Introduction:

Human Appeal is an incorporated UK charity and a global humanitarian and development organization. We save lives, alleviate poverty, transform and empower local communities whilst championing humanity, impartiality, neutrality, and independence and establishment of self-sustaining development programmes. Our vision is "to become the global agent of change for a just, caring, and sustainable world’’.

Human Appeal is implementing WFP nutrition activities under Benazir Nashonuma Programme (BNP) in district Qamber ShahdadKot to improve the nutritional status of adolescent girls in the targeted population of adolescent girls through provision of SNF and nutrition awareness activities linked with conditional cash assistance.

Position Summary:

IYCF Counsellor to be responsible for Assessment of infant and Young Child feeding practices in mothers/care givers at health facility and at community level. Counselling the pregnant women for the preparation of Breastfeeding and colostrum feeding. One to One tailored IYCF counselling sessions to all mothers with children under 5 year and implementation of WFP nutrition programme activities at health facility level.

Job Responsibilities:

• Assess all mothers with children under 24 months that attend the WFP nutrition programme and at the community and health facilities.
• Perform appropriate assessments of IYCF needs and malpractices, do analysis, and come up with clear recommendations.
• Conduct detailed assessment of child feeding practices in women that require additional support or reveal difficulties.
• Assess the mother with mental health issues and implement the tools properly
• Maintain clear communication with all other staff regarding the status of beneficiaries, including Nutrition Assistant, community mobilizers and Nutrition Officer.
• Provide the PBWs with preparatory counselling and awareness for early and exclusive breast-feeding and colostrum feeding, to ensure prevention of pre-lacteal feeds and bottle-feeding.

• Provide tailored one to one counseling sessions, based on initial assessments, offering practical advice and education to mothers on the key issues of infant and Young child feeding practices.
• Support the mothers suffering from insufficient milk production with advice on re-lactation.
• 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.
• Utilize the provided education material on breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices, relaying accurate, practical and specific advice for the mother’s need.
• Ensure a comfortable, calm environment for counselling sessions and maintain good relationships with the beneficiaries.
• Develop action plan to improve IYCF practice as per national guideline  and give technical guidance for the nutrition teams (Nutrition Assistant/Lady Health Visitor/Lady Health Worker/Community Health Worker)
• Provide appropriate counseling and awareness sessions for PBWs, care takers of beneficiaries and mother groups on breast feeding ,complementary feeding and maternal and child nutrition
• Produce monthly report regarding IYCF activities and submit to project manager on time
• Establish good Relationship with the health facility staff (Medical Officer, Female Medical Officer, LHV, Nurse, etc.,) and Community leaders.
• Establish a network with the other actors in the working area NGOs /DOH).
• Establish linked and meetings with the Community leaders and different group existing in the working area.
• Establish a good understanding of the program within the community.
• Read and ensure a full understanding of Gender, Child Protection and other safeguarding policies.
• Implement all work related activities with a gender, inclusion and child protection lens.
• Help build an inclusive office environment where people do not feel disadvantaged or judged according to their gender or limited due to manageable disability.

Qualification & Experience:

• Diploma or certificate in Nursing, IYCF Counseling or any related field.
• Good level of spoken and written Sindhi and local languages.
• Excellent behavior change communication and counselling skills.
• Excellent skills in organizing workflow, capacity to follow protocols and take own initiative.
• Excellent ability to work as part of a team.
• Ability to work in an environment where there are physical discomforts associated with change in weather or discomforts associated with noise, dust or dirt.

              Skills and Proficiencies:

• Ability and willingness to autonomously travel to duty site/ health facility and villages when required.
• Willingness and capacity to be flexible and accommodating when faced with difficult and frustrating working conditions like long distance walking to work/distribution sites
• Excellent spoken and written local language /Urdu and English language skills
• Good computer skills – ability to write weekly and monthly reports and data analysis.
• Good interpersonal and communication skill
• Experience in closely working with DOH and Tehsil/District HQ Hospitals and at health facility level is advantageous
• Previous experience working in clinical setting/CMAM is an asset
• Candidates will be preferred who belong to Human Appeal-intervention areas/UCs district

Note: As we are looking for immediate hires, we will be reviewing candidates on rolling basis.