ROLE PURPOSE:

The IYCF officer has the responsibility to ensure high-quality IYCF activities, are closely coordinated and integrated with the CMAM program run by SCI in the same Woredas. The IYCF Officer ensures activities fit within the framework of the National Nutrition Program and ensures good relations with local stakeholders and partners in the operational area.

KEY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Key area of accountability:

• The incumbent will be expected to ensure that all caretakers of the beneficiaries at the distribution sites OTP and TSFP have get the IYCF counseling by the health extension workers of each program.
• Accomplish project site activities and supporting of community-based groups – HDAs, mother support groups, local committees, etc
• Participate in providing IYCF technical support to Woredas, SCI and partners CMAM/IMAM and IYCF staff
• Ensure that all staff understand and implement the IYCF program guidelines
• Ensure appropriate and consistent education messaging to mothers (at PHC, Hospitals, HCs and community levels)
• Advise the best feeding options/ practices and follow ups as appropriate
• Participate in the development of mother support groups and mother-baby areas.
• Spot and address appropriately the violations of the code of marketing of breast-milk substitutes and violations of the MOH guidelines
• The position holder will be expected ensures the availability of teaching aid and IEC materials for program implementation
• Act as an effective member in promoting, supporting and protecting IYCF practices (give IYCF awareness sessions and IYCF individual counselling sessions as necessary).
• Give support to CMAM team members as necessary
• Ensure that IYCF tools are properly utilized and documented; prepare IYCF reports regularly and submit to project coordinators
• Link between IMAM team and IYCF team (such as promoting excellent communication and referral between IYCF counsellor, IYCF educator and IMAM)
• Assist in the development and review of educational material (IEC /BCC)
• Prepare training materials and conduct IYCF trainings when necessary
• With support from M & E officer, make sure all IYCF records are regularly filled and submitted (awareness sessions, database of counselled cases, etc.)
• Liaise with ZHO, WHO, and Health facilities and ensure the quality of IYCF/Nutrition capacity building activities are technically sound, aligned with proposed implementation plan and adhere to standard guidelines;
• Provide mothers with practical advice on correct attachment and positioning when   breastfeeding, timely introduction of complementary foods and respond to any concerns or local taboos associated with IYCF
• Upholds the image and values of SC at all times
• Assure the availability of IYCF training and counselling materials prior to any training;
• Support community assessments related to IMAM & IYCF and strengthen capacity of various health, agriculture, and other sectors’ front line workers to improve the quality of nutrition intervention
• Along with other SCI & partner staffs, conduct regular follow up ite visits to provide support quality implementation, and document field all through submission of complete, accurate and timely feedback reports;
• Ensure IYCF indicator well captured and adhere to the national protocol guideline by IMAM team.
• Make sure that Mothers are counselled with the resource available at HH and proper understand
• Make sure that Mother who need special counselling are identified, linked   and followed well for behaviour change
• Support the mothers suffering from insufficient milk production with advice on re-lactation
• Perform other extra duties as required