icddr,b is a Bangladesh-based international health research institute that strives to solve key public health problems through high-quality scientific research and innovation. icddrb as a value-based organization encourages women and people with disabilities.
Dhaka Hospital was established by icddr,b in 1962 primarily to meet the urgent need to treat patients, particularly children, with severe diarrheal disease. It has since grown into a nationally important center treating more than 200,000 patients a year. It acts as a beacon illustrating what can be achieved by a hospital facility even within a developing world setting. Dhaka Hospital provides an infrastructure for a wide range of clinical research projects. It also plays a critical role in areas such as disease surveillance, monitoring for antimicrobial resistance and clinical training. Dhaka Hospital offers a full range of services, particularly for diarrhoeal and respiratory disease, with infants and children representing a high proportion of patients. It delivers outstanding care, saving an estimated 40,000 lives that might otherwise be lost every year. The Breastfeeding Counseling Unit (BFCU) of Dhaka Hospital, icddr,b was established in 1989. The BFCU offers one-on-one sessions and group counseling for all mothers. The aim of the unit is to promote Breastfeeding.
Key responsibilities:
The position holder will report to Physician in charge of NRU, Immunization and Breastfeeding counselling units of Dhaka Hospital. She will responsible for counseling mothers coming to the hospital for treatment of their 0-24 months children; She will demonstrate mothers the techniques of breastfeeding, motivate mothers to adopt exclusive breast feeding practices. She will also participate in surveys to determine effectiveness of the counselling services. The Breastfeeding Counsellor will conduct daily rounds in the wards to pick up mothers who require counselling. She will follow doctors’ advice in spotting potential mothers. The specific areas of responsibilities are detailed below:
- Identify mothers having babies of 0-6 months and provide individual counseling to adopt exclusive breastfeeding practice. Mothers with children up to 24 months old must be advised of proper feeding practices;
- The Breastfeeding Counselor will demonstrate and train mothers who lack knowledge and skills of breastfeeding. She will conduct group or individual counseling and also carry out follow-up surveys to determine the effectiveness of the service in Dhaka Hospital;
- The Breastfeeding Counselor will conduct awareness sessions for health workers, nurses, and doctors;
- Promote a spirit of collegiality in support of diversity amongst team members ;
- Participate in practical sessions of national training courses;
- The BFC should be an excellent team worker and maintain cohesion within the team. She should be able to organize events on motivation, publicity and promotion of breastfeeding;
- The Breastfeeding Counselor will support and train project staff who require skills of breastfeeding counseling. She will assist in motivational works on ongoing projects if needed.
Required qualification and experience:
- Masters in Food and Nutrition related subjects;
- 3 years’ relevant experience is required. Candidate having experience in hospital’s counselling service management will get preference.
Location: Dhaka
Contract Type and duration:
- Fixed term basis for 02 years with a possibility of extension subject to availability of fund and performance.
Salary & benefits:
- Annual 5,21, 070/-inclusive of house rent, conveyance allowances and other admissible benefits;
- 14.8% provident fund contribution, income tax paid by icddr,b, children allowance @Tk.1,917/- per child per month, festival bonus, contributory healthcare support including dependent spouse and children, group life insurance, and subsidized canteen. Transport and daycare facilities are subject to space availability.
Notes of attention:
- Only short-listed candidates shall be invited for written test/interview;
- The Organization reserves the right to make an appointment at a grade lower than that advertised;
- icddr,b does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process.
Interested candidates who fulfill the requirements should submit online applications using icddr,b website: career.icddrb.org by 6th January, 2024.