Nutrition Officer

Location: Aysaita, Ethiopia

Organization: Samaritan’s Purse

Deadline: March 12, 2026

Job Description

JOB SUMMARY

The Nutrition Officer supports CMAM activities in Asayita by strengthening TSFP services, facilitating referrals to OTP/SC, and building the capacity of health workers and HEWs. The role also leads IYCF promotion through MtMSGs and community outreach. The officer works closely with health facilities and community structures to ensure early identification, referral, treatment, and followup of malnourished children and PLW, requiring strong CMAM technical skills, community engagement, and supportive supervision abilities.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Oversee and support TSFP services across 13 decentralized TSFP sites within health posts.
Ensure proper admission, follow-up, and discharge of MAM children (659 months) and PLW according to national CMAM protocols.
Supervise distribution of Ready-to-Use Supplementary Food (RUSF) and ensure accurate documentation.
Conduct bi-weekly follow-up visits with HEWs and project staff to monitor beneficiary progress.
Ensure timely referral of SAM cases to OTP/SC services.
Coordinate resource support to two Primary Health Centers (PHCs) providing SC services.
Monitor availability and proper use of medical consumables, equipment, and cleaning supplies provided by the project.
Support logistics for transporting nutrition commodities (RUTF, RUSF) to health posts and centers.
Strengthen referral pathways between TSFP, OTP, and SC services.
Facilitate training for PHC staff, SC staff, and HEWs on CMAM protocols, anthropometric measurements, and case management.
Provide ongoing coaching and supportive supervision to health workers during service delivery.
Strengthen HEWs capacity in early warning surveillance, active case finding, and community-level screening.
Ensure quality implementation of Family MUAC for early detection of malnutrition.
Train HEWs and Mothers leaders on IYCF practices following national guidelines.
Support the establishment and functioning of Mother-to-Mother Support Groups (MtMSGs).
Provide continuous coaching to Leader Mothers and ensure monthly group meetings are conducted.
Lead SBCC activities to improve optimal feeding, care, and health-seeking behaviors among caregivers.
Coordinate active case finding, home visits, and community screening campaigns with HEWs.
Engage community leaders, caregivers, and local authorities to promote early identification and referral.
Support community sensitization on malnutrition prevention and treatment pathways.
Ensure accurate and timely collection of TSFP, OTP, SC, and IYCF data.
Conduct regular monitoring visits to health posts and PHCs to assess service quality.
Prepare weekly and monthly reports on program progress, challenges, and achievements.
Ensure proper documentation, beneficiary verification, and alignment with MoH and donor requirements.

EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE NEEDED

BSC Nurse, Nutrition, Public Health with experience in Nutrition management,
3-4 years in hospital or clinic setting, preferably in low-resource setting.
Experience and prior training in Nutrition Preferred.
Renewed professional working licence

LANGUAGE

Proficiency in English and Amharic
Knowledge of the regional language required
Knowledge of any other national language is a plus

SKILLS REQUIRED

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be willing to abide by Samaritans Purses code of conduct and understand the principals of Samaritans Purses Statement of Faith, as well as be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

In addition, the following skills are required

Attention to detail, anticipation and follow up are core values of the job function as well as maintaining the highest levels of confidentiality regarding contracts and salaries.
Possesses strong organizational and problem-solving skills within a fast-paced environment.
Must be a self-starter and internally driven to success and hard work.
Ability to be flexible and adaptable
Willing to travel in and out of the field
Must have analytical and report writing skill
High level of integrity and stewardship
Committed to the SP Values and ethics
Proficient in Making clinical decisions in the care of the patient population serving

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral diagram, or schedule form.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk and run; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and talk or hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate but can be exposed to loud noises around the maintenance and construction workshops.
May travel in country with exposure to communicable diseases, hot and humid weather conditions.
Work in a security context that is fluid

SAFEGUARDING COMMITMENT

The employee is required to carry out his/her duties in accordance with Samaritans Purse Safeguarding policy and Code of conduct.

Employee should remain alert and responsive to any child and adult safeguarding risks, acquire relevant knowledge and skills, which will enable him/her to promote strong safeguarding practices, understand the child and adult safeguarding policy and procedures, and conduct his/herself in a manner consistent with the Safeguarding Policy.