Nutrition Assistant
Provide health education talks and nutrition services to children and women.
Overview
Provide health education talks and nutrition services to children and women.
You have:
- Minimum of a Diploma in Nutrition or a closely related public health field
- Minimum 1-year direct experience implementing nutrition, food security, or related programming with a humanitarian or development agency.
- Knowledge of nutrition protocols, including SPHERE standards, WHO protocols, and MoH Nutrition Protocols
- Experience in community health education and mobilization practices and standards required.
- Excellent organizational, administrative and management skills.
- Experience working in protracted refugee situation.
Job Description
Background: The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is one of the world's leading crisis response agencies, providing life-saving assistance and supporting recovery and reconstruction for people affected by war and natural disasters. Active in public health, education, livelihoods, women's empowerment, youth development, and protection and promotion of rights, IRC assists people from harm to home.
The IRC was registered in Uganda in mid-1998 and implements rehabilitation activities in the sectors of Child and Youth Protection and development, Health, Economic recovery and Development and women protection and empowerment as well as contributing to the response to the Southern Sudanese Refugee situation. IRC Uganda has a head office in Kampala, field offices in Lamwo, Moroto, Kyaka and West Nile.
Job Overview: The Nutrition Assistant will be responsible for providing health education talks, screening to children, women and their partners in the health facility and in the community on nutrition related issues. S/he will provide anthropometric assessment, recording, referral and linking clients to respective service points and shall maintain environment friendly working space hence adhering to infection control and prevention practices. S/he will provide nutrition services including but not limited to counseling, linkage and preparing treatment for the clients.
Duties and Responsibilities: •Participate in screening at the triage of children under the age of five to monitor and ensure early detection of malnutrition cases •Providing guidance on the purchasing of food and planning hospital meals. •Designing special diets for therapeutic purposes. •Participating in community outreach services for adequate nutrition. •Participating in research activities. •Will be supporting the admissions of severe malnutrition cases following properly laid down standards. Prepare and feeding of severely malnourished patients under observation in the inpatient wards. •Will be responsible for case management of malnutrition patients on follow-ups and those on ward and ensure that all routine medications are administered appropriately. •To counsel and advise in-patients/follow-ups/parents/guardians on proper care and nutrition at home. •To carry out home visits as a follow up on discharged patients to ensure adherence of the clients on the nutrition programmes. •Support the EPI department through carrying out routine growth monitoring activities and ensuring that all malnourished children have child health cards. •Ensure that all the stored food supplements are safe and free from contamination and theft and the store is clean all the time. •Ensure the kitchen for preparation of therapeutic milk for severely malnourished children and the surrounding environment is clean, hygienic and well maintained. •Prepare and submit the nutrition reports for both the in patients and outpatients as guided by the nutrition officer. •Imparting knowledge and skills to staff. •Perform any other duties as assigned by the supervisor.
Qualifications
•Minimum of a Diploma in Nutrition or a closely related public health field •Minimum 1-year direct experience implementing nutrition, food security, or related programming with a humanitarian or development agency. •Knowledge of nutrition protocols, including SPHERE standards, WHO protocols, and MoH Nutrition Protocols •Experience in community health education and mobilization practices and standards required. •Excellent organizational, administrative and management skills. •Experience working in protracted refugee situation.
Commitment to Diversity and Inclusivity:
IRC is committed to building a diverse organization and a climate of inclusivity. We strongly encourage applications from candidates who can demonstrate that they can contribute to this goal.
Equal Opportunity Employer: We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided with reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment.
Standards for Professional Conduct: The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.
Potential interview questions
| Can you describe your experience with community health education? | This question assesses your ability to engage and inform the community about health issues. | Highlight specific programs or initiatives you've led or participated in. |
| How do you ensure adherence to nutrition protocols in your work? | The interviewer wants to know your familiarity with and commitment to established standards in nutrition. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| What strategies do you use for case management of malnutrition patients? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| Describe a challenging situation you faced in your previous role and how you handled it. | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |