Nutrition Assistant

Over the past few years, Afghanistan has witnessed a relative improvement in security and stability across much of the country. This has allowed humanitarian actors like INTERSOS to maintain uninterrupted access and expand services in areas that were previously hard to reach. Despite this progress, the humanitarian situation remains critical, with millions of Afghans continuing to face acute vulnerabilities due to prolonged economic hardship, natural disasters, and limited access to essential services.

In 2025, more than half of the population is in need of humanitarian assistance, with food insecurity, child malnutrition, and displacement remaining key concerns. Natural disasters, such as floods and recent earthquakes, have further compounded the needs of already struggling communities.

INTERSOS continues to operate through a community-based approach with field bases in Kabul, Kandahar, and Zabul, delivering primary healthcare, nutrition, and protection services with a focus on women, children, and persons with disabilities. The organization enjoys strong community acceptance and collaborates closely with relevant national authorities, including maintaining the full participation of female staff in all activities.

While the operational environment is largely stable and conducive, funding shortfalls and systemic barriers such as restrictions on financial flows and administrative bottlenecks continue to impact the scope and scale of humanitarian response. Sustained support is crucial to ensure the continuity of life-saving services and to address the urgent needs of Afghanistan’s most vulnerable populations.

The Nutrition Assistant supports the inpatient management of children with complicated Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) by preparing and administering therapeutic milks and foods according to medical prescriptions, ensuring strict hygiene standards, monitoring feeding intake, and supporting caregivers to ensure proper feeding practices and childcare within the Stabilization Centre.

Reporting to:

Hierarchical: Medical Doctor Team Lead

Functional: SC Nurse / Nutrition Nurse

Tasks

• Prepare therapeutic milks and nutrition solutions (F-75, F-100, RESOMAL, and other prescribed feeds) accurately according to clinical prescriptions and national CMAM protocols.
• Administer therapeutic milk and distribute RUTF according to the prescribed feeding schedule, ensuring correct quantities and preventing the introduction of unauthorized food during stabilization phases.
• Record and report daily feeding intake and tolerance of each child receiving therapeutic nutrition, informing the clinical team of any feeding difficulties.
• Observe children for danger signs such as vomiting, refusal to feed, fever, diarrhea, dehydration, lethargy, or other abnormal symptoms and promptly report them to the nurse or medical doctor.
• Prepare and administer RESOMAL or other prescribed therapeutic fluids under supervision for children requiring rehydration treatment.
• Encourage and support breastfeeding where appropriate and provide basic counselling to mothers and caregivers on safe feeding and hygiene practices.
• Assist the clinical team with routine monitoring activities including weight measurement when required.
• Maintain strict hygiene and aseptic procedures during food preparation and feeding activities, ensuring cleanliness of feeding utensils, preparation areas, and patient environments.
• Inform caregivers about ward routines, feeding schedules, hygiene practices, and proper care of children admitted to the Stabilization Centre.
• Ensure safe drinking water availability in the ward, supervise cleanliness of feeding areas and equipment, and support overall sanitation within the Stabilization Centre.

Education

• Secondary school education required.
• Certificate or training in nutrition, nursing assistance, or community health is an advantage.

Professional experience

• At least 1 year of experience in health, nutrition, or feeding programmes, preferably in CMAM or therapeutic feeding programmes.

Professional requirements

• Basic knowledge of therapeutic feeding for malnourished children.
• Ability to follow medical prescriptions and feeding schedules accurately.

Personal requirements

• Strong teamwork and communication skills.
• Attention to hygiene and detail in food preparation.
• Commitment to INTERSOS humanitarian principles.

Languages 

• Pashto (and Dari) language is essential.

Respected Applicants, please visit the link below and fill in the required information.

https://forms.gle/aadjbxKCQMwCKRVw9

Please note that only shortlisted applicants will be contacted with and called for a test/Interview.

Qualified People with Physical Disabilities and Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply