The purpose of IYCF Officer is to ensure that the implementation of the IYCF activities within the emergency program is in line with donor requirements, the country protocols and international standards. The IYCF officer will support the HEWs and other health professional within the health facilities to ensure quality infant and young child feeding (IYCF) behavior change and (BCC) implementation with maximum coverage.  The position holder will be key to build and strengthen the capacity of key agents at community, kebele and woreda level through training, monitoring and follow up of the implementation of IYCF/ BCC and to support target community its integration with other program implemented by Concern and government in the woreda.   The IYCF officer is responsible for planning, implementation and monitoring of planned activities including cross cutting issues like accountability, gender, inequality, HIV/AIDS, DRR and controlling the spread of COVID-19.

Main Duties & Responsibilities

Technical Support and Facilitation

• In coordination with the Snr Project Officer plan the implementation strategy of integration of Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) into the other programs in the Woreda
• Identify special training needs for IYCF/ BCC  for the different groups engaged in this project: key Woreda and kebele officials, Development Agents (DA), Health Extension Workers (HEW), Pregnant and Lactating Women (PLW)
• Review existing IYCF-training documents and develop appropriate training materials together with the Project team leader/project Manager and other technical staff from Concern and organise field tests
• Ensure that the training materials are replicable and can be applied to other areas
• In coordination with the Snr Project Officer and the Health and Nutrition program Manager plan, coordinate and conduct any kind of training and follow up related to IYCF/ BCC programme and ensure that PLW are regularly attending
• Liaise with Health Extension Workers (HEWs) on the planning and  implementation of the training and follow up sessions
• Integrate IYCF/ BCC activities in to different program implemented in the woreda and organise community sensitisation sessions, cooking demonstrations, etc.
• Develop the capacity of all staff related to the project at every opportunity
• Prepare monthly plan of activities and, in coordination with the project team leader/project manager, support regular documentation of activities and timely progress reporting to ensure effective programme implementation. Ensure that the reports are technically sound.
• Support any assessments that need to be conducted e.g. nutrition surveys, KAP study, learning reviews, end of programme assessments, etc.
• Represent Concern in technical meetings at Woreda levels, as required and appropriate
• Perform any other duties appropriate to the position as assigned by your Line Manager.

Monitoring and Evaluation

• Participate in any assessments related to IYCF indicators in collaboration with the Snr Project Officer, The Health and Nutrition Program Manager and the MEAL team
• Plan and implement frequent and regular joint supervision monitoring to IYCF activities with Woreda health office and other government sectors as needed
• Liaise with health center and health post staff and school communities on the planning, implementation and monitoring of IYCF in their locations
• Monitor and ensure quality of IYCF implementation and maintain its data for further analysis

Coordination and Networking

• In collaboration with project team leader, facilitate and participate regularly at Woreda level health and nutrition taskforce meetings to be chaired by the Woreda health office and/or Disaster Preparedness and Prevention Office/DPPO
• Establish and maintain smooth working relationships with Concern staff, government bodies and other stakeholders

Planning, Reporting and Accountability

• Prepare monthly progress reports and any other required documentation for submission to the Project team leader/manager
• Ensure and support the Woreda Health Office (WoHO) staff in reporting, recording and IYCF program
• Ensure  weekly and monthly reports are submitted to the project team leader/project manager using appropriate format (narrative and statistics with database)
• Report any problems in a timely manner to the Project team leader/Manager
• Ensure that program participants and stakeholders have clear information about the program activities as appropriate and relevant to them.
• At all times, adhere to policies and guidelines of Concern.
• Support on cascading induction on mainstreaming gender, protection, accountability, HIV/AIDS, and equality to other project staff.
• Ensure proper documentation of good practices, success stories, challenges for learning  and sharing

Safety and Security

• Respect the Ethiopia and Tigray Specific Standard Operating Procedures and ensure the safety and security of staff working under her/his supervision in line with the Security Management plan (SMP) and Safety First guidelines

Additional Duties

Perform other duties assigned by the line manager for the accomplishment of program objectives.

Emergency response

Concern is committed to responding to emergencies efficiently and effectively in order to help affected people meet their basic needs, alleviate suffering and maintain their dignity. To this end, when emergencies strike and the Ethiopia Program is to respond, all staff are required to actively participate in the response, regardless of location and contribute to the efforts aimed at achieving the humanitarian objective of the organization.

Gender Equity 

• Demonstrate understanding of Concern Ethiopia’s Gender Equality Strategy
• Contribute to ensuring that Concern Ethiopia is a place where men and women are treated equally and with  dignity and respect
• Demonstrate gender equality awareness and gender sensitivity and an ability to integrate a gender equality perspective into tasks and activities.

Accountability

In line with Concern’s commitments under the Core Humanitarian Standard (CHS):

• Actively promote meaningful community participation and consultation at all stages of the project cycle (planning, implementation, M&E);
• Work with relevant colleagues  to ensure that the Complaints and Response Mechanism (CRM) is functional and accessible, that feedback and complaints are welcomed and addressed;
• Work with relevant colleagues  to ensure that information about CRM, safeguarding and expected staff behaviour is disseminated among programme participants and communities.

• BSc Degree in Nutrition/Public Health/Nursing with minimum of three years or Diploma in clinical nursing five years relevant experience
• Profound experience in IYCF and particularly in Emergencies.
• NGO experience in emergency projects is an advantage
• Good communication and report writing skills
• Good negotiation skill with government and other agencies
• Ability to communicate effectively in both oral and written English.
• Good interpersonal skills and team player with sensitivity to cultural diversity
• Ability to work under pressure
• Ability to understand and respect the cultural, religious and political environment and to work well with staff and local authorities in a diplomatic
• Experience in providing training and capacity building for staff
• Proficiency in Amharic  languages

Competencies

Knowledge of participatory approaches

• Ability to work with teams at distance and good team player
• Capacity Building skills
• Ability to plan own work, set priorities, complete work under pressure or when faced with competing demands and report

Analytical skills

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Computer proficiency

What we offer

• A competitive salary and benefit package
• Excellent medical benefits (100% cover including dependents)
• 20 days annual leave
• 26 weeks (paid) maternity leave, 18 weeks (unpaid) parental leave

• Apply through ethiojobs.net or in person at our Kombolcha Coordination Office
• Only short listed candidates will be contacted

Safeguarding at Concern: Code of Conduct and its Associated Policies

Concern has an organisational Code of Conduct (CCoC) with three Associated Policies; the Programme Participant Protection Policy (P4), the Child Safeguarding Policy and the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Policy. These have been developed to ensure the maximum protection of programme participants from exploitation, and to clarify the responsibilities of Concern staff, consultants, visitors to the programme and partner organisation, and the standards of behaviour expected of them. In this context, staff have a responsibility to the organisation to strive for, and maintain, the highest standards in the day-to-day conduct in their workplace in accordance with Concern’s core values and mission. Any candidate offered a job with Concern Worldwide will be expected to sign the Concern Staff Code of Conduct and Associated Policies as an appendix to their contract of employment. By signing the Concern Code of Conduct, candidates acknowledge that they have understood the content of both the Concern Code of Conduct and the Associated Policies and agree to conduct themselves in accordance with the provisions of these policies. Additionally, Concern is committed to the safeguarding and protection of vulnerable adults and children in our work. We will do everything possible to ensure that only those who are suitable to work or volunteer with vulnerable adults and children are recruited by us for such roles. Subsequently, working or volunteering with Concern is subject to a range of vetting checks, including criminal background checking.

Women and people with disabilities are particularly encouraged to apply