Senior Nutrition Officer (Doctor)

Senior Nutrition Officer (Doctor) | IRC - International Rescue Committee

Senior Nutrition Officer (Doctor)

IRC - International Rescue Committee Bama, Abuja National Speaks Hausa, English, Kanuri

Application deadline: April 24, 2026

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Summary by Impactpool

The Senior Nutrition Officer (Doctor) at the International Rescue Committee (IRC) will oversee the daily operations of the stabilization center in Maiduguri, ensuring quality clinical care for children with severe acute malnutrition (SAM). This role involves providing technical oversight, supervising clinical staff, and managing the center's resources and documentation. The officer will also collaborate with various stakeholders to enhance childhood nutrition and address gaps in service delivery. The position requires a strong commitment to humanitarian principles and the ability to work in a challenging environment.

Candidate Requirements:

Medical Degree (MBBS) from a recognized university

At least two years post-graduation experience

Experience in community-based nutrition programs

Training in treatment of acute malnutrition

Excellent management and communication skills

Fluency in English and Hausa; Kanuri is a plus

Strong computer skills (MS Office, Epi-info/SPSS)

Ability to work under pressure in unstable environments

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you're a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future. The International Rescue Committee responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, IRC offers life-saving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster. At work today in more than 40 countries and in 22 U.S. cities, IRC restores safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted by conflict or disaster. IRC leads the way from harm to CONTEXTUAL BACKGROUND

  The IRC has been present in Nigeria since 2012 when the organization responded to flooding in Kogi state. In February 2014 the IRC moved into Adamawa State in NE Nigeria to provide humanitarian interventions through a multi-sectoral, integrated approach for conflict affected populations. IRC Nigeria now operates a country office in Abuja and field offices in Mubi of Adamawa State, Maiduguri, Gwoza and Monguno of Borno state. Currently, IRC Nigeria implements programs primary health care, nutrition, environmental health, women’s protection and empowerment, protection, child protection, education, food security & livelihoods.   Job Overview/Summary The Stabilization Doctor will be responsible for running day-to-day activities of MAIDUGURI stabilization center and he/she reports to the stabilization center manager and works closely with the Health and Nutrition Manager of BORNO state for Day-to-day administrative issues.

The stabilization center Doctor ensures the implementation of quality clinical care of children admitted to the center in accordance with National and international standards. The Medical Doctor will identify gaps in SC and take the necessary steps to address those gaps.

He/she provides technical oversight assistance in planning, implementing, and monitoring of high impact intervention and provides support in system strengthening and promotion of childhood nutrition, with special focus to the most vulnerable and unreached population groups.

He/she will directly supervise clinical staff and ensure staff maintain high professionalism throughout. The stabilization Doctor will ensure quality of services in the stabilization center CMAM PROGRAM through strengthening capacities on the clinical management of   SAM and facilitating integration of services related to newborn and child health, with the support of the Nutrition coordinator and stabilization center manager.

The stabilization center Doctor will oversee night coverage activities/services provided to admitted cases (and caregivers) at the stabilization center and will generally be responsible for documentation and stock management of commodities, medicines/consumables and data tools.

  Major Responsibilities Under direct supervision of the Stabilization Center Manager, the stabilization center Doctor will have the following stabilization center functions: Daily calculation of the quantity of food needed for the day to day based on the number of children present in phase I and transition or refers the work to somebody who will calculate, and he supervises him.

Order the food for the SC In collaboration with the hospital dietician.

Order the drugs for the SC In collaboration with the pharmacist and the SC matron.

Manage the daily collection of the number of new admissions and exits and attendance from the registrar.

Weekly checks and transmit the statistics to the stabilization center manager

Give feed back to the team and take appropriate action

Compiles monthly reports and submits to sc manager, coordinator and hospital/state leadership

Provision of high-quality care to complicated SAM cases

Provide clinical care to complicated cases of SAM admitted at the stabilization center (SC)

Ensure clinical care provided at the SC is in accordance with the National guidelines for inpatient Management of SAM

Mentor and provide on the- job training on stabilization care and documentation to nurses and other health workers deployed to the SC to ensure:

Respect of approved protocol for management of acute malnutrition

Correct use of programme monitoring and evaluation (recording tool)

Appropriate use of resources, stock control and ordering procedures

Programme Management and Documentation

Monitor the in-patient Management of SAM

Supervise the use of medicines, medical supplies, and nutrition related commodities and data tools in the SC

Participate in the development and review of programme monitoring and evaluation tools where necessary

Ensure timely collection, compilation, and analysis of quality data as well as production of quantitative and qualitative reports regarding all IRC activities

Produce case studies related to patient care, at least one per quarter or as per line manager’s request

Evaluate regularly the impact of the activities and propose changes for improvement

Prepare weekly and monthly activities reports and any other ad hoc report that may be required

Support the supply chain management and forecast for medicines, medical supplies, Nutrition commodities (F-75, F-100, Resomal) and data tools

Monitor the stock of commodities, medicines, medical supplies: calculate needs, decide quantities to be delivered to the stabilization center

