Nutrition Officer at Rural Agency for Community Development and Assistance (RACIDA)

Experience: 3 and above years
Location: Mandera, Kenya
Reports to: Nutrition Manager
Job Location: Rhamu- Mandera County
Available Slots: 2
Contract Details: One (1) Year Fixed Term Contract. Renewable Subject to Availability of Funds & Performance

Job Summary:

In order to fulfill its mandate and mission, RACIDA is looking for two (2) self-driven, professionally confident, self-motivated, experienced and committed team players to fill the positions of Nutrition Officers to be based in Mandera.

The incumbents, as part of the RACIDA programme implementation team, will provide technical guidance as well as hands on support to Mandera North, Mandera West ,Lafey Banissa and Mandera East Sub-County Health Management Teams to strengthen their capacity and skills in the implementation of High Impact Nutrition interventions (HINI) through the integrated health systems strengthening approach and work with community groups to build their resilience and strengthen their knowledge and capacity in health and nutrition services and appropriate child care taking.

Main Duties & Responsibilities:

1. Work closely with Nutrition Project Manager to ensure integration and implementation of the Community Management of Acute Malnutrition (CMAM), and optimal Infant and Child Feeding (IYCF) component of the nutrition program in RACIDA supported health facilities.
2.  Provide technical support to MoH on delivery of High Impact Nutrition intervention components at health facilities and when need be outreach sites;
3. Work with Mandera Ministry of Health (MMoH ) and other actors to implement work plans as agreed;
4. Liaising closely with the sub-county health management teams (SCHMT) and Hospital Management Teams (HMT) to develop joint work plans and ensure MoH ownership and integration of the programme into the existing health systems;
5. In partnership with the Sub-County Health Management Team (SCHMT) including the Sub County Medical Officer in charge of health (SCMOH), Sub County Public Health Nurse, Sub-County Nutrition Coordinator, Public Health Officers and the hospital nutritionist develop and implement monthly work plans for the target Sub-counties;
6. 6.    Ensure programme quality control through implementation of monthly and quarterly M&E;
7. Closely monitor the nutrition situation in the programme area;
8. While working with the health facility nutritionist and the SCNO, support the rural health facilities to establish referral systems and create referral links for access to in-patient and other services beneficial to the beneficiaries not provided by the rural health facilities;
9. Support with operationalizing of community Units and community mobilization activities; plan trainings, routinely engage Community Health Volunteers and Community Health Assistants;
10. Support with documentation of the programme implementation process to generate lesson learning as well as case studies;
11. Participte in coordination of and data collection for SMART and coverage surveys to assesses the nutrition situation of the target population;
12. Writing of monthly reports and briefs as well as quarterly reports;
13. Contribute significantly to the development of regular donor reports;
14. Together with MOH and other actors involved in delivery of nutrition services in the Sub-County, conduct technical quality monitoring visits including joint support supervision visits;
15. Ensure the community-based activities such as nutrition screening, nutrition education, and defaulter tracing are done properly
16. Oversee and coordinate the implementation of MIYCN activities at the health facilities and at the community;
17. Attend and adequately represent RACIDA in County meetings/fora as may be required as well as in layering with other actors;
18. Participate and contribute as necessary towards RACIDA’s emergency response as and when necessary;
19. Work closely with the MOH and other partners to ensure that all health facilities have adequate drug supplies in the MNCH and Nutrition service areas;

Requirement

1. A degree in Nutrition and Dietetics or in Nursing with solid experience/background in Nutrition. Strong clinical competence and knowledge of maternal and child health. (Masters in Public health or related field is an added advantage)
2. At least five (3) years’ experience in Maternal and Child Health, WASH or community development programming with experience in health system strengthening in both a development and emergency context.
3. An understanding of the context, prior experience working and/or living in any of the target counties is highly desirable
4. Experience working with and through local partners in ASAL contexts
5. Experience and knowledge of MOH systems, particularly at County level.
6. Good understanding of cross cutting issues- gender, DRR, etc. and how to integrate them into public health and nutrition programmes.
7. Excellent interpersonal, communication and report writing skills and demonstrated ability to work effectively in teams.
8. Proficient in Computer applications
9. Fluent in both spoken and written English and Kiswahili**. Knowledge of and proficiency in local language is strongly preferred.*