Consultant for Breast Milk Substitutes Code Compliance Monitoring

Job Posting Organization:
UNICEF, established in 1946, operates in over 190 countries and territories. Its mission is to save children's lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential. UNICEF is committed to promoting the rights of every child and offers diverse opportunities for professional and personal development. The organization values a diverse and passionate culture, providing an attractive compensation and benefits package to its staff.

Job Overview:
The consultant will develop a comprehensive national Breast Milk Substitutes Code compliance monitoring toolkit/manual aligned with global standards. This role involves creating a training package for health workers and conducting awareness sessions to inform stakeholders about their obligations under the revised Egyptian Code. The consultant will coordinate with various stakeholders, including the Ministry of Health and Population, to identify and map responsible parties for code monitoring and implementation. The position requires a thorough understanding of existing monitoring mechanisms and the ability to conduct interviews and data collection to inform the development of effective monitoring tools and protocols.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develop a comprehensive national Breast Milk Substitutes Code compliance monitoring toolkit/manual.
• Create a training package about the revised Egyptian Code and monitoring tools for health workers and academia.
• Conduct awareness sessions on the revised Code among health workers, academia, and relevant government officials.
• Identify and map stakeholders responsible for code monitoring and implementation.
• Review existing monitoring and enforcement mechanisms and identify gaps and challenges.
• Conduct key informant interviews and data collection from various stakeholders.
• Develop a Terms of Reference for the national monitoring body and team.
• Create monitoring tools, protocols, and training manuals.
• Perform a desk review of promotional materials and explore national experiences from other countries. 1
• Provide training and capacity building for the monitoring team. 1
• Coordinate with national health information bodies to set up a monitoring database. 1
• Develop educational materials tailored for various stakeholders. 1
• Plan and coordinate advocacy and awareness events about the Code. 1
• Develop a costed action plan for strengthening monitoring systems.

Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in medicine/nutrition; additional postgraduate degree in Lactation/nutrition/public health/paediatrics is an asset. - At least 5 years of experience in lactation/nutrition, particularly in Code monitoring and policy development. - Considerable experience in developing and implementing national codes of marketing of breast milk substitutes. - Knowledge of the health system in Egypt. - Experience in developing training manuals and delivering training for health workers. - Previous experience with UN agencies or international organizations is an asset. - Strong writing, analytical, and communication skills in English and Arabic.

Educational Background:
A Bachelor’s degree in medicine or nutrition is required. Holders of additional postgraduate degrees in relevant fields such as Lactation, Nutrition, Public Health, or Paediatrics will be considered an asset, enhancing the candidate's qualifications for this consultancy role.

Experience:
The position requires at least 5 years of relevant experience in lactation and nutrition, specifically in the context of Code monitoring and the development of policies and programs related to nutrition interventions, including breastfeeding and infant feeding practices. Candidates should have considerable experience in implementing national codes and relevant international policies.

Languages:
Fluency in English and Arabic is mandatory. Good communication skills in both languages are essential for effective interaction with stakeholders and the development of training materials.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is not office-based, and the consultant will attend regular meetings with stakeholders. UNICEF will cover travel-related costs outside Cairo. The consultant must declare any conflicts of interest and adhere to UNICEF's core values and competencies. The position may involve additional vetting for child safeguarding purposes, and selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks.