Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) Officer

Organization summary:

Qatar Charity (QC) is a Doha-Qatar based International Non-Governmental Organization. Since the inception of QC services in Pakistan early 1992, the organization reflect its greater scope of work to respond to extreme poverty and the Government’s priorities. QC through its field offices enabled itself to strategically address the developmental and humanitarian needs at the very local level. QC is undertaking programmes associated with the socio-economic development of the Country. The projects are categorized under six programme pillars: Youth Leadership & Social Protection, Education, Provision of WASH, Health (with a focus on MNCH), Economic Empowerment & Sustainable Livelihood (EESL) and Disaster Response & Preparedness (DRP), along with its Seasonal Programs like meat distribution, Ramadhan program etc. In Pakistan, Qatar Charity is having its country office in Islamabad and field offices in KPK, Punjab, Sindh, Baluchistan, and AJK.

Job Summary:

With financial support from UNICEF, Qatar Charity is implementing a short nutrition focused flood emergency project in 04 districts of Punjab. The IYCF (Infant and Young Child Feeding) Officer will either be based in Jhang, Muzaffargarh, Ranjanpur & Multan where UNICEF funded emergency project is to be implemented initially for three (03) months. This position reports to the Project Manager. The IYCF Officer will lead the planning, implementing, and monitoring of Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) activities in the project to improve the nutritional status of children under two years and pregnant/lactating women. The IYCF Officer will provide technical expertise to conduct quality IYCF sessions and backstopping support in the project’s implementation at the field areas and facilitate in the referral of beneficiaries following the initial screening exercise while ensuring efficient and effective workflow. S/he will be working in close coordination with both the project and program teams.

Job Responsibilities:

• The IYCF officer works closely with health and nutrition team, community health workers, and local stakeholders to promote optimal breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices through education, counselling, and capacity building.
• Work with the District Manager to contribute to the referral system at community level. To counsel all patients for further follow ups.
• Provide one-on-one and group counseling to mothers and caregivers on breastfeeding and complementary feeding.
• Promote exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months and appropriate complementary feeding thereafter.
• Assist the District Manager with technical support in convening sessions and answering questions on topics relevant to the project.
• Mobilize communities to participate in IYCF awareness and counseling sessions.
• Distribute culturally appropriate IYCF IEC (information, education, communication) materials. And ensure messages are aligned with provincial health policies and community needs.
• Support the strengthening and facilitation of mother support groups.
• Ensure that all project materials are well maintained. And ensure that protocols are strictly followed and implemented.
• Make sure reports are accurate and complete. Document success stories, challenges, and lessons learned.
• Perform appropriate assessments of IYCF needs and malpractices and do analysis and come up with clear recommendations.
• Train LHWs, community volunteers, and peer counsellors on IYCF practices. And perform any other field duties with the team whenever required.
• Perform any other task assigned/required by the District Manager or the Project Manager.

Job Requirements:

a.     Education  

·       Bachelor’s degree in health / nutrition or other any relevant discipline (Medicine, Nutrition, Food Science, Public Health etc).

b.     Relevant experience

·       2-3 years’ experience in the same capacity in a similar project or experience of working in a team of health professionals. 

c.      Others

·       Must have computer and report writing skills.

·       Excellent interpersonal, communication and coordination skills.

·       Ability to manage time efficiently and task prioritization skills.

·       Ability to travel on short notices.

·       Resilience and ability to cope up with work pressure and meet stringent deadline. 

Organization’s Core Values and Commitments: Organization is committed to preventing any type of unwanted behavior at work including sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, lack of integrity and financial misconduct; and committed to promoting the welfare of children, young people, adults, and beneficiaries with whom organization engages. Organization expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment through our code of conduct. We place a high priority on ensuring that only those who share and demonstrate our values are recruited to work for us.

All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which can include criminal records checks.

Organization sees diversity of nationalities, genders, beliefs, profiles, and statuses among its Human Resources as a major asset and therefore compels itself to the strict observance of the principle of non-discrimination throughout its recruitment process.

Organization applies a policy of zero tolerance towards exploitation, sexual abuse, and mistreatment, in all its forms, of women, children and all other vulnerable persons.

By applying, the job applicant confirms his/her understanding of these recruitment procedures.

Organization Pakistan is an equal opportunities employer. 

Note: CVs will be reviewed on a daily basis and interviews will be conducted on ongoing/rolling basis.