Merlin Nutrition Supervisor Job Vacancy in Liberia

MERLIN has been in Liberia since 1997, and currently supports the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (MOH&SW) in implementing the Basic Package of Health Services (BPHS), among other health-sector related activities, in Montserrado, Grand Bassa, Grand Gedeh, Maryland, Sinoe and Grand Kru Counties.
Merlin’s vision in Liberia is that all Liberians receive quality healthcare through a sustainable health system.

The Merlin-Liberia Programme announces the following vacancy:
Job Title: Nutrition Supervisor
Band: 7
Reports to: Nutrition coordinator
Supervises: Nutrition assistants and Aides at the health facilities
Location: Zwedru, Grand Gedeh County, Liberia (travels in the county)
Working Hours: Monday to Fri 08.00am – 5.00pm, with one hour break for lunch
Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays on request (to a maximum of 48hrs a week)
Deadline for Applications: Thursday 23rd February 2012 at 5:00PM
Only short-listed applicants will be contacted. Due to the urgency of this position, applications will be short listed on a regular basis and we may offer this post before the closing date

Overall mission:
Supports and supervises Merlin’s nutrition activities at the County level and the refugee camps.

JOB DESCRIPTION:

Responsibilities and duties:
Responsibility 1:
• Supervises nutrition activities at Merlin supported MoH facilities offeringnutrition and in the camp setting in collaboration with the CHT and Merlin health team
• With the support of nutrition team, ensure the smooth implementation of a CMAM and ENA in grand Gedeh County;
• Supervise and work in strict collaboration with the nutrition team in the screening activities of severely malnourished children (MAM and SAM);
• In collaboration with the Nutrition coordinator and the logistics officer follow-up beneficiary food provision;
• Support the health staff in severe malnutrition case management according to national guidelines;

Merlin Job Description 2
• Assist the nursing staff in the implementation of CMAM/IMAM activities within the (SNU) ward and ensure the management of the commodities (food, drugs and equipment) is done professionally;
• Ensure proper communication, coordination and harmonization of tools with the different stakeholders involved in food/nutrition activities;
• Participate in the conduction of nutrition research studies, Best practice documentation, publication, surveys and campaigns;
• Ensure strict adherence to breast milk substitute guidelines for beneficiaries;
• Participate in program strategic planning and roll-out of new program areas in liaison with the CH&SW key stakeholders, cooperating partners;
• Improve the provision of quality nutrition counselling and education in the hospital and other key contact points in the health programme;
• Participate in the development and use developed activity work plans based on the program annual work plan;
• Enhance integration of Nutrition activities with other key health programs;
• Attend regular meetings with facility staff and share results with Nutrition coordinator.

Responsibility 2: Reporting
•Develop and coordinate the adherence and reporting of nutrition education sessions as per developed annual plan;

Responsibility 3: IMAM and ENA advocacy
•Advocate for the adherence to the breast milk policy in health and strategic forums;

Responsibility 4: Capacity building of MOHSW staff
•Conducts needs assessments for training needs of Merlin health and CHT staff;

Merlin Job Description 3
• Plan and execute IMAM and ENA trainings in line with the MOHSW guidelines;
• Train the nutrition team and health team in case detection;
• Build the capacity and mentor Merlin and CHT staff and other key stakeholders in ENA, CMAM, GMP and other nutrition key areas;
• Strengthen the capacity of gCHVs in promotion of CMAM activities and active case finding through community outreach;
• Carry out on-the-job training, coaching and mentoring of staff trained.

Responsibility 5: Manage the assistant nutrition staff at the health facilities and in the camps
•Plan and supervise activities of the nutrition appointed person in the health facilities in collaboration with the county nutrition focal point;

Others:
•Perform any other tasks as required by line manager or technical manager.

JOB REQUIREMENT:
Requirements:
Essential Requirements:
•Registered nurse with special training in CMAM and ENA;

Desirable Requirements:
• BSc in Nursing and or community nutrition;
• Experience in implementation of IMAM/CMAM and ENA projects;
• Experience in project life cycle;
• Knowledge of ENA-SMART methodology.

Merlin Job Description 4
As MERLIN is working in a constantly changing humanitarian aid environment, reasonable specific work duties may be requested that may not fit into the above job description, but which will help promote over all programmes goals and aims. Similarly while work on weekends will not normally be required, requests to do so should be regarded as falling within the 48hr working week stipulated within MERLIN’s standard working contract, of which this job description forms a part.

APPLICATION SHOULD BE ADDRESS TO:
To apply for this position
Interested candidates are invited to address application letters to The HR Department Merlin- Liberia, Merlin Building, Between 15th & 16th Streets, Russell Avenue, Sinkor, Monrovia, Liberia• mentioning “application” on the envelope or by email- at jobs@merlin-liberia.org with an up-to-date CV including 3 referees (preferably former or current employers) on or before Thursday 23rd February 2012 at 5:00PM. The envelope should be clearly marked with the words “Nutritionist”