Nutrition Officer at Bakhita Initiative JDPC - 2 Openings

Bakhita initiative JDPC - To build a society where justice and equity are enthroned for human development. Bakhita initiative which began as Justice, Development and Peace/Caritas (JDPC Sokoto) is a structural response to the second Vatican Council Appealing for the churches involvement in the affairs of the society. In the document of the council, Populorum Progression of 1967, Pope Paul VI wrote,“The progressive development of people is an object of deep interest and concern of the church. This is particularly true in the case of those people who are trying to escape the ravages of hunger, poverty endemic disease and ignorance; of those who are seeking a large share in the benefit of civilization and more active improvement on their human qualities; of whose are consciously striving for fuller growth with an even clear awareness.”

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Nutrition Officer

Locations: Wamakko and Wurno, Sokoto
Employment Type: Full-time

Job Summary

• The Bakhita Initiative (JDPC Sokoto) is seeking a dedicated and experienced Nutrition Officer to support field-level management of nutrition activities in project areas. In close collaboration with the CRS Nutrition Project Officer, the Nutrition Officer will oversee implementation, provide technical guidance, and coordinate nutrition programming with a focus on community-based approaches to malnutrition and community engagement.

Key Responsibilities
Program Support:

• Provide technical assistance to Community Nutrition Mobilizers (CNMs) in managing malnutrition through CRS’s supplementary feeding programs, including Tom Brown, Caregroup, and Fresh Food Voucher (FFV) assistance.
• Lead malnutrition screenings, referrals, and Social and Behavioral Change (SBC) activities, emphasizing Maternal and Infant Nutrition in Emergencies (MIYCN-E).
• Monitor CNMs to ensure high-quality data collection and accurate reporting to the CRS Nutrition Officer.
• Coordinate and support community mobilization, including sensitization, follow-up visits, cooking demonstrations, and behavior change messaging.
• Supervise MIYCN-E promoters and volunteers, guiding their field activities and ensuring regular communication
• Engage community leaders to foster inclusive program participation and provide ongoing support through focus-group discussions.
• Prepare weekly reports on field data, challenges, and program progress for CRS.

Capacity Building:

• Participate in training CNMs and MIYCN promoters, ensuring they are up to date on program guidelines and responsibilities.
• Support project evaluation, data collection, and reporting activities to inform effective programming.

Key Relationships:

• Collaborate closely with the CRS Nutrition Project Officer, nutrition team, and local partners for effective program implementation and reporting.
• Maintain open communication with field-based nutrition staff and community stakeholders.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Oversee the activities of CNMs, MIYCN promoters, lead mothers, and care group volunteers.

Travel Requirement:

• Weekly travel to field locations within LGAs.

Qualifications and Skills

• BSc. or HND in Health, Nutrition, Public Health, or a related field.
• 2+ years of experience in community-based nutrition programming, particularly in CMAM or supplementary feeding.
• Proficiency in MS Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and data collection tools (e.g., ODK, RR Collect, CommCare).
• Strong communication skills with sensitivity, empathy, and respect for beneficiaries.
• Experience in community engagement, participatory planning, and reporting.

Application Closing Date
5th November, 2024.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should send their Applications and CV to: [email protected] using the job title as the subject of the mail.
Alternatively,
Submit a handwritten application addressed to:
The Hiring Manager,
The Bakhita Initiative,
St. Bakhita Catholic Secretariat,
No. 1 Aliyu Jodi Road,
Sokoto State.

Note

• The Bakhita Initiative (JDPC Sokoto) is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all program participants, especially children and vulnerable adults.
• We expect all staff to share this commitment and uphold high standards of ethical and professional behavior.
• This role is subject to rigorous background checks, and successful candidates will be required to adhere to our safeguarding policies and practices.
• This role provides a unique opportunity to contribute meaningfully to community health and nutrition efforts.
• Qualified candidates are encouraged to apply by the stated deadline.