Job Summary:
Overall responsible for:
The holder of this position will provide MIYCN services in accordance with MIYCN guideline and will be reported to HF In-charge.
Responsible for improving the nutritional status of children under two years of age and pregnant and lactating women (PLW) by delivering quality, community-based nutrition services. The Nutrition Counselor provides MIYCN counseling, conducts Growth Monitoring and Promotion (GMP), and ensures accurate screening, measurement, and documentation of beneficiaries using standard anthropometric tools. The role supports early identification and referral of malnutrition cases, promotes optimal infant and young child feeding practices, and maintains reliable records in accordance with Ministry of Public Health nutrition guidelines and protocols.
Growth Monitoring and Promotion (GMP) and Nutrition Education
Register and conduct Growth Monitoring and Promotion (GMP) for all children under two years, including measurement of weight, height/length, age verification, MUAC, and assessment for edema.
- Provide GMP-based counseling to mothers/caregivers on appropriate Maternal, Infant and Young Child Nutrition (MIYCN) practices and infection prevention.
- For children with normal nutritional status, reinforce and promote age-appropriate feeding and care practices.
- For children identified with acute malnutrition, refer promptly to the health facility for further assessment, treatment, and counseling.
- Encourage and counsel mothers/caregivers to attend regular monthly GMP sessions for continuous monitoring and early detection of growth concerns.
- Verify Vitamin A supplementation status during National Immunization Days (NIDs) and refer children who missed supplementation to the health facility.
- Provide daily health and nutrition education sessions for mothers at health facilities.
- Conduct practical food demonstration sessions to promote improved dietary diversity and feeding practices.
- Train pregnant and lactating women (PLW) and caregivers on Family MUAC for early detection of malnutrition at the household level.
Counseling on Maternal, Infant and Young Child Nutrition (MIYCN)
Provide individualized nutrition counseling to pregnant and lactating women and caregivers of children under two, based on BMI, MUAC, and overall nutritional assessment.
Promote optimal Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) practices, including early initiation of breastfeeding, exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, and timely introduction of appropriate complementary feeding.
Educate mothers on maternal diet diversity, adequate food intake during pregnancy and lactation, and hygiene practices to prevent malnutrition and illness.
Ensure lactating mothers receive and adhere to Iron and Folic Acid (IFA) supplementation during the first three months postpartum and provide guidance on its importance.
Assess maternal and child health status during counseling sessions and identify warning signs of malnutrition or illness.
Refer mothers and children with poor nutritional status, complications, or illness to the appropriate health facility for further assessment and treatment.
Support caregivers to adopt positive feeding and care practices through continuous follow-up and behavior change communication.
At the Community Level
· Coordinate closely with Community Health Supervisors (CHSs) and Community Health Workers (CHWs) during monthly CHW meetings to strengthen community-based nutrition activities.
· Share lists of GMP defaulters with CHWs and support follow-up to ensure all children attend regular growth monitoring sessions.
· Ensure GMP sessions are conducted regularly at the community level by CHWs in accordance with established guidelines.
· Provide on-the-job mentoring and supportive supervision to CHWs on key topics, including GMP implementation, effective counseling skills, and proper home visit techniques.
Recording and Reporting
Maintain accurate and timely records and reports to monitor service delivery and track nutrition program performance.
· Utilize the Maternal and Child Health (MCH) handbook in applicable provinces to document and support continuity of care.
· Identify beneficiaries requiring follow-up visits and share relevant information with CHSs/CHWs to ensure proper follow-up and continuity of services.
Safeguarding Responsibilities:
Uphold CARE’s Safeguarding Policy (https://www.care-international.org/resources/care-international-safeguarding-policy) and Safeguarding Code of Conduct.
Must read the Safeguarding Policy and either sign the Safeguarding Code of Conduct or sign a Code of Conduct that is consistent with or references this policy and Safeguarding Code of Conduct.
Safety and Security Responsibility:
We all have a responsibility to promote a safe and secure work environment, foster a safety and security culture, and ensure consistent application of, and compliance with, CARE Afghanistan safety and security policies and procedures.
OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES AS ASSIGNED 5 % of time
Responsibilities on Safety and Security, Gender and Inclusion and Safeguarding and Child Protection:
[base location] at CARE are expected to adhere to Safety & Security responsibilities, emphasizing team and individual accountability to maintain a safe environment. This includes readiness, compliance, and active engagement to mitigate risks through awareness, reporting, and policy enforcement.
Gender equality and inclusion are fundamental at CARE, promoting equal rights and challenging discriminatory norms to achieve social justice. We foster an inclusive workplace respecting diverse gender identities, abilities, backgrounds, and experiences through dialogue, training, and diversity initiatives. All CARE staff must uphold ethical standards, following codes of conduct to prevent abuse, including sexual harassment, exploitation, and neglect. Regular monitoring ensures accountability to uphold these principles and support our mission of social justice and poverty alleviation.
