Role Purpose
The MIYCN Counsellor is a frontline position responsible for providing specialized, one-on-one, and group counselling on optimal nutrition practices for pregnant and lactating women, mothers, caregivers, and their children. This role is crucial for promoting healthy feeding practices, preventing malnutrition, and supporting positive health outcomes within the community, adhering to national and international guidelines.
Key Responsibilities:
Counselling and Education:
- Provide comprehensive and accurate counselling on MIYCN practices, including:
- Exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months.
- Introduction of appropriate complementary feeding from six months onwards while continuing breastfeeding up to two years or beyond.
- Dietary diversity for pregnant and lactating women and young children.
- Maternal nutrition during pregnancy and lactation.
- Hygiene practices related to food preparation and child feeding.
- Responding to common feeding difficulties and myths.
- Conduct both individual and group counselling sessions at health facilities, community centres, or through home visits, adapting messages to cultural contexts.
- Use participatory and interactive methods to engage beneficiaries and ensure understanding.
Screening, Referral, and Follow-up:
- Conduct basic nutrition screening for pregnant and lactating women and children (e.g., MUAC measurements for children and pregnant women).
- Identify cases of malnutrition (e.g., SAM, MAM) or other health issues and refer them promptly to appropriate health or nutrition services (e.g., CMAM programs, health facilities).
- Conduct follow-up visits or calls to monitor adherence to feeding recommendations and assess progress.
Community Mobilization and Engagement:
- Support the formation and facilitation of Mother-to-Mother Support Groups or similar community groups to foster peer learning and support for MIYCN practices.
- Participate in community sensitization activities and campaigns to raise awareness about MIYCN.
- Build trust and rapport with community members, local leaders, and traditional birth attendants.
Data Collection and Reporting:
- Maintain accurate records of counselling sessions, attendance, referrals, and follow-up activities.
- Collect and compile routine program data related to MIYCN indicators.
- Submit regular activity reports to the supervisor (e.g., Nutrition Officer or Project Coordinator) detailing progress, challenges, and lessons learned.
Technical Adherence and Quality Assurance:
- Ensure all counselling messages and practices align with national MIYCN guidelines and international standards (e.g., WHO, UNICEF recommendations).
- Participate in training and refresher courses to continuously update MIYCN knowledge and counselling skills.
- Identify and report any operational challenges or barriers to optimal MIYCN practices in the community.
Qualifications and Experience:
- Diploma or Certificate in Nutrition, Public Health, Nursing, Midwifery, Community Health Extension Work (CHEW), or a related health-focused field. A bachelor’s degree in a relevant field is an added advantage.
- Minimum of 1-2 years of direct experience in providing MIYCN counselling, health education, or community-based nutrition programs.
- Proven experience in conducting one-on-one and group counselling sessions.
- Familiarity with the local context and cultural feeding practices in Maiduguri, Borno, or similar settings.
- Experience in data collection and basic record-keeping.
- Prior experience working with vulnerable populations, pregnant and lactating women, and young children.
- Training certification in MIYCN, IYCF, or CMAM is a significant asset.
- Supports and advises colleagues.
- Adapt communication to the intercultural environment.
- Respect for others
- Aware of the community of good and bad practices including the context of working and adopting oneself to the community norms.
- Experience in applying Behaviour Change Communication models.
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