Nutrition Officer at Helen Keller International

Helen Keller International (HKI) works to save
the sight and lives of the most vulnerable and
disadvantaged. We combat the causes and
consequences of blindness and malnutrition by
establishing programs based on evidence and
research in vision, health and nutrition.
Headquartered in New York City, HKI
currently conducts programs in 22 countries in
Africa and Asia as well as in the United States.
HKI Nigeria implements a bi-annual campaign
on vitamin A supplementation and other
nutrition activities in 10 states of the federation.
Job Title: Nutrition Officer
Vitamin A supplementation
HKI works closely with the government of
Nigeria to ensure high coverage of more than
80% of the target population with vitamin A.
HKI has supported the training of health
workers, program monitoring, community
education and the delivery of vitamin A
capsules. In 2001, HKI integrated vitamin A
supplementation into Community Directed
Treatment with Ivermectin (CDTI) as a cost-
effective, sustainable strategy and a strong
platform for community mobilization.
Vulnerable groups, including children 6-59
months old and post-partum women within 8
weeks of delivery, were targeted. Since 2009,
HKI aligned with the Federal Government of
Nigeria and adopted the Maternal Newborn and
Child Health Weeks (MNCHW) as a high
impact strategy to distribute Vitamin A capsules
alongside other low-cost interventions that have
been proven to be highly effective in reducing
mortality rates and improving maternal and
child health. HKI supports the implementation
of the MNCHW in 10 states of the federation
through funding from the Canadian
International Development Agency (CIDA).
Job Responsibilities:
Under the supervision of the Program Manager
Nutrition/Fortification, the Program Officer
implements, monitors and evaluate HKI
Nigeria's nutrition programs and projects in
accordance with national protocols and policies.
Technical Capacity
Liaise with the nutrition unit of the State
Ministry of Health to develop annual nutrition
strategic plans
Provide technical assistance to and support
implementation of nationwide bi-annual VAS
through Child Health Days/Weeks and
integration of VAS into routine care
Implement and monitor programs to support
scaling up of infant and young child nutrition at
state and local government levels
Maintain regular communication with other
state nutrition program partners
Facilitate program planning and review
meetings on vitamin A supplementation
Collaborate with partners to develop IEC
strategies and tools to support nutrition
programs
Actively participate in key relevant national and
state level nutrition technical forums
Work closely with State Nutrition Officers to
strengthen technical reporting in accordance
with defined reporting schedule and program
indicators
Track program progress using mutually agreed
indicators, targets, and recommend remedial
action to keep programs on course
Contribute to and support the maintenance of an
updated data base of COPs, technical and
program reports including site visits, monthly
reports, quarterly and annual reports
Participate in research to increase VAS
coverage and other nutrition interventions
Support the capacity building of nutrition
program officers on relevant nutrition
interventions
Competencies Required:
Demonstrates technical knowledge pertaining to
job requirement
Able to work under pressure minimal
supervision and able to meet up deadlines
Ability to use computer software such as
Microsoft office, internet
Must possess good interpersonal skills and a
good team player
Demonstrated excellent personal integrity and
confidentially
Qualifications Required:
Minimum of Masters degree in Nutrition, Food
and Dietetics,
Or Bachelors in Nutrition plus a Masters in
Public Health or similar related field
Minimum of 2 years experience
Application Closing Date
4th June, 2013
How to Apply
All applicants should submit electronically (1)
Curriculum vitae; and (2) A cover letter
(application letter) to: mbassey@hki.org