Terre des hommes Foundation Health & Nutrition Educator Job in Modogashe, Garissa Kenya

Terre des hommes Foundation (Tdh) is an international NGO focussed on Child Rights and Health project. 

To support the development of its Child Protection program, Health & Nutrition and Wash Program in Garissa County, Tdh is encouraging applications from Kenyan nationals for the role of:

Health & Nutrition Educator (HNE) 

1 Position

Reporting to: Health Project Manager
 

Duty station: Modogashe (Lagdera district, Garissa County)
 

Contract duration: 6 months – renewable (with 2 month probation period)
 

Working with: DHMT counterpart (Community Health Strategy Focal Person), Health facility staff, Community Health Extension Workers, Community Health Workers/Volunteers
 

Overall Job Purpose:
 

To support the community outreach component of TDH’s Health & Nutrition intervention in Lagdera district by implementing activities aimed at health education and community mobilization for uptake of health services 
 

Scope of work
 

Under the supervision of TDH Health Project Manager and in close collaboration with the district Community Health Strategy Focal Person, she/he is responsible for improving basic preventive health care at community level with a focus on health & nutrition education through community outreach activities.

Specific responsibilities

• Promote uptake of outreach and facility based health and nutrition services by organizing activities aimed at community mobilization
• To identify the training needs of Community Health Extension Workers (CHEWs) and Community Health Workers (CHWs)
• In collaboration with health facility staff, build capacity of CHEWs and CHWs through an optimal mix of formal classroom and on the job training (OJTs).
• Mentoring and supervision of CHEWs and CHWs for conducting health promotion activities in the community, including, personal hygiene, environmental sanitation, health & nutrition education with a particular emphasis on Infant & young child feeding (IYCF) and nutrition for Pregnant and lactating women (PLWs), community screening for malnutrition, case identification and referral.
• Sensitisation of community elders, mother to mother support group members, religious leaders, etc. on IMAM/IYCF/HINI.
• Conduct nutrition, hygiene and health education for care-takers attending Outpatient therapeutic Program (OTP)/ Supplementary Feeding Program (SFP)/ Stabilization Centres (SCs), and ensure nutrition is one regular topic for general health talks in the health facilities.
• Provide awareness raising sessions to the target health education beneficiaries on home care of malnourished children
• Conduct planned home visits to promote positive health behaviour
• Compile monthly activity reports of health education and other community based activities.
• Attend Health Facility Management Committee (HFMC) and community meetings and discuss health care gaps in the community
• Any other relevant responsibility as may be assigned by the line manager which is in agreement with TDH program aim including change of duty station by TDH management.

Requirements:
 

Essential

• Bachelor Degree or Diploma in Public Health
• At least 2 years’ field experience working with government or NGOs in health sector
• Fluent in English, Somali and Swahili
• Working knowledge of MS Word, Excel

Desirable

• Higher diploma in Health Promotion & Prevention will be a distinct advantage
• Trained in community IMCI
• Experience of working in close collaboration with MOH staff
• Experience in training of community health workers

Personal attributes

• Able to work independently with minimal support
• Willing to work in difficult environment with limited social services
• To be accountable for activities entrusted to he/r
• Punctual, efficient and capable to perform under pressure

Application modalities:
 

Qualified and interested candidates should submit a covering letter, CV and references. 

Applications should be addressed to H&N Project Manager and submitted to:

Terre des hommes, Modogashe
They can also be emailed to hpm.ke@tdh.ch 

Closing date for these positions is 30th May 2013.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interview.

Tdh’s recruitment and selection procedures reflect our commitment to protect children’s rights, which includes the prevention of all forms of child abuse.

Tdh is an equal opportunity employer. Female candidates are encouraged to apply.