Nutrition & SBCC Specialist

Youth Impact Labs East Africa; Asir Province; On-site; SAR 112,000 - 188,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading international NGO is seeking a Nutrition and SBCC Specialist in Saudi Arabia, Asir Province. The role focuses on improving nutrition and behavior change communication, implementing impactful nutrition programs targeting both refugee and host communities. The ideal candidate will have at least 5 years of relevant experience, knowledge in agriculture and nutrition-sensitive practices, and strong interpersonal skills. This position offers an opportunity to contribute to community resilience and sustainability.

Benefits

Opportunity for community engagement

Professional growth and development opportunities

Qualifications

• At least 5 years of relevant work experience in nutrition and/or food security programs.
• Experience with donor-funded program development and compliance.
• Knowledge of development nutrition and SBCC approaches.

Responsibilities

• Implement and monitor nutrition component to achieve synergies.
• Design and monitor nutrition-specific activities.
• Contribute to the development of SBCC materials and guidelines.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Organizational skills

Knowledge of SBCC

Problem-solving

Education

Degree in Nutrition or related field

Job description

About Mercy Corps

Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible. In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we partner to put bold solutions into action helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within. Now, and for the future.

Position Title: Nutrition and SBCC Specialist

Duty Station: Dollo Ado

Open Position: 1

Mercy Corps has been operating in Ethiopia since 2004. In partnership with civil society organizations, academic institutions, private sector, and the government, Mercy Corps Ethiopia has reached more than five million Ethiopians with interventions to save lives and build secure livelihoods. Our programs emphasize market-driven solutions, reinforce social bonds, and help communities build resilience to the impacts of climate change. Currently in six regional states – Afar, Amhara, Gambella, Oromia, Somali, and South Nations, Nationalities and People’s Region (SNNPR), and in Dire Dawa Administration and the capital city of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa – Mercy Corps Ethiopia is driven by the mission to contribute the emergence of a peaceful, resilient, and prosperous Ethiopia which is inclusive of youth and women. Our strategic directions focus in promoting inclusive and dynamic markets; promoting peace and social cohesion through strengthening formal/informal governance structures and citizen engagement; improved natural resource governance; and integrated humanitarian response.

Program / Department Summary

Mercy Corps is currently implementing a WFP funded “Climate-proofing Food security In Ethiopia;s Drought prone lowland Areas of Dollo ado and Dollo Bay woredas.” This program aims to revitalize local food systems, ensuring robustness and sustainability to support the nutritional and economic needs of both refugee and host communities. The intervention integrates agricultural enhancement, financial inclusion, market connectivity, and livelihood augmentation to foster resilience and improve nutritional outcomes. It emphasizes village-level cooperatives, savings and loan associations, microfinance opportunities, and community empowerment. The project seeks long-term development and self-reliance, addressing water scarcity and infrastructure challenges by providing irrigated land, solar pumps, regenerative practices, high-nutrient crops, seeds and inputs, plus training in climate-smart agriculture and business acumen.

General Position Summary

The Nutrition and SBCC specialist will focus on improving nutrition and social and behavior change communication approaches. The specialist will work with the IFTIIN project team to provide reliable technical input, contribute to knowledge development to inform malnutrition causes, provide leadership, and deliver harmonized, high-impact nutrition activities.

Essential Job Responsibilities

• Implement, manage and monitor the project’s nutrition component to achieve progress and synergies for nutritional impact.
• Design, roll out and monitor nutrition-specific and nutrition-sensitive activities.
• Collect and compile evidence-based information to influence programming for chronic malnutrition, MIYCN, and micronutrient deficiency in target operational woredas.
• Use behavior change approaches to address barriers to adoption of nutrition messages by the project.
• Contribute to the development of technical resource materials for nutrition including guidelines, manuals and curricula; provide training to field staff, government health workers, development agents, farmers, etc.
• Participate in the development of SBCC materials, tools and approaches for Nutrition, crop production, productivity, alternative livelihoods, natural resource management and gender.
• Develop assessment tools for nutrition and SBCC.
• Ensure the IFTIIN project conforms to evidence-based program global gold standards/tools (MIYCN, essential hygiene actions).
• Work with the MEAL unit to monitor performance against indicators and document best practices.
• Collaborate with Agronomists to produce high-nutrient crop varieties and pilot innovations in demonstration sites.
• Provide cooking demonstrations to promote balanced diets.
• Establish systems for community conversations/social analysis and action dialogues at community and school levels for nutrition messaging.

