Lactation Specialist

Infant and young child feeding practices are one of the basic pillars in the treatment and management of malnutrition, especially for infants under 6 months of age. The Lactation Specialist will complement the program by providing awareness and counseling to mothers affected by the Syria crisis with sub-optimal infant and young child feeding (IYCF) at various levels: community level, Primary Healthcare level and Secondary Healthcare level. Additionally, the lactation specialist will follow up on the implementation of Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative.

Responsibilities and Essential Functions

1. Provide support and counseling to mothers identified with difficulties in breastfeeding and/or sub-optimal infant and young child feeding practices at the community level, PHC level and hospital level.
2. Assist and give one-on-one counseling sessions related to IYCF for pregnant women and mothers who have just delivered, through routine visits to targeted hospitals in the area of work.
3. Conduct regular follow-up visits to all women assisted, especially mothers of children under 6 months, to ensure exclusive breastfeeding.
4. Give awareness sessions to spread the knowledge among vulnerable families about optimal IYCF-E practices.
5. Contribute to the training of hospital staff at targeted hospitals to support the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative if needed
6. Provide continuous support and on-the-job coaching to hospital staff implementing the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative.
7. Provide training on IYCF when needed
8. Report daily and weekly to the senior field officer on all conducted activities, by completing the required reporting forms and databases.
9. Keep the necessary files for each case visited and counseled.
10. Attend IOCC staff meetings when required.
11. Represent IOCC in a professional manner and wear IOCC jacket and ID at all times when on duty.
12. Perform other duties as necessary.

Qualifications                                                       

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: 

• Native Arabic speaker and fluency in English is necessary
• Strong social, interpersonal, communication and intercultural skills
• Team player
• Able to meet deadlines
• Computer literacy: Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint etc.

Experience:  

• At least 3 years work experience; or 1 year work experience with M.Sc.
• Previous experience in NGOs and humanitarian field is an advantage
• Previous experience in IYCF program implementation is an advantage

Working Conditions

• Stationed in the field with frequent visits to the Primary and Secondary Healthcare Centers IOCC is operating through. 
• Visits to IOCC office for meetings, trainings and relevant paper work.
• It is preferable that candidate resides in the area of interest
• The candidate should have his/her own car.