Nutrition Field Worker

Position: Nutrition Field Worker (Re Advert)

Reports Directly to: Health and Nutrition Specialist

Location:  Erebti Woreda, Afar Region

Position Status:Full Time

Works directly with:  Mainly with the Mobilize health and Nutrition team (MHNT), and other Humanitarian team in Aba’ala MC Office.

Safeguarding Risk Level: High

About Mercy Corps

Mercy Corps has been present in Ethiopia since 2004 working to drive bold and transformative ideas, working closely with government, the private sector and civil society actors to build a more resilient country, ensuring that programs are responsive to and influenced by participants and stakeholders. Our vision is to enhance the resilience of climate and conflict-affected communities through market systems development for improved livelihoods, access to food, and safe and clean water to thrive in the face of crises. Our strategy focuses on the four outcome areas of: 1) Economically marginalized populations have improved and diversified livelihoods, income, and assets; 2) Pastoralists, farmers, and households have access to sustainably produced, safe, nutritious food; 3) Social cohesion and inclusive governance processes are built in crisis-affected communities; and 4) People have equitable, sustained access to clean water and sanitation for domestic and productive use.  Currently we operate in the regional states of Afar, Amhara, Gambella, Oromia, Somali, Sidama, Southern Ethiopia, Tigray and Addis Ababa city administration working with a diverse base of donors that includes United States Agency for International Development (USAID), European Union, GAC, Hilton Foundation, United Nations (UN), JOA, Sweden, EKN, and other foundations.

Program Summary

Mercy Corps Ethiopia currently secured USAID/BHA funded multisectoral response program entitled ‘Humanitarian Assistance for Conflict-Affected Populations (HACAP)” in Oromia and Afar regions. The goal of the proposed program is to increase access to Life-saving Services for Conflict-affected IDPs, Returnees, and Vulnerable Populations through provision of integrated Multi-Sectoral Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Promotion (WASH), Nutrition and Protection support and, Multipurpose Cash Assistance (MPCA) in five Woredas of Oromia and Afar regions.

General Position Summary

The Nutrition Field Worker is member of the Mobile Health and Nutrition Team (MHNT) which is already deployed in Erebti Woreda Afar region. S/he will be responsible for conducting awareness-raising and education for Mother-to-Mother support groups and assisting CMAM and TSFP officers in building strong IYCF packages. The role will work closely with community, religious leaders, and the Health Development Army to ensure effective IYCF program implementation.

Essential Job Responsibilities:

Strategy & Vision:

• Collaborate with team members for effective integration of various services, including participant targeting for nutrition activities and supporting CARM and protection activities.
• Partner with local authorities and other organizations to identify individuals in need of life-saving support.
• Stay informed and adaptable to changing situations and contexts.

 Program Management:

• Support and participate in IYCF activities, support Mother-to-Mother support groups, mobilize communities, and assist in OTP and SFP distributions.
• Offer consistent awareness-raising and education for Mother-to-Mother support groups, assisting CMAM and TSFP officers in building strong IYCF packages.
• Work closely with community, religious leaders, and the Health Development Army to ensure effective IYCF program implementation.
• Regularly maintain the dignity of beneficiaries, carers, and community members.
• Accurately record measurements and comments in record books and beneficiary cards.
• Provide proper health education at each distribution.
• Ensure food distribution aligns with national protocols.
• Assist in health and nutrition education and cooking demonstration sessions.
• Generate ideas to strengthen the nutrition unit.
• Always uphold the image and values of Mercy Corps.
• Advise on best feeding practices and conduct follow-ups as needed.
• Support community accountability and reporting mechanisms.

 Team Management:

• Support CMAM, IYCF, and TSFP officers in managing malnutrition cases.
• Assist community volunteers and officers as needed.
• Participate in hygiene promotion and sensitization campaigns.
• Support protection and CARM activities.

 Influence & Representation:

• Build and maintain relationships with community volunteers to enhance program contributions.
• Educate the community to improve health and nutrition service-seeking behavior.
• Promote gender equality and an inclusive workplace culture.

 Security:

• Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies.
• Proactively ensure team members operate in a secure environment.

 Knowledge and Experience:

• Diploma in a Nutrition/health-related field.
• Over 3 years of experience with NGOs.
• Willingness and ability to perform fieldwork and travel to remote areas.
• Effective interaction with diverse ethnic groups.
• Previous experience with community work, especially with Mercy Corps.
• Initiative and independent work capability.
• Organized, reliable, and good communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills and teamwork capability.
• Proficiency in Afarigna.

 Success Factors:

• Willingness to travel frequently to villages and reside in rural areas.
• Flexibility and accommodation in challenging conditions.
• Good interpersonal and communication skills.
• Experience working closely with community volunteers and local authorities.
• Commitment to teamwork and gender equality.

Accountability to Participants and Stakeholders

Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our program participants, community partners, other stakeholders, and to international standards guiding international relief and development work. We are committed to actively engaging communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.

Ongoing Learning

In support of our belief that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities we serve, we empower all team members to dedicate 5% of their time to learning activities that further their personal and/or professional growth and development.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the world’s most complex challenges. We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives.

We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening and evolving to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive than we are today.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be collectively stronger and have sustained global impact.

We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran status or any other protected group in the locations where we work.

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.

All qualified individuals are invited to apply for the advertised position. All applications, including a CV, three references, and all applicable official papers, must be sent electronically.

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.”

DEADLINE FOR ALL APPLICATIONS: 27 August 2024/ 4:00 PM