Basic Function:

Position is responsible for treatment of severe acute malnutrition (SAM) with and without complications, provide nutrition rehabilitation among admitted SAM cases and prevent further deterioration through provision of therapeutic feeds, routine and specialized medicines. He/She will oversee health and nutrition counseling, capacity building of CMAM assistants.

Duties and responsibilities:

Lead community outreach activities, mid upper arm circumference screening/Active case finding for malnutrition in children under-5. Provision of OTP services in target communities and Internally Displaced Persons camp. Conduct defaulter tracing, follow-up visits and deliver key messages at the OTP site. Oversee timely identification of complications, non-responder, and two-way referrals to the stabilization center (SC) based on set criteria Develop Community Management of Acute Malnutrition (CMAM) workplan, produce trend of malnutrition based on admission, carry-out mortality audit at the OTP Support M & E unit during assessments, focus group discussion including preparation and submission of timely reports. Support M & E unit during assessments, focus group discussion including preparation and submission of timely reports. Ensure appropriate documentation of services and continuously monitor OTP performance and output indicators. Support effective management of SAM children with complications at the Stabilization Centre Ensure correct clinical diagnosis, comprehensive health checks and appropriate treatment according to protocols of the patients while in the program. Ensure all criteria are respected and understood, including admission, discharge and transfer to and from the OTP/Stabilization Center (SC). Carry-out daily ward-round and develop 24-hour call-duty roster for CMAM-SC assistant. Take weekly and monthly physical inventory of all nutrition supplies ensuring stock levels are accounted for, ensure adequate availability of all medical and food supplies and ensure stock is pre-positioned as planned by discussing with logistics. Oversee preparation of safe therapeutic milk and food for admitted SAM children and caregivers respectively. Work closely with CMAM assistant’s at SC to ensure all protocols are understood and agreed and appropriate referrals take place to and from the Out-patient therapeutic program (OTP). Ensure comprehensive health checks, checking Vitals, frequent medicines and feed administration and treatment according to the protocols. Report on progress and any problems in a timely manner Respond to inquiries regarding the technical aspects of the program admission and discharge whenever necessary. Update patients forms and file including the critical care pathway (CCP) card, OTP follow up cards among to ensure completion, accuracy, coherence and to track patient progress. Provide key health and education messages to beneficiaries base the protocol and guidelines. Compile the statistical data (admission, default, cured, absent, death) and draft a report on activities The incumbent will support Standardized Monitoring and Assessment of Relief and Transition (SMART), Semi-Quantitative Evaluation of Access and Coverage (SQUEAC) and other nutrition surveys at LGA level Other duties as assigned.

Additional Responsibilities:

• This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive and the employee will also perform other related tasks as required and responsible for reporting and communication of progress and achievement of the specific assigned task.
• Inform TO HNS of any professional problems encountered.

Knowledge, Skills & Attributes:

• Ability and willingness to stay at the LGA is required.
• Willingness and capacity to be flexible and accommodating when faced with difficult and frustrating working conditions like long distance walking to stabilization centre.
• Excellent spoken and written Local and English languages.
• Good interpersonal and communication skills.
• Previous experience working in clinical setting is an asset.
• Ability to prepare weekly and monthly program reports.
• Be flexible and adaptable with regards to the implementation of the daily work

Qualifications and Requirements:

• B.Sc in Nursing with at least 1-3 years’ post NYSC experience. MBBS with 1year post NYSC experience.
• Experience working with a humanitarian organization is desirable Familiarity with Nigerian public health sector systems and NGOs and CBOs is highly desirable.
• A sound understanding of humanitarian assistance programming is desirable.