Who we are

SOS Children’s Villages Ethiopia is an International Non-governmental organization and a member of SOS Children’s Villages International Federation. We started our humanitarian work in Ethiopia with the opening of our first Village in Mekelle, Northern part of Ethiopia in 1974. Since then, we have expanded our programs to different regions where there are significant needs for intervention and where we believe we can work in partnership with all relevant actors to bring sustainable positive outcomes for children’s and young people.

Today, we have grown significantly to meet the persistent challenges that confront Ethiopian children who have lost parental care and those that are at risk of losing their parental care. Working in close collaboration with international donors, local government and community based organizations across seven program locations; we aspire that every child grows up with love, respect and security.

Why we need you?

We are looking for an IYCF-E officer/Breastfeeding Counselor who will be responsible for ensures activities fit within the framework of the National Nutrition Program and ensures good relations with local stakeholders and partner in the operational area, for whom s/he has been allocated responsibility.

What we provide?

An amazing work environment that promotes personal growth through providing professional space to grow and advance your career!

Your role?

While working with us IYCF-E officer/breastfeeding counselor you will be in charge of the following,

• The incumbent will be expected to ensure that all caretakers of the beneficiaries at the distribution sites OTP and TSFP have get the IYCF counselling by the health extension workers of each program.

• Accomplish project site activities and supporting of community-based groups – HDAs, mother support groups, local committees, etc.

• Participate in providing IYCF technical support to Woreda health officers/HEW

• Ensure that all staff understand and implement the IYCF-E program guidelines.

• Ensure appropriate and consistent education messaging to mothers (at PHC, Hospitals, HCs and community levels).

• Advise the best feeding options/ practices and follow ups as appropriate.

• Participate in the development of mother support groups and mother-baby areas.

• Participate in developing regular work plans for the HWS, HEWs, HDAs and mother support etc.

• Spot and address appropriately the violations of the code of marketing of breast-milk substitutes and violations of the MOH guidelines.

• The position holder will be expected ensures the availability of teaching aid and IEC materials for program implementation.

• Give support to CMAM team members as necessary.

• Ensure that IYCF tools are properly utilized and documented; prepare IYCF reports regularly and submit to project coordinators.

• Link between CMAM team and Woreda health officers/HEW or partner staff (such as promoting excellent communication and referral between IYCF counsellor, CMAM and CP).

• Assist in the development and review of educational material (IEC /BCC).

• Prepare training materials and conduct IYCF trainings when necessary.

• With support from M & E officer, Make sure all IYCF records are regularly filled and submitted (awareness sessions, database of counselled cases, etc.)

• Liaise with ZHO, WHO, and Health facilities and ensure the quality of  IYCF-E/Nutrition  capacity building activities are technically sound, aligned with proposed  implementation plan and adhere  to standard guidelines;

• Provide mothers with practical advice on correct attachment and positioning when breastfeeding, timely introduction of complementary foods and respond to any concerns or local taboos associated with IYCF.

• Provides consultation, education and emotional support to a caseload of prenatal and breastfeeding women and their families(Who are affected emotionally by the current conflict)

• Provides appropriate counseling when discussing breastfeeding concerns; anticipatory guidance based on assessment; recommendations for referrals to secondary health faciality or physician, when concerns and problems are identified

• Support the mothers suffering from insufficient milk production with advice on re-lactation.

• Assure the availability of IYCF training and counselling materials prior to any training.

• Support community assessments related to CMAM & IYCF and strengthen capacity of various health, agriculture, and other sectors’ front line workers to improve the quality of nutrition intervention.

• Along with other SOS CVE partner staffs, conduct regular follow up site visits to provide support quality implementation, and document field all through submission of complete, accurate and timely feedback reports.

• Ensure IYCF indicator well captured and adhere to the national protocol guideline by CMAM team.

• Preparing monthly and quarter reports on overall nutrition activities.

CHILD SAFEGUARDING

• Responsible to ensure that all beneficiaries are receiving ongoing, age-appropriate verbal or written information in relevant languages about SOS Children’s Villages Child Protection Policy and Code of Conduct.

• Ensure that all support is provided on the best interest of the child.

• Responsible to take part in raise awareness raising sessions and capacity building trainings in relation to CS and Code of Conduct and to prevent and protect children and young people from all forms of abuse, abandonment, exploitation, violence and discrimination

• Support children and young people to make them understand the CS risks and protection mechanisms

• Responsible to report any CS suspicion, concern, allegation or incident immediately, following Child Safeguarding reporting procedures. CS reports should be made to the CS team at programme level and/or to the respective line manager

Job Requirements

 Up for the challenge...

 Then check out our criteria’s:

 Must Criteria

• Education: Sc. degree or Diploma in public health with IT experience and/or health and nutrition information management

• Experiences: Minimum 2 years’ experience of working in in monitoring and evaluation of health and nutrition

• Computer literacy (Word Processing, PowerPoint, Spreadsheet, Access) skills are essential

• Demonstrated experience in developing/designing, implementing, monitoring and evaluating plans and associated quantitative and qualitative tools

• Have basic skills on information assessment, analysis and report writing skills

• Demonstrated experience in monitoring and evaluation. CMAM related experience is an added advantage.

• Understanding of the current M&E trends and especially M&E systems in CMAM program.

Competencies – Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Understanding the organization and commitment to its vision and mission: able to clearly communicate SOS Children’s Villages Who We Are (Vision, Mission & Values), “Living our Values” policies and strategies in all areas.

• Child rights & child development: Working knowledge in all areas of child rights, child protection, child development, family & community development, and rights-based programming in a developing country.

• Collaboration: driven to work with others, able to build partnerships and teamwork internally and externally.

• People development: driven to improve others; proven track record in coaching & mentoring staff, giving feedback, and identifying development opportunities for co-workers.

• Integrity: able to state views openly and act in line with beliefs, maintain the organization’s values, maintain deadlines and commitments; have ethical standards, ability to gain the trust of co-workers, and desire to be of service.

• Communication: high-level written and verbal communication/presentation skills; ability to interact effectively with partners and staff at all levels; ability to represent the organization externally; exceptional ability to communicate consistently, clearly, and effectively with a range of stakeholders;

Core Competencies

• Kindness: Act with empathy towards everyone he/she works with.

• Continuous Learning: Make an effort to learn, understand and grow as a person, admitting your own mistakes.

• Inclusiveness: In any actions show respect and care for others.

• Initiative: speak up when things are not right, do not hesitate to act, and adapt to change when necessary.

• Results Orientation: look for solutions and focus on desired results.

How to Apply

Excited to take on a new Challenge..

Then send us your application (application letter, detailed CV containing contact detail of there references) electronically through SOS Children Villages Application portal (ICIMS)

Please use this link to apply

Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. 

SOS Children’s Villages Ethiopia holds strict child safeguarding principles and a zero-tolerance policy for conducts of sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse in the workplace and other places where the organization’s activities are rendered.  Parallel to technical competence, recruitment, selection and hiring decisions will give due emphasis to assessing candidates value congruence and thorough background checks, police clearance reference check processes. 

SOS Children's Villages Ethiopia provides equal employment opportunities to all co-workers & qualified applicants without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, ancestry, national origin, age, disability, marital status, or class.