Nutrition Counselor

1. Background

Health, Disability and Development Organization (HDDO) is non-Profit, non-governmental and non-political National Organization established in January 2020 under Reg: No:4886 with Ministry of Economic, HDDO is also registered with MoPH by the registration number of 662. HDDO is register with the Ministry of Refuges HDDO is member of the Ministry of Public Health Disability and Rehabilitation working group and the member of Community Based Rehabilitation network. HDDO provided quality services so far in 9 provinces as a professional Organization and as agent of change for Victims of war/ conflicts and Person with Disabilities. HDDO is active member of the Health cluster and reproductive health working group as well. HDDO implements humanitarian and development interventions in areas including primary healthcare, nutrition, physical rehabilitation, disability inclusion, psychosocial support, WASH, community engagement and emergency response.

Health, Disability and Development Organization (HDDO), with funding from the Afghanistan Humanitarian Fund (AHF), is implementing the project “Strengthening Life-Saving Integrated Health and Nutrition Response for Conflict- and Disaster-Affected Communities in Daykundi Province.”

The project aims to improve access to essential integrated health and nutrition services for vulnerable and conflict- and disaster-affected communities in Daykundi Province. The intervention includes service delivery through Static Health Centers (SHCs) and Mobile Health and Nutrition Teams (MHNTs), with a particular focus on women, children, and other vulnerable population groups.

Nutrition Counsellors will play an important role in integrating nutrition services into primary healthcare and community-based service delivery. They will work directly with caregivers, particularly caregivers of children under five, to improve infant and young child feeding practices, identify nutrition concerns at an early stage, promote appropriate dietary practices, and facilitate timely referral and follow-up of children requiring additional nutrition services.

2. Purpose of the Position

The Nutrition Counsellor will be responsible for providing quality nutrition counselling and support to children, caregivers, pregnant and lactating women, and other eligible beneficiaries through project-supported SHCs and MHNTs. The position will focus particularly on Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF), nutrition screening and assessment, dietary diversity, hygiene promotion, counselling, follow-up, referral, and community awareness. The Nutrition Counsellor will work closely with doctors, nurses, midwives, vaccinators, community health workers, and other project staff to ensure that nutrition considerations are integrated into primary healthcare services and that children identified with nutrition concerns receive appropriate follow-up and referral. For MHNT positions, the staff member will travel to assigned field locations according to the approved monthly outreach plan.

3. Key Responsibilities

3.1 Nutrition Counselling and IYCF

• Provide individual and group nutrition counselling to caregivers of children under five.
• Provide counselling on appropriate Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) practices.
• Promote exclusive breastfeeding for infants in accordance with applicable national and humanitarian guidance.
• Counsel caregivers on appropriate complementary feeding practices according to the child's age.
• Promote appropriate meal frequency, food consistency, portion size, and dietary diversity.
• Provide counselling to pregnant and lactating women on appropriate nutrition practices.
• Address common feeding challenges and provide practical counselling to caregivers.
• Promote continued breastfeeding and appropriate complementary feeding during and after illness.
• Encourage caregivers to seek appropriate healthcare and nutrition services when warning signs are identified.
• Use culturally appropriate and understandable communication methods when providing nutrition counselling.

3.2 Nutrition Screening and Assessment

• Conduct nutrition screening of eligible children and beneficiaries according to approved project procedures.
• Support identification of children who may be at risk of malnutrition.
• Conduct appropriate anthropometric measurements within the scope of training and assigned responsibilities.
• Ensure that nutrition screening equipment is used correctly and maintained appropriately.
• Identify and document children requiring further assessment or specialized nutrition services.
• Refer suspected cases of acute malnutrition or other nutrition-related concerns to the appropriate service according to established referral pathways.
• Ensure that caregivers understand the reason for referral and the importance of timely follow-up.

3.3 Follow-Up and Referral

• Maintain appropriate follow-up of children identified with nutrition concerns.
• Coordinate with health facility staff and relevant nutrition service providers regarding referrals.
• Follow up on referred beneficiaries where appropriate and permitted under project procedures.
• Maintain accurate records of referrals, follow-up actions, and outcomes.
• Identify barriers that may prevent beneficiaries from accessing referred services and report such issues to the supervisor.
• Support continuity of care between SHCs, MHNTs, community-level services, and referral facilities.

3.4 Dietary Diversity and Nutrition Education

• Provide practical education to caregivers on locally available and affordable nutritious foods.
• Promote dietary diversity using context-appropriate examples.
• Educate families on age-appropriate feeding practices.
• Provide counselling on food preparation, safe food handling, and hygienic feeding practices.
• Promote appropriate handwashing and personal hygiene practices as part of nutrition counselling.
• Support community awareness activities addressing common causes and consequences of malnutrition.
• Develop or use approved nutrition education materials and key messages.

