IYCF Counselor, Global Health
Location: Project HOPE is an international NGO with more than 1,000 engaged employees and volunteers who work around the globe, responding to the world’s most pressing global health challenges. Throughout our 60-year legacy, Project HOPE has treated millions of patients, provided more than $3 billion worth of medicines to local health care organizations around the world helped build hundreds of health programs from the ground up, and responded to humanitarian crises worldwide. Code of Conduct: It is our shared responsibility and obligation to treat each other with respect, take affirmative steps to prevent matters involving Sexual Exploitation & Abuse and Trafficking in Persons, and to disclose all potential and actual violations of our Code of Conduct, which may include Conflicts of Interest, Fraud, Corruption, Discrimination or Harassment. Together we can reinforce a culture of respect, integrity, accountability, and transparency. Program Summary: Project HOPE is providing humanitarian assistance to internally displaced and conflict-affected persons throughout the Gaza Strip, Occupied Palestinian Territory. The portfolio in the Gaza Strip focuses on Health, Mental Health, Protection, and WASH programming in partnership with local NGOs. Our activities include the operation of several primary and sexual reproductive health clinics operated by local Project HOPE staff. 1. The IYCF Counselor provides individualized and group counselling to pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, fathers, and caregivers of infants and young children. The position promotes optimal breastfeeding, appropriate complementary feeding, maternal nutrition, and safe infant and young child feeding practices, particularly in emergency and displacement settings 2. Principal Responsibilities: Assessment and Individual Counselling •Assess infant and young child feeding practices and identify feeding difficulties, misconceptions, harmful practices, and barriers. •Observe breastfeeding with the mother’s consent and assess positioning, attachment, effective suckling, and maternal comfort. •Provide practical counselling on early initiation, exclusive breastfeeding, continued breastfeeding, and timely, adequate complementary feeding. •Support mothers experiencing common breastfeeding difficulties within the approved counselling scope and refer clinical concerns promptly. •Counsel caregivers on meal frequency, dietary diversity, food consistency, responsive feeding, hygiene, and safe food preparation. •Develop simple, realistic counselling and follow-up plans adapted to each caregiver’s circumstances. •Identify infants and caregivers requiring CMAM, medical, maternal-health, mental-health, disability, protection, or social support and refer them appropriately. •Follow up caregivers with identified feeding difficulties and document progress and outcomes. IYCF in Emergencies •Support mothers to continue breastfeeding during displacement, stress, illness, food insecurity, and other emergency conditions. •Provide accurate information on the risks associated with inappropriate breast-milk substitute use. •Refer non-breastfed infants through the approved assessment and management pathway. •Report inappropriate promotion or uncontrolled distribution of breast-milk substitutes, bottles, or teats. •Do not independently recommend or distribute infant formula or other controlled infant-feeding products. Group and Community Activities •Conduct structured group sessions for pregnant women, mothers, fathers, grandmothers, and other caregivers. •Facilitate sessions in clinics, Mother-Baby Areas, waiting areas, outreach sites, and community locations. •Support mother-to-mother groups and other community-based nutrition activities. •Use approved counselling cards, visual aids, demonstrations, and behaviour-change materials. •Adapt messages to the caregiver’s literacy level, culture, age, disability, and living conditions. •Participate in outreach, awareness campaigns, assessments, and community mobilization as assigned. •Identify recurring community myths, concerns, and access barriers and communicate them to the Nutrition team. Documentation and Coordination •Maintainaccurate records of individual counselling, group sessions, referrals, and follow-up. •Submit complete and timely daily, weekly, and monthly activity information. •Coordinate with the nutrition team to ensure appropriate counselling for CMAM and other nutrition beneficiaries. •Maintain confidentiality and secure storage of beneficiary information. •Support monitoring visits, case discussions, assessments, and approved case studies or success stories with informed consent. Perform any other duties as assigned, based on team needs and operational requirements. 3. Key Performance Expectations •Caregivers receive accurate, practical, respectful, and context-appropriate IYCF counselling. •Feeding difficulties and high-risk cases are identified, referred, and followed up appropriately. •Individual and group-session records are accurate and submitted on time. •IYCF messages are consistent with national and organizational guidance. •Community feedback and common feeding barriers are documented and communicated for programme improvement. 4. Minimum Qualification •Diploma’s degree in nutrition, Nursing, Midwifery, Public Health, or a related field. •Formal training in IYCF, breastfeeding counselling, or IYCF in emergencies is strongly preferred. •At least one to two years of relevant experience in IYCF, maternal and child health, nutrition, or community health. •Experience in humanitarian settings, CMAM programmes, Mother-Baby Areas, or community outreach is preferred. •Good counselling, facilitation, documentation, and basic computer skills. •Fluency in Arabic; English proficiency is preferred. 5. Core Competencies Active listening; empathy; practical counselling; facilitation; non-judgmental communication; cultural sensitivity; confidentiality; organization; teamwork; safeguarding awareness; and ability to work with vulnerable families in difficult conditions. 6. Safeguarding and Professional Conduct The postholder must obtain appropriate consent, protect privacy, maintain professional boundaries, and comply with safeguarding, child protection, Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, confidentiality, and the organization’s Code of Conduct. Protection and safeguarding concerns must be referred immediately through approved confidential pathways. PHYSICAL DEMANDS ANDWORK ENVIRONMENT: The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Physical demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee must be mobile in an office environment and able to use standard office equipment. Must be able to communicate in verbal and written form and must be able to travel. Project HOPE employees may be required to travel or work in countries where working conditions are classified as “hardship.” Work environment This position is based in Gaza. Given the current conflict conditions, candidate must be able to work in a rapidly changing environment Position will be in resource-deprived environment with austere living conditions. Travel for extended periods may be by air and/or other modes of transportation. Project HOPE employees may be required to travel or work in countries where working conditions are classified as “hardship.” Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. Due to the substantial number of inquiries, we receive, only candidates who have met the required experience & qualifications for this position will be considered. No phone calls please. However, since we are active around the world in the field of public health, we may wish to retain your CV in our database for other/future opportunities, unless you direct us otherwise. Thank you very much for your interest in Project HOPE.
Deir El Balah
Palestine, State of
Founded in 1958, Project HOPE is a leader in global health development and emergency relief programs. An international nonprofit organization, we save lives and improve health, especially among women and children. We accomplish our mission by improving the knowledge, abilities and tools of the health workforce to deliver high quality health services to communities in need. With programs in more than 25 countries, we work at the epicenter of today’s greatest health challenges including infectious and chronic diseases, disasters and health crises, maternal, neonatal and child health and the policies that impact how health care is delivered.
Notice to applicants: Project HOPE does not conduct direct solicitation/recruitment via email. Project HOPE never asks job applicants for payment or financial information at any stage of the recruitment process. If you have been recruited via email or have been asked for payment or financial information, please contact us immediately at Compliance@projecthope.org
