Community Health Workers - Health and Nutrition

International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) is an international non-governmental development and relief organisation, working worldwide to provide food, shelter, economic self-sufficiency, and hope. All assistance is provided on the basis of need alone. IOCC has been present in Jerusalem, West Bank and Gaza (JWBG) since 1997 providing assistance to vulnerable Palestinians and communities through various emergency relief and/or development programs.

IOCC is seeking highly skilled staff to be hired for the following position under an anticipated Child Health and Nutrition Project in the Gaza Strip.

Community Health Workers - Health and Nutrition: (Six positions. Duration: 8 months, renewable upon availability of funding).

Summary of the Position:

The Community Health Worker (CHW) will work under the direction of the Project Officer-Health and Nutrition, and the Program Director, IOCC Gaza Field office in the management, implementation, supervision and monitoring of IOCC Child Health and Nutrition Project in the Gaza Strip. S/he will be supervising both the administrative and technical components of the work, and will be required to liaise and work closely with IOCC Monitoring and Evaluation Officer.

Job Location:

IOCC Gaza Field Office – Southern Gaza Strip Governorates, with very frequent field work at rural and marginalized localities of these governorates.

Key Responsibilities:

• Under the direct supervision and close coordination of the Project Officer- Health and Nutrition, undertakes the community health work in all targeted kindergartens (KGs) and communities as scheduled.
• Performs the assigned tasks including; KGs visits, health and nutrition counseling on nutrition, child feeding, nutritional requirements of children, child parents and KGs teachers and staff.
• Performs anthropometric assessment including; measurement of body weight, length and height, testing blood hemoglobin using the finger prick test, as well as hearing, speech and vision testing.
• Data collection and development of medical history files of KGs children assessed.
• Provide health education sessions and materials such as folders, booklets, etc. for the targeted KGs’ children and their parents, teachers, staff and KGs neighboring community members.
• Refer the eligible cases for admission in Partner CBO’s health and nutrition clinics, or to other health and community rehabilitation service providers.
• Educate mothers on preparation of appropriate age-relevant foods for sick, anemic and malnourished children during the food demonstrations in the targeted KGs.
• Perform anthropometric assessment and referrals during open medical days organized for the wider community groups.
• Take the lead in forming and coaching Community Committees for supporting the project’s health and nutrition interventions within the targeted KGs and local communities.
• Commitment to offer more volunteer time dedicated for the work purposes if needed.

Knowledge and Skills:

Community health work technical and social work skills; interpersonal communication skills; advanced verbal communication skills; fluency in Arabic and English; presentation and tutoring skills, computer literate and proficient in Microsoft Windows package; and good reporting skills.

Competencies:

Ability to build strong personal and community relationships with all project stakeholders and beneficiaries, partner organization, beneficiary KGs and other contacts; sensitivity to cultural conditions and practices; tenacity in observing procedures, regulations, local laws and other requirements in implementing and maintaining IOCC programs; ability to think strategically, analyze issues, and make appropriate recommendations.