3.5 Integration with Primary Healthcare Services

• Work closely with doctors, nurses, midwives, vaccinators, and other health workers to integrate nutrition into routine health services.
• Identify opportunities to provide nutrition counselling during routine consultations and child health services.
• Support nutrition-related counselling during immunization, maternal and child health, and other relevant service points.
• Coordinate with health workers regarding children requiring nutrition-related follow-up.
• Promote a holistic approach to child health, nutrition, hygiene, and disease prevention.
• Support the integration of nutrition messages into health education sessions.

3.6 SHC-Specific Responsibilities – 5 Female Nutrition Counsellors

The five female Nutrition Counsellors assigned to SHCs will:

• Provide nutrition counselling to women, caregivers, and children attending the health facilities.
• Conduct routine nutrition screening and counselling within the SHC.
• Provide IYCF counselling to mothers and caregivers.
• Support nutrition education sessions at the health facility.
• Coordinate with female health workers, midwives, nurses, and doctors regarding nutrition-related cases.
• Facilitate referrals of children identified with acute malnutrition or other nutrition concerns.
• Maintain appropriate nutrition records and support reporting requirements.
• Participate in health facility-based awareness and community outreach activities when assigned.
• Ensure that women and caregivers can access nutrition information in a culturally appropriate and confidential environment.

3.7 MHNT-Specific Responsibilities – 6 Male Nutrition Counsellors

The six male Nutrition Counsellors assigned to MHNTs will:

• Provide nutrition counselling and screening during MHNT outreach activities.
• Travel to assigned field locations according to the approved monthly outreach plan.
• Conduct nutrition education and awareness sessions in communities.
• Counsel caregivers on IYCF, dietary diversity, hygiene, and appropriate feeding practices.
• Support nutrition screening and identification of children requiring referral.
• Coordinate with MHNT doctors, nurses, midwives, vaccinators, and community health workers.
• Support community-level identification and follow-up of children with nutrition concerns.
• Facilitate referrals to appropriate health and nutrition services.
• Document outreach nutrition activities, beneficiaries reached, referrals, and follow-up actions.
• Provide feedback to the MHNT supervisor on community nutrition needs and barriers to service access.

4. Community Engagement and Health Education

The Nutrition Counsellor will:

• Conduct nutrition awareness sessions for caregivers and community members.
• Promote key messages on breastfeeding, complementary feeding, dietary diversity, hygiene, and prevention of malnutrition.
• Engage fathers and other household decision-makers where appropriate to support improved child feeding practices.
• Work with community health workers and community representatives to promote appropriate nutrition practices.
• Identify common misconceptions regarding breastfeeding, complementary feeding, and child nutrition and address them through evidence-based counselling.
• Encourage early care-seeking for children showing signs of illness or malnutrition.

5. Documentation, Data Collection and Reporting

• Maintain accurate and complete nutrition counselling and screening records.
• Record beneficiaries receiving nutrition counselling and other nutrition-related services.
• Maintain referral and follow-up records.
• Ensure that data are recorded accurately and submitted within established timelines.
• Support the preparation of routine facility and outreach nutrition reports.
• Provide required information to the M&E team for indicator tracking and reporting.
• Participate in data verification and data quality checks when requested.
• Maintain confidentiality of beneficiary information.
• Report any discrepancies, missing information, or data-quality concerns to the supervisor.
• Ensure documentation is consistent with HDDO and AHF reporting requirements.

6. Quality Assurance and Compliance

• Deliver services in accordance with relevant Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) standards, approved project guidelines, and applicable humanitarian nutrition standards.
• Follow approved nutrition screening, counselling, referral, and documentation procedures.
• Maintain professional conduct when interacting with beneficiaries.
• Follow infection prevention and control measures applicable to the health facility or outreach setting.
• Use nutrition equipment appropriately and report damaged or missing equipment.
• Participate in supportive supervision, technical meetings, training, and refresher sessions.
• Implement recommendations provided through supervision, monitoring, and quality assessments.
• Immediately report serious protection, safeguarding, or service-quality concerns through established reporting channels.

7. Coordination and Teamwork

The Nutrition Counsellor will work closely with:

• Project Manager
• Project Health and Nutrition Officer
• Facility In-Charge
• MD Doctors
• Nurses
• Midwives
• Vaccinators
• Community Health Workers
• M&E Assistants
• MEAL/M&E team
• Administration and logistics staff
• Relevant Daykundi health authorities and technical counterparts, as appropriate

The position is expected to maintain effective communication and teamwork to ensure integrated and uninterrupted health and nutrition services.

