IYCF Officer

Youth Impact Labs East Africa; KwaZulu-Natal; On-site; ZAR 300 000 - 400 000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent non-profit organization is seeking an experienced IYCF Officer to manage acute malnutrition through counseling and education. The role requires collaboration with health extension workers, careful planning of nutrition programs, and adherence to national protocols. Ideal candidates will have a BSc in Public Health or Nursing, strong technical skills in managing acute malnutrition, and proficiency in English and Afarigna. This position is in the Afar region of Ethiopia and offers a full-time opportunity.

Qualifications

• Minimum of four years of experience in NGOs, including two years in a clinical setup.
• Solid technical skills in managing acute malnutrition and providing technical support.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English and Afarigna languages.

Responsibilities

• Manage moderate acute malnutrition and provide IYCF counseling.
• Plan and organize TSF and IYCF counseling sessions.
• Provide supportive supervision to Health Extension Workers at TSFP sites.

Skills

Flexible and adaptable

Strong communication skills

Ability to lead mobile teams

Proficiency in Microsoft Office

Education

BSc in Public Health or Nursing

Job description

About Mercy Corps

Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible. In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we partner to put bold solutions into action helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within. Now, and for the future.

Mercy Corps has been present in Ethiopia since 2004 working to drive bold and transformative ideas, working closely with government, the private sector and civil society actors to build a more resilient country, ensuring that programs are responsive to and influenced by participants and stakeholders. With the launch of Mercy Corps Global Strategy, Pathway to Possibility, the country office is poised to operationalize its three-year strategy with a vision to enhance the resilience of climate- and conflict-affected communities through market systems development for improved livelihoods, access to food, and safe and clean water to thrive in the face of crises. In Ethiopia, our strategy focuses in the four outcome areas: 1) Economically marginalized populations have improved and diversified livelihoods, income, and assets; 2) Pastoralists, farmers, and households have access to sustainably produced, safe, nutritious food; 3) Social cohesion and inclusive governance processes are built in crisis-affected communities; and 4) People have equitable, sustained access to clean water and sanitation for domestic and productive use. Currently, we operate in six regional states – Afar, Gambella, Oromia, Somali, Amhara and South Ethiopia. Working with a diverse base of donors that includes United States Agency for International Development (USAID), European Union, GAC, Hilton Foundation, United Nations (UN), JOA, Sweden, EKN, and other foundations, Mercy Corps Ethiopia empowers people to recover from crisis, build better lives and transform their communities for good.

General Position Summary

Under the guidance of the Health and Nutrition Specialist, the IYCF Officer is responsible for managing moderate acute malnutrition and preventing further deterioration of the nutrition situation through the provision of IYCF (Infant and Young Child Feeding) counseling, supplementary foods, timely screening, health and nutrition education, capacity building, and technical support to the Woreda Health Office on managing moderate acute malnutrition.

Position Title: IYCF Officer

Location: Erebti Woreda, Zone 2, Afar region.

Position Status: Full-time

Salary Level: Based on the organization scale

Current Team Member: Existing

Safeguarding Risk Level: High

Essential Job Responsibilities

• Strategy & Vision
  • Collaborate with team members to integrate nutrition and health services effectively.
  • Work with local authorities and partners to harmonize efforts for better impact and sustainability.
  • Continuously update knowledge to adapt to changing situations and contexts.

• Program Management
  • Plan and organize TSF (Targeted Supplementary Feeding) and IYCF counseling and education at designated distribution sites in collaboration with other nutrition teams.
  • Develop action plans for effective TSFP and IYCF implementation in consultation with stakeholders.
  • Provide supportive supervision to Health Extension Workers (HEWs) and Food Distribution Agents (FDAs) at TSFP sites.
  • Ensure accurate measurement of all children by HEWs and FDAs.
  • Ensure all criteria, including admission, discharge, and transfer to and from the OTP (Outpatient Therapeutic Program), are respected and understood by HEWs and HWs.
  • Review and ensure the completion, accuracy, and coherence of forms completed by HEWs.
  • Ensure HEWs and FDAs follow national protocols.
  • Coordinate with logistics to ensure adequate availability and pre-positioning of medical and food supplies.
  • Work closely with OTP/SC Nurses to ensure program understanding and appropriate referrals.
  • Provide feedback to the Project Coordinator on the quality of supplementary foods.
  • Report progress and issues promptly.
  • Ensure children not meeting admission criteria return home as soon as possible, with caretakers understanding why.
  • Provide effective follow-up of all cases, particularly tracing children who are absent from the program, sick, not gaining weight, or have social problems.
  • Provide on-the-job training to HEWs and FDAs on key health and education messages following protocols and guidelines.
  • Respond to HEWs and FDAs inquiries regarding technical aspects of program admission and discharge.
  • Support Woreda Health Office staff with technical assistance in meetings and answering project-related questions.
  • Assist HEWs in compiling statistical data.
  • Build good relationships with local authorities and community leaders.
  • Facilitate links and meetings with community leaders and different groups.
  • Perform other duties as requested by the immediate supervisor.
  • Organize and document health education and capacity-building activities.
  • Participate in disseminating appropriate hygiene educational materials.
  • Support the CMAM Nurse and Project Coordinators in organizing and facilitating CMAM (Community-based Management of Acute Malnutrition) training.

• Team Management
  • Ensure health workers and HEWs follow national protocols.
  • Provide technical support to MC mobile and zonal/woreda government health staff on managing moderate acute malnutrition.
  • Report on professional issues to the Project Coordinator.
  • Provide formal and on-the-job training for health workers, HEWs, MC Nutrition field workers, and community mobilizers.

• Accountability to Beneficiaries
  • Support efforts toward accountability to program participants and international standards guiding relief and development work.
  • Implement the Community Accountability Reporting Mechanism (CARM) effectively.
  • Regularly conduct oneself professionally, respecting local laws, customs, and MC policies.

• Security
  • Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country leadership.
  • Proactively ensure team members operate in a secure environment and are aware of policies.

• Knowledge And Experience
  • BSc in Public Health or Nursing, with a minimum of four years of experience in NGOs, including two years in a clinical setup.
  • Solid technical skills in managing acute malnutrition and providing technical support to health workers and HEWs.
  • Knowledge and experience in managing moderately malnourished children and PLWs (Pregnant and Lactating Women).
  • Proven skills in program planning, implementation, and monitoring.
  • Ability to lead mobile teams and foster team spirit.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office and strong interpersonal skills.
  • Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a team environment.
  • Strong human relations skills.
  • Willingness to work under pressure and extended hours.
  • Proficiency in written and spoken English and Afarigna languages.

• Success Factors
  • Flexibility and adaptability in challenging conditions, such as long-distance travel.
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
  • Experience working closely with regional, zonal, and woreda health offices.
  • Ability to prepare comprehensive program reports.
  • Strong communication and human relations skills.
  • Firm belief in teamwork and gender equality.

Merit Based Employment Opportunity

Mercy Corps is an equal-opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek solid backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can collectively become stronger and have a sustained global impact. We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where merit based equal employment opportunities are available to all.

Safeguarding & Ethics

Mercy Corps is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with through our work, whether team members, community members, program participants, or others, are treated with respect and dignity. We are committed to the core principles regarding the prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary-General and IASC and have signed on to the Interagency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. We will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment by or of our team members. As part of our commitment to a safe work environment, team members are expected to conduct themselves professionally, respect local laws and customs, and adhere to Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times. Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct eLearning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.