International Individual Consultancy to conduct a feasibility study on establishing the first Human Milk Bank in the

A HMB plays a crucial role in infant health by recruiting breast milk donors, collecting donated milk, and then processing, screening, storing, and distributing it to meet infants’ specific needs. The mission of an HMB is to promote and support breastfeeding by providing safe, high-quality donor milk to fill a gap for those who need mother’s milk but cannot receive it. For successful operations, HMBs depend on a robust donor breastfeeding population to ensure an adequate and consistent supply of donor milk.

Developing an integrated HMB system requires local, national, and global support to ensure sustainability and appropriateness for the local context. HMBs must align with the community’s needs and resources to effectively provide a lasting solution for infant care and maternal lactation support. This comprehensive approach to newborn care and nutrition can have an even greater impact on infant health. Integrated HMBs can significantly expand their reach beyond vulnerable neonates who need donor human milk (DHM), serving as welcoming hubs within hospitals or community centers. These hubs can offer all mothers access to breastfeeding support and Kangaroo Mother Care, thereby enhancing overall maternal and child health outcomes.

Purpose of the assignment:

• The purpose of this consultancy is to assess the readiness of Moldova’s health system to establish an HMB. The consultancy will focus on providing detailed information that can serve as a framework for establishing an effective HMB.
• The implementation of the recommendations is expected to result in a high-quality HMB model in Moldova. The development of these recommendations will be a participatory process, reflecting the specific needs and realities of Moldova and involving relevant stakeholders.
• This consultancy is scheduled to take place over a four-months period, from February to May 2025. The findings will further increase UNICEF’s advocacy efforts and support to the Ministry of Health in promoting children’s health and wellbeing.

Specific objectives of the consultancy:

• The Consultant will provide technical assistance, supporting the UNICEF team and the Ministry of Health to assess the readiness of the health system in establishing a HMB as part of the Rolling Work Plan 2025-2026. The consultant’s responsibilities will include:

Identify Existing Relevant Policies:

• Review and document current policies related to neonatal nutrition and maternal lactation in Moldova. This includes national strategies, health policies, and guidelines that impact maternal and child health.
• Assess the Current Neonatal Nutrition and Maternal Lactation Environment
• Conduct a thorough assessment of the current state of neonatal nutrition and maternal lactation. This involves evaluating the availability and quality of services, breastfeeding rates, and the use of human milk substitutes.

Gather National, Regional, and Facility-Level Data:

• Collect data at various levels (national, regional, facility) to inform discussions and strategic planning. This includes comparing local data with global and regional datasets to identify areas needing improvement. Key references include Sustainable Development Goal indicators, national health datasets, and the Global Breastfeeding Collective Breastfeeding Scorecard.

Identify the Donor Pool:

• Determine the potential pool of breast milk donors. This involves identifying and recruiting donors, ensuring they meet health and safety standards, and maintaining a robust donor database.
• Identify Essential Infrastructure, Space, and Equipment
• Assess and document the infrastructure, space, and equipment necessary for effective neonatal nutrition and maternal lactation support. This includes facilities for milk storage, processing, and distribution, as well as breastfeeding support areas.

Identify Staffing Requirements:

• Determine the staffing needs for neonatal nutrition and maternal lactation services. This includes the number and qualifications of healthcare professionals required to provide high-quality care.

Quality Control System:

• Develop and implement a quality control system to ensure the safety and efficacy of neonatal nutrition and maternal lactation services. This includes regular monitoring, evaluation, and adherence to best practices and standards.

Financial Considerations:

• Analyze the financial aspects of implementing and maintaining neonatal nutrition and maternal lactation programs. This includes budgeting for infrastructure, staffing, equipment, and ongoing operational costs.

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

• Advanced academic degree in public health, medicine, political science, social policy, economics, or other relevant studies.
• A minimum of 5 years of professional experience in the field of public health and nutrition, including experience implementing or analysing different targeting methodologies.
• Demonstrated experience in similar assessments in area of public health.
• Previous relevant work with UNICEF or UN Agencies will be considered an asset.
• Fluency in English and strong writing skills required. Knowledge of Romanian or Russian desired.

Source: https://jobs.unicef.org/cw/en-us/job/580124