Breastfeeding and BFHI Training Consultant
Organizational Context
UNICEF operates in over 190 countries and territories, dedicated to saving children's lives, defending their rights, and helping them fulfill their potential. We are committed to promoting the rights of every child, viewing it not just as a job but as a calling. UNICEF offers diverse opportunities for professional and personal development, fostering a sense of purpose while serving children and communities globally.
Job Purpose
The purpose of this consultancy is to support the Ministry of Health, Tonga in operationalizing the Vaiola Hospital Infant Feeding and Breastfeeding Support Policy, Tonga 2026. This will be achieved through structured orientation, competency-based training, supportive supervision, and the establishment of a sustainable cadre of facility-based master trainers. The assignment aims to strengthen consistent breastfeeding support across facility and community settings, ensuring continuity of care in the home after discharge. This role is crucial for translating policy into routine, quality breastfeeding support for mothers, newborns, and families, thereby enhancing child health outcomes.
Responsibilities
The consultant will collaborate closely with the Ministry of Health, Vaiola Hospital, and UNICEF to review the policy, previous outputs, and training materials to define priority audiences and implementation sequencing. A key responsibility is developing an inception report and a practical capacity-building plan, including training approaches, schedules, and sustainability measures. The consultant will adapt or finalize orientation and training materials aligned with the policy and BFHI guidance. They will orient health workers and managers on the policy, roles, responsibilities, and supervision expectations. Delivering training for public health nurses and clinical nurses using participatory methods and assessing competency is essential. Strengthening continuity of care from facility to home, identifying and training master trainers, and observing/coaching their initial training sessions are critical tasks. Finally, the consultant will provide recommendations for institutionalizing ongoing training, supervision, and monitoring, and submit a final report with all approved tools.
Work Experience
Minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience in public health program implementation, training, and capacity building, preferably in maternal and child health. Experience with the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) is highly desirable. Previous consultancy experience with UNICEF or similar UN agencies is an asset.
Skills
Policy implementation, Capacity building, Training development and delivery, Breastfeeding support, Maternal and child health, Adult learning principles, Supervisory skills, Report writing, Stakeholder engagement, Project management, Monitoring and evaluation, BFHI standards