STRATEGY & VISION

• Recognize opportunities for innovative action and welcome diverse viewpoints.
• Set direction by prioritizing actions and resources to achieve objectives and contribute to countrywide strategy development.
• Develop and organize activities to secure resources and garner stakeholder support.

PROGRAM MANAGEMENT

• Coordinate assessments, activity planning, coordination meetings and workshops with stakeholders.
• Work with woreda development agents and extension workers to improve nutrition extension services to increase production, productivity and utilization.
• Facilitate market linkages between aggregators, input suppliers, and smallholder farmers.
• Coordinate woreda and kebele level activities such as beneficiary selection, profiling, extension service provision, capacity-building trainings and market linkage events, financial inclusion activities.
• Provide work plans and activity reports; regularly visit field activities to assess progress and provide feedback.

TEAM MANAGEMENT

• Develop the capacity of community facilitators and enumerators; clarify roles and support career development.
• Assist facilitators with information, tools and resources to improve performance and achieve objectives.
• Promote accountability, communicate expectations and provide constructive feedback through regular one-on-one reviews.

FINANCE & COMPLIANCE MANAGEMENT

• Ensure compliance with donor and Mercy Corps regulations related to emergency programming.

INFLUENCE & REPRESENTATION

Represent Mercy Corps in front of partners, communities and stakeholders in coordination meetings.

GEDSI (GENDER, EQUALITY, DIVERSITY AND SOCIAL INCLUSION)

• Adhere to gender minimum standards; reflect GESI issues during program management; support age and gender inclusive team building.
• Commit to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion initiatives and culture.

Reports Directly To: The Project Manager
Technical Line Report To: The Team Lead
Works Directly With: The GEDSI, MEL and program team

Accountability to Participants and Stakeholders: Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, including program participants, community partners, other stakeholders, and international standards guiding relief and development work. We are committed to engaging communities as equal partners in design, monitoring and evaluation of field projects.

Knowledge And Experience

• Degree in Nutrition, Agriculture, Dietetics, Management or related international development field and at least 5 years of relevant work experience in nutrition and/or food security programs.
• Extensive knowledge of development nutrition and SBCC programmatic approaches and models.
• Experience in nutrition-sensitive agriculture and related activities; experience setting up and supervising established nutrition groups at woreda and kebele levels.
• Strong organizational and interpersonal skills; experience with multi-disciplinary teams; ability to prioritize and manage multiple activities.
• Knowledge and experience working in the Somali region, Ethiopia; experience with donor-funded program development, implementation and compliance.
• Ability to communicate effectively with team members of varied work styles; flexibility and problem-solving creativity.
• Experience working with host governments and international NGOs; excellent English verbal and written communication skills.

Success Factors

He/She must be tolerant and flexible to work in difficult environments, follow procedures, and be committed to learning and change. He/she should speak at least one local language and understand the community culture.

Accountability to Participants and Stakeholders

Mercy Corps is committed to accountability to program participants, community partners and stakeholders, adhering to international standards. We actively engage communities as equal partners in design, monitoring and evaluation of field projects.

Ongoing Learning

We empower all team members to dedicate 5% of their time to learning activities that advance personal and professional growth.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

We value diverse origins, beliefs and backgrounds and strive for a culture of trust, respect and inclusion. We are committed to learning, listening and evolving to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination. We seek diverse backgrounds and skills for sustained global impact and provide an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all.

Safeguarding & Ethics

Mercy Corps is committed to treating all individuals with respect and dignity. We follow UN/IASC safeguarding principles and the Interagency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. All team members must complete mandatory Code of Conduct elearning on hire and annually.

How to Apply

All qualified individuals are invited to apply for the advertised position. Applications, including a CV, three references, and applicable official papers, must be sent electronically. Only shortlisted candidates 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.

Deadline for All Applications: 17 October 2025 / 4:00 PM