physical inventory of all nutrition supplies

oSet performance objectives for Nutrition Assistants and IYCF Counselors.

oCarry out 6 monthly performance evaluation and advice the individual staff member on ways to improve work performance.

oOrient new staff and visitors on the IRC nutrition programming

oUnder the direction of the Nutrition Program Manager, take up responsibilities such as overall program management; work planning; attendance at Regional/Governorate level meetings and workshops.

Systems Compliance and Improvement:  

oIRC-Yemen Country specific finance, logistics, IT, security, communications and human resource/administration policies and procedures.

oAny new procedures and guidelines designated by the Yemen mission

Policy compliance – Mandatory Reporting Policy (MRP):

oEnsure any violations of the IRC Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Code of Conduct are reported to the Country Director. The reporting of violations is an obligation on the part of all staff members.

oAssist where necessary in undertaking activities that aim to prevent the occurrence of sexual abuse and exploitation of beneficiaries by IRC and other humanitarian workers

oPlay a key role in planning and rolling out training of and adherence to M&E in coordination with the M&E focal team/person in Aden/Sana’a.

Confidentiality:

oEnsuring the non-disclosure of any information whatsoever relating to the practices and business of IRC acquired in the course of duty, to any other person or organization without authority, except in the normal execution of duty.

Requirements (Qualifications, Skills and Abilities)

·Should be a qualified Clinical Officer, Medical Doctor or Nutritionist with diploma in preventive and curative medicine or a Certificate of Public Health or Registered/ Certified Nurse. 

·A Yemeni with qualifications from a recognized Health Training Institution.

·Working experience of at least two year in CMAM program/Primary Health Care/ integrated Community Case Management programs.

·Should be able to work with minimal supervision.

·Should be able to plan his/her work daily.

·Should be able to write a report in English.

·Should be computer literate (Microsoft word and excel).

·Ability to work in a remote area.

·Should be a team player.

·Should have good communication skills.

·Should be flexible.

Functional skills and knowledge: 

·Remains productive when under pressure.

·Demonstrates a systematic and efficient approach to work.

·Works collaboratively with team members to achieve results.

·Relates and works well with people of different cultures, gender and backgrounds.

Other skills (e.g. I.T.):

·Computer knowledge is essential

·Familiar with ENA and EPI info

Languages:

·Fluency in Arabic.

·Working knowledge of English strongly desired (A must).

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, and Anti-Retaliation

IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, age, marital status, disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.