IYCF Field worker

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 operating in Ethiopia since 2004. In partnership with civil society organizations, private sector, and the government, Mercy Corps Ethiopia has reached more than five million Ethiopians with interventions to save lives and build secure livelihoods. Our programs emphasize market-driven solutions, reinforce social bonds, and help communities build resilience to the impacts of climate change. Currently in six regional states – Afar, Gambella, Oromia, Somali, Amhara and South Nations, Nationalities and People’s Region (SNNPR) – Mercy Corps Ethiopia is driven by the mission to contribute the emergence of a peaceful, resilient, and prosperous Ethiopia which is inclusive of youth and women. Our strategic directions focus in promoting inclusive and dynamic markets; promoting peace and social cohesion through strengthening formal/informal governance structures and citizen engagement; improved natural resource governance; and integrated humanitarian response.

Position Title:  IYCF Field workers

Duty Station: Sebba Boru, Wadera woreda of Guji Zone Goro Dola, Liben and 

                        Gumi Eldelo Woreda of East Borena Zone

Open Position:  5

Duration of the project: 6 Months

Program / Department Summary

The project is intended to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with undernutrition and increased illnesses of conflict and drought-induced communities who do not have access to primary health care services and basic nutrition services.

Essential Job Responsibilities

Strategy & Vision

• Collaborate with other team members for effective integration between other services like targeting program participants for different Nutrition activities, and support related CARM, and protection activities.
• Collaborate with Local authorities and other partners to identify program participants who are in need of life-saving support.
• Able to learn and update his/ her information or knowledge to adapt to the changing situation and context.

Program Management- the position holder will have the role and responsibilities to :-

• Respect the dignity of beneficiaries, carers, and members of the community at all times.
• To participate in the IYCF activities through supporting Established Mother to Mother support groups, Community mobilization, OTP, Supplementary Feeding Program (SFP) distributions and work in the allocated position for each distribution and participate in hygiene promotion campaigns.
• Working closely with Kebele, community, and religious leaders and Health Development Army for the effective implementation and linkage of the IYCF program with the community and facility.
• Ensure the proper recording of the measurements and comments in record books and on beneficiary cards.
• Ensure that each carer receives proper health education at each distribution.
• Ensure provision of consistent awareness raising and education for Established mother to Mother support groups to hasten IYCF implementation and will assist CMAM officers and TSFP officers in the woreda to build a strong IYCF implementation package.
• Ensure the amount of food given to the beneficiaries is in line with the national protocol.
• Assist the team in health and nutrition education and cooking demonstration sessions.
• Generate ideas to strengthen the development of the nutrition unit.
• Uphold the image and values of MC at all times.

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

• Support Community, accountability, and reporting Mechanism.

Team Management

• Supports CMAM, IYCF and TSFP officers in managing malnourished cases.
• Assist the community volunteer (CV), CMAM, and IYCF/TSFP officers where required.
• Assist in hygiene promotion and sensitization campaigns and any other tasks when required by the IYCF/TSFP nurse.
• Support protection department and CARM activities.

Influence & Representation

• Creates and maintains a relationship with community volunteers and helps them to contribute to the program.
• Upholds the image and values of Mercy Corps at all times,
• Educate the community to improve their health and nutrition services-seeking behavior and motivate them to come to health facilities.

SECURITY

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

GEDSI (GENDER, EQUALITY, DIVERSITY AND SOCIAL INCLUSION)

• Be a thought partner in the recruitment of diverse team and promoting inclusive and safe work environment including supporting early career team members to fulfil their professional goals)
• Lead by example to promote gender equal and inclusive workplace culture in a day-to-day interaction with team members, partners and program participants.

Organizational Learning  

• As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities they serve, we expect all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves.

Accountability to Beneficiaries 

• Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our beneficiaries and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.
• Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC's policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

• Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the world’s most complex challenges. We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives.
• We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening, and evolving to become more diverse, equitable, and inclusive than we are today.

Equal Employment Opportunity

• Mercy Corps is an equal-opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be collectively stronger and have a sustained global impact.
• We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran status or any other protected group in the locations where we work.

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 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 and inclusive work environment, team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner, respect local laws and customs, and to 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.

Knowledge and Experience

• Diploma in health-related fields
• More than 3 years of working experience with NGOs
• Willingness and ability to perform field works and travel to remote areas within the sites.
• Ability to interact effectively with diverse ethnic groups throughout the sites.
• Previous work experience with a non-governmental organization, especially Mercy corps in the area of community work.
• Ability to take initiative and work independently.
• Organized, reliable and good communication skills.
• Ability to read, write and speak English and knowledge of the local language is mandatory. 
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills and ability to work well with a team.

Success Factors

• Ability and willingness to frequently travel to villages and willingness to reside in rural areas.
• Willingness and capacity to be flexible and accommodating when faced with difficult and frustrating working conditions like long-distance walking to distribution sites.
• Good interpersonal and communication skills
• Experience in closely working with community volunteers and local authorities. 
• Communication skills, good human relations
• Firm belief in teamwork, gender equality 

All interested candidates are encouraged to apply for the position advertised. All applications must be submitted electronically including a CV, three references, and all relevant official documents.

Only candidates that are short-listed will be acknowledged and called for interviews.

“Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer promoting gender, equity, and    diversity. Qualified female and young candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. We are committed to empower women and youth.”

DEADLINE FOR ALL APPLICATIONS: 14 July 2023/ 4:00 PM