Nutrition Assistant

Job Title: Nutrition Assistant

Reports to: Project Officer Health- Nutrition

Location: Kakuma, Turkana County

Classification: Fulltime-Local Hire; as such this position is not eligible for R&R and the incumbent will be responsible for their own accommodation arrangements.

Starting Date: As soon as possible

Duration: Upto Dec 2026

BACKGROUND

IsraAID is an Israel-based non-governmental organization that was founded in 2001 and has since its inception worked in emergency and long-term development settings in over 55 countries. IsraAID’s mission is to support people affected by humanitarian crises by partnering with local communities around the world to provide urgent aid, assist recovery, and reduce the risk of future disasters.

JOB PURPOSE

The purpose of this position is to support the implementation of the Integrated Management of Acute Malnutrition (IMAM) programs, nutrition surveillance and assessment including Mass Screening, and Promotion of Maternal infant, and young child nutrition (MIYCN) in Turkana West Sub-County. The incumbent will report and work under the guidance of the Nutrition officer.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Program Implementation

• Assist in conducting routine community and facility-based nutrition screening for children under five and pregnant and lactating women following national CMAM guidelines.
• Support enrolment, referral, follow-up and tracking of malnutrition cases in collaboration with community health volunteers and MOH health staff.
• Provide basic support in facility-based and outreach management of acute malnutrition (OTP/SFP).
• Promote MIYCN practices including breastfeeding counselling and complementary feeding messages in community settings.
• Support delivery of behaviour change communication on key nutrition and health practices.

Community Mobilization & Capacity Building

• Support, mentor and mobilize community health volunteers and outreach workers to improve screening, referral, and follow-up.
• Provide on-the-job training and coaching to volunteers on CMAM, MIYCN best practices.

Monitoring & Reporting

• Collect, compile and submit weekly, monthly and ad-hoc program data and activity reports to the Nutrition Officer in line with donor and organizational standards.
• Support accurate data entry and quality assurance of program monitoring tools.
• Assist in preparation of case studies, success stories and lessons learned.

Coordination

• Participate in stakeholder meetings at community and sub-county level as required by supervisor.
• Liaise with the health facility teams, WASH and protection counterparts to support integrated referral pathways.

Logistics Support

• Track basic nutrition commodities and equipment at field sites and report stock levels to Nutrition Officer.

Other Duties

• Perform additional tasks as assigned by supervisor.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE AND TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES:

Required Education and Experience

• Diploma or Bachelor’s degree in Nutrition & Dietetics, Public Health Nutrition, Community Nutrition, or related field from a recognized institution.
• Registered with the Kenya Nutrition & Dietetics Institute (KNDI) preferred.
• Minimum 2 to 3 years’ experience implementing community nutrition programs with exposure to CMAM, MIYCN, IMAM surge or related interventions.

Skills and Competencies

• Knowledge of CMAM, nutrition screening, assessment methods and referral pathways.
• Experience in behaviour change communication strategies.
• Proficient in data collection, reporting and Microsoft Office applications.
• Strong communication, planning and collaboration skills.
• Ability to work in hardship and field conditions.

PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT AND DEMANDS:

Ability to work in hardship areas (previous experience in a camp setting/Turkana will be an added advantage)

Level of Contact with Children:

High contact: Frequent interaction with Children

LANGUAGES

English and Kiswahili

ETHICAL STANDARDS

IsraAID has zero tolerance towards any acts of misconduct and Sexual Exploitation and Abuse. The recruitment process will include all candidates’ declarations and reference checks focused on misconduct and SEA.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

IsraAID is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or disability status.