Nutrition Facilitator

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is launching a short-term nutrition project funded by UNICEF, aimed at enhancing nutrition service delivery and outreach across seven districts in Punjab province. This four-month initiative, with the possibility of extension, focuses on community-based malnutrition screening and support. The Nutrition Facilitator will be stationed in one of the target districts—Multan, Khanewal, Layyah, Vehari, Bahawalnagar, Lodhran, or Rahim Yar Khan—and will work closely with a small outreach team to conduct door-to-door and village-level screenings, following CMAM/MUAC protocols. The role involves identifying malnourished children, referring them to health facilities, providing counseling to caregivers, and maintaining accurate follow-up records to ensure effective treatment and recovery.

Key Responsibilities

Community Screening: Conduct malnutrition screenings in villages through door-to-door visits and organized screening sessions. Use MUAC tape and check for bilateral pitting oedema in children, adhering strictly to CMAM protocols. Identify and document children who are malnourished or at risk based on screening outcomes.

Referral: Refer children diagnosed with acute malnutrition to the nearest health facility or OTP/SC site for treatment. Clearly explain the referral process to caregivers and encourage timely attendance. Liaise with health facility staff to confirm that referred children are received and enrolled in treatment programs.

Counseling: Provide targeted counseling sessions to mother and father groups on child nutrition and care practices. Support community awareness initiatives on early malnutrition signs and the importance of timely screening. Collaborate with the IYCF Counselor to reinforce key feeding and care messages during outreach activities.

Follow-Up and Reporting: Conduct follow-up visits to monitor the treatment progress of referred children. Track defaulters and those not showing improvement, referring them back for additional support. Maintain detailed records of all screening, referral, and follow-up activities. Submit accurate and timely reports to the District Project Officer on outreach progress and screening results.

Team Coordination: Work as part of a three-member outreach team alongside the IYCF Counselor and Community Outreach Worker. Coordinate efforts to divide villages and households for comprehensive screening coverage. Regularly report progress and challenges to the District Program Officer.

Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree is required. Additional certification or training in nutrition or community health is highly advantageous.

Work Experience: A minimum of 2-3 years of professional experience is required, with at least one year in nutrition or health programs, preferably within an NGO setting. Experience in CMAM/MUAC screening or community outreach is preferred.

Skills and Competencies:
- Strong knowledge of MUAC screening and CMAM protocols.
- Effective communication skills for engaging with community members, including mother and father groups.
- Ability and willingness to travel extensively, including on foot, to remote villages.
- Excellent record-keeping and follow-up capabilities.
- Proven ability to work collaboratively within a small team.
- Commitment to IRC’s core values, humanitarian principles, and child safeguarding policies.
- Community management skills and a strong team-player attitude.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews, which will be conducted on a rolling basis.

IRC upholds the highest professional standards, guided by integrity, service, equality, and accountability. All staff are expected to adhere to the IRC Way—our code of conduct—and comply with policies on safeguarding, conflicts of interest, fiscal integrity, and protection from retaliation. The IRC is dedicated to creating a safe and supportive work environment that fosters critical reflection, power sharing, and objective decision-making to deliver impactful humanitarian services.