Full-Time Nutrition Officer (Spring Project) – Helen Keller International Nigeria

Helen Keller International
JOB ANNOUNCEMENT

Nutrition Officer (Spring Project)
Nigeria

SPRING Project:
Strengthening Partnerships, Results and Innovations in Nutrition (SPRING) is a five-year cooperative agreement funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to provide state-of-the-art technical support and facilitate country-led, regional, and global programs to improve the nutritional status of women and children. The SPRING implementation team consists of JSI Research & Training Institute, Inc., Helen Keller International (HKI), the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), Save the Children (SC), and The Manoff Group (TMG). USAID Nigeria has provided field support funding to the SPRING Project to work in the Benue State and FCT with a focus on infant and young child feeding (IYCF) training packages and technical assistance (TA) that supports development of a national Social and Behavioral Change and Communication (SBCC) strategy.

Job Responsibilities:
As a member of the SPRING Team, the Nutrition Officer will work under the direction of the SPRING/Nigeria Country Manager in the day-to-day support of the successful implementation of the SPRING/Nigeria Project. Overall, the Nutrition Officer provides operational and programmatic support in coordinating technical and administrative inputs for the project. The Nutrition officer will report to the SPRING/Nigeria Nutrition Advisor, based in Abuja.

Technical Capacity:

• Liaise with the nutrition unit of the State Ministry of Health to develop annual nutrition strategic plans
• Provide technical assistance to and support implementation of nationwide bi-annual VAS through Child Health Days/Weeks and integration of VAS into routine care
• Implement and monitor programs to support scaling up of infant and young child nutrition at state and local government levels
• Maintain regular communication with other state nutrition program partners
• Facilitate program planning and review meetings on vitamin A supplementation
• Collaborate with partners to develop IEC strategies and tools to support nutrition programs
• Actively participate in key relevant national and state level nutrition technical forums
• Work closely with State Nutrition Officers to strengthen technical reporting in accordance with defined reporting schedule and program indicators
• Track program progress using mutually agreed indicators, targets, and recommend remedial action to keep programs on course
• Contribute to and support the maintenance of an updated data base of COPs, technical and program reports including site visits, monthly reports, quarterly and annual reports
• Participate in research to increase VAS coverage and other nutrition interventions
• Support the capacity building of nutrition program officers on relevant nutrition interventions

Competencies Required:

• Demonstrates technical knowledge pertaining to job requirement
• Able to work under pressure minimal supervision and able to meet up deadlines
• Ability to use computer software such as Microsoft office, internet
• Must possess good interpersonal skills and a good team player
• Demonstrated excellent personal integrity and confidentially

Qualifications Required:

• Minimum of Masters degree in Nutrition, Food and Dietetics, or Bachelors in Nutrition plus a Masters in Public Health or similar related field
• Minimum of 2 years experience

How to Apply:
All applicants should submit electronically (1) Curriculum vitae; and (2) A cover letter (application letter) to mbassey@hki.org.