National Consultancy to support implementation of two cohorts of Breast-Feeding Accreditation (BFA) course

UNICEF is a UN organization mandated by the UN General Assembly to advocate for the protection of children’s rights, to help meet their basic needs and to expand their opportunities to reach their full potential. In Lao PDR, UNICEF is working with its partners to support the Government to realize children’s rights on survival, development, protection, and participation.

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, support

UNICEF in Vientiane, Lao PDR is looking for a National Consultancy to support implementation of two cohorts of Breast-Feeding Accreditation (BFA) course. The duration of this assignment is 10.5 months starting as soon as possible and the consultant will work remotely (home-based).

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

The consultant will work closely with the Ministry of Health, specifically the Center of Nutrition, to coordinate and support the organization of meetings with the University of Health Science and selected trainers. These meetings will ensure that revisions to the curriculum are finalized and validated before the teaching schedule begins. The consultant will also contribute to revising and finalize evaluation methodology design for Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) and MCQs for the BFA course. Additionally, the consultant will support the preparation of the fourth and fifth cohorts of the Breastfeeding Accreditation course by coordinating and collaborating with hospital staff from selected hospitals for skill practice and finalizing the hospital practice plan. This will involve coordination meetings with the Center of Nutrition, UNICEF, and CSO partners to discuss overall management, administration, logistics, and the selection of target trainees based on the criteria.

More specifically, in consultation with the UNICEF Nutrition Team, the consultant shall:

• Support in coordinating meeting with University of Health Science and selected trainers of BFA course for any revisions in course syllabus based on the inputs in the technical review meeting.
• To support in the preparation of fourth and fifth cohort of Breast-Feeding Accreditation (Breast Feeding Accreditation) course through coordination and collaboration with trainers and Hospital based staffs for skill practices and finalization of hospital practice plan.
• Support in organizing a consultation meeting of all 18 Provincial Hospital Directors & BFA Advisors to explore the way of how hospitals could be made more breastfeeding-friendly environment.
• Technical support in development of supervision tool and undertake supportive supervision visits in hospitals to assess breastfeeding services and practices.
• Facilitate an online self-assessment for BFA graduates to understand their perception and challenges linked to providing counselling services.
• Facilitate biannual online meetings with BFA graduates. • Convene meeting of course completion with CN, Hospital Staffs, UNICEF and CSO to review learner results.
• Prepare biweekly progress report of BFA course’s, highlighting good practices, challenges and proposed solutions.
• Prepare final report of Breast-Feeding Accreditation (BFA) courses undertaken in Year 2024

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

Qualification and experience:

• Post- graduate degree in medicine, public health, nutrition, or other clearly related disciplines
• At least 10 years professional work experience in related areas

Knowledge and skills:

• Proven knowledge and experience of global best practice in lactation and clinical care
• Excellent understanding of key OBGY/Pediatric/BF/EENC services and practices in Lao PDR
• In-depth understanding and knowledge of the government internal process and administrative procedures related to the launching the course training.
• Strong Lao language skills
• Excellent written and spoken English, an advantage.

Submission of applications:

Interested candidates are kindly requested to apply and upload the following documents:

• Letter of Interest (cover letter)
• CV or Resume
• Performance evaluation reports or references of similar consultancy assignments (if available)
• Financial proposal: All-inclusive lump-sum cost including medical insurance with medivac, travel and accommodation cost for this assignment as per work assignment

Assessment Criteria:

A) Technical Evaluation (75 maximum points) The passing mark of the technical evaluation 60 points

B) Degree/ Education in ……… (15 points)

a. Medical doctor or similar qualification

b. Strong interpersonal communication, persuasion, and training skills

C) Knowledge of …….. (20 points)

a. Familiar with global best practice in lactation and clinical care

b. Excellent understanding of key OBGY/Pediatric/BF/EENC services and practices in Lao PDR

c. In-depth understanding and knowledge of the government internal process and administrative procedures related to the launching the course training.

d. Strong Lao language skills

e. Excellent written and spoken English, an advantage.

D) Experience in…….. (20 points)

a. at least 10 years clinical experience supporting lactation.

b. Proven experience of Course Coordinator or with clinical lactation support in the wider Lao health system

c. Minimum 5 years proven experience as a medical trainer including experience with key relevant adult education and assessment techniques.

E) Quality of past work (e.g. understanding, methodology), (20 points)

a. Assessment of previous work including good organization skills including advocacy and dialogue skills with the government officials at decision making levels

F) Financial Proposal (25 maximum points)

▪ The maximum number of points shall be allotted to the lowest Financial Proposal that is opened /evaluated and compared among those technical qualified candidates who have attained a minimum 60 points score in the technical evaluation.

▪ Other Financial Proposals will receive points in inverse proportion to the lowest price.

▪ The Contract shall be awarded to candidate obtaining the highest combined technical and financial scores, subject to the satisfactory result of the verification interview.

The technical and financial evaluation points should total 100 points.

The maximum number of points shall be allotted to the lowest Financial Proposal that is opened /evaluated and compared among those technical qualified candidates who have attained a minimum (_60__) points score in the technical evaluation. Other Financial Proposals will receive points in inverse proportion to the lowest price.

The Contract shall be awarded to candidate obtaining the highest combined technical and financial scores, subject to the satisfactory result of the verification interview.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

View our competency framework at here

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

Remarks: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

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