Agreement for Performance of Work - Training on Breastfeeding Counselling in Brunei Darussalam

BACKGROUND

Brunei is experiencing a double burden of malnutrition. The 2nd National Health and Nutrition Status Survey in 2009 showed that there is a mix of underweight children (10.9%) and overweight children (8.3%) in children less than 5 years old. The National Maternal, Infant & Young Children Nutrition (MIYCN) strategy of 2014-2020 was subsequently developed as the first national framework to promote, protect, support and monitor optimal feeding of infants (of less than 12 months) and young children (12-23 months) at the population level. This includes optimal breastfeeding practices, namely exclusive breastfeeding at 6 months and continued breastfeeding for 2 years, including optimal complementary feeding practices. A MIYCN Taskforce comprising of healthcare workers from various disciplines was also formed to implement the strategy.

Over the past decade, the rates of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) at 6 months in Brunei initially improved from 29% to 41% between 2010 and 2013 after the introduction of maternity leave regulation in 2011. Since then, however, the increase in breastfeeding rate has been slow in reaching the WHO MIYCN target of 50%, the progress of which was further impacted by recent COVID19 pandemic. There is therefore a need to strengthen the MIYCN strategy as key effort in prevention of NCDs.

Included in the national MIYCN strategy is the implementation of Baby-friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) in health facilities. This initiative is part of the global effort launched by WHO and UNICEF in 1991 to help motivate facilities providing maternity and newborn services to implement the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding (Ten Steps), which summarizes a package of policies and procedures. There is substantial evidence that implementing the Ten Steps significantly improves breastfeeding rates.

In Brunei, the last BFHI assessment was conducted in August 2013 and the last training of trainers (ToT) for this course using the “WHO/UNICEF Regional Breastfeeding Counselling: A training Course” was last done in 2014 for 60 healthcare workers. Breastfeeding Counselling Course was then organized routinely for healthcare workers who are involved in MIYCN care. However, due to shortage of manpower of trainers and the recent COVID19 pandemic which halted healthcare services, the 20-hours breastfeeding course has not been conducted since 2019. It is therefore now required to conduct a TOT to increase the capacity of trainers in Brunei.

PURPOSE/SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE OF THE ACTIVITY

The primary purpose of this contract is to commission a training provider to deliver a training on Breastfeeding Counselling (Training of Trainers) in Brunei Darussalam.

METHODS TO CARRY OUT THE ACTIVITY

The work will include planning and conducting a workshop for a group of healthcare workers (max 60 pax) through a 40-hours course based on the WHO “Infant and young child feeding counselling: an integrated course”, in the form of a Training of Trainers. At the end of the training, the participants should be competent to conduct the 20-hours breastfeeding counselling course workshop routinely for other healthcare workers who are involved in MIYCN care (including paediatrics department, obstetrics and gynaecology department, maternal and child health clinics and including those in private sectors). The training is anticipated to last five to six days.

Preparatory work can be conducted remotely. The workshops should be delivered in person in Brunei Darussalam (Bandar Seri Begawan).

DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITIES TO BE CARRIED OUT

Output 1 Conduct a 40-hours training on breastfeeding in Brunei Darussalam for identified healthcare workers (max 60 pax)

Deliverable 1.1 Prepare the technical content of the workshop (agenda, course materials).

Deliverable 1.2 Conduct a pre-workshop briefing with a small group of support facilitators.

Deliverable 1.3 Deliver the training and prepare a mission report.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

QUALIFICATIONS

A registered institution, company, or organization

EXPERIENCE

Required: A minimum of five (5) years of experience in providing breastfeeding counselling or education about breastfeeding

Desirable: Experience in training on breastfeeding counselling

TECHNICAL SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE

• Excellent technical knowledge around breastfeeding

• Able to lead and facilitate training

• Excellent communication and coordination skills

• Good knowledge and skills in writing and structural thinking

LANGUAGES

Fluent in written and spoken English.

COMPETENCIES

• Communicating in a credible and effective way

• Producing results

• Fostering integration and teamwork

APPLICATIONS

Qualified and interested specialists should submit a Company Profile {for institutional applications} and Expression of Interest {cover letter} to the Supply Officer through WP RO UNGM at  wproungm@who.int  by 24 October 2022. 

The cover letter should outline how their experience and qualifications make them a suitable candidate for this position and should include a financial proposal.

Please use Tender Notice No. 216091 as subject to all submission. Only successful candidates will be contacted.