2. Purpose of the Position
The Female Nutrition Nurse will provide essential nutrition assessment, prevention, counselling, follow-up, and treatment support through the assigned MHNT. The post holder will contribute to the identification and management of acute malnutrition, promote appropriate infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices, support maternal and child nutrition, and facilitate timely referral of patients requiring additional or specialized care.
The position will also support integrated primary health care through nutrition-related health education, community follow-up, coordination with other MHNT members, accurate patient documentation, and monitoring of treatment progress.
The post holder is expected to provide respectful, culturally appropriate, confidential, and gender-sensitive services to women, children, and caregivers, ensuring that nutrition services are accessible and delivered within the limits of professional competence and the approved project service package.
3. Key Responsibilities
3.1 Nutrition Screening and Assessment
- Conduct nutrition screening and assessment for children under five and other eligible groups according to the approved project service package and national nutrition protocols.
- Measure and record relevant anthropometric indicators, including mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC), weight, and height or length, as appropriate to the client's age and the applicable protocol.
- Assess for bilateral pitting oedema in children when trained and authorized to do so.
- Use approved measurement tools and screening forms and ensure that equipment is clean, functional, and used correctly.
- Identify children and other eligible clients who may be at risk of acute malnutrition or other nutrition-related complications.
- Verify screening results and repeat measurements when necessary to ensure accuracy.
- Classify nutrition status according to applicable national protocols and the postholder's professional scope.
- Explain screening results to mothers and caregivers in clear, culturally appropriate language.
- Ensure that children with danger signs, severe complications, or other urgent concerns receive immediate assessment by an authorized clinician or are referred through the approved pathway.
- Maintain accurate screening registers and ensure that identified cases are appropriately documented and followed up.
3.2 Identification and Management of Acute Malnutrition
- Identify eligible cases of acute malnutrition through routine screening and assessment in accordance with national protocols.
- Support the management of uncomplicated acute malnutrition within the approved MHNT service package and the nurse's authorized professional scope.
- Assess eligibility for nutrition services or treatment according to current MoPH protocols and applicable admission criteria.
- Provide or support the provision of approved nutrition commodities and therapeutic or supplementary products only where authorized and available under the project service package.
- Explain the correct use of prescribed or approved nutrition products to mothers and caregivers.
- Monitor clients enrolled in nutrition services and document attendance, progress, treatment adherence, and follow-up outcomes.
- Identify missed follow-up appointments, default risks, deterioration in nutritional status, and other concerns requiring action.
- Ensure that clients with severe acute malnutrition accompanied by medical complications, danger signs, or other conditions requiring inpatient or specialized care are referred promptly to an appropriate facility.
- Coordinate with the MHNT Medical Doctor or designated clinical supervisor regarding cases requiring clinical review or changes in care.
- Never independently prescribe medicines or provide treatment beyond the nurse's qualifications, authorization, or approved clinical protocols.
3.3 Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) Counselling
- Provide individual and group counselling to mothers and caregivers on appropriate infant and young child feeding practices.
- Promote early initiation of breastfeeding, exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, and continued breastfeeding alongside appropriate complementary feeding, in line with national guidance.
- Counsel caregivers on the timely introduction of safe, adequate, age-appropriate, and diverse complementary foods from six months of age.
- Promote responsive feeding, appropriate feeding frequency, food hygiene, and safe preparation and storage of complementary foods.
- Identify common breastfeeding and complementary feeding concerns and provide appropriate counselling within professional competence.
- Encourage caregivers to seek additional clinical or specialized lactation support when feeding difficulties require further assessment.
- Provide practical advice using locally available and culturally appropriate food examples, without making unsupported claims about food availability or household resources.
- Address common nutrition-related misconceptions respectfully and use clear, understandable communication.
- Include fathers and other caregivers in counselling when appropriate and acceptable to the mother.
- Document counselling sessions and relevant follow-up actions.
3.4 Maternal Nutrition and Nutrition During Pregnancy and Lactation
- Provide nutrition education and counselling to pregnant and lactating women in accordance with national maternal nutrition guidance and the approved project service package.
- Promote adequate dietary diversity, appropriate meal frequency, food hygiene, and healthy nutrition practices during pregnancy and lactation.
- Encourage pregnant women to attend antenatal care and follow the advice of authorized health professionals.
- Support identification of pregnant and lactating women who may require additional nutrition assessment or referral.
- Reinforce approved messages on maternal nutrition, breastfeeding, maternal health, and newborn care.
- Coordinate with the MHNT midwife, Medical Doctor, and other authorized health personnel to ensure integrated maternal and child health services.
- Refer women with danger signs, significant nutritional concerns, or other medical conditions to the appropriate clinical provider.
- Maintain confidentiality and provide services in a respectful manner that considers women's privacy and cultural needs.
