Nutrition and SBCC Specialist
Organization: Mercy Corps Location: Dollo Ado, Somali Region, Ethiopia Open Positions: 1
Role Overview
Mercy Corps is implementing a program to revitalize food systems and improve nutritional outcomes for both refugee and host communities in the drought-prone lowland areas of Dollo Ado. The Nutrition and SBCC Specialist will serve as the technical lead for the project’s nutrition and Social Behavior Change Communication (SBCC) components. This specialist will provide timely technical expertise, develop knowledge and structures to address chronic malnutrition, and ensure the delivery of a sound, harmonized, and high-impact approach to improve overall nutritional status in the target woredas.
Responsibilities and Duties
Technical Leadership & Program Management
👉 Design, roll out, and monitor both nutrition-specific and nutrition-sensitive activities within the project framework.
👉 Collect and compile evidence-based information to inform innovative programming approaches targeting chronic malnutrition, maternal, infant, and young child nutrition (MIYCN), and micronutrient deficiency.
👉 Utilize behavior change approaches to support the field team in addressing barriers to the effective adoption of appropriate nutrition and hygiene behaviors.
👉 Develop technical resource materials for nutrition, including guidelines, manuals, and curricula, and provide training to field staff, government extension workers, and community members as required.
👉 Actively participate in the development of SBCC materials and tools for nutrition, crop production, livelihood, natural resource management, and gender components.
👉 Ensure the project utilizes evidence-based global gold standards and tools (e.g., MIYCN) to implement high-impact activities.
👉 Work in collaboration with Agronomists to ensure the production of high-nutrient crop varieties, including fruits and vegetables, and pilot innovations in demonstration sites.
👉 Conduct practical cooking demonstrations to encourage the adoption of balanced diets within farming households and communities.
👉 Establish systems for practical and sustainable community conversations/Social Analysis and Action dialogues at both community and school levels for disseminating appropriate nutrition messages.
Strategy, Team Coordination & Compliance
👉 Provide reliable and timely technical input and deliver a harmonized approach to high-impact nutrition activities.
👉 Coordinate, participate, and facilitate assessments, activity planning, coordination meetings, and workshops with local stakeholders.
👉 Work with woreda development agents to improve nutrition extension services and increase production, productivity, and utilization of diverse foods.
👉 Ensure the program adheres to Mercy Corps and donor regulations, particularly in relation to emergency programming and GEDSI (Gender, Equality, Diversity, and Social Inclusion) minimum standards.
👉 Provide regular work plans and corresponding activity reports, and conduct regular field visits to assess progress and provide constructive feedback.
Requirements and Qualifications
Essential Qualifications:
- A Degree in Nutrition, Agriculture, Dietetics Management, or a closely related international development field.
- At least 5 years of relevant work experience in nutrition and/or food security program development.
Key Knowledge and Skills:
- Extensive knowledge of programmatic approaches and models used in development nutrition and SBCC.
- Proven experience in both nutrition-sensitive agriculture and nutrition-specific activities.
- Experience in setting up, supervising, and supporting established nutrition groups at the woreda and kebele level.
- Demonstrated ability to manage and communicate effectively with multi-disciplinary team members.
- Fluency in oral and written English is essential.
- The ability to speak at least one of the local languages of the community in the target area and familiarity with the local culture is a significant advantage.
- Knowledge and experience working specifically in the Somali region of Ethiopia is required.
Reporting
The Nutrition and SBCC Specialist reports directly to the Project Manager and has a technical line report to the Team Lead. The specialist works closely with the GEDSI, Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEAL), and program teams.
Salary and Benefits
Compensation will be commensurate with experience and organizational scales for international non-governmental organizations operating in the Somali Region of Ethiopia. The package includes benefits standard to the sector and will be communicated directly to successful candidates.
How to Apply
All qualified individuals are invited to apply for the advertised position. All applications, including a CV, three references, and all applicable official papers, must be sent electronically through this >>LINK.
Only candidates that are short-listed will be acknowledged and called for interviews.
“Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer promoting gender, equity and diversity.
Qualified female and young candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. We are committed to empower women and youth.”
DEADLINE FOR ALL APPLICATIONS: 17 October 2025 / 4:00 PM