Early Child Development (ECD) Counselor - BML

Key responsibilities

Accountability and Complexity

• The job holder will work independently while maintaining open communication with other team members
• A strong attention to details is required
• A high level of discretion, transparency, and attention to detail is required
• The job holder needs to have strong organizational and data collection skills
• The job holder will have some decision-making authority within the scope of the role but should discuss decisions with the Nutrition Officer

Program design and implementation

• Design and implement age-appropriate activities for children (0-5 years old) that foster cognitive, emotional, and social development in the mother and child corners
• Coordinate closely with the lactation specialist and community health volunteers to conduct group sessions at mother-baby corners

Milestones screening and referrals

• Conduct milestones’ screenings to assess children’s development, learning capabilities and behavior and identify those at risk of developmental delays
• Create a service provider mapping and referral matrix for children with developmental delays
• Refer children with identified developmental delays to the appropriate services
• Counsel mothers on best ECD practices to enhance and promote cognitive, social, motor, and linguistic skills in their children.
• Conduct regular follow-ups with caregivers to monitor the progress of children’s development

Nutritional Support

• Distribute nutritional supplements and rations for targeted age groups: Multiple Micronutrient Powders, Multiple Micronutrient Supplements, complementary feeding kits, etc.

Capacity building

• Provide ECD training to program staff and volunteers as needed
• Assist volunteers in facilitating peer-to-peer sessions

Reporting

• Collect and report data on ECD program outcomes, challenges, and lessons learned
• Submit regular reports to the direct supervisor as required

Behavior and conduct

• Ensures that behavior inside and outside of work promotes the values in RI’s code of conduct and safeguarding policies
• Acts with integrity and holds themselves accountable for being respectful, inclusive and professional
• Reports any concerns

Person Specification

Skills, knowledge and expertise required for the role.

Essential criteria

• Bachelor degree in early childhood development, midwifery, nursing, or any related field
• Has completed the 20-hour training on Infant and Young Child Feeding.
• Has completed the three full days ECD training
• At least two years of experience as an ECD counselor
• A strong understanding of child development and ECD education practices
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to effectively convey health information to diverse community members
• Ability to interact with children of different ages and developmental stages
• Self-motivated and initiative taker
• Good report writing skills
• Excellent skills related to Microsoft Office
• Capacity to work well within a team, maintaining open communication with colleagues and supervisors

Desirable criteria

• Early Childhood Education Certificate is a plus
• Proficiency in data collection and reporting, ensuring accurate and timely updates to relevant databases

RI Values

Guided by the humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and independence, as well as “Do No Harm,” Relief International Values:

• Integrity
• Adaptability
• Collaboration
• Inclusivity

Sustainability