Nutritionist

KEY OUTPUTS:

• Improved nutritional Status. Consumption of adequate diets by families. Improved nutrition services in the MCN Programmes.

RANGE OF ACTIVITIES: 

• Plans, implements and evaluates programmes at the clinic, community and regional levels based on the problems observed within communities and at the national level. 
• Plans, develops, supervises, monitors and evaluates nutrition services assigned geographic areas as part of the national nutrition programme. 
• Plans, directs and/or carries out orientation, in-service education and basic education programmes in nutrition for junior staff as well as for individual families and groups. 
• Prepares, reviews and selects nutrition information material for dissemination to professional and non-professional audiences through various media. 
• Plans for and provides consultation and technical assistance on nutrition and food service management to administrators of health care facilities and food service personnel in hospitals, nursing homes, day care centres and other institutions where there is group feeding and no dietitian. 
• Reports and summarizes progress and activities at regular intervals and prepares periodic and special reports. 

QUALIFICATIONS, KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE: 

• A Bachelor's Degree in Nutrition, Home Economics or other related discipline from a recognised University plus three (3) years experience in a related field. 

DECISION MAKING, PROBLEM SOLVING AND IMPACT ON RESULTS:

The incumbent must be able to supervise research, data collection and use data to make decisions and plan appropriate programmes. He/she must exercise some original thinking or creativity when making decisions or solving problems. Errors could impact negatively on the programme and can cause embarrassment to the organisation. 

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT:

• The incumbent exercises direct supervision over the Community Nutrition Officers in the Regions. He/she is not a budget holder and is responsible for any stock or valued capital equipment 
• The incumbent controls the receipt and distribution of all local and foreign funds allocated to specified programmes and gives account for the same. 

COMMUNICATIONS:

Apart from the superior and subordinates the incumbent communicates with community groups and other professionals involved in nutrition and nutrition related programmes. The incumbent must display tact and good communication skills to ensure appropriate responses and feedback to enhance programme success. 

WORKING CONDITIONS:

The job involves working in office, community, clinics and any other appropriate or necessary situations which will enhance the planning and implementation of relevant nutrition programmes. Approximately 90% of the time is spent in the field where there is the possibility of injury/accidents while traversing riverain areas and over rough terrain.