Responsive Feeding for indigenous children Consultant, Brasilia (remote), Brazil [6 months].

International scientific evidence and recommendations from UNICEF and the World Health Organization indicate that responsive feeding (RF) practices play a central role in shaping healthy eating behaviors in early childhood, promoting greater acceptance of healthy foods and strengthening the caregiver-child bond (Pérez-Escamilla et al., 2017; UNICEF, 2023). RF is based on the integration of the five components of the Comprehensive Care Model (WHO, 2023), bringing good health, adequate nutrition, safety and protection, responsive care, and early learning opportunities during the food introduction process. By recognizing and responding sensitively to the child’s hunger and satiety signals, it is part of the “Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF)” strategies, contributing to better nutritional and developmental outcomes.

In Brazil, the context of food insecurity constitutes a critical factor for the implementation of adequate infant feeding practices. Among indigenous peoples, food insecurity associated with malnutrition in all its forms widely affects young children due to historical and structural inequalities associated with territorial, sociocultural, and environmental diversity, and unequal access to public policies and essential services (PNS, 2013).

In this context, interventions aimed at promoting responsive eating can strengthen caregivers’ skills in providing appropriate nutritional care to young children, support the recovery of local food culture, and contribute to reducing the consumption of ultra-processed foods and malnutrition. To achieve this, an intercultural, rights-based approach that recognizes and values ​​traditional food systems, ancestral knowledge, and community-based care practices should be adopted.

This project proposes to integrate responsive feeding into child health and nutrition actions in the Alagoas/Sergipe Indigenous Special Health District, aligning with UNICEF’s global IYCF guidelines and national priorities for tackling food insecurity, focusing on sensitive, culturally appropriate care centered on the child and their caregivers.

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Scope of Work:

The consultant will be responsible for delivering the following products:

1. Assessment of Responsive Feeding (RF) cards: Presentation and validation of the first version of counseling cards based on RF principles for the ethnic groups covered by the Special Indigenous Health District (DSEI) Alagoas/Sergipe. The consultant will conduct the validation of the cards in the territory (DSEI Alagoas/Sergipe), covering the Jeripankó and Karuazu Katokinn ethnic groups, located in Pariconha; Kalankó, in Água Branca; and Koiupanká, in Inhapi.

2. Creation of definitive RF cards: Rectify cards according to results obtained from Product 1, adding the suggestions from the community, in order to guarantee that the material is culturally appropriate. The cards must be created both in physical and virtual forms. The cards must be presented and validated by UNICEF and the government, including the Indigenous Health Secretariat/MS and the General Coordination of Attention to the Health of Children, Adolescents and Young People (CGCRIAJ).

3. Training of healthcare professionals: Conducting training for the EMSI (Multiprofessional Indigenous Health) teams and community leaders of the DSEI Alagoas/Sergipe regarding the use of the cards in the community. The consultant will propose the training methodology and conduct it in the territory. The training should be given at one of the DSEI Alagoas/Sergipe Base Centers, involving all participating ethnic groups. A critical-reflective methodology should be used, with the use of slides and culturally sensitive instructional support material to be given to the participants. Approximately 20 people are expected to attend the training. The training should include pre- and post-tests to measure the effectiveness of the methodology in relation to the content presented.

4. Monitoring and feedback regarding the use of the cards: The consultancy will develop instruments for data collection and propose a methodology (questionnaire or focus groups) for assessing the results obtained after using the card. The collected and analyzed material must be presented to UNICEF and government representatives (Sesai, CGCRIAJ, DSEI). A final report containing all project steps and the results of the consultation must be delivered in both physical and online formats.

TRAVEL PLAN

Trip 1 – Assessment of RF cards

Duration: 3-4 days

– The travel plan suggests flying to Maceió, and ground transportation from Maceió to Pariconha (approximately 7 hours), where the team will be staying.

– The trip from Pariconha to the indigenous territory will be supported by the DSEI (Special Indigenous Health District), so no transportation costs need to be budgeted. The trip takes around 2 hours.

– Proposed agenda: First day: travelling. Second and third days: dedicated to meetings with the community, local professionals and team regarding the changes to be made in the RF counselling cards. The meetings in the territory should clearly state the necessary changes to the material. Fourth day: travelling back.

Trip 2: Professional Training

Duration: 2-3 days

– Training of EMSI (Indigenous Health Professionals) in the territory. Coordination with the DSEI regarding whether the training will be held in Maceió or Pariconha should be arranged. The training should include pre- and post-tests to measure the effectiveness of the methodology in relation to the content presented.

Trip 3: Monitoring and feedback regarding the use of the cards

Duration: 3-4 days

– Listening to the community will follow a travel plan similar to trip 1, consisting of 2 days of travel, and 2 days in the territory to conduct listening sessions with the community and professionals. 

WORK ASSIGNMENTS OVERVIEW

1.1. WORK ASSIGNMENT 1-  Assessment of RF card:

1.2. DELIVERABLES/OUTPUTS

Report containing the community impressions about the presented card and agreed changes.

1.3. TIMELINE: 30 days after contract signature

1.4. ESTIMATE BUDGET: 25% of consultancy fee 

2.1. WORK ASSIGNMENT 2 – Creation of definitive RF cards

2.2. DELIVERABLES/OUTPUTS: Permanent cards approved by UNICEF and government partners.   

2.3. TIMELINE: 20 days after delivery of Product 1

2.4. ESTIMATE BUDGET: 25% of consultancy fee 

3.1. WORK ASSIGNMENT 3 – Training of healthcare professionals

3.2. DELIVERABLES/OUTPUTS

Methodology approved and training completed with attendance list, photos, and completed pre- and post-test forms.

3.3. TIMELINE: After 45 days after delivery of Product 2

3.4. ESTIMATE BUDGET: 25% of consultancy fee 

4.1. WORK ASSIGNMENT 4 – Monitoring and feedback regarding the use of the cards:

4.2. DELIVERABLES/OUTPUTS

Final report containing all steps of the consultancy, as well as results of the card’s use locally.

4.3. TIMELINE:  60 days after delivery of Product 3

4.4. ESTIMATE BUDGET: 25% of consultancy fee 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

• A university degree in relevant area related to health or nutrition and post graduation related to infant and young child feeding and/or child feeding in indigenous contexts. Focus on responsive feeding will be an advantage.
• A minimum of 3 years of professional/academic with child feeding/responsive feeding is required.
• Strong oral and written communication skills are necessary.
• Teamwork skills and the ability to work under tight deadlines, as well as independently, are required.
• Experience in UN system agencies or similar organizations will be an advantage. 

LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY

•            Fluence in Portuguese is required.

FINANCIAL PROPOSAL

• A financial proposal including the fee for the assignment based on the deliverables and number of days must be submitted. Consultants are asked to stipulate all-inclusive fees, including lump sum, administrative cost, travel cost and subsistence costs, as applicable.

Insurance and health coverage

• The contractor is fully responsible for arranging, at his or her own expenses, such life, health and other forms of insurance covering the term of the contract as he or she considers appropriate.
• The contractor is not eligible to participate in the life or health insurance schemes available to UNICEF and United Nations staff members

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The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships

(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness

(3) Drive to achieve results for impact

(4) Innovates and embraces change

(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity

(6) Thinks and acts strategically

(7) Works collaboratively with others 

[add the 8^th competency (Nurtures, leads and manages people) for a supervisory role]. 

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Remarks:

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws.

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

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