Community Development Facilitator -Oromia Region

1. Introduction:

Positive Action for Development (PAD) is an indigenous, non-governmental, non-profit, secular, and legally registered Ethiopian Civil Society Organization (Registration No. 2330). PAD is committed to promoting a just, compassionate, and inclusive society where all people can thrive. Guided by the values of optimism, integrity, kindness, excellence, and impactful action, PAD works to provide effective humanitarian and development support to communities in need.

PAD is currently seeking qualified and motivated individuals for the following position(s)

Position: Community Development Facilitator

Number required: 1(One)

Duty Station: Oromia Region, West Hararghe Zone, Mieso Woreda (assigned to kebeles)

Employment Type: Contract

Job Summary

The Community Development Facilitator (CDF) is a field-based position responsible for implementing community-level nutrition activities to improve maternal and child health and nutrition in assigned kebeles. The CDF conducts routine nutrition screening and growth monitoring, leads community mobilization and health education sessions, and ensures prompt linkage to treatment services. Working closely with Health Extension Workers (HEWs) and community nutrition volunteers, the CDF promotes positive nutrition practices, collects essential data, and upholds ethical, respectful, and confidential service delivery. The role demands deep familiarity with the local context, strong communication skills, and a commitment to reaching vulnerable households in remote settings.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

1. Nutrition Screening and Growth Monitoring

• Conduct routine nutrition screening of children under five and pregnant and lactating women (PLWs) using MUAC tapes and weight scales in line with established protocols.
• Support Growth Monitoring and Promotion (GMP) services at community level and systematically track children with poor growth trends for follow-up.
• Accurately identify and classify malnutrition cases (MAM, SAM) and facilitate timely referrals.

2. Community Mobilization and Health Education

• Mobilize the community for outreach services, family dialogue sessions, mother support groups, and Community Nutrition Days (CNDs).
• Lead and facilitate health and nutrition education sessions covering infant and young child feeding (IYCF), hygiene, sanitation, dietary diversity, and maternal nutrition.
• Use participatory methods to engage families, community leaders, and women’s groups, promoting equitable access and inclusion of vulnerable households.
• Distribute and manage job aids, MUAC tapes, and nutrition education materials, ensuring proper use and replenishment.

3. Referral and Follow-Up

• Identify and promptly refer malnourished children and PLWs to appropriate treatment services (Outpatient Therapeutic Programme – OTP, Stabilization Centre – SC, IYCF counselling) using established referral pathways.
• Maintain close contact with HEWs and Community Nutrition Volunteers (CNVs) to coordinate follow-up of defaulters, non-responders, and high-risk cases.
• Provide basic supportive counselling and clear information to caregivers during the referral process, respecting confidentiality and dignity.

4. Reporting and Documentation

• Document all activities using government-approved registers, summary sheets, referral forms, and PAD’s reporting tools, ensuring accuracy and timeliness.
• Collect, summarize, and submit weekly and monthly reports to the Nutrition Officer, including challenges faced and actions taken.
• Handle client and community data confidentially, adhering to data protection principles.

5. Coordination and System Strengthening

• Participate in regular coordination meetings with HEWs, health facility staff, and the woreda health office to align community nutrition interventions.
• Serve as a channel for community feedback on service accessibility and quality, relaying information to the Nutrition Officer to improve project acceptability and ownership.
• Support integration of nutrition messages with other health and development initiatives in the locality.

6. Other Responsibilities

• Perform other related tasks as assigned by the Nutrition Officer or Project Coordinator.

7. Competencies

Core Competencies

• Trustworthiness and Respect: Ability to build immediate trust with community members, including mothers, caregivers, and local leaders, and to treat all individuals respectfully.
• Local Knowledge and Cultural Sensitivity: Deep understanding of the local context, cultural norms, and community dynamics; demonstrable ability to interact in a culturally appropriate manner.
• Communication and Interpersonal Skills: Excellent listening and clear communication skills; comfortable facilitating group sessions and one-on-one discussions in the local language.
• Teamwork and Collaboration: Proven ability to work effectively with Health Extension Workers, volunteers, and health facility staff.
• Resilience and Adaptability: Ability to manage stress related to field work in remote locations and adapt to changing circumstances while remaining accountable for duties.

Technical Competencies

• Nutrition Screening and GMP: Skilled in conducting MUAC and weight measurements, interpreting results, and performing basic growth monitoring.
• IYCF and CMAM Knowledge: Basic knowledge of maternal and child nutrition, Community-based Management of Acute Malnutrition (CMAM), Maternal, Infant and Young Child Nutrition (MIYCN), and Growth Monitoring and Promotion (GMP).
• Community Mobilization and Facilitation: Able to organize and facilitate awareness sessions, dialogue groups, and community nutrition events effectively.
• Referral and Linkage: Familiar with referral pathways for managing acute malnutrition and able to activate them promptly while maintaining confidentiality.
• Basic Data Collection and Reporting: Proficient in using manual reporting tools (registers, summary sheets) and, ideally, mobile data collection platforms; able to maintain clear, accurate records.
• Motorbike Riding (Mandatory): Possesses valid riding skills and, preferably, a valid driving licence to enable movement between remote kebeles.

8. Additional Requirements

Essential Qualifications

• Education: Diploma or Bachelor’s degree in Public Health, Nursing, Nutrition, Health Extension, or a closely related field from a recognised institution.
• Experience: Minimum of 2 years of experience in community mobilisation, health, or nutrition-related projects.
• Local Residency and Willingness: Must be willing to live and work in remote kebeles and be thoroughly familiar with the local culture, language, and context.
• Language: Fluency in the relevant local language(s) is mandatory. Basic working proficiency in English (reading, filling forms) is desirable.
• Motorbike Riding: Motorbike riding skill is mandatory; a valid driving license is preferred.
• Training: Additional training or certification in CMAM, MIYCN, IYCF, or GMP will be considered a strong advantage.

Desirable Attributes

• Prior experience working in rural or hard-to-reach communities.
• Experience collaborating with HEWs, community volunteers, or local health facilities.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently with minimal supervision while meeting reporting deadlines.
• Strong commitment to inclusive and equitable service delivery.
• Flexibility and a proactive approach to problem-solving in low-resource settings.