Infant and Young Child Feeding Counselor - Beirut

This opening is not available anymore. Do not try to apply for this job.

IRC - The International Rescue Committee

Open positions at IRC
Logo of IRC

Job Description

The Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) counselor will support the health program in the assessment of the nutritional needs of children, promoting and sensitizing children, caregivers, pregnant and lactating women on healthy nutrition, optimum IYCF and providing technical support to community health workers on malnutrition screening and referrals. mothers and pregnant and lactating women, and the provision of tailored interventions based on the needs.

Major Responsibilities

Assessments

- Conduct Focus group discussions with ECD caregivers, mother/father, and pregnant and lactating women to identify specific barriers, opportunities and communications related to IYCF practices and knowledge. - Assess ECD mother-child dyads to rapidly identify and refer for individualized IYCF counseling support (through Simple Rapid Assessment). - Assess the knowledge of beneficiaries before and after services as per need.

Individual Counseling and Support groups

- Arrange/Host/Lead support group sessions for mothers and caregivers. Identify/Facilitate volunteer mothers to lead support groups as per need. - Provide appropriate counseling for pregnant and lactating women, complementary feeding and maternal and child nutrition – to be tailored to the specific needs. - Provide individualized one-on-one counseling sessions to mothers using the Full Assessment, offering practical advice and counseling on key IYCF issues using IRC IYCF counseling package. - Ensure all mothers/caregivers are aware of the importance of early initiation, exclusive and continued breastfeeding. - Educate the mothers on the quality, quantity and frequency of complementary feeds to promote adequate weight gain. - Identify/develop appropriate IEC materials in local language and ensure that the materials are used at the level of the PHCCs and the ECD centers. - Utilize education materials on breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices.

Capacity building and Training

- Train the Health Outreach Workers on key messages on IYCF, danger signs, screening, referral and follow-up for acute malnutrition and IYCF, and ensure the appropriate techniques are applied all the time. - Support the Health Outreach Workers to ensure consistent quality messaging and screening. - Cross-train other staff as per need for screening, referral and follow-up of clients.

Referral and Coordination

- Refer children and mothers for intensive nutritional/medical care as required. - Refer pregnant women to the Primary Healthcare Center for Antenatal care services as per need. - Ensure caregivers are aware of available health, nutrition and other appropriate services. - Coordinate with Nutrition Sector/Implementing Partners/MoPH and other sector staff as per need and to ensure smooth delivery of services.

Reporting

- Ensure that the HOWs are maintaining records of mothers and children attending education sessions, receiving skilled assessment and support. - Submit monthly reporting of activities to the Health Manager. - Document case studies regularly and share with team members.

Qualifications

- Nutritionist, Nurse, midwife with lactation/breastfeeding qualification and experience. - Knowledge of optimal IYCF practices, able to support breastfeeding mothers, and a willingness to learn. - Knowledge of the MoPH and Nutrition sector strategies and SOPs. - Proven capacity of leadership and teamwork. - Fluency in local working language. - Excellent communication skills and a willingness to be respectful, kind, sensitive and empathize with all clients. - Capacity to keep accurate records of activities and report in a timely manner. - Demonstrable ability at report writing. - Ability to make a work plan and direct work independently. - Knowledge of trauma-based care desirable.

Added 1 year ago - Updated 11 months ago - Source: rescue.org