Consultant to support Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative in Republic of Marshall Islands,Majuro, RMI,12 months, Internationals Only#596494new

The purpose of the consultancy is to provide technical support to the Ministry of Health and Human Services (MoHHS) in Republic of Marshall Islands (RMI), to strengthen breastfeeding promotion through improving implementation of the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative in two main hospitals and their surrounding communities. Background Promotion of breastfeeding is a high impact intervention that plays a crucial role in ensuring children receive adequate nourishment. Breastfed children have a significantly reduced risk for both wasting and later childhood overweight or obesity. In RMI, one in every three children under five years of age are stunted. Nearly 5% of children in the same age group are overweight and another 4% are wasted. Sub-optimal infant feeding, including limited breastfeeding, is considered to be a critical driver of malnutrition in this context. In 1991, UNICEF and WHO jointly launched the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative (BHFI), which consolidated evidence on promoting breastfeeding within health facilities. The BFHI included “Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding”, which were subsequently updated in guidelines published in 2018. These guidelines titled, “Protecting, promoting and supporting breastfeeding” are intended for use in health facilities providing maternity and newborn services to promote breastfeeding. As outlined in UNICEF Pacific Multi-Country Program Document (MCPD) for 2023- 2027, UNICEF is committed to supporting the RMI and other Pacific island countries in strengthening capacities for improved, affordable, and equitable quality primary health care and nutrition services, including during emergencies. Within this framework, UNICEF works with MoHs and other partners to ensure that the health care systems are conducive to protect, promote and support breastfeeding practices The BFHI was previously implemented in the major hospital (Majuro) in RMI.

Location: Fiji/Pacific Island Countries

Deadline: 29 Oct 2026 11:55 PM