OLAYINKA CHINYERE CHUKU
Abuja,Nigeria
Summary
Detail-oriented professional specializing in data collection, analysis, and reporting. Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, SPSS, and ODK, with a strong focus on monitoring and evaluation techniques. Delivers actionable insights through effective data management and reporting processes. Committed to achieving impactful results through analytical precision and innovative problem-solving.
Overview
33
33
years of professional experience
2008
2008
years of post-secondary education
1
1
Certification
Work history
Nutrition Specialist
United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)
Abuja
08.2021 - 01.2026
- Provides technical leadership and support to the Chief of Nutrition in the development and management of nutrition programs, focusing on system strengthening, nutrition supply chain management, food systems and child nutrition within the first 1000 days.
- Coordinates all UNICEF emergency nutrition responses across the country, represent the sector in national meetings, coordinate partnerships with INGOs, local NGOs, government agencies, and UN bodies to improve nutrition sector coordination and programming.
- Support the chief with the management of nutrition team staff and consultants, overseeing multiple emergency responses and providing technical support to government and partners in saving over 1 million children from malnutrition in 2024.
- Spearheaded resource mobilization for nutrition in emergencies, securing and managing over $100 million in humanitarian funding from donors such as BHA, BMGF, BMZ, CERF, EU, FCDO and Matching funds.
- Led the process, worked with the government and all stakeholders to develop the National nutrition in emergency strategy for the country.
- Led the development and operationalization of new WHO guidelines on the prevention and management of wasting, ensuring documentation of integration into national guidelines.
- Expertise in designing, implementing, and evaluating nutrition and public health programs using the Results-Based Management (RBM) approach.
- Support the information management team to ensure proper programme data monitoring and annual surveys and dissemination of results to the stakeholders.
- Ensured the good management of most of the nutrition grants at the country office level.
- Strong knowledge of child nutrition, food systems, and related public health practices, including familiarity with global standards and frameworks such as UNICEF’s Strategic Plans and Food System Framework.
- Continuously provide technical support to the government with nutrition programme planning and implementation both at that national and sub-national levels.
Nutrition Specialist (Emergencies)
United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)
Abuja
08.2019 - 07.2021
- Contributed to the design and management of nutrition in emergency programs, managing over $25 million in emergency grants.
- Developed and updated national nutrition guidelines, including the IMAM and micronutrient disease control guidelines.
- Led capacity-building initiatives for Federal Ministry of Health and INGOs, improving nutrition emergency response capabilities across Nigeria.
- Coordinated technical support and logistics for nutrition supply chains, ensuring timely procurement and distribution of critical nutrition commodities.
- Successfully led the nutrition response for the northwest region of Nigeria, working with government and humanitarian partners to address malnutrition in conflict-affected areas.
Nutrition Specialist (Emergencies)
United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)
Abuja
10.2016 - 10.2018
- Provided technical direction and support for nutrition programming, including IYCF, CMAM, and MNDC, across multiple emergency response initiatives.
- Managed partnerships with over 13 INGOs and 3 local NGOs, ensuring effective implementation of nutrition programs and addressing malnutrition in emergencies.
- Led the development and management of nutrition emergency preparedness plans, ensuring timely responses to crises.
- Played a key role in the establishment of a nutrition monitoring and surveillance system, including rapid assessments and surveys.
Nutrition in Emergency Advisor
Save the Children International
Abuja
06.2015 - 09.2016
- Led emergency nutrition programming and assessments, contributing to the design and implementation of effective humanitarian nutrition responses.
- Managed over $7 million in nutrition emergency grants and collaborated with partners to assess and address gaps in nutrition services.
Nutrition Coordinator for Vitamin A Supplementation
Helen Keller International (HKI)
Abuja
02.2013 - 05.2015
- Coordinated national vitamin A supplementation campaigns, covering 8 states and improving nutritional outcomes for children under five.
- Led the development of nutrition intervention strategies, including formative research and evaluations for Canada funded programs.
- Initiated and scaled up food-based programme and integrated into the maternal infant and young child nutrition programme in three states.
- Represented HKI in national and regional forums, advocating for improved nutrition policies and practices.
