Nutition OTP Nurse - Internal Only

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you're a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.

CONTEXTUAL BACKGROUND

The IRC has been present in Nigeria since 2012 when the organization responded to flooding in Kogi state. In February 2014 the IRC moved into Adamawa State in NE Nigeria to provide humanitarian interventions through a multi-sectoral, integrated approach for conflict affected populations. IRC Nigeria now operates a country office in Abuja and field offices in Mubi and Yola of Adamawa State, Maiduguri and Monguno of Borno state and Damaturu of Yobe State. Currently, IRC Nigeria implements programs primary health care, nutrition, environmental health, women’s protection and empowerment, protection, child protection, education, food security & livelihoods.

Job Overview/Summary

The OTP nurse will identify gaps in the program and take the necessary steps to address those gaps. S/he provides assistance in planning, implementing and monitoring of high impact interventions and provides support in system strengthening and promotion of childhood nutrition, with special focus to the most vulnerable and unreached population groups. In addition, provide coordinated support and technical assistance to the Nutrition Department and management of on-going programmes and establishing nutrition surveillance systems. He/She will directly supervise program staffs working at OTPs including MOH staff, CHVs, MAMA MUAC mothers, and support groups members and as well work hand in hand with nutrition officer staff.

Major Responsibilities

Program Management, Technical Quality, and Strategy

• With the support of Nutrition officer, the Mobile OTP nurse ensure Nutrition activities in the OTP clinics are implemented and running smoothly, including active case finding, screening, treatment and referral of malnourished children.
• He/she will supervise patients’ health education sessions conducted by community support structures at OTP sites.
• Ensure OTP protocols are strictly adhered in treating malnourished cases.
• With the support of CHVs, organize case finding to identify malnourished children at community level
• Provide health education and information on prevention and treatment of malnutrition, hygiene and sanitation to the caregivers
• Assist/Support health facility staff in compilation of monthly data reports and preparation of monthly health and nutrition supplies inventories and requests.
• Support the acute malnutrition management activities including training and supportive supervisory activities to ensure the Outpatient Therapeutic Care Programme (OTP) are operational and offering an integrated package of nutrition services.
• Provide regular and consistent technical assistance during implementation to health workers at health facilities and community outreaches.
• Provide regular feedback on nutrition activities of the program.
• Ensure all criteria are respected and understood by the MOH staff including admission, discharge and transfer to and from the various components of the program.
• Participate in the development and implementation of program work plan.
• Monitor and review nutrition supplies and equipment’s’ movements such as deliveries, storage, transport and utilization at the site level
• Provide regular supervision and technical support to health facility staff including participation in monitoring and impact analysis of the project.
• Performed any other duty assigned by the immediate supervisor.
• Assess mothers and their children to identify specific feeding support needs (through Simple Rapid Assessment and Full Assessment of mother-baby pair)
• Assess the knowledge of the beneficiaries before and after counselling sessions.
• Provide one-on-one breastfeeding counseling for mothers experiencing difficulties breastfeeding including supporting re-lactation;
• Ensure all mothers/caregivers are aware of the importance of exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months;
• Provide mothers with practical advice on correct attachment and positioning when breastfeeding and respond to any concerns or local taboos associated with breastfeeding;
• Counsel mothers on the appropriate time to introduce complementary feeding, and the benefits of continued breastfeeding and respond to any concerns or local taboos associated with complementary feeding;
• Educate the mothers on the quality, quantity and frequency of complementary feeds to promote adequate weight gain;
• Discourage and educate mothers on the dangers of feeding bottles
• Provide appropriate counseling and ensure support is provided to caregivers of targeted infants who have no possibility to be breastfed;
• Provide pregnant women with preparatory counseling for breastfeeding and colostrum feeding, to prevent pre-lacteal feeds and bottle feeding;
• Counsel the mothers on correct maternal nutrition during pregnancy and lactation;
• Deliver messages on IYCF practices and maternal nutrition to the targeted community/communities through group education sessions;

Program Development

Staff Performance Management, Learning & Development:

Required for all positions with supervisory responsibility, if special considerations are needed (e.g. remote management), make this additive to the base language here.

• Hire, supervise, and build the capacity of team members in relevant technical and management competencies.
• Develop and implement remote management capacity building approaches to build the strengths of the team in Syria.
• Coach, train, supervise and mentor direct-report staff, including communicating clear expectations, setting annual performance objectives, providing regular and timely positive and constructive performance feedback, and providing documented semi-annual performance reviews.
• Maintain open and professional relations with team members, promoting a strong team spirit and providing oversight and guidance to enable staff to successfully perform in their positions.
• Approve and manage all time, attendance and leave requests to ensure adequate departmental coverage; ensure monthly, accurate timesheet submission and carry out probationary reviews..
• Hold high-quality meetings with each direct report on a regular and predictable basis, at least monthly.
• Provide a measurable development plan including on-the-job learning with the aim of strengthening technical capacity, exchanging knowledge within the team and providing guidance on career paths.
• As required identify staff performance issues and work with Human Resources to document and address these in accordance with the National Staff Employment Policies.
• Maintain open and professional relations with team members, promoting a strong team spirit and providing oversight and guidance to enable staff to successfully perform in their positions.
• Promote and monitor staff care and well-being. Model healthy work-life balance practices. Support appropriate interventions in response to identified staff care needs of both national and international staff.
• Look for opportunities to support staff in their career growth, where appropriate. As part of succession plan and nationalization goals, identify, train and develop capability and capacity of national staff to successfully transition role and responsibilities, by the end of assignment.
• Adhere to and act in accordance with the IRC Global HR Policies and Procedures, and communicates through word and example a high standard of compliance with all applicable policies and regulations.

Research, Learning and Analysis

• Participate in program assessments, Surveys and Feedbacks mechanism and conducted studies.

Coordination & Representation

• Ensure proper communication, coordination and harmonization of tools with the different stakeholders involved in food/nutrition activities.
• Develop and coordinate the adherence and reporting of nutrition education sessions as per developed annual plan.
• In collaboration with the Nutrition Manager and the logistics officer follow-up food provision.
• Create appropriate linkages and referral for nutrition activities.
• Work closely with other health programs in spirit of integration for maximum output.
• Adhere to and act in accordance with the IRC Global HR Policies and Procedures, and communicates through word and example a high standard of compliance with all applicable policies and regulations.
• Maintain open and professional relations with team members, promoting a strong team spirit.

Key Working Relationships

Position Reports to:  Nutrition Officer

Indirect/Technical Reporting: Health Outcome Manager, Nutrition Coordinator

Position directly Supervises: N/A

Key Internal Contacts:

• Country Program: 
• Region/Global:

Key External Contacts:  LGA Nutrition Focal Person, LGA Nutrition Sector lead

Job Requirements

Education: Qualification in Diploma / BNSC in Nursing and registered with the Nursing Council of Nigeria

Work Experience:

• At least 3 years working experiences with INGO particularly implementing Nutrition
• Must possess at least three (3) years’ experience in implementing nutrition related activities in a busy community set up.
• Previous work experience in Monguno, Borno State,Nigeria.

Demonstrated Technical Skills:

• Previous experience working in insecure contexts
• Extremely flexible, and have the ability to cope with stressful situations.
• Strong background in humanitarian projects.

Demonstrated Managerial/Leadership Competencies:

• Must possess excellent planning and organizational skills.
• Must be able to work with minimal supervision.
• Should be a team player and culturally sensitive. And ready to work in difficult environmental conditions.

Languages: 

• Fluent Spoken and written English and presentation. Hausa, Fulani and Kanuri (Asset)

Computer/Other Tech Requirements:

• Full professional competency in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.  Add position-specific (e.g. accounting software, statistical software, etc.).

Ability to Travel: % of time if applicable

PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS

All International Rescue Committee workers must adhere to the core values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. Our Standards are Integrity, Service, Equality and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Safeguarding, Conflicts of Interest, Fiscal Integrity, and Reporting Wrongdoing and Protection from Retaliation. IRC is committed to take all necessary preventive measures and create an environment where people feel safe, and to take all necessary actions and corrective measures when harm occurs. IRC builds teams of professionals who promote critical reflection, power sharing, debate, and objectivity to deliver the best possible services to our clients.

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