Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible.

In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we partner to put bold solutions into action helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within. Now, and for the future.

Mercy Corps has been operating in Ethiopia since 2004. In partnership with civil society organizations, private sector, and the government, Mercy Corps Ethiopia has reached more than five million Ethiopians with interventions to save lives and build secure livelihoods. Our programs emphasize market-driven solutions, reinforce social bonds, and help communities build resilience to the impacts of climate change. Currently in six regional states – Afar, Gambella, Oromia, Somali, Amhara and South Nations, Nationalities and People’s Region (SNNPR) – Mercy Corps Ethiopia is driven by the mission to contribute the emergence of a peaceful, resilient, and prosperous Ethiopia which is inclusive of youth and women. Our strategic directions focus in promoting inclusive and dynamic markets; promoting peace and social cohesion through strengthening formal/informal governance structures and citizen engagement; improved natural resource governance; and integrated humanitarian response.

 Position Title:  Nutrition Officer (Maternity Cover)

Duty Station: Jijiga

Open Position:  1

 Duration: 6 Months

 Program / Department Summary

Mercy Corps is implementing a multi-year, multi-million-dollar USAID funded Project focused on stimulating increased production, productivity and marketing through more competitive livestock and livestock products markets; increasing communities’ resilience; diversifying livelihood economic opportunities and options through essential skills transfer; improving food security and nutrition and contributing to the wider knowledge on pastoral development.  Mercy Corps is seeking services of one (1) full-time Nutrition Officer for maternity cover for six months to work on Nutrition activities on the USAID funded Resilience In Pastoral Areas Project (RIPA).

General Position Summary

Mercy Corps is looking for one (1) full-time Nutrition Officer for maternity cover for six months to work on development nutrition activities as clearly outlined in the responsibility section below.

Essential Job Responsibilities

Under the leadership of the Nutrition and WASH Coordinator, the Nutrition officer will be on the frontline to implement, manage and monitor the RIPA Nutrition and WASH activities at community level in a way that results in greater progress and synergies for nutrition and WASH impact.

The Nutrition officer is responsible for establishing or strengthening community level nutrition groups like Mother-to-Mother support Groups; School Health Clubs and Male Champion groups

The nutrition officer is in charge of supporting the functionality of these groups; Mother to Mother support Groups; School Health Clubs and Male Champion groups

The Nutrition officer will technically support the Mother to Mother support Groups; School Health Clubs and Male Champion group facilitators to deliver quality services

With support of the Nutrition and WASH Coordinator, the Maternal Infant and Young Child Nutrition (MIYCN) activities at woreda and Kebele level in effectively delivering the “first 1000 day” approach

Collaborate with Agricultural extension workers and Development Agents in implementation of home gardening through perma gardening or keyhole gardening of fruits and vegetables.

Work closely with the Nutrition Coordinator and Bureau of Agriculture in documentation and promoting scaling up of food storage, and preservation techniques at community level

Support community level supervision of RIPA’s biofortification initiatives

Work closely with Mother-to-Mother support Groups, Male Champion Groups and School Health Clubs and supervise regular group counselling sessions and cooking demonstrations

Support the roll out Community Led Total Sanitation and Hygiene (CLTSH) in targeted woredas

Promote construction of household upgradable latrines in targeted woredas.

Promote Sanitation and hygiene practices (raw water treatment, safe water storage and handling hand washing and installation of hand washing facilities by the latrines)

Facilitate community level dialogue sessions on personal, food/water hygiene and sanitation problems and social and gender norms that influence nutrition through Social Analysis and Action (SAA) approach

Actively participate in the development of tools behavior change communication (BCC) materials and approaches for Nutrition and WASH

Strategy & Vision

·       Recognize opportunities for innovative action and create an environment where alternative viewpoints are welcomed.

·       Set direction by prioritizing and organizing actions & resources to achieve objectives and contribute to countrywide strategy development.

·       Develop and organize activities to secure resources for programs and convince stakeholders to provide support. 

Program Management

·       Ensure that program implementation is responsive to communities and partners and consistent with Mercy Corps’ relevant program guidelines, principles, values, quality standards and strategic plan.

·       Ensure that beneficiaries are effectively targeted according to established vulnerability criteria.

·       Integrate community approaches, gender sensitivity and capacity building into all activities as appropriate.

·       Ensure all interventions adhere to Mercy Corps’ Gender Policy, Do No Harm principles, and beneficiary accountability standards.

Finance & Compliance Management

·       Ensure activities are implemented based on the scope of work and adhere to Mercy Corps standards and procedures.

Influence & Representation

·       Identify, build and manage collaborative partnerships with local government sectors offices and other stakeholders closely working with the RIPA project.

·       Communicate effectively to ensure overall project targets and donor obligations are met.

GEDSI (GENDER, EQUALITY, DIVERSITY AND SOCIAL INCLUSION)

·       Understand and aware GDI related priorities of the country office and contribute for the realization of priorities (continually work to understand and be aware of the gender diversity and inclusion priorities of the country office and contribute in the execution)

·       Promote gender equal and inclusive workplace culture in a day-to-day interaction with a team member, partners and program participants.

Security

·       Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country leadership.

·       Proactively ensure that team members operate in a secure environment and are aware of policies.

Organizational Learning 

·       As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities they serve, we expect all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves.

Accountability to Beneficiaries

·       Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically

to our beneficiaries and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.

·       Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC's policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.

Safeguarding & Ethics

·       Mercy Corps is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with through our work, whether team members, community members, program participants or others, are treated with respect and dignity. We are committed to the core principles regarding prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary General and IASC and have signed on to the Interagency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. We will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment by or of our team members. As part of our commitment to a safe and inclusive work environment, team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner, respect local laws and customs, and to adhere to Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times. Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct elearning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.

Job Requirements

Knowledge and Experience

Degree or diploma in nutrition, public health, nursing, midwifery, health promotion, or related international development field and at least 3-4 years of relevant work in nutrition and/or food security programs development

Have extensive knowledge on the “first 1000 days” approach

Extensive knowledge on WASH approaches for development settings

Extensive knowledge on AMIYCN approaches for development settings

Experience working with mother support peer groups

Good writing skills

Strong, team player, well demonstrated organizational and interpersonal skills.

Experience working with multi-disciplinary technical specialists

Ability to prioritize and manage multiple activities. 

English fluency is essential, plus Somali language is mandatary  

How to Apply

Register using THIS LINK

All interested candidates are encouraged to apply for the position advertised.  All applications submitted to the Mercy Corps office or electronically include a CV, three references, and all relevant official documents. Applications will not be returned and will not be retained for future recruitment efforts.  To ensure fairness to all applicant’s personal inquiries are not permitted.

 Only candidates that are short-listed will be acknowledged and called for interviews.

 “Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer promoting gender, equity and    diversity. Qualified female and young candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. We are committed to empower women and youth.”