Vacancy Ref No.: UNSOM/2012/70 Position Title: Technical Consultant Location: Somaliland/Puntland/Central South Somalia Contract Type: Consultancy Duration: 6 weeks Start Date: January 2013 Reporting to: Nutrition Specialist, IYCF & C4D, UNICEF Somalia Support Centre Purpose of Assignment: Optimal breastfeeding behaviours such as exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months and continued breastfeeding to 12 months can reduce childhood mortality by 13%, making it the preventative intervention with the single largest impact on mortality . Beyond a direct reduction in mortality, breastfeeding and optimal complementary feeding has significant benefits for both infants/young children and their mothers including improved growth and nutritional status, improved cognitive and motor development, reduced morbidity, and a fertility reduction for the mother in the early months. The risks of late initiation and mixed and/or artificial feeding are enormous for an infant. Despite this, prevalence of early initiation is only 23.4% and exclusive breastfeeding is very low in Somalia at 5.3%. Poor complementary feeding practices are a significant contributor to high childhood morbidity and acute malnutrition in Somalia. Food are introduced early, are often not nutritionally appropriate or prepared hygienically. Often young children are actively engaged to feed, however the number of meals per day as well as the rates of sustained breastfeeding to 12 and 24 months is quite low. In March 2011 UNICEF Somalia started using UNICEF’s generic C-IYCF Counseling Package. It imparts the knowledge and skills necessary for breastfeeding and optimal complementary feeding counseling. It promotes the use of up-to-date and well trialed counseling methodology. Scale-up of the package has been ongoing since then with around 50 Trainers and over 200 trained counselors. While the package is popular with counselors and beneficiaries, there are aspects that require further adaptation and adjustment for the various contexts of Somalia. The hired consultant will work with the Ministries of Health, UNICEF, Master Trainers, Trainers, Counselors, and beneficiaries to review the various materials and to make the necessary and practical adjustments. Objective of Consultancy: The purpose of the consultancy is to review the existing IYCF Counseling materials. Specific objectives are: • Support the review of the existing package with key stakeholders • Identify existing gaps in the materials and suggest options to fill them • Ensure UNICEF’s IYCF package is technically, pictorial, and practically adapted to the various Somali contexts Methodology and Technical Approach: Please note that 80% of this work must be conducted in Somalia. The review and adaptation process will be open and consultative. The process should review all aspects of the C-IYCF Counseling package – Facilitators Guide, Participants Manual, Training Aids, Counseling Cards, and Key Messages. Key stakeholders to be consulted are the beneficiaries, IYCF Counselors, IYCF Trainers, IYCF Master Trainers, UNICEF staff, NGO supervisory staff, the Ministries of Health, MCH workers, etc. Key Tasks: 1. Organize in-person review meetings, focus group discussions (or other methods) with the relevant stakeholders 2. Ensure the agreed upon changes are made within the package 3. Identify, and where possible immediately fill, any other gaps with respect to needs for IYCF Counseling Deliverables: ? Document detailing the suggested changes to the package – at 3 weeks ? Revise current package to ensure changes are made in English and Somali – at 5 weeks ? Final report detailing the process and especially additional tools or materials that are missing from the package or the programme – at 6 weeks Qualifications and Specialised Knowledge: ? Degree in Nutrition, Public Health or related technical field preferred OR Diploma in combination with qualifying experience of over 10 years maybe be accepted in lieu of degree ? Qualified as a Master Trainer on C-IYCF Counseling based on the UNICEF package (2010-2011) is preferred but we will consider applicants that have participated in the C-IYCF training and implementation in Somalia ? At least 8 years of relevant professional work experience, with specialization on infant and young child feeding programs. ? Technical knowledge and understanding of IYCF programming including experience of community-based programming in resource poor settings, and in settings of high levels of acute malnutrition. Experience with Somali populations is desirable. ? Extensive experience organizing and conducting trainings focused on IYCF ? Experience of delivering adult learning programs ? Strong communication and training skills. ? Ability to work independently with minimum supervision. ? Knowledge of Somalia operational context and readiness to travel to Somalia ? Fluency in English, with excellent facilitation skills. How to apply: Interested and qualified candidates should send their applications with updated UN Personal History Form (P.11) form, updated CV and copies of academic certificates to the email below. UN staff are requested to provide the last two Performance Evaluation Reports (PERs). Please quote the vacancy number in your application. Closing date for applications is 03/12/2012. Email to: somaliahrvacancies@unicef.org Only short-listed applicants will be contacted