Save the Children is the leading independent organization for children in need, with programs in over 120 countries, including the United States. We aim to inspire breakthroughs in the way the world treats children, and to achieve immediate and lasting change in their lives by improving their health, education and economic opportunities. In times of acute crisis, we mobilize rapid assistance to help children recover from the effects of war, conflict and natural disasters. Each year, we and our partners reach millions of children in communities around the world.<\/p>\n
We are recruiting to fill the position below:<\/p>\n
Job Title:\u00a0Consultant \u2013 IYCF Barriers Analysis Evidence shows that IYCF practices are a key component of child survival and development and a key determinant of children\u2019s nutritional status. Breastfeeding as a preventive measure may have the single largest impact on reducing child mortality, while complementary feeding has been shown to contribute to reducing stunting.<\/p>\n Save the Children has been implementing IYCF programs in Nigeria since 2012 and in Borno since 2014 including through one-on-one counselling, mothers to mothers\u2019 support groups, and other community events. In addition, promotion of optimal IYCF practices was integrated into health facility-based PHC services. Primary beneficiaries included caregivers of children under 2 years of age, Pregnant and Lactating Women and adolescent girls.<\/p>\n Different approaches and strategies have been tested and lessons have been learned and continue being learned. Although progress on IYCF indicators has been observed and monitored, it may be insufficient to achieve sustainable behaviour changes. It is therefore essential to properly analyse barriers to the adoption of identified good practices (such as early initiation of breastfeeding, exclusive breastfeeding for children 0-5months and adequate complementary foods for children 6-24months).<\/p>\n Save the children is thus seeking a consultant to conduct a barrier analysis in Borno state, North Eastern Nigeria. Both qualitative and quantitative methods will be used to identify factors hindering the target population from adopting specific behaviours as well as identifying the enablers to the behaviours. The purpose of the analysis is to identify the existing IYCF practices, identify behaviour determinants and suggest recommendations for interventions focused on IYCF behaviour change.<\/p>\n Scope of the consultancy<\/strong> The analysis should establish detailed information, identifying target groups\u2019 current behaviours as well as barriers to behaviour change related to the key determinants of IYCF practices and inform evidence-based behaviour change programming. The analysis will focus on four key behaviours as below:<\/p>\n Objectives and Specific Tasks to be undertaken by the Consultant<\/strong><\/p>\n The following are the major tasks consultant is expected to undertake<\/strong><\/p>\n The consultant(s) will produce the following key outputs<\/strong><\/p>\n Timeline<\/strong><\/p>\n Tasks Duration & location<\/strong><\/p>\n Essential and Desirable Experience\/Qualifications<\/strong><\/p>\n Application Requirement:<\/p>\n
\nLocation:\u00a0<\/strong>Borno
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\nBackground<\/strong>
\nThe conflict In Borno, Nigeria, has resulted in alarming rates of malnutrition with high global acute malnutrition (GAM) and Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) rates, many of which exceed WHO emergency threshold levels of 15% and 2% respectively. 3.5 million women and children will need nutrition services in 2018. The majority of these (2.7 million) live in host communities, while the remaining 440,000 are internally displaced persons (IDPs) and 340,000 are returnees. In Borno state, as in overall Northern Nigeria, IYCF practice was extremely poor prior to the conflict, and the challenges to exclusive breastfeeding and healthy IYCF-E practices faced due to displacement and strain from the conflict are significantly contributing to malnutrition in children under two years. According to the 2017 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS), the prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding for children 0-5 months in Northeast Nigeria was 21.3%, which is below the national average of 23.7%. The minimum dietary diversity was 23.8% in Northeast as compared to 35.6% of the national average. The situation has not improved over time due to insecurity and displacement of populations thus destructing their livelihood.<\/p>\n
\nThe specific purpose of this consultancy is to analyse key barriers to behavioural change among target groups\u2019 practices associated with infant and young child feeding so that behaviour change communication messages and strategies can be tailored to optimize effectiveness, which will strengthen proposed community support activities (e.g. mother and father support groups).<\/p>\n\n
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