3.5 Integrated Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health Support
- Collaborate with the MHNT Medical Doctor, midwife, vaccinator, and other team members to support integrated primary health care and nutrition service delivery.
- Identify opportunities to provide nutrition screening and counselling during eligible maternal and child health consultations.
- Reinforce appropriate messages on child growth, breastfeeding, complementary feeding, hygiene, and prevention of nutrition-related illness.
- Support identification and referral of children with poor growth, feeding difficulties, recurrent illness, or other concerns requiring further assessment.
- Encourage caregivers to attend recommended health and nutrition follow-up appointments.
- Coordinate with other authorized team members to support continuity of care for mothers and children.
- Participate in joint service-delivery activities, outreach sessions, and community health events as assigned.
- Ensure that the nutrition services delivered remain within the approved MHNT service package and the postholder's professional scope.
3.6 Community-Level Follow-Up and Continuity of Care
- Conduct follow-up with children and other eligible clients receiving nutrition services according to approved protocols and MHNT plans.
- Support tracing of clients who miss scheduled nutrition appointments, in coordination with authorized community health workers and mobilizers.
- Provide follow-up counselling to mothers and caregivers on adherence to recommended nutrition practices and scheduled treatment or monitoring visits.
- Identify barriers to accessing nutrition services and communicate them to the MHNT Supervisor.
- Monitor whether referred clients have reached the receiving facility when follow-up is feasible and appropriate.
- Coordinate with community health workers and community mobilizers to support awareness, referral, and follow-up activities.
- Respect client confidentiality when conducting household visits or communicating with community representatives.
- Maintain records of follow-up activities, missed appointments, referrals, and outcomes.
- Do not disclose individual health or nutrition information to community members who are not authorized to receive it.
3.7 Health and Nutrition Education
- Conduct health and nutrition education sessions for mothers, caregivers, and community members during MHNT visits and outreach activities.
- Promote key messages on child nutrition, breastfeeding, complementary feeding, maternal nutrition, hygiene, safe food handling, and prevention of common nutrition-related illnesses.
- Use approved educational materials and communication methods appropriate to the target population.
- Adapt communication to the audience's literacy level, language, cultural context, and accessibility needs.
- Encourage active participation and provide opportunities for mothers and caregivers to ask questions.
- Correct misinformation respectfully and refer clinical questions beyond the nurse's scope to the appropriate health professional.
- Coordinate nutrition awareness sessions with hygiene promoters, health community mobilizers, and other project personnel where appropriate.
- Document the number and type of education sessions and participants using approved reporting formats.
- Ensure that nutrition education is inclusive and accessible to women, caregivers of children with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups.
3.8 Patient Monitoring and Follow-Up of Nutrition Outcomes
- Monitor the nutritional progress of eligible clients receiving services according to applicable protocols.
- Record relevant measurements, clinical observations, treatment attendance, referrals, and follow-up outcomes.
- Identify cases that fail to improve, deteriorate, or develop signs requiring reassessment or referral.
- Ensure that nutrition progress is reviewed by an authorized clinician when medical assessment or treatment decisions are required.
- Maintain accurate records of admissions, follow-up visits, exits, transfers, referrals, and other relevant outcomes, according to approved reporting definitions.
- Support identification of treatment default, non-response, and other programmatic concerns.
- Provide appropriate counselling to caregivers on follow-up schedules and the importance of completing the recommended course of care.
- Ensure that patient records reflect services actually provided and are not completed retrospectively without a valid, documented reason and in accordance with HDDO procedures.
3.9 Referral and Case Management
- Identify clients requiring additional clinical assessment, emergency care, specialized nutrition services, or other support beyond the MHNT's capacity.
- Follow approved referral pathways for severe acute malnutrition with complications, medical danger signs, and other complex cases.
- Coordinate referrals with the MHNT Medical Doctor, designated clinical supervisor, and receiving health facilities.
- Explain the reason for referral and the importance of timely care to the mother or caregiver.
- Complete referral forms accurately and ensure that relevant clinical or nutrition information is shared securely with authorized providers.
- Record referrals in the relevant register and follow up on referral completion when feasible.
- Escalate urgent cases immediately in accordance with clinical protocols.
- Maintain respectful communication with patients and caregivers throughout the referral process.
- Never delay an urgent referral solely to complete routine documentation.
3.10 Patient Records, Registers, and Data Quality
- Maintain accurate, complete, legible, and up-to-date patient and nutrition records using approved HDDO and MoPH forms.
- Complete nutrition screening registers, patient cards, follow-up records, referral forms, and treatment monitoring documents as applicable.
- Ensure that recorded measurements, dates, classifications, services, and outcomes are internally consistent and supported by actual service delivery.
- Record services in accordance with approved indicator definitions and reporting requirements.
- Check records for missing information, duplicate entries, calculation errors, and other inconsistencies.
- Correct errors transparently according to approved record-management procedures; never falsify, fabricate, or deliberately alter patient data.
- Protect patient records from unauthorized access, loss, or disclosure.
- Submit routine nutrition data and reports within established deadlines.
- Cooperate with the M&E Assistant and designated MEAL focal point during data verification, monitoring, and quality checks.
- Participate in authorized data quality reviews and address identified gaps within agreed timelines.
3.11 Nutrition Supplies and Equipment Management
- Monitor the availability of nutrition screening tools, measuring equipment, registers, counselling materials, and approved nutrition commodities required for assigned activities.
- Ensure that equipment is clean, functional, and properly maintained.
- Check the condition and expiry dates of nutrition commodities and other relevant supplies where assigned.
- Maintain records of items received, used, distributed, or returned in accordance with HDDO procedures.
- Inform the MHNT Supervisor promptly of shortages, damaged equipment, expired products, or supplies requiring replenishment.
- Store nutrition commodities and supplies according to manufacturer instructions and applicable national guidance.
- Ensure that therapeutic or supplementary nutrition products are provided only to eligible clients and documented in accordance with approved procedures.
- Prevent unauthorized distribution, diversion, wastage, or personal use of project supplies.
- Support periodic stock verification and inventory checks as required.
3.12 Infection Prevention and Control (IPC)
- Comply with applicable infection prevention and control procedures during patient contact and nutrition service delivery.
- Maintain hand hygiene before and after patient contact and when handling equipment or potentially contaminated materials.
- Clean and disinfect reusable measuring equipment according to approved procedures.
- Use personal protective equipment where indicated by the activity or relevant IPC guidance.
- Ensure that clinical and nutrition service areas are maintained in a safe and hygienic condition.
- Dispose of contaminated materials and clinical waste in accordance with approved facility and MHNT procedures.
- Report any infection-control concern, unsafe practice, or exposure incident to the designated clinical supervisor.
- Participate in relevant IPC training and follow current MoPH and HDDO guidance.
3.13 Coordination and Teamwork
- Work closely with the MHNT Medical Doctor, midwife, vaccinator, and other assigned team members to deliver coordinated health and nutrition services.
- Participate in MHNT planning meetings, daily briefings, field debriefings, and review meetings as required.
- Coordinate with health community mobilizers and community health workers for nutrition awareness, referrals, and follow-up.
- Maintain effective communication with the designated MHNT Supervisor and Project Manager regarding service delivery, supply needs, referral challenges, and operational concerns.
- Coordinate with the M&E Assistant and MEAL focal point on reporting schedules, data quality, and indicator tracking.
- Participate in supportive supervision and technical review sessions.
- Share operational lessons and recommendations for improving access, quality, and continuity of nutrition services.
- Respect professional roles and follow established clinical supervision and escalation arrangements.
3.14 Safeguarding, Accountability, and Professional Conduct
- Comply with HDDO's Code of Conduct, Safeguarding Policy, Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) Policy, Child Protection Policy, and relevant professional ethical standards.
- Provide services respectfully and without discrimination based on gender, disability, age, displacement status, ethnicity, or other status.
- Maintain appropriate professional boundaries with patients, caregivers, colleagues, and community members.
- Obtain informed consent or caregiver consent, as appropriate, before providing services or collecting information, in accordance with applicable procedures.
- Protect the privacy, dignity, and confidentiality of women and children during screening, counselling, assessment, and follow-up.
- Never request money, gifts, favors, or other benefits in exchange for health or nutrition services.
- Explain available feedback and complaint channels to patients and caregivers where appropriate.
- Report suspected exploitation, abuse, harassment, discrimination, fraud, or other misconduct through approved HDDO mechanisms.
- Participate in mandatory safeguarding, PSEA, clinical ethics, and accountability training.
4. Key Deliverables
The Female Nutrition Nurse is expected to produce the following deliverables throughout the assignment:
- Routine nutrition screening and assessment records completed for eligible clients attending MHNT services.
- Accurate documentation of children and other eligible clients identified with acute malnutrition.
- Complete records of nutrition service enrolment, follow-up, monitoring, referrals, transfers, and outcomes, as applicable.
- Documented individual and group IYCF counselling sessions for mothers and caregivers.
- Records of maternal nutrition counselling and relevant maternal and child health nutrition support.
- Accurate patient cards, nutrition registers, screening forms, and treatment monitoring records.
- Timely referral documentation for complicated or urgent cases, with follow-up records where feasible.
- Regular community-level follow-up records for eligible clients, including missed appointments and follow-up actions.
- Routine health and nutrition education session records and participant counts.
- Updated records of nutrition commodities and screening equipment under the nurse's responsibility.
- Timely submission of routine nutrition data and reports to the designated supervisor.
- Participation in supportive supervision, data verification, and clinical or nutrition quality improvement activities.
- Compliance with applicable IPC, safeguarding, confidentiality, and professional standards throughout service delivery.
