Nutrition Officer

Lindii Peace Foundation (LPF) is a Non-Profit and Non-governmental Organization in Nigeria which was registered as a corporate body with the Corporate Affairs Commission on the Eleventh (11th) day of July, 2014.ABOUT THE ROLE Lindii Peace Foundation (LPF) is seeking a qualified, experienced and committed Nutrition Officer to support the effective implementation of nutrition programme activities for vulnerable and crisis-affected populations. The Nutrition Officer will be responsible for the day-to-day implementation, technical support, monitoring and reporting of assigned nutrition activities in accordance with approved programme plans, relevant nutrition guidelines, national protocols, donor requirements and humanitarian standards. The successful candidate will work closely with the Nutrition Programme Manager, health teams, community-based personnel, MEAL, programme and support functions to ensure that nutrition services are accessible, appropriate, safe and responsive to the needs of affected communities. The role will contribute to nutrition screening, identification and referral of cases, community nutrition activities, infant and young child feeding, nutrition education, community mobilization, nutrition surveillance, commodity monitoring, data collection and reporting. This is an opportunity for a nutrition professional committed to quality nutrition programming, prevention and management of malnutrition, community engagement, accountability and improved nutrition outcomes for vulnerable populations. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Nutrition Programme Implementation Support the day-to-day implementation of assigned nutrition programme activities. Ensure activities are implemented in accordance with approved workplans, programme objectives and technical guidelines. Support timely delivery of nutrition interventions at community and service-delivery levels. Coordinate assigned activities with the Nutrition Programme Manager and other relevant programme staff. Monitor implementation against approved targets, schedules and activity plans. Identify implementation gaps and recommend appropriate corrective actions. Ensure nutrition activities are properly documented. Support effective programme start-up, implementation, transition and close-out activities. Nutrition Screening and Identification Conduct and support nutrition screening of children, pregnant and breastfeeding women and other target groups as applicable. Use approved nutrition screening tools and procedures appropriately. Identify individuals at risk of malnutrition and ensure appropriate referral. Support active case finding through community outreach and screening activities. Ensure screening results are accurately recorded and reported. Follow up on identified cases in accordance with programme procedures. Escalate complicated or high-risk cases to appropriately qualified health or nutrition personnel. Promote early identification and referral of nutrition-related conditions. Management and Follow-up of Nutrition Cases Support appropriate identification, referral and follow-up of individuals requiring nutrition services. Work with qualified health and nutrition personnel to support management of acute malnutrition in accordance with approved protocols. Monitor referred beneficiaries and support continuity of care where applicable. Track follow-up activities and identify missed or defaulting cases. Support community-based follow-up and referral activities. Ensure nutrition records are complete, accurate and confidential. Identify barriers affecting access, treatment adherence or continuity of care. Escalate complicated cases and clinical concerns to appropriately qualified personnel. Infant and Young Child Feeding Support implementation of appropriate infant and young child feeding (IYCF) activities. Promote recommended breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices in accordance with approved guidance. Provide approved nutrition education to caregivers. Identify and refer mothers and children requiring additional nutrition or health support. Support community-based IYCF awareness and counselling activities. Ensure IYCF messaging is culturally appropriate and contextually relevant. Promote appropriate and safe feeding practices during emergencies. Maternal and Adolescent Nutrition Support nutrition activities targeting pregnant and breastfeeding women. Support screening and referral of women at risk of malnutrition. Promote appropriate maternal nutrition practices through approved education and counselling. Support nutrition education for adolescent girls and other vulnerable groups where applicable. Coordinate with health teams to ensure appropriate referral of maternal and nutrition-related concerns. Contribute to community awareness on the importance of maternal and adolescent nutrition. Community Nutrition and Outreach Participate in community-based nutrition screening and outreach activities. Support nutrition activities in communities, health facilities, outreach sites and other approved locations. Conduct household visits and follow-up activities as assigned. Support identification of vulnerable households and individuals requiring nutrition services. Coordinate community mobilization activities with Community Nutrition Workers, Mobilizers and Volunteers. Promote early referral and appropriate utilization of available nutrition services. Support outreach and mobile nutrition activities where required. Nutrition Education and Behaviour Change Conduct nutrition education sessions for caregivers, community members and other target groups. Provide accurate and approved information on nutrition, malnutrition prevention and healthy feeding practices. Promote appropriate hygiene, sanitation and food safety practices relevant to nutrition outcomes. Support behaviour change activities related to maternal, infant and child nutrition. Adapt nutrition education approaches to the local context and needs of different groups. Use approved nutrition communication and education materials. Identify misinformation or harmful practices and escalate or address them using approved technical guidance. Community Engagement and Participation