Nutrition Assistant

ABOUT THE ROLE

Lindii Peace Foundation (LPF) is seeking a motivated and compassionate Nutrition Assistant to support the implementation of nutrition activities for vulnerable and crisis-affected populations.

The Nutrition Assistant will provide practical field and programme support to nutrition activities, including nutrition screening, community mobilization, health and nutrition education, referrals, follow-up, data collection, documentation, and distribution of nutrition-related supplies where applicable.

The position will work closely with the Nutrition Officer, Nutrition Programme Manager, health teams, community-based personnel, MEAL, and other programme and support functions to ensure that nutrition activities are implemented safely, effectively, and in accordance with approved guidelines, national protocols, humanitarian principles, and LPF policies.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Nutrition Programme Support

• Support the implementation of nutrition activities at community and facility levels as assigned.
• Assist Nutrition Officers and other programme staff with day-to-day nutrition activities.
• Participate in field visits, outreach activities, screening exercises, and community sessions.
• Ensure assigned activities are implemented according to approved workplans and schedules.

Nutrition Screening

• Support routine nutrition screening of children, pregnant women, lactating women, and other target groups as required.
• Assist with the use of approved screening tools and procedures.
• Identify individuals requiring further assessment or referral and promptly report them to the responsible nutrition or health staff.
• Ensure screening activities are conducted respectfully and confidentially.

Referral and Follow-up

• Support the referral of individuals identified with nutrition concerns to appropriate health or nutrition services.
• Assist with follow-up of referred beneficiaries where required.
• Maintain accurate records of referrals and follow-up activities.
• Escalate concerns regarding missed referrals, deterioration, or urgent cases to the responsible officer.

Community Outreach and Mobilization

• Support community mobilization for nutrition screening, outreach, health education, and other programme activities.
• Work with community leaders, volunteers, caregivers, and other community structures to encourage participation.
• Assist in identifying barriers to accessing nutrition services and report them to programme staff.
• Promote respectful and inclusive participation of community members.

Nutrition and Health Education

• Support delivery of basic nutrition education sessions under the guidance of qualified nutrition staff.
• Assist with awareness sessions on appropriate infant and young child feeding, hygiene, healthy diets, and prevention of malnutrition.
• Distribute approved information, education and communication materials.
• Reinforce key messages using simple, culturally appropriate language.

Infant and Young Child Feeding Support

• Support community-level activities promoting appropriate infant and young child feeding practices.
• Assist with caregiver education and mobilization activities under technical supervision.
• Refer complex questions or concerns relating to infant and young child feeding to qualified nutrition personnel.
• Promote accurate and approved nutrition messages.

Maternal and Community Nutrition

• Support nutrition awareness activities targeting pregnant and lactating women and other vulnerable groups.
• Assist with community education on healthy diets, nutrition practices, and prevention of malnutrition.
• Support identification and referral of individuals requiring additional nutrition or health services.

Community Engagement and Accountability

• Encourage meaningful participation of affected communities in nutrition activities.
• Provide beneficiaries with clear information about available services and how to access them.
• Receive and appropriately communicate routine feedback from community members.
• Report complaints, concerns, or barriers to access through established channels.

Nutrition Commodities and Supplies

• Support the receipt, movement, distribution, and documentation of nutrition-related supplies as assigned.
• Assist with maintaining orderly and secure storage of programme materials.
• Report shortages, damage, expiry, or discrepancies to the responsible officer.
• Ensure beneficiaries receive supplies only in accordance with approved procedures.

Data Collection and Documentation

• Collect accurate programme and beneficiary information using approved tools.
• Complete assigned registers, forms, checklists, and activity records accurately and on time.
• Support routine verification of information before submission.
• Maintain confidentiality of beneficiary and programme information.

Monitoring and Reporting Support

• Support routine monitoring of nutrition activities and beneficiary reach.
• Provide timely information to Nutrition Officers for activity reports and programme reviews.
• Assist with tracking attendance, referrals, screening results, outreach activities, and other assigned indicators.
• Report implementation challenges and unusual findings promptly.

Supportive Supervision and Quality

• Follow approved nutrition procedures, guidelines, and instructions.
• Participate in supervisory visits and quality improvement activities.
• Implement corrective actions within the scope of assigned responsibilities.
• Seek clarification where instructions or technical procedures are unclear.

Safeguarding, Protection and PSEA

• Comply fully with LPF safeguarding, child protection, prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA), and code of conduct requirements.
• Treat all beneficiaries with dignity, respect, and without discrimination.
• Report safeguarding or protection concerns through established reporting channels.
• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries with beneficiaries and community members.

Infection Prevention and Safety

• Follow applicable infection prevention and control measures during nutrition and community activities.
• Use required personal protective equipment where applicable.
• Maintain safe practices during field activities and immediately report safety concerns.
• Support a clean, safe, and respectful service environment.

Coordination with Programme and Health Teams

• Work closely with Nutrition Officers, Nutrition Programme Managers, health workers, community personnel, and MEAL staff.
• Support coordination of outreach and community activities.
• Share relevant field observations and beneficiary concerns with responsible staff.
• Maintain positive working relationships with colleagues and community structures.

Capacity Building and Learning

• Participate in relevant trainings, briefings, coaching, and mentorship activities.
• Demonstrate willingness to learn and improve technical and field skills.
• Apply approved procedures and learning to assigned responsibilities.
• Share relevant field observations that may improve programme implementation.

Emergency Nutrition Response

• Support rapid nutrition screening, outreach, mobilization, and other emergency activities when required.
• Assist with the implementation of nutrition activities during outbreaks, displacement, emergencies, or other humanitarian situations.
• Remain flexible to changing programme priorities and field requirements.
• Immediately report urgent nutrition or protection concerns.

Field Problem-Solving and Risk Escalation

• Identify routine implementation challenges within assigned activities.
• Resolve minor operational issues within the limits of the role and established procedures.
• Escalate technical, safeguarding, security, supply, or programme concerns promptly.
• Avoid making decisions outside delegated authority.

Documentation and Knowledge Management

• Maintain accurate and organized records of assigned activities.
• Ensure completed forms and supporting documents are submitted to the appropriate supervisor.
• Support proper filing and retrieval of programme records.
• Protect all confidential information accessed during the course of work.

Other Programme Responsibilities

• Participate in meetings, field visits, assessments, surveys, distributions, and other programme activities as assigned.
• Support other reasonable nutrition-related duties consistent with the position and level of responsibility.
• Promote LPF\'s values, humanitarian principles, accountability, and commitment to quality programming.

KEY DELIVERABLES

• Timely and effective support to planned nutrition activities.
• Accurate nutrition screening and appropriate referral support.
• Effective community mobilization and outreach support.
• Quality support to nutrition and health education activities.
• Accurate and timely collection of programme and beneficiary data.
• Complete and well-maintained programme records and activity documentation.
• Timely identification and escalation of nutrition, safeguarding, protection, and operational concerns.
• Proper support to nutrition commodity and supply management.
• Compliance with approved nutrition guidelines, safeguarding requirements, and LPF procedures.
• Effective collaboration with nutrition, health, MEAL, and community-based teams.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Minimum Qualifications

• Diploma, ND, HND, or Bachelor\'s degree in Nutrition, Human Nutrition and Dietetics, Public Health, Food and Nutrition, Community Health, Health Sciences, or a related field.
• Relevant training or certification in nutrition, community health, or humanitarian programming will be an advantage.
• Minimum of 1 - 3 years of relevant experience supporting nutrition, health, community outreach, or humanitarian programmes.
• Experience supporting community mobilization, nutrition screening, referrals, health education, or related activities.
• Basic understanding of malnutrition prevention, identification, referral, and follow-up.
• Basic understanding of infant and young child feeding and community nutrition.
• Ability to collect, record, and report programme information accurately.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work respectfully with vulnerable and crisis-affected populations.
• Willingness and ability to work in field locations and communities with limited resources.

Desirable Experience

• Previous experience with an NGO, INGO, UN agency, government health programme, or community-based organization.
• Experience working with internally displaced persons, returnees, host communities, or other vulnerable populations.
• Experience supporting CMAM/IMAM, IYCF, community nutrition screening, outreach, or nutrition education activities.
• Experience working in conflict-affected, hard-to-reach, or emergency settings.
• Familiarity with humanitarian principles, safeguarding, PSEA, accountability to affected populations, and community engagement.
• Experience using basic data collection tools, registers, mobile data collection platforms, or programme monitoring tools.

CORE COMPETENCIES

• Basic knowledge of nutrition and community health programming.
• Nutrition screening and referral support.
• Community mobilization and engagement.
• Basic understanding of IYCF and prevention of malnutrition.
• Accurate data collection and documentation.
• Good verbal and written communication.
• Teamwork and collaboration.
• Respect for confidentiality and professional boundaries.
• Attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to work with limited supervision while knowing when to seek guidance.
• Adaptability and willingness to learn.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure.
• Commitment to quality and accountability.
• Respect for diversity and cultural sensitivity.
• Commitment to safeguarding, protection, PSEA, and ethical conduct.
• Integrity, reliability, and professionalism.

SAFEGUARDING, CODE OF CONDUCT AND ORGANIZATIONAL VALUES

LPF is committed to safeguarding children, vulnerable adults, programme participants, staff, and community members.

The successful candidate will be expected to:

• Comply with LPF\'s Code of Conduct, safeguarding, PSEA, child protection, and other relevant policies.
• Maintain professional boundaries with beneficiaries and community members.
• Never engage in exploitation, abuse, harassment, discrimination, or any form of misconduct.
• Report safeguarding, protection, fraud, or other serious concerns through established reporting mechanisms.
• Maintain confidentiality and protect personal and programme information.
• emonstrate integrity, accountability, respect, teamwork, and professionalism in all activities.
• Promote LPF\'s commitment to humanitarian principles and accountability to affected populations.