The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC offers lifesaving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster. At work today in over 40 countries and 22 U.S. cities, we restore safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted and struggling to endure. The IRC leads the way from harm to home.

The International Rescue Committee has been working in Somalia since 2006, providing essential services to conflict and disaster affected communities. The IRC has been operational in Central Somalia (Mudug and Galgadud regions) and Mogadishu implementing interventions in the areas of livelihood, WASH, Governance and peacebuilding, GBV, Nutrition, education and health reaching out to more than 200,000 conflict and drought affected people.

JOB OVERVIEW

The IYCF/NHHP educator will be working under the direct supervision of the nutrition officer and will be responsible providing IYCF program activities to patients/caregivers as per IYCF strategies in Somalia and international benchmarks.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

IYCF Planning

The IYCF/NHHP educator is expected to implement the IYCF activities planned and community activities to ensure the sustainability of IYCF activities at facility level.

• Ensure formation of the mother support group at the community level(in each village) and community IYCF counseling conducted for the group members on regular basis
• Identify model mothers and explore their best experience and replicate the best experience in order to improve IYCF practice within the community
• Ensure setting up of breast feeding corners at each OTP/SFP site established at Health facilities
• Provide appropriate counseling for PLW, care takers of OTP/SFP beneficiaries and mother groups on breast feeding ,complementary feeding and maternal and child nutrition
• Identify/develop appropriate IEC materials and flash cards in local language and ensure that the materials are used during each counseling
• Develop weekly and monthly plan towards accomplishment of the IYCF activities and monitor the plan accordingly
• Document case studies regularly and share to the team member and to nutrition nurse.
• Produce monthly report regarding IYCF activity.
• Ensure observance and respect the dignity of beneficiaries, careers and members of the community at all times.
• Assist in the screening of malnourished children with IYCF problem at the community nutrition center level.
• Provide referral and counseling management of severely malnourished children with difficulties of breast feeding.

IYCF Management

The IYCF/NHHP educator is responsible support and manage the IYCF-E Counselors in the IYCF-E program and assisting the IYCF-E Program Manager on a day-to-day basis

• ensure the social and behavioral change activities are performed at the center and community level as per the plan
• Ensure that the families of malnourished children receive appropriate counseling, education concerning the IYCF and caring practices.
• Oversee the management of a wide pool of trained women community nutrition promoters and volunteers.
• Mentor Care group Lead Mothers on IYCF counseling.
• Any other relevant task given by Supervisor.

Advocacy and Communication:

• At field sites, liaise with other humanitarian actors, local authorities, ministries and the military as appropriate, to maximize collaboration and ensure proper coordination of activities (Note: a key group is the logistics cluster); Under the guidance of the nutrition Manager undertake local level advocacy, targeting other humanitarian actors, local authorities, ministries and the military as appropriate, on assessment and appropriate response to support infant and young child feeding

Special skills

• Team Player and ability to work with people of multicultural and diverse interests
• Ability to work under pressure and in a high-stress environment
• Ability to work in remote and eventually unstable environment

Reporting and monitoring

• Ensure appropriate and consistent education messaging to mothers and other carers at all programming contact points (e.g. Child Friendly Centre, clinics, distributions) and in the community(Note: the key messages should be agreed by all stakeholders in an emergency to ensure consistency);
• Facilitate father support and mother support group formation,
• Facilitate the development and scheduling of outreach activities (e.g. for IYCF-E Outreach Workers, volunteers);
• Develop monthly work plans for the mother-baby areas (e.g. Child Friendly Spaces, corners at health centers, Baby Tents, etc.) with the IYCF-E Counsellors and appropriate staff;
• Prepare field visit plans and supervision checklists in advance of trips;
• Compile monthly activity reports and assist with stock consumption/distribution plans for outreach and each mother-baby area as require

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor of nurse or relevant discipline.
• 2 years’ experience in primary health care
• Able to think and work independently
• Female applicants are more encouraged,

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES:

• Commitment, punctuality, proactive, a good team player, ability to work under difficult conditions in the field, trustworthy, honesty, etc
• All IRC staff are required to adhere to THE IRC Way Standards for Professional Conduct and the IRC country employment policies.