IYCF Counsellors (4 Positions) – Belethawo, Somalia

HIMILO RELIEF AND DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION

Department:              Health and Nutrition (New SHF Project)

Location:                     Belethawa

Reports To:                 Head Nurse

Positions Title:           IYCF Counsellors (4 positions)

Project duration:       One year

Background

Himilo Relief and Development Association, Himilo means ‘vision’ in the Somali language, (HIRDA) is an independent, non-political humanitarian organization that was founded in 1998, a group of Somalis living in the Netherlands came together to discuss how they could contribute to the reconstruction and stabilization of their home country. Two years later- in 1998 (HIRDA) was born with a view to delivering development and humanitarian.

Overall Job Purpose        

Provision of Nutrition Services Integrated with Routine vaccination, focused on Children under 5 and pregnant and lactating women (PLW) through mobile clinic team; referral health services and health promotion activities, conduct assessment of child health needs for children under 5 and provide quality and comprehensive nursing, treatment and follow-up of patients in designated out-patient clinics. Ensure delivery of high quality nursing interventions covering provision of antenatal services, postnatal care, immunization and reproductive health, nutrition, HIV/Ads, health and hygiene promotion and epidemic response in line with HIRDA health policy guidelines and primary healthcare nursing standards.

Main responsibilities and tasks

• Provide one-on-one breastfeeding counseling for mothers experiencing difficulties breastfeeding including supporting re-lactation
• Provide tailored one-on-one counseling sessions to mothers, in line with needs discovered in initial assessments, offering practical advice and education on key IYCF issues
• Ensure all mothers/caregivers are aware of the importance of exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months
• Provide mothers with practical advice on correct attachment and positioning when breastfeeding and respond to any concerns or local taboos associated with breastfeeding
• Counsel mothers on the appropriate time to introduce complementary feeding, and the benefits of continued breastfeeding and respond to any concerns or local taboos associated with complementary feeding
• Educate the mothers on the quality, quantity and frequency of complementary feeds to promote adequate weight gain
• Discourage and educate mothers on the dangers of feeding bottles
• Provide appropriate counseling and ensure support is provided to caregivers of targeted infants who have no possibility to be breastfed
• Provide training, demonstration, on-going guidance to mother to mother support group volunteers
• Provide appropriate counseling for pregnant and lactating women, complementary feeding and maternal and child nutrition to be tailored to the specific need
• Provide pregnant women with preparatory counseling for breastfeeding and colostrum feeding, to prevent pre-lacteal feeds and bottle feeding
• Counsel the mothers on correct maternal nutrition during pregnancy and lactation
• Deliver messages on IYCF practices and maternal nutrition to the targeted community/communities through group education sessions
• Lead the mother support group at the community level and ensure reports are shared timely with the IYCF officer
• Maintain records of mothers and caregivers receiving individual and group counselling sessions,
• Record number of mothers receiving rapid assessment and the improvement in their feeding practices
• Submit monthly reporting of activities to the Senior IYCF officer and nutrition and health Program Manager

Position requirements

Education

• This type of position requires only female candidates
• Diploma/Certificate in Midwife, nurse, nutritionist, auxiliary midwife, lactation/breastfeeding qualification
• Minimum of two years’ work experience preferred
• Knowledge of optimal IYCF practices, able to support breastfeeding mothers, and a willingness to learn

Job Competencies & Experience

• Demonstrating consistency in upholding integrity and demonstrated knowledge and commitment to the fundamental principles of the HIRDA
• Team leader with demonstrated mentoring and coaching skills
• Effective communications and interpersonal skills
• Demonstrate openness to change & ability to manage complexities
• Demonstrated conflict resolution skills and ability to manage intergroup dynamics and mediate conflicting interests
• Excellent writing skills, analytical capacity to synthesize project outputs and findings for the preparation of quality programme reports.
• Maturity & confidence in dealing with senior and high ranking officials
• Remain calm, in control and good humored even under pressure.
• Respond positively to critical feedback and differing points of views.
• Proficiency in computer office packages word, excel, power point.
• Language Requirement: Demonstrate proficiency in Somali and English languages.

Relevant Experience: Minimum 2 years relevant experience in implementing an integrated health program consisting of maternal and child health, immunization, nutrition, HIV/Aids as well as health and hygiene promotion within a humanitarian context.

 

HOW TO APPLY

Interested candidates are encouraged to send their updated CV, cover letter, and copy of their certificates to: hirdaafrica.hr@gmail.com copying aismail@hirdaafrica.org, keynan10@yahoo.com

Deadline for Applications: 1st May, 2021 and Note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

 

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