Nutrition Assistant

Medical Teams International - Tanzania

Department: Programs

Work Team: Programs

Reports to:

• Direct: Nutrition Officer
• Technical: NA

Location: Nduta Refugee Camp

Work Days & Hours: Monday-Friday, 40-48 hours/week, occasional weekends and public holidays

Travel Required: Up to 10%

Deployable: No

Supervises:

• Direct: NA
• Technical: NA

Job Band Assignment:

• Job Band: C1
• Salary Grade:  

Date Last Reviewed: 21/07/2023

MTI Calling

Daring to love like Jesus, we boldly break barriers to health and restore wholeness in a hurting world.

Medical Teams International holds strict child and vulnerable adult safeguarding principles and a zero-tolerance policy for misconduct related to sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse in the workplace and other places where the organization’s activities are rendered. Parallel to technical competence, recruitment & selection, hiring decisions will give due emphasis to assessing candidates’ eligibility thorough background checks, police clearance, and professional reference check processes.

Job Summary

Responsible for assisting coordination of nutrition activities at the health facilities and in communities under their supervision. Ensures proper case management and improved nutrition awareness. Assists in managing complementary food distribution, support nutrition education and social behavior change aspects and provides technical supervision to community health teams on multisectoral nutrition issues.

Job Responsibilities

• Liaise with Nutrition Officer to ensure clinics and community outreach activities are carried out as per program work plans with emphasis on integration with medical services.
• Support implementation of project plan and track activity progress in collaboration with Nutrition Officer and or MEAL Coordinator.
• Conduct nutrition screening and growth monitoring to relevant clients and implement appropriate corrective actions.
• Documents management records on activities under nutrition services; Consolidate data from community health workers to prepare reports as per schedule and make data-driven program decisions.
• Participate in research activities that contribute to improving community health and nutrition.
• Build capacity of inpatients and caregivers by advising on proper care and nutrition at home
• Carry out home visits to follow up on discharged patients to ensure adherence to advice.
• Ensure the security of food and related nutrition supplies, including taking precautions to avoid contamination.
• Identify opportunities to integrate relevant nutrition specific and sensitive activities in the program to maximize impact.
• Work closely and collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders to ensure the achievement of concrete and sustainable results.
• Ensure that nutrition practices are conducted with the highest level of integrity and ethics according to professional and MTI Code of Conduct
• Support safeguarding of program participants and employees through promoting an environment of awareness and upholding the code of conduct provisions of Medical Teams Protection from Sexual Exploitation & Abuse, Child & Vulnerable Adult protection, and harassment-free workplace policies. Incumbents will remain alert and responsive to any child and adult safeguarding risks, acquire relevant knowledge and skills which will enable you to promote strong safeguarding practices, understand the child and adult safeguarding policy and procedures, and conduct yourself in a manner consistent with the Safeguarding code of conduct and behavior expectations.
• Other duties as assigned.

Education, Licenses, & Certifications

Diploma in Human Nutrition, Dietetics or related field is required.

Experience

• Minimum 2 years of nutrition field experience with a busy project implementing IMAM is required.
• Experience in clinical medicine or community health is an added advantage.
• Experience working in emergency operations is an added advantage.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Knowledge

• In-depth knowledge of nutrition principles and management of nutrition projects and programs

Skills

• Skilled in conducting nutritional screening and assessments and managing cases.
• Skilled in presenting complex nutrition information at an appropriate level to an individual or group.
• Skilled in using behaviour change strategies to mobilize community members to take ownership of their nutrition and health needs.
• Skilled in data analysis and report writing.
• Skilled at using Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook
• Facilitation skills and good command of both written and spoken English.

Abilities

• Keen desire to build capacity of community health workers.
• Ability to be flexible and manage stress, especially in situations which require a high degree of diplomacy.
• Ability to engage stakeholders from multisectoral institutions and communicate effectively on nutrition related topics.
• Ability to maintain detailed records with high accuracy.
• Ability to support MTI Calling and adhere to the MTI Code of Conduct

Physical Conditions

Physical Requirements

• Frequent use of a personal computer, database and digital platforms, and other office productivity machinery, such as a copy machine and computer printer.
• Frequently uses hands, fingers, and arms to reach, handle, touch or feel equipment, medical instruments, materials, computer.
• Frequent communication and exchange of information among colleagues and persons of concern which requires the ability to speak, hear, convey and express oneself.
• Frequent close vision and the ability to adjust focus.
• Occasionally ascends/descends stairs, steps, or ladder
• Occasionally move about inside an office to access file cabinets, office machinery, meet with colleagues, etc.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50kgs.
• Seldom to occasionally positions self to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• If in travel status, occasional to frequent traversing over rough or steep terrain in either a motor vehicle or on foot.

Work Environment

• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderately quiet.
• The employee may be required to travel to remote areas of the world where there are potential health hazards and risks, limited hygiene facilities, extreme weather, and very basic living conditions.

NOTE: The above job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by staff assigned to this job. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of staff in this position. Duties, responsibilities, and skills are also subject to change based on the changing needs of the job, department, or organization. This description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions, it does not proscribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned; The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by Medical Teams International as the requirements of the job change.

Application Procedure

All interested applicants who meet the criteria should email their application letter, CV, in either PDF or word only in a single document, including three work related referee to: recruitmenttz@medicalteams.org

Indicate your expected salary, current/previous salary, and notice period at the bottom of your CV.

Indicate clearly the position applied for in the subject line” Assistant Nutrition”

Application Deadline: 26/09/2024 at 1700HRS. Only the shortlisted candidates will be contacted for the interview. This position is open for 7 days only.

Female applicants are strongly encouraged to apply. Medical Teams is an equal opportunity employer and committed to having a diverse workforce.

Warning: Beware that Medical Teams does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing application, or any other fee). Medical Teams does not request any information related to bank accounts. If asked of any payment, please contact recruitmenttz@medicalteams.org.