Plan logistics and materials needs for the SC

Participate in stakeholder meetings on crosscutting health issues

Facilitate integration of services for a holistic approach of SAM by working in collaboration with partners

Therapeutic Feeding Functions:

Checks the pharmacy correct drug preparation, storage and stock balance etc

Checks food stock: food consumption and cleaning of the store

Food distribution: works with hospital dietician to ensure meals distributed on time and respect of the quantity

Maintains and supervises quality of medical care dispensed: drugs distribution correct application of the medical protocols: clinical follow up, rehydration, detection in times of the medical complication

Nutritional follow up: correct measurements and follow-up of the weight and edema

Individual cards and the attendance register book correct filling

Ensure and quality checks admission and exit: respect of criteria

Ensures and role-models respect for the dignity of the patients and the accompanying caretaker

Resolution of problems occurring between the patient and the personnel

Ensure that mothers are well informed about the functioning of the center, the state and the evolution of their child.

Clinical Functions: Set work schedule to include overnights shared with emergency hospital physicians Clinical examination of all patients with signs of complicated pathologies or presenting complications or refer by the nurses

Prescription management and follow up of severe and complicated cases in consultation with hospital physician

Adaptation and change of specific medical treatment and differential diagnosis in partnership with hospital physician

Authorizes and interprets rapid clinical laboratory

Referral of patients to hospital and between hospital

Training of hospital IRC nurses on routine treatment prescription (theoretical and on job training)

Works in collaboration with the nurses to ensure medical care of quality

Works as a member of the team taking into consideration the non-medical problems encountered by the patients (feeding and psychosocial)

Develop relationship with medical counterparts with hospital

Staff Management: Maintain an updated job description conduct interviews, orient new staff to the IRC and the stabilization center manager

Supervise the stabilization center staff (Nurse, help mothers, cleaner and registrars) directly provide ongoing leadership to the project team and oversee implementation and coordination of activity plans to ensure targets are met

Provide ongoing supervision, leadership, training and technical support and guidance to nutrition staff and ensure all stabilization center staff adhere to best-practice principles in all aspects of implementation

Overall responsibility for stabilization center staff team’s timesheet, workplan vacation schedules and staff training/development activities

Ensure performance management system documentation for all staff is in place and followed up regularly

Build staff capacity in workplan development and reporting to ensure accurate monitoring and documentation of activities

Recommend and implement a capacity building/development plan for project staff based on documented capacity needs assessment exercise

Ensure stabilization center staff understands and follows IRC and donor policies and procedures

Participate in nutrition related meetings seminars and workshop and feed information acquired back into programming

Work and strengthen relationship with Borno State ministry of health and Hospital Management board UNICEF, BOSPHCDB and other partners implementing CMAM in the state

Hire, supervise, and build the capacity of team members in relevant technical and management competencies.

• Coach, train, supervise and mentor direct-report staff, including communicating clear expectations, setting annual performance objectives, providing regular and timely positive and constructive feedback, and providing documented semi-annual performance reviews.

• Maintain open and professional relations with team members, promoting a strong team spirit and providing oversight and guidance to enable staff to successfully perform in their positions.

• Hold high-quality meetings with each direct report on a regular and predictable basis, at least monthly.

• Provide a measurable development plan including on-the-job learning with the aim of strengthening technical capacity, exchanging knowledge within the team and providing guidance on career paths.

• As required identify staff performance issues and work with Human Resources to document and address these in accordance with the National Staff Employment Policies.

• Maintain open and professional relations with team members, promoting a strong team spirit and providing oversight and guidance to enable staff to successfully perform in their positions.

• Promote and monitor staff care and well-being. Model healthy work-life balance practices. Support appropriate interventions in response to identified staff care needs of both national and international staff.

• Look for opportunities to support staff in their career growth, where appropriate. As part of succession plan and nationalization goals, identify, train and develop capability and capacity of national staff to successfully transition role and responsibilities, by the end of assignment.

• Adhere to and act in accordance with the IRC Global HR Policies and Procedures, and communicates through word and example a high standard of compliance with all applicable policies and regulations.

  Research, Learning and Analysis

• Conduct research on best practices in nutrition programming, identifying areas for improvement and innovation

• Analyze program data to inform decision-making and optimize outcomes

• Support learning and capacity-building initiatives for team members

• Identify trends, challenges, and opportunities in nutrition programming

• Contribute to reports, proposals, and other written materials Coordination & Representation

• Coordinate with internal teams, partners, and stakeholders to ensure smooth program implementation

• Represent the organization in meetings, workshops, and other forums

• Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, including government agencies and NGOs

• Ensure compliance with organizational policies, donor requirements, and regulatory frameworks

• Facilitate information sharing and collaboration across teams and partners Key Working Relationships Position Reports to:  Stabilization Center Manager Indirect/Technical Reporting: Senior Health Outcome Manager Position directly Supervises: Stabilization Center Nurse, Help Mother, Cleaners Registrar Key Internal

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