Consultancy: A review of practices, gaps and bottlenecks on breastfeeding promotion and support at the health center level

World Vision is a global community, working together for the one purpose – to bring about positive change in the lives of the world’s most vulnerable children. People are inspired to work for us because they want to contribute to making a difference. We are part of an international team, using our talent, determination and influence to invest in a better tomorrow.

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• 50,000 dedicated and passionate staff and volunteers
• 10 million committed supporters who are changing lives
• 100 million people as a part of World Vision’s supported communities

Are you ready to be a change maker?

Our Cambodia Office is seeking for a consultant/firm for the following consultancy: A review of practices, gaps and bottlenecks on breastfeeding promotion and support at the health center level and the Development of an Operational Guidance for Baby Friendly Health Centers.

Background:

Breastfeeding, as documented in many international journal articles and reports, is the most powerful and effective weapon to fight against illness and enhance health in early childhood. Despite impressive achievement in the 90’s and early 2000’s, the percentage of children in Cambodia exclusively breastfed for the first 6 months of their lives decreased from 74% in 2010 to 51% in 2021 (CDHS). According to the CDHS 2021 report, the country registered low rates of early initiation of breastfeeding (only 54% of newborns were fed breastmilk within 1 hour of birth). In addition, young infants are given water, non-milk liquids and formula feeds within months after birth, which can be harmful for the babies.

Objectives of the assignment

• Identify the practices and gaps at the health center on protection, promotion and support for breastfeeding using the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative as analysis framework.
• Develop a pilot operational guidance for the implementation of the Baby Friendly Health Centers for piloting in WVI’s target area, including the recommendation for assessment and accreditation processes adapted from the Operational Guidance for Baby Friendly Health Facility Initiative (BFHI) developed by the Ministry of Health

Deliverables:

The consultant will develop the following 2 deliverables:

• An analytical report on existing practices, gaps, bottle necks at the health centers in relation to the BFHI and the promotion and defense of breastfeeding. The BFHI will be used analytical framework. The content and structure of the report will be suggested by the consultant based on the observations from the field and the findings from the desk review. It is likely to include the following:
  • Practices and gaps at the health center level
  • Priority for actions at short, medium and long term and policy recommendations
• Draft operational guidance feasible for the creation of Baby Friendly Health Centers by WVI-C in line with the existing BHFI guidance developed by MoH. The final structure and content of this guidance will be agreed with WVI based on the results of the previous steps of the assignment. It is likely to include the following content:
  • Training modules
  • Material for training facilitators
  • Communication materials
  • Job aids
  • Description of the accreditation process
  • Tentative budget.

Requirements:

The candidates will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

• Proven track record carrying similar work (development of capacity building curriculum and related material, development of ToT guidebooks, development of guidance documents or protocols, etc.)
• Fluent in Khmer and strong writing skills in English.

Solid prior experience working on public health, maternal and child health and nutrition.