Engage communities throughout nutrition programme implementation. Promote meaningful participation of affected populations in nutrition activities. Support establishment and strengthening of community nutrition structures. Work with community leaders, health committees, women’s groups and other relevant structures as appropriate. Collect community feedback on nutrition services and programme activities. Ensure feedback and concerns are appropriately documented and escalated. Promote dignity, inclusion and non-discrimination in nutrition programming. Nutrition Commodities and Supplies Support monitoring of nutrition commodities, supplies and programme materials. Maintain accurate records of nutrition commodities received, used and remaining where assigned. Monitor commodity availability and identify potential shortages or stock issues. Support appropriate storage, handling and use of nutrition commodities. Monitor expiry dates and report damaged or compromised commodities. Support physical stock counts and verification exercises. Coordinate with relevant programme, pharmacy, logistics and procurement personnel on commodity requirements. Report commodity-related risks that may affect service delivery. Quality Assurance and Supportive Supervision Monitor the quality of assigned nutrition activities. Conduct routine field monitoring and supportive supervision of community-based nutrition activities. Identify gaps in technical quality, implementation or documentation. Provide appropriate technical guidance within the scope of the position. Support corrective actions identified through monitoring and supervision. Promote adherence to approved nutrition protocols and programme standards. Participate in programme quality reviews and learning activities. Escalate technical issues beyond the scope of the position to the Nutrition Programme Manager. Monitoring, Evaluation and Data Quality Collect accurate nutrition programme data in accordance with approved tools and procedures. Ensure timely completion of nutrition registers, screening forms, beneficiary records and monitoring tools. Review data for completeness, consistency and obvious errors. Support routine data verification and quality checks. Work with the MEAL team to monitor nutrition indicators and programme performance. Contribute to analysis of nutrition programme data. Identify data gaps and support appropriate corrective action. Ensure programme data is securely maintained and handled confidentially. Nutrition Programme Reporting Contribute to timely preparation of nutrition programme reports. Provide accurate activity updates, achievements, challenges and recommendations to the Nutrition Programme Manager. Support preparation of donor and internal programme reports. Ensure reports are supported by reliable source documentation and programme data. Document field activities, lessons learned and implementation challenges. Maintain organized programme records and evidence of implementation. Escalate significant programme delays or challenges promptly. Accountability to Affected Populations Support effective feedback and complaints mechanisms within nutrition activities. Ensure beneficiaries understand available nutrition services and how to provide feedback. Promote respectful, dignified and non-discriminatory treatment of programme participants. Ensure community concerns are appropriately recorded and referred. Support programme teams to respond to community feedback. Ensure nutrition services are accessible to vulnerable and marginalized groups. Contribute to learning from beneficiary feedback to improve programme quality. Safeguarding, Child Protection and PSEA Adhere to LPF safeguarding, PSEA, child protection and Code of Conduct requirements. Promote safe and dignified participation of children, women and other vulnerable groups. Ensure nutrition activities do not expose beneficiaries to avoidable risks of harm. Maintain appropriate professional boundaries when working with children and vulnerable adults. Report safeguarding, SEA, abuse, exploitation or other serious concerns through established reporting mechanisms. Maintain confidentiality of sensitive beneficiary and programme information. Support awareness of safeguarding requirements among community-level nutrition personnel. Coordination with Health and Other Programme Functions Work closely with health teams to promote integrated nutrition and health services. Coordinate with Medical Doctors, Nurses, Midwives, Community Health Workers and other relevant personnel. Collaborate with WASH teams on activities addressing nutrition-sensitive WASH risks. Coordinate with MEAL on monitoring, data collection and programme learning. Work with Finance, Procurement and Logistics teams on approved programme requirements. Coordinate with Protection, Community Engagement and other programme functions where appropriate. Promote integrated and complementary programming. Capacity Building and Mentoring Support identification of capacity gaps among nutrition staff and community-level personnel. Participate in training, mentoring and coaching of Nutrition Assistants, Community Nutrition Workers, Mobilizers and Volunteers. Support orientation of new nutrition personnel. Promote adherence to approved nutrition protocols and procedures. Share relevant technical knowledge and good practices with programme teams. Contribute to learning and professional development activities. Nutrition Surveillance and Emergency Response Support nutrition surveillance and identification of emerging nutrition concerns. Monitor changes in nutrition-related risks and community needs. Participate in nutrition assessments and rapid needs assessments where required. Support emergency nutrition response activities. Contribute to early identification of potential deterioration in nutrition conditions within programme locations. Support rapid screening, referral and community mobilization during emergencies. Ensure emergency nutrition activities remain aligned with approved protocols and humanitarian principles. Risk Management and Field Problem-Solving Identify operational and programme risks affecting nutrition activities. Report implementation challenges and emerging