Assist Chief Public Health Nutritionist/Dietician
Federal Teaching Hospital Abakaliki
Ebonyi State
04.2010 - 01.2013
- Coordinated the Nutrition and Dietetic program, establishing guidelines that led to a 10% improvement in patient satisfaction with dietary services.
- Supervised a team of Public Health Nutritionists and Clinical Dieticians in both hospital and community settings, ensuring high-quality care and continuous professional development.
- Conducted comprehensive nutritional assessments for in-patients, developing and implementing personalized care plans, resulting in a 15% improvement in patient recovery rates.
- Collaborated cross-functionally with departments such as Nursing, Medicine, and Surgery to ensure holistic care, contributing to a 20% reduction in malnutrition-related complications.
- Prepared quarterly reports on departmental activities, presented findings at hospital management meetings, and increased media visibility of nutrition programs.
- Trained over 100 health workers in the management of Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) in institutional and community settings.
Health Service Researcher
National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit | University of Oxford
Oxford
04.2008 - 03.2009
- Created an evidence map on major causes of infant mortality and assisted in a systematic review of public health interventions aimed at reducing socio-economic disparities in infant mortality.
- Plan and manage systematic literature reviews, performed exhaustive searches, and critically assessed study quality.
- Contributed to data analysis, entry into review manager software, and preparation of reports, including a briefing paper for the Department of Health.
- Organized and led weekly team meetings, ensuring consistent communication with Advisory Group members and UK Department of Health.
Head of Department, Principal Nutritionist | Dietitian
Ebonyi State University Teaching Hospital
Abakaliki
10.2000 - 09.2006
- Established and managed the Department of Dietetics & Nutrition, overseeing program development and hospital integration, while actively participating in management meetings.
- Developed and implemented individualized nutrition care plans for in-patients, particularly for those with chronic diseases, obesity, and malnutrition, improving patient outcomes.
- Launched and managed the Nutrition Rehabilitation Clinic for malnourished children, leading to a 30% improvement in malnutrition recovery among children under 5.
- Initiated the first diabetic clinic during World Diabetes Day, increasing community awareness and healthcare provider knowledge of diabetes management.
- Trained health workers within the hospital and Ministry of Health on PMTCT (Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission) of HIV/AIDS and infant feeding practices.
Nutritionist
National Youth Service Corps | Ebonyi State Ministry of Health
Abakaliki
03.1999 - 02.2000
- Represented the State Ministry of Health in the development of the 2000 Basic Education PPA and nutrition plan for preschool children, alongside UNICEF.
- Delivered nutrition education to mothers in local communities and health workers on baby-friendly initiatives, exclusively breastfeeding, and infant nutrition.
- Participated in monitoring and evaluating polio immunization programs and conducted evaluations of two hospitals on baby-friendly standards.
- Organized visits to motherless babies' homes, providing nutrition support through donations of infant food and childcare materials.
Registered Nurse/Midwife
Abia State University Teaching Hospital
Aba
06.1993 - 11.1995
- Managed women in labor, performed normal vaginal deliveries, assisted with caesarean sections, and resuscitated newborns.
- Provided total nursing care for infants and children with diarrhea, protein-energy malnutrition, and other chronic conditions.
- Delivered health education in antenatal clinics, monitored fetal growth, and provided immunization for pregnant women and infants.
- Administered care to patients with chronic illnesses, including obesity, cardiac diseases, diabetes, and cancer, while ensuring proper medication administration and patient documentation.
