Volunteer Nutritionist
Qualifications of Volunteer Nutritionist:
- Location: Kakuma
- Vacancy No: JR00000547
- Salary: N/A
- Organization: IRC International Rescue Committee
- Deadline: 10/29/2025
Brief details about Volunteer Nutritionist:
About
Information about the organization that has offered the job:
Responding to the most severe humanitarian crises in the world, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) assists those ravaged by conflict and disaster in regaining their health, safety, education, economic well-being, and power. One of the biggest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO) in the world, the IRC was established in 1933 at Albert Einstein’s request. It works in over 40 countries and 29 American cities, assisting people in surviving, taking back control of their future, and fortifying their communities. IRC workers are a force for humanity, giving millions of people their safety, dignity, and hope again, leaving a lasting impression. Join us in improving the lives of millions of people worldwide for a better future if you’re a solutions-focused, fervent change-maker.
Job Purpose/Objective
Under direct supervision of the Facility in charge, the Volunteer Nutritionist will lead the implementation of all nutrition related activities at the IRC run health facilities and communities in the refugee settlement and the surrounding host communities in Kakuma refugee camp. S/he will be responsible for implementing integrated management of acute malnutrition including screening, providing treatment of acute malnutrition, documentation, and reporting. Key areas will include, but not limited to the detection and treatment of acute cases of malnutrition; implementation of MIYCN, IMAM surge, Family MUAC, Inpatient feeding, diet therapy, NACs for NCDs, supporting outreach activities that include surveillance and patient follow up; and preparing and submission of weekly and monthly reports; training of health and nutrition staff based at facility and community level.
Programming
- Direct implementation of IMAM, ensuring management of all under-fives/PLWs enrolled in OTP/TSFP programs in line with the WHO, IMAM protocol.
- Ensure in documentation/data entry in registers through EMR and compiling IMAM summary reports.
- Manage nutrition commodities and food supplies at facility level/kitchen including receipt, inventory management, reporting and forecasting of commodity needs. Daily reconciliation of nutrition commodities with the pharmacy staff.
- Ensure timely identification and treatment of acutely malnourished children and pregnant and lactating women by creating or strengthening nutrition surveillance and assessment systems at health facilities and community. Train and mentor staff -CHPs and other incentive staff on family MUAC approach.
- Participate in daily ward rounds in the SC ward ensuring that all required observations, prescribed treatment, and procedure are properly carried out and documented in the patients’ cards in line with the national IMAM guidelines. Ensure all children under six months and their mothers are managed according to the MAMI protocol/IMAM guidelines.
- Mentor the health and nutrition incentive staff to manage patients with acute malnutrition as per IMAM protocol.
- Train and mentor IRC nutrition staff and other key stakeholders in GMP, MIYCN and IMAM, IMAM surge.
- Submit weekly/monthly IMAM/HIS/MIYCN/LMIS reports to the MEAL department for uploading/entry into DHIS
- Ensure integration of nutrition services with health- ensure provision of quality nutrition assessment, counselling and supports in NCD clinics, MCH/OPD, Medical wards and Special clinics (POPC, LBW/Preterm).
- Together with community health, plan and conduct continuous monitoring of patients enrolled in nutrition programs through home visits.
- Participate in program strategic planning and roll-out of new program areas in liaison with key stakeholders and cooperating partners.
- Participate in nutrition assessments-KAP/SENS surveys, global and national global events and activities-WBW, Malezi bora campaign.
- Identify training gaps for the incentive staff and beneficiaries within nutrition program and communicate the same to the senior nutrition officer.
- Implement MIYCN at facility and community levels and integrating with CMAM programs through group and individual counselling sessions, health education sessions.
- Support the nutrition officer in the development of quarterly wok plans for the activities to be implemented.
Required Qualifications
- Hold a Diploma in Food, Nutrition and Dietetics from a recognized College/University.
- MUST have registration certificate and valid license with KNDI
- S/he must possess ability to analyse and interpret both quantitative and qualitative programmed data.
- Must possess excellent planning and organizational skills. – Must be able to work with minimal supervision.
- Must have cognate skills in computer applications.
- MUST possess a high level of integrity and with good interpersonal skills – Ready to work in difficult environmental conditions.
Experience/Competence
- Possess at least 1 years’ experience in implementing nutrition related activities in a health facility and or community set up.
- Training and expertise in IMAM and MIYCN.
- Expertise in MAMI, and IMAM surge is an added advantage.
- Strong communication skills, oral, written and presentation.
- Previous experience in Arid and Semi-Arid Lands of Kenya
- Previous experience working in insecure contexts
- Extremely flexible and can cope with stressful situations. –
- Strong background in humanitarian projects.
- Demonstrate proficiency in computer applications such as Microsoft office, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft teams,
- Should be a team player and culturally sensitive.