Infant Young Child Feeding (IYCF) Promoter

Objective 1

Rapid/detailed assessment of infant and Young Child feeding practices in mothers/care givers at Health Facilities

Tasks & responsibilities

• Conduct Simple Rapid Assessment (SRA) of all mothers with children under 24 months that attend   the OTP/TSFP programme through the local Basic Health Units (BHUs).
• Conduct detailed assessment of child feeding practices in women that require additional support or reveal difficulties.
• Maintain clear communication with all other OTP staff regarding the status of beneficiaries, including OTP – Nutrition Officer / IYCF Supervisor and community mobilizers. Through liaison with the community groups, provide effective follow up of all cases : particularly tracing of children who are absent from the programme, sick children, long stay children, children not gaining weight, and children with social problems etc.
• Provide key health and education messages to beneficiaries based the protocol and guidelines
• Respond to inquiries regarding the technical aspects of the program admission and discharge whenever necessary at the OTP sites IYCF corner.
• Provide success stories / case studies in the intervention with coordination of Health Facility Incharge, Supervisor and DNO.

Objective 2

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 24 months.

Tasks & responsibilities

• Provide the Pregnant women with preparatory counselling for breast feeding and colostrums feeding, to ensure prevention of pre-lacteal feeds and bottle feeding.
• Counseling the mothers on good maternal nutrition during pregnancy and lactation.
• 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.
• Ensure all mothers/care givers are aware of the importance of exclusive breastfeeding for the initial 6 months.
• Support the mothers suffering from insufficient milk production with advice on re-lactation.
• Discourage and educate mothers on the dangers of feeding bottles by exchanging used bottles for cups and spoons provided by ACF.
• 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.
• Counseling of mothers on the appropriate time introduce complementary feeding promotion the continuation of Breast feeding.
• Educating the mothers on the quality, quantity and frequency of complementary feeds to promote adequate weight gain.
• 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.
• Ensure provision of MM Supplementation to Pregnant/Pre-Pregnant and Lactating mothers as per protocol.
• Provide IFA/ZINC to adolescent girls in the community with support CHW and LHWs program.

Objective 3

Supervise IYCF activates and integration

Tasks & responsibilities

·         Conduct education sessions within the surrounding community on the importance of IYCF practices in conjunction with community mobilisers.

·         Aid in establishing mother to mother support groups/committees within the community to provide additional support for mothers and extend knowledge of good IYCF practices.

·         Take lead on forming of pair community health worker.

·         Playing an active role on advocacy to promote proper IYCF Practices, antenatal and post-natal checkups, importance of institutional deliveries, vaccination and growth monitoring.

Additional task

Tasks & responsibilities

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

·      This job description is not intended to be all inclusive and the employee will also perform other related tasks as required and responsible for reporting and communication of progress and achievement of the specific assigned task.

·      Inform ACF Nutrition Supervisor and the District Nutrition Officer of any Technical problems encountered related CMAM/IYCF Program.

·      Conduct all duties in a professional manner following ACF Pakistan and MOH staff regulations and charter.

·      Be flexible and adaptable with regards to the implementation of the daily work.

INTERNAL & EXTERNAL RELATIONSHIP

Internal

• Maintain good relation and communication with all field staff and deputy program manager.

External

·        Maintain good relation with community stakeholder and all mothers availing IYCF Services and/or counseling sessions.

REPORTING RESPONSIBILITIES

·         Complete and maintain individual IYCF beneficiary report cards.

·         Maintain individual lactating mothers SRA/Full assessment.

·         Maintain supplies consumption record.

·         Perform close monitoring and records of all beneficiaries, including follow up checks with community Mobilizer and summaries of total number of mothers attending the session.

·         Referrals to EPI and MCH for Vaccination and ANC/PNC respectively.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS

·         Bachelor degree or Diploma in Nursing/Dispensary/LHV/Midwife/CMW with 1/2 Year working experience in NGO / INGO in relevant position and programme (i.e., CMAM & IYCF).

·         Or 3 years working experience with NGO / INGO in relevant position and programme

 (i.e., CMAM & IYCF).

·         SKILLS

ESSENTIAL

·         Good level of spoken and written Sindhi and local languages.

• Excellent behaviour change communication and counselling skills.
• Excellent skills in organizing work flow, 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.

PREFERRED

• Previous experience of  Infant and Young Child Feeding practices /treatment of malnourished children in Community Management of Acute Malnutrition is advantageous
• Filing and ability to work and stay with beneficiaries in order to change their behaviour through health and nutrition education sessions.
• Being able to answer the questions related to myths, disbeliefs and taboos about IYCF.

Action Against Hunger USA Competencies

1.       Team Work:  Level 2

2.       Organization & Planning:  Level 2

3.       Analysis & Resolution of Problems and Conflict: Level 2

4.       Adaptability & Flexibility:  Level 2

5.       Motivation: Level 2

6.       Resistance to Pressure & Capacity to Deal with Difficult Situations: Level 2

7.       Results Orientation: Level 2

8.       Effective & Synthetic Communication: Level 2