Nutrition Assistant (Short-term)

Job Summary
CARE Pakistan is seeking a dedicated Nutrition Assistant to support the “Improved Nutrition Status of Mothers and Children” project based in Makli, Sindh. This field-oriented role requires close collaboration with Village Development Committees, Self Help Groups, Lady Health Workers, Community Nutrition Workers, and other local community structures. The primary focus is to promote Community-based Management of Acute Malnutrition (CMAM) messaging and facilitate community outreach and Out-Patient Therapeutic Program (OTP) activities. The Nutrition Assistant will engage directly with communities to screen and register children aged 6-59 months, provide essential services such as OTP admissions, deworming, and distribution of micronutrient powders, and ensure follow-up care according to established protocols. Complicated cases must be referred promptly to stabilization centers. The role also involves coordination with local government departments and civil society organizations to implement nutrition interventions and lead team activities. This is a contractual position for three months.

Key Responsibilities

Program Planning and Coordination (35%)
The Nutrition Assistant will develop monthly work plans under the guidance of the line manager and support the team in field planning. Close collaboration with public departments and community-based workers is essential to strengthen nutrition and health interventions. The role includes disseminating updates within the team and community and participating in national and international awareness campaigns and events to enhance program visibility and impact.

Field Operations and Data Management (30%)
Conducting anthropometric measurements and registering children with severe acute malnutrition in OTP programs is a core responsibility. The Nutrition Assistant will ensure proper follow-ups, refer complicated cases to stabilization centers, and maintain accurate records. Tracking defaulters and absentees, reporting field challenges, and managing supplies and equipment are critical to smooth operations. Maintaining beneficiary data through the Nutrition Information System and submitting timely reports is required. All project records must be kept in both hard and soft copies for accountability and monitoring.

Community Engagement and Capacity Building (30%)
Counseling parents and caretakers on treatment protocols and encouraging compliance is vital. The Nutrition Assistant will deliver Social Behaviour Change Communication sessions and nutrition messages to beneficiaries and the wider community. Capacity-building sessions for team members, community structures, and parents will be conducted to strengthen local knowledge and skills. Mobilizing communities for early malnutrition detection and engaging them actively in project activities is a key focus. The role also involves overseeing the design and implementation of outreach activities to maximize community participation.

Other Responsibilities (5%)
The Nutrition Assistant will perform any additional tasks assigned by the line manager based on organizational and program needs.

Required Qualifications
- Minimum Intermediate education; a bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences is preferred.
- 2-4 years of professional experience as a Nutrition Assistant or Team Leader.
- Operational experience in targeted locations with integrated projects involving WASH, Education, and Nutrition.
- Familiarity with Village Development Committees, Self Help Groups, clubs, and volunteer community-based structures, including their methodologies and operations.
- Experience working with multidisciplinary teams and stakeholders.
- Good understanding of CMAM and Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) concepts and approaches.
- Knowledge of WASH and Education (formal and non-formal) approaches.
- Understanding of caseload calculation formulas and references.
- Ability to work effectively in multicultural teams while respecting local culture and norms.
- Experience coordinating with public departments, community representatives, and union council-level stakeholders.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
- Openness to feedback from team members, stakeholders, and the community.
- Awareness of community involvement and empowerment issues.

CARE Pakistan is committed to safeguarding and participates in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. Employment offers are contingent upon satisfactory references and screening checks. CARE is an Equal Opportunity Employer, providing equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, sex, religion, ancestry, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.