Consultancy for Baby Friendly Community Initiative Program in Kenya

Consultancy for Baby Friendly Community Initiative Program in Kenya: TOR

Background

Nutrition plays a critical role in the health and well-being of the population. The nutritional status of women before and during pregnancy is crucial for healthy pregnancy outcomes. Good maternal nutrition improves birth outcomes and reduces pregnancy-related health complications. A low maternal body-mass index is linked to intrauterine growth restriction and perinatal risks. Infant and young child nutrition (IYCN) is vital in the first 1,000 days to improve child health. Exclusive breastfeeding prevents 13% of under-five deaths and reduces the risk of illnesses, obesity, allergies, heart disease, and diabetes. Introducing appropriate complementary foods from six to 24 months saves 6% of under-five deaths.

Malnutrition hinders optimal child growth, maternal health, and work performance, reducing productivity. Preventing maternal and child malnutrition is a long-term investment benefiting current and future generations. The UNICEF conceptual framework on malnutrition highlights immediate, underlying, and enabling determinants. Good diets, care, and quality services are essential for improved health and nutrition outcomes. In addition, mothers and children need healthy food environments, health, social protection, WASH, and education. Political, social, financial, cultural, and environmental conditions support efforts to improve maternal and child nutrition.

The Kenyan government invested in policies and legislative frameworks to enhance the supply and access to nutritious foods and quality nutrition services at the community level. The Ministry of Health, through the Division of Nutrition and Dietetics, subsequently adopted BFCI as one of the outcome indicators in the Kenya Nutrition Action Plan (KNAP). This initiative is a multi-sectoral approach aimed at improving infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices, providing lactation support, and integrating maternal nutrition and nutrition-sensitive interventions, such as community gardens, WASH, and early childhood development (ECD).

Despite these efforts, mothers, children, and their families continue to face numerous challenges, including poor diets, inadequate services, harmful societal and cultural norms, and limited resources, all contributing to malnutrition. Additionally, the coverage since inception has been inadequate. Counties, however, have undertaken significant innovations in areas of implementation, leading to valuable learning experiences and changes in strategies.

The proposed study on the Baby-Friendly Community Initiative (BFCI) aims to document implementation status, integration, innovations, lessons learned, and challenges encountered in the implementation of this critical program and provide recommendations for program redesign. The findings of the study will serve as a vital resource for reviewing and updating BFCI guidelines as well as generate valuable learning.

Objective

The primary objective of this consultancy is to conduct an in-depth mixed methods evaluation (qualitative and quantitative) to assess the implementation status, integration, innovations, impact, sustainability, challenges, cost of implementation and lessons learnt in BFCI in Kenya.

Specific objectives

1. To assess BFCI implementation, challenges, threats and enablers.
2. To evaluate BFCI integration into relevant sectors.
3. To identify and document innovations, lessons learnt/best practices providing recommendations for scale up of BFCI.
4. To evaluate the sustainability of BFCI, focusing on resource availability, stakeholder commitment, and long-term program viability.
5. To develop three manuscripts from the BFCI findings.

Scope of Work

The consultant will be responsible for the following tasks:

• Inception report.
• Develop protocol, present to the relevant National TWGs and address the concerns raised accordingly.
• Submit the reviewed/revised protocol for ethical review and NACOSTI and address any issues raised.
• Comprehensive desk review report of existing reports on BFCI and similar initiatives in Kenya.
• Stakeholder Mapping of BFCI and similar initiates.
• Data Collection: Utilize qualitative/quantitative methods to gather data.
• Data Analysis: Analyze the collected data to identify key themes, patterns, and insights.
• Comprehensive Report: Prepare a detailed report that includes findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
• Stakeholder consultative workshops: Engage key stakeholders to gather insights, validate findings, and foster collaboration. This will be both virtually with counties and a physical meeting in Nairobi.
• Dissemination: Present the findings to relevant stakeholders and provide actionable recommendations.
• Draft and submit three manuscripts for publication and follow up on questions raised.

Deliverables

• Inception report.
• Protocol, Ethical Approval and Research License.
• Desk Review report.
• Audio recording and transcripts from interviews.
• All datasets, reports used in systemic review and analysis
• Three draft manuscripts for publication. This includes identifying and following up with the journal to ensure publication.
• Reports (Final comprehensive report, stakeholder consultative workshop reports, dissemination report).

Payment schedule

Deliverables

% Payment

Inception report

30%

Protocol, Ethical Approval and Research License

Desk Review report

Audio recording and transcripts from interviews

40%

All datasets, reports used in systemic review and analysis

Full report

Stakeholder consultation and dissemination

30%

Three draft manuscripts (includes identifying and following up with the journal)

Requirements

We are seeking a consultant with the following qualifications:

• Advanced degree in public health, nutrition, social sciences, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience in conducting qualitative research and program evaluations.
• In-depth knowledge of maternal, infant, and young child nutrition (MIYCN) programs.
• Strong analytical and report writing skills.
• Experience in publications.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement abilities.
• Familiarity with the Kenyan health and nutrition context.
• A team member with experience in statistics with experience in evaluating program implementation.

Languages and level required

Expert knowledge of English.

Location

Home-based, off-site.

Submission Requirements

The consultant shall submit the following documents:

• A cover letter expressing interest and outlining relevant experience.
• A detailed CV highlighting qualifications and previous work.
• A brief proposal (maximum 5 pages) outlining the proposed approach, methodology, work-plan and budget.
• Contact details for at least three professional references.

Deadline for Submission

Please submit the required documents electronically to [email protected]by October 21, 2024 at 5.00 p.m.