Consultancy - Partnership Development (Baby-friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI)

BACKGROUND

The current training materials of the Nutrition Program in Solomon Islands were produced in 2009. In 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) published an updated Baby-friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) educational materials and guidelines. This updated training course is built upon the revised 2018 Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding, the latest version of the guidance for implementing the BFHI in facilities providing maternity and new-born services. The materials in this training course complement existing courses and can be used as part of the pre-service education of health workers. The 2020 course materials are intended to be conducted in their entirety. However, the course is organized in such a way that the course trainers can decide which of the modules and sessions they wish to cover, depending on the priorities and context of the country, and the participants. The material could be used, for example, to hold a three-day course on the Ten Steps to successful breastfeeding, or courses on specific subjects, such as breastfeeding basics or breastfeeding support to strengthen the participants’ existing knowledge and skills.

The RMNCAH Division/Nutrition programme would lead multistakeholder group that would act as the core facilitators for the updated Guidelines. This group would include medical doctors and nurses from RMNCAH Division, National Referral Hospital, provincial representatives, and academia.

The consultant will advise on implementation of the Baby-friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) in Solomon Islands. This would include facilitation of training, review of BFHI training materials, and incorporating feedback to produce final facilitator guide for maternity staff in Solomon Islands.

PURPOSE/SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE OF THE ACTIVITY

To provide technical advice and support to the Solomon Islands Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) Reproductive, Maternal, New-born, Child and Adolescent Health (RMNCAH) Division/Nutrition programme and to implement Baby-friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) in the country.

METHODS TO CARRY OUT THE ACTIVITY

The consultant will work under the guidance of the WHO Technical Officer – Maternal and Child Health and the WR/SLB, and as necessary, leverage support from WPRO throughout the different stages of the process to help the MHMS and concerned stakeholders to deliver the following:

Output 1: Provide technical assistance to the MHMS - RMNCAH Division/ Nutrition Program to implement Baby-friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) in Solomon Islands.

Deliverable 1: Prepare and conduct training for selected BFHI trainers in Solomon Islands, based on 2020 WHO/UNICEF “Baby-friendly Hospital Initiative training course for maternity staff”. (15 working days).

Deliverable 2: During the process of training, review and adjust training materials to reflect the reality of Solomon Islands Health System.

Deliverable 3: Compile the material revisions and produce final Solomon Islands Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative training course for maternity staff. This would include Director's guide, Trainer's guide, Participant's manual, Customisation guide and related slides. (14 working days).

Deliverable 4: preparation and submission of final report (1 working day).  

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

EDUCATION

Essential: University degree in medicine, nutrition, and related studies

Desirable: post graduate degree in public health

EXPERIENCE

• • Minimum 7 years of international public health experience including areas related to RMNCAH, Nutrition and Baby-friendly Hospital Initiative training course for maternity staff.
• • Considerable experience in planning, implementing and M& E of health programs.
• • Previous experience in coordinating health and multisector and multiagency programmes, experience working with WHO and other UN agencies.
• • Experience working in the Solomon Islands or wider Pacific region preferred.

TECHNICAL SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE

• • Knowledge of and experience working in the health sector in RMNCAH, Nutrition and Baby-friendly Hospital Initiative training course for maternity staff.
• • Experience working collaboratively and cross culturally with government and development partners.
• • Experience in communicating complex technical concepts for knowledge sharing.
• • High communication, training and reporting skills, including the IT skills to implement activities online and organize training facilitation online.

LANGUAGES

Written and spoken fluency in English is essential.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Place of assignment

The consultant is expected to work remotely and have regular communication with Solomon Islands team using online connectivity applications (like Zoom, MS Teams, etc). It is expected that the work will be performed in the working hours of MHMS (08:00am - 16:30pm, time zone: UTC+11)‎.

Medical clearance

Not applicable

Contract duration

1st October – 11th November 2022

APPLICATIONS

Qualified and interested specialists or companies should submit their CV {for individual contractors} and Expression of Interest {cover letter} to the Supply Officer through WP RO UNGM at < wproungm@who.int > by 19 September 2022.

The cover letter should outline how their experience and qualifications make them a suitable candidate for this position and should include their total cost or rate and information of availability. Please also include at least one example of similar work.

Please use Tender Notice No. 181654 as subject to all submission. Only successful candidates will be contacted.