A short term consultant to study on factors influencing mothers and family members to use BMS products and how it affects health, nutrition behaviour, and economics.

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A short term consultant to study on factors influencing mothers and family members to use BMS products and how it affects health, nutrition behaviour, and economics.

Position wanted
A short term consultant to study on factors influencing mothers and family members to use BMS products and how it affects health, nutrition behaviour, and economics.
Type of Position
Type of Job
Consultancy
Details

Re-Advertisement A short term consultant to study on factors influencing mothers and family members to use BMS products and how it affects health, nutrition behaviour, and economics.


Context: Exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life is recognized by the World Health Organization, UNICEF, and as well as Lao PDR (Ministry of Health) as the single most effective and important intervention to prevent infant and young child mortality and for improving the growth and development of children as well. With compelling evidence on the important of breastfeeding and complementary feeding in child survival, growth and development, international nutrition and public heath communities have been devoting increased attention to infant and young child feeding (IYCF) with a focus on “the first 1000 days”. Breastfeeding is now widely recognized as the prevention with potentially the single largest impact on child mortality rates, while improvements in complementary feeding have been found to be most effective in improving child growth, and thereby, together with maternal nutrition interventions, in contributing to reductions in stunting. CARE Lao PDR has extensive experience in nutrition through their projects in maternal and child health, family planning, food security and rural development. CARE is in partnership with CCL, RDA and LOPA delivering SUPA (EU funded) project in Phongsaly, where CCL led an informative IYCM research on beliefs and practices related to IYCF among Yao and Akha ethnic groups. CARE also done similar research in Sekong Province where CARE also implements projects in districts with Alak, Tarieng, Katu and Nge/Krieng ethnic groups, and where a new 1000 Days Nutrition Project is being prepared for implementation in partnership with MOH covering both Phongsaly and Sekong provinces (funded by the Luxembourg Ministry of Foreign Affairs). More than that CARE Lao also is in one more partnership project with Save the Children, CCL, Child Fund delivering SCALING Project (EU Funding), Currently, CARE Lao PDR plans to strengthen the capacity of Lao Civil Society Organizations and Provincial Nutrition Committees (PNCs) to implement Prime Ministerial 472 on Control the of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes by providing concrete evidence through a Research Study on “factors influencing mothers and family members to use BMS products and how it affects health, nutrition behaviour, and economics” in Luang Namtha Province.
Objectives of the Study: The objective of the study will be to provide in-depth analysis of factors influencing mothers and caregivers of child under 2 years old to use BMS products and how it affects health, nutrition behavior, and economics in Luang Namtha Province. More precisely, this will be to:
  1. Assess the main barriers and constraints for mothers and caregivers regarding exclusive breastfeeding and breastfeeding practices;
  2. Assess the perception of mothers and care givers about the impact of Breastmilk Substitutes (BMS) products; regarding to children health, nutrition behavior and economic in the families as well;
  3. Assess the social and cultural beliefs, attitudes, practices and knowledge that influence the increasing of BMS Products in LNT province;
  4. Explore gender roles regarding breast milk feeding (e.g. How are decisions made regarding the need to exclusively breast feed up to 6 months or more?).
  5. Elements that need to be in place in order to have an enabling environment for development of effective Breastfeeding practices, including quality maternal and child health care services, information and available of healthy food, etc

Methodology:
  1. The study will be conducted by national consultant/or National Nutrition Centre team with the support of a translator/interpreter (depending on the villages and ethnic groups targeted).
  2. The study will be conducted in up to 6 villages in Namtha, Sing and Long (Luang Namtha). The selection of villages will be done in coordination with the CARE LNT team and Provincial of Health (PoH).
  3. The consultant will propose the final methodology. However, the main approach used should include collection of qualitative data through Focus Group Discussions with different target groups (village leaders, health volunteers, mothers, fathers, elders, young people, etc.) and through individual interviews, especially with women with children under 2 years old, pregnant women and caregivers. Time dedicated for observation in the villages will be sufficient to allow in-depth analysis of behavior for using BMS products and breastfeeding practices among families;
  4. The consultant need to work very closely with NNC to implementing the research (invite NNC to be part of the filed data collection);
  5. Preparing the PowerPoint to present during the consultation workshop.

Required expertise and Selection Criteria
  1. At least 5 years of experience on food security and nutrition programming in Lao PDR especially Breastfeeding;
  2. Demonstrated successful experience in conducting analysis of behavior change of mothers term of breastfeeding and BMS products;
  3. Relevant technical experience (e.g. 1000 days of life, gender mainstreaming, ethnicity, Social Behavior Change and Communication, rural livelihoods, institutional development, etc.).
  4.  Ability to work autonomously, and demonstrated skills in leading a research project
  5. Good written and spoken English and Lao language skills.

Timeframe Complete the field and all assignment by end of Last Week of March and submit final report by Second week of May 29, 2020. APPLICATION SUBMISSION
  1. Brief description of the methodology (incl. potential stages), tools and guiding questions, time frame and total of cost expenses;
  2. Team composition and CV of key researcher(s).
Qualified candidates should submit a CV and a letter of application to Lao.Contracts@careint.org before the deadline: 30 April 2020 CARE is an equal opportunity employer committed to a diverse workforce;That Women, ethnic minorities and people with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply; CARE Laos has zero tolerance for sexual misconduct within or external to the organization and imbed child protection in all they do; and As well as pre-employment checks, CARE Laos will use the recruitment and reference process to ensure potential new staff understand and are aligned with these expectations.
Deadline for application
April 30, 2020
Name of Organisation
Care int
Type of Organisation
Consultant or individual
Contact Person
Care Int
Telephone