risks to the Nutrition Programme Manager. Support development and implementation of appropriate corrective actions. Identify barriers affecting access to nutrition services. Recommend practical solutions to routine programme challenges. Support contingency planning and adaptation of activities when operating conditions change. Ensure programme risks are appropriately documented and escalated. Documentation and Knowledge Management Maintain accurate nutrition programme records and supporting documentation. Ensure field documentation is complete, organized and securely stored. Maintain activity attendance sheets, beneficiary records, screening records and other approved documentation. Document lessons learned, good practices and implementation challenges. Support development of programme success stories, case studies and other approved learning materials. Ensure sensitive beneficiary information is protected from unauthorized access. Field Monitoring and Programme Support Conduct regular field visits to monitor assigned nutrition activities. Verify implementation against approved plans and targets. Engage with beneficiaries and community structures to understand programme performance and concerns. Provide field updates and recommendations to the Nutrition Programme Manager. Support programme assessments, evaluations, donor visits and monitoring missions. Participate in outreach, mobile activities and other field-based programme interventions as required. Perform other reasonable nutrition-related duties assigned by the Nutrition Programme Manager  or designated supervisor. KEY DELIVERABLES The successful candidate will be expected to contribute to: Effective implementation of assigned nutrition programme activities. Timely and appropriate nutrition screening, identification and referral. Quality community-based nutrition and outreach services. Appropriate implementation of IYCF and maternal/adolescent nutrition activities. Effective nutrition education and community mobilization. Accurate nutrition programme data and documentation. Appropriate monitoring and management of nutrition commodities and supplies. Timely and accurate nutrition programme reporting. Effective accountability to affected populations. Compliance with safeguarding, child protection and PSEA requirements. Effective coordination with health, WASH, MEAL and other programme functions. Timely identification and escalation of programme risks and technical concerns. Effective support to emergency nutrition response activities. Improved quality and coverage of nutrition services for vulnerable populations. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE Minimum Qualifications Bachelor\'s degree in Nutrition, Human Nutrition and Dietetics, Public Health, Food and Nutrition, Community Nutrition, Health Sciences or a related field from a recognized institution. Relevant professional registration or certification where applicable. Minimum of 3 years of relevant professional experience in nutrition, public health, community nutrition or a related field. Demonstrated experience supporting nutrition programme implementation and community-based activities. Experience in nutrition screening, identification, referral and follow-up. Knowledge of prevention and management approaches for acute malnutrition. Knowledge of infant and young child feeding and maternal nutrition. Experience in nutrition education and community mobilization. Experience in nutrition data collection, monitoring and reporting. Good understanding of nutrition programme guidelines, protocols and humanitarian standards. Strong communication, documentation and interpersonal skills. Desirable Experience Experience working with NGOs, INGOs, UN agencies or humanitarian/development organizations. Experience working in conflict-affected, hard-to-reach or resource-constrained environments. Experience implementing nutrition programmes for displaced populations and other vulnerable groups. Experience with CMAM/IMAM or other acute malnutrition management programmes. Experience in IYCF, maternal and adolescent nutrition programming. Experience with community-based nutrition screening and outreach. Experience with nutrition surveillance, rapid assessments or emergency nutrition response. Familiarity with humanitarian principles and relevant nutrition programme standards. CORE COMPETENCIES The successful candidate should demonstrate: Strong knowledge of public health and nutrition programming Understanding of malnutrition screening, referral and management Knowledge of infant and young child feeding practices Understanding of maternal and community nutrition Strong community mobilization and engagement skills Good monitoring, data collection and reporting skills Attention to detail and data accuracy Strong communication and interpersonal skills Ability to work effectively with multidisciplinary teams Problem-solving and field coordination skills Ability to work under pressure Commitment to accountability and quality programming Commitment to safeguarding and protection Integrity and professional accountability Cultural sensitivity and respect for affected populations Adaptability and resilience in challenging environments SAFEGUARDING, CODE OF CONDUCT AND ORGANIZATIONAL VALUES The post holder is required to: Adhere to LPF\'s policies, procedures, Code of Conduct and organizational values. Demonstrate commitment to safeguarding, gender equality, diversity, inclusion and respect for human rights. Maintain zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), harassment, fraud, corruption and abuse of position. Maintain professional boundaries when working with children, caregivers and other vulnerable populations. Protect the confidentiality of beneficiary, health and programme information. Report safeguarding, SEA, fraud or other serious misconduct concerns through established organizational reporting mechanisms. Promote dignity, inclusion and non-discrimination in all nutrition activities. Comply with applicable security, health and safety requirements. Use organizational resources responsibly and protect organizational property. Demonstrate professional conduct and respect for colleagues, partners and affected communities.