Stabilization Center Officer

Action Against Hunger is the world’s hunger specialist and leader in a global movement that aims to end life-threatening hunger for good within our lifetimes. For 40 years, the humanitarian and development organization has been on the front lines, treating and preventing hunger across nearly 50 countries. It served more than 21 million people in 2018 alone. We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Stabilization Center Officer

Location: Maiduguri, Borno Reporting to: Programme Manager – Health and Nutrition Proposed start date: December 2026 Slot: 2 Openings - Maiduguri (2)

Job Summary

Action Against Hunger Nigeria (ACF Nigeria) Ltd/Gte is currently recruiting for the position of Stabilization Center (SC) Officer. Reporting directly to the Health and Nutrition Programme Manager, the SC Officer will be responsible for the overall coordination and day-to-day management of the treatment of Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) with medical complications at ACF-supported Stabilization Centres. The role holder will ensure the provision of high-quality inpatient care in line with national protocols, international standards, and Action Against Hunger guidelines. The SC Officer will provide support, and direct supervision to all seconded SC staff, including SC Doctors, SC Nurses, and SC Nurse Assistants.

Key Responsibilities

Mission 1: Proper functioning of Therapeutic Feeding Centre: The SC Officer is responsible for: In collaboration with the Nutrition and Health Programme Manager, the SC officer will ensure that the centre is functioning properly, providing care of high quality including medical diagnosis and treatment of SAM children presenting with medical complications. Ensure that SC beneficiaries, caretakers and members of the community are treated respectfully at all times.

Responsibilities

Ensure that the referred SAM children from other health facilities or community health workers are re-diagnosed and documented appropriately. Ensure that the admission criteria into a stabilization centre according to the national IMAM Protocol and WHO guidelines are followed. Support the stabilization centre medical team on deciding properly about the malnutrition status of SAM children and referrals to other components of IMAM (SC/OTP/SFP) by ensuring strict compliance with the recommended discharge criteria. Boldly indicate on the wall all the available OTP in the LGA for appropriate referral of SAM children to OTP nearest to their home. Ensure that dispensing of sugar water and F75 upon admission is in place Ensure appropriate diagnosis and monitoring of hypothermia, hypoglycaemia, dehydration, severe anaemia, take timely action to prevent and treat those complications using the protocol strictly in collaboration with SC doctors. Follow up of the anthropometric measurement of the children (weight, MUAC, checking bilateral eodema and W/H percentage) to ensure consistent weight gain in collaboration with the SC team. Closely follow up and monitor to ensure that all the necessary information on the registration book, treatment sheet, follow up card at admission and discharge are recorded for each beneficiary. Provide technical coaching to the nurses and nurse aids on calculation, preparation of therapeutic milk and distribution and monitoring of feeding according to the standard protocol for the SAM children. Ensure that SC nurses and nurse aids are encouraging breastfeeding practices. Train nurses and nurse aids on supplementary Suckling technique (SST) and ensure SST for mothers facing breastfeeding challenges. Ensure that the systematic treatment and drugs are given correctly to all patient in collaboration with SC doctors. Ensure caregivers are regularly given feedback on the status of their children. Follow up of the hygiene and sanitation rules in the centre and ensure PPE are always available and being used. Identification of absence and defaulters from stabilization centre and follow up at home through volunteer’s network and / or outreach staff in collaboration with Nut & Health sector manager. Carry out daily ward rounds in the morning and evening with SC Doctors, SC nurses and ensure patients are visited as appropriately. Ensure the notes on patient cards are properly filled after the ward rounds or any other patient examination or procedures. Ensure that all the SC team are familiar with and respect all the ACF Internal rules and regulations. Mission 2: Drugs, therapeutic feeding products and equipment: The Stabilization Officer is responsible for: Smooth supply chain management of SC therapeutic foods, drugs and medical supplies in support with the pharmacist and PM. Ensure proper storage, use and monitor consumption of SC stocks.