8. Safeguarding, PSEA and Accountability

The Nutrition Counsellor must:

• Comply fully with HDDO's Code of Conduct, PSEA policy, safeguarding procedures, and relevant organizational policies.
• Treat all beneficiaries with dignity, respect, and without discrimination.
• Maintain professional boundaries with beneficiaries and community members.
• Never request or accept inappropriate payments, favors, gifts, or services in exchange for assistance.
• Maintain confidentiality of beneficiary information.
• Report suspected safeguarding, exploitation, abuse, harassment, or other misconduct through approved reporting mechanisms.
• Ensure that beneficiaries are informed about available feedback and complaints mechanisms where applicable.
• Respect the rights, privacy, and dignity of children and vulnerable adults.

9. Confidentiality and Data Protection

The Nutrition Counsellor shall maintain strict confidentiality regarding:

• Beneficiary personal information
• Health and nutrition information
• Screening and assessment results
• Referral and follow-up records
• Facility and project records
• Internal HDDO information

Information shall only be shared with authorized personnel for legitimate programmatic or clinical purposes and in accordance with HDDO policies and applicable procedures.

10. Field Travel and Security Responsibilities

For the six MHNT Nutrition Counsellors:

• Regular travel to assigned field locations is an essential component of the position.
• Field travel will be undertaken according to the approved monthly outreach plan.
• Staff must comply with HDDO security procedures and instructions.
• Staff must participate in security briefings when required.
• Any security incident, access constraint, or significant operational challenge must be immediately reported through the established channels.
• Staff must not undertake unauthorized travel or field activities.

The five SHC-based Nutrition Counsellors may also participate in community outreach activities when required by the approved work plan.

11. Key Deliverables

The Nutrition Counsellor is expected to contribute to the following deliverables:

1. Regular nutrition counselling services at assigned SHCs/MHNTs.
2. Quality IYCF counselling for caregivers.
3. Routine nutrition screening and identification of children requiring follow-up.
4. Timely referral of suspected malnutrition and other nutrition-related cases.
5. Appropriate follow-up and documentation of referred beneficiaries.
6. Nutrition education and community awareness sessions.
7. Accurate nutrition service records and reports.
8. Timely submission of required data to supervisors and M&E staff.
9. Effective integration of nutrition counselling into primary healthcare services.
10. Compliance with MoPH, AHF, and HDDO technical and operational requirements.

• Qualifications and Experience

Education

12th Grade Certfication, Diploma or Bachelor's degree in Nutrition, Nursing, Midwifery, Public Health, or another relevant health/nutrition-related field from a recognized institution.

Relevant nutrition, IYCF, CMAM/IMAM, community nutrition, or related training is highly desirable.

Professional Experience

Minimum 2 years of relevant professional experience in nutrition, primary healthcare, community health, IYCF, nutrition counselling, or related humanitarian programming.

Experience working with children under five and caregivers is highly desirable.

Previous experience with SHCs, MHNTs, BPHS-supported services, or humanitarian health and nutrition programs is an advantage.

• Technical Skills

The successful candidate should demonstrate

Good knowledge of IYCF principles and appropriate child feeding practices.

Understanding of basic nutrition screening and referral procedures.

Ability to provide clear and culturally appropriate nutrition counselling.

Understanding of dietary diversity and hygiene practices.

Ability to identify nutrition-related concerns and communicate them appropriately to qualified health personnel.

Good documentation and reporting skills.

Ability to maintain accurate beneficiary records.

Basic computer and data-entry skills.

Ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary health team.

Ability to work in challenging humanitarian and field environments.

• Language Requirements

Fluency in Dari and/or Pashto is required according to the assigned location.

Good communication skills in English are an advantage.

Ability to communicate effectively with local communities is essential.

• Core Competencies

The Nutrition Counsellor should demonstrate

Professionalism and integrity

Accountability and responsibility

Respect for beneficiaries and colleagues

Good interpersonal and communication skills

Teamwork and collaboration

Cultural sensitivity

Attention to detail

Confidentiality

Commitment to quality service delivery

Ability to work under pressure

Flexibility and adaptability

Commitment to humanitarian principles

Commitment to safeguarding and PSEA

Qualified Afghan applicants are encouraged to submit their resumes ASAP with a detailed application/ cover letter in one document, including a Vacancy #, contact number, Email address.

Please note that applications received after the closing date will not be given Consideration. Only those candidates will be called for interview who meets the qualification and requirement for the mentioned position.

Qualified applicant can send their CV and interest letter to: [email protected]

Submission Email: [email protected]