IYCF/ECD Counselor

The IYCF/ECD counselor will be responsible for providing Early Childhood Development (ECD) and Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) support and education to vulnerable caregivers through individual counseling and awareness sessions at the community, PHC and hospital levels.

Responsibilities and Essential Functions

• Provide support and counseling to pregnant women and mothers experiencing difficulties in breastfeeding and/or sub-optimal infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices, as well as to caregivers of children 0–23 months, at the community, PHC, and hospital levels.
• Deliver Early Childhood Development (ECD) support and education to caregivers through individual counseling and awareness sessions.
• Handle calls from the IYCF hotline as needed, providing primary education, assessment, and referrals for specialized follow-up.
• Support the BFHI monitor with BFHI implementation and hospital follow-up.
• Conduct one-on-one counseling sessions related to IYCF and ECD for pregnant and lactating women (PLWs) and caregivers of children 0–59 months referred from the IYCF national hotline.
• Conduct regular follow-up visits or phone calls to all assisted women, especially mothers of children under 6 months
• Refer cases for specialized care when needed.
• Provide on-the-job coaching to PHC staff and partner organizations on IYCF and ECD as required.
• Conduct trainings on IYCF and ECD when needed.
• Distribute micronutrient supplements to PLWs and children as required.
• Provide education on Law 47/2008 and report violations, including unsolicited infant formula donations, in accordance with the developed IYCF SOP.
• Report daily and weekly to the community nutrition and ECD supervisor and coordinator on all conducted activities, completing the required reporting forms and databases.
• Maintain necessary files for each case visited and counseled.
• Attend IOCC staff meetings when required.
• 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 and ECD program implementation is an advantage

Working Conditions

• Stationed in the field. 
• Visits to Beirut office for meetings, trainings and relevant paperwork.
• It is preferable that candidate resides in the area of interest
• The candidate should have his/her own car.