Education
MSc - Human Nutrition
University of Glasgow
UKBSc - Nutrition and Dietetics
University of Nigeria, Nsukka
NigeriaRegistered Midwife - undefined
University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital
Enugu, NigeriaRegistered Nurse - undefined
MATER Misericordiae Hospital
Afikpo, NigeriaSkills
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Access)
- SPSS, ODK (Open Data Kit)
- Data collection, analysis, and reporting
- Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) techniques
Certification
- Fundamentals of Implementation Science | University of Washington, USA | 2021-12
- Leadership and Management in Health | University of Washington, USA | 2020-12
- UNICEF, New York - Humanitarian Cash Transfer | 2020-11
- Evidence for Policy and Programming course | Transformed Nutrition West Africa | 2019-03
- Africa Nutrition Leadership Program | Transformed Nutrition West Africa | 2018-11
- Integrated Inter-cluster Training | Global Nutrition Cluster | 2018-08
- Nutrition in Emergencies Training | UNICEF | 2018-04
- Nutrition Sensitive Agricultural programming | USAID | 2016-07
- Emergency Preparedness Plan Development | Save the Children | 2016-03
- Humanitarian Health, HIV, Nutrition & WASH training | Save the Children | 2015-10
- Introduction to Nutrition in Emergencies | UNICEF | 2015-03
- Project Management Professional (PMP) | Project Management Institute | 2014-05
- Programming for infant and young Child Feeding | Cornell University | 2013-03
- Caring for Infants and Children with Acute Malnutrition | University of Southampton UK | 2013-02
- Management of Severe Acute Malnutrition | UNICEF | 2010-07
- Media and Communications | Redeemed Christian Church of God London | 2009-10
- Critical appraisal | University of Bristol | 2008-10
- Breastfeeding/ HIV and Infant feeding Counselling | UNICEF | 2005-11
- Voluntary Counselling and testing for PMTCT of HIV Training | UNICEF | 2005-08
LANGUAGES
English: Fluent (Written and Spoken)
Igbo: Native
REFERENCES
Available upon request.
INTERESTS
Reading, Public Speaking, Traveling
VOLUNTEERISM
- Christ Love Assembly, RCCG Barton Oxford, Assistant Welfare Officer, Oxford, UK, 2009-04, 2009-12
- Human Nutrition, Yorkhill Hospital, Research Assistant, Glasgow, UK, 2017-09, 2017-10
- St Andrew Presbyterian Church, Sunday School Teacher, Uwani, Enugu, Nigeria, 2000-07, 2001-06
CORE COMPETENCIES
- Program Management: Expertise in designing, implementing, and evaluating nutrition and public health programs using the Results-Based Management (RBM) approach. Ensures yearly development of work plans, tracking progress, and ensuring accountability.
- Resource Mobilization & Advocacy: Extensive experience in resource mobilization for large-scale nutrition and emergency health projects, building partnerships with donors, government bodies, and international organizations.
- Leadership & People Management: Proven leadership in managing teams, staff development, and fostering collaboration in multicultural and interdisciplinary environments.
- Policy & Strategy Development: Expertise in policy dialogue, strategic planning, and the development of nutrition in emergency strategies, guidelines, and frameworks.
- Emergency Response: Hands-on experience in emergency preparedness, response, and recovery, with significant experience in multi-sectoral programming (nutrition, health, WASH, protection).
- Monitoring & Evaluation: Skilled in monitoring program performance, tracking outcomes, and utilizing data for informed decision-making and reporting to stakeholders. Has great ability to analyze data, assess program effectiveness, and provide evidence-based recommendations for improvement.
- Capacity Building & Training: Extensive experience in designing and delivering training, support capacity-building workshops, provide expert advice, mentor team members throughout the project lifecycle and technical support for governments and implementing partners.
- Multicultural Team Leadership: Ability to manage and support a diverse and geographically dispersed team, with experience in emergency and development settings.
Timeline
Nutrition Specialist
United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)
08.2021 - 01.2026
Nutrition Specialist (Emergencies)
United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)
08.2019 - 07.2021
Nutrition Specialist (Emergencies)
United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)
10.2016 - 10.2018
Nutrition in Emergency Advisor
Save the Children International
06.2015 - 09.2016
Nutrition Coordinator for Vitamin A Supplementation
Helen Keller International (HKI)
02.2013 - 05.2015
Assist Chief Public Health Nutritionist/Dietician
Federal Teaching Hospital Abakaliki
04.2010 - 01.2013
Health Service Researcher
National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit | University of Oxford
04.2008 - 03.2009
Head of Department, Principal Nutritionist | Dietitian
Ebonyi State University Teaching Hospital
10.2000 - 09.2006
Nutritionist
National Youth Service Corps | Ebonyi State Ministry of Health
03.1999 - 02.2000
Registered Nurse/Midwife
Abia State University Teaching Hospital
06.1993 - 11.1995
BSc - Nutrition and Dietetics
University of Nigeria, Nsukka
Registered Midwife - undefined
University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital
Registered Nurse - undefined
MATER Misericordiae Hospital
MSc - Human Nutrition
University of Glasgow