Malnutrition Officer

The Malnutrition Officer (MO) will work under the over-all supervision of the Primary Health Care Department Head, and in close coordination with PHC Department Team on the implementation of all projects integrated under Primary Health Care focusing on malnutrition activities. This position is housed at the Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) supported through UNICEF-funded project implemented by Implementing partners such as IOCC. The activities will take place in all PHCCs of the National PHC Network with focus on the acute malnutrition management centers. The primary role of MO will be to establish close and robust coordination amongst all MoPH stakeholders and ensure that the acute malnutrition component is integrated and implemented successfully in the PHCCs.

Responsibilities and Essential Functions

• Identify PHCCs to be targeted with acute malnutrition refresher trainings in all governorates
• Coordinate the malnutrition trainings; Provide technical guidance and on job capacity building for existing PHCC staff related to screening and treatment of acute malnutrition when needed and support reporting on nutrition indicators;
• Coordination with the PHCCs and MoPH-IT department to receive data on defaulters/ caseload on the management of MAM and SAM and on screening and management of acute malnutrition cases and on nutritional status of children attending the PHCCs on monthly basis;
• Follow up on accurate and timely reporting of nutrition indicators approved by MoPH to be shared with IOCC and UNICEF by the PHC department.
• Provide quarterly analysis on the trends of malnutrition cases, attending management services at PHCCs, to be shared with MoPH, IOCC and UNICEF, and with the health interagency group.
•  Follow up with the caregivers of malnourished children on regular basis to ensure compliance to the treatment and identify any possible barriers for accessing and sustaining access to care.
• Provide the needed support and guidance to PHCCs and implementing partners to ensure proper follow-up on children admitted for management of acute malnutrition and prevent a high incidence of defaulters;
• Identify gaps and challenges in implementing the malnutrition program at the PHCCs’ level and report them to MoPH.
•  Monitor and follow up on subsidizing acute malnutrition consultations at the acute malnutrition management centers and ensure that the centers follow the regulations and that the financial records are maintained accordingly;
•  Contact Care Givers of malnourished children who are considered as defaulters to determine the cause of the discontinuation of treatment and to have these children resume their therapy in the nearby treatment PHCC;
• Link and coordinate between the screening and treatment PHCCs and the trained governmental and private hospitals to ensure an efficient and comprehensive spectrum on acute malnutrition services.
• Any other tasks as required by the head of the PHC department.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA): 

• Self-motivated and initiative taker
• Well-organized
• Problem solver and results-oriented
• A dynamic personality with strong social, interpersonal and intercultural skills
• Excellent report writing skills.
• Ability to communicate with vulnerable populations

Experience:

• Minimum 2 years of relevant work experience
• Previous experience in CMAM program implementation is an advantage.

Working Conditions

• Stationed in MoPH-PHC department – Central Office – Beirut, with frequent field visits to all governorates