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Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone. 

And we never give up. 

For every child, nutrition

BACKGROUND

Breastfeeding is a fundamental right of every child and a critical public health strategy that significantly contributes to improving both child and maternal health. Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) is defined as providing an infant with only breast milk, without any additional food or liquids, including water, during the first six months of life. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the World Health Organization (WHO) recommend initiating breastfeeding within the first hour after birth, exclusively breastfeeding for the first six months, and continuing breastfeeding up to two years of age or beyond, alongside the introduction of adequate complementary foods.

EBF plays a vital role in reducing child morbidity and mortality, while also helping to lower healthcare costs. It is one of the most effective interventions for preventing early childhood deaths, with optimal breastfeeding practices estimated to prevent approximately 1.4 million deaths annually among children under five years old. Beyond its protective role against infections, pneumonia, diarrhea, sudden infant death syndrome, and other childhood illnesses, breastfeeding supports healthy brain development and is associated with higher cognitive performance in children and adolescents. For mothers, breastfeeding has been shown to reduce the risk of postpartum hemorrhage, postpartum depression, breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and endometrial cancer, while also aiding postpartum weight loss and strengthening the mother-child bond.

Despite these well-documented benefits, millions of children globally do not receive the full advantages of exclusive breastfeeding. Inadequate breastfeeding practices are estimated to contribute to 16% of child deaths worldwide. In Suriname, breastfeeding rates remain alarmingly low, posing serious challenges to child survival and development outcomes. According to the 2018 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS), only 9% of infants under six months are exclusively breastfed, one of the lowest rates globally. Furthermore, only 45% of newborns benefit from early initiation of breastfeeding.

To address these challenges, UNICEF has supported the development of the Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF+) communication strategy and the preparation and implementation of the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) in Suriname. The BFHI is grounded in the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding, a globally recognized framework promoting optimal clinical and community-based care for mothers and newborns. Evidence consistently demonstrates that effective implementation of these Ten Steps significantly improves breastfeeding outcomes. These initiatives are aligned with global frameworks endorsed by UNICEF, including the Global Strategy for Infant and Young Child Feeding, which highlights the essential role of appropriate feeding practices in ensuring child survival, growth, and development. Additionally, UNICEF promotes adherence to the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes, which seeks to protect and promote breastfeeding by regulating the marketing of breastmilk substitutes and preventing commercial practices that undermine breastfeeding.

Despite these efforts, both international and local studies indicate that breastfeeding rates in Suriname remain suboptimal due to multiple interrelated factors. These include limited maternal knowledge of optimal breastfeeding practices, lack of confidence, and inadequate support to manage common breastfeeding challenges such as nipple pain or poor latch. The transition back to work also presents a significant barrier, particularly in settings where workplace policies and facilities do not support continued breastfeeding.

In response, UNICEF, in close collaboration with the Ministry of Health, is committed to revitalize and scale up its support to improve breastfeeding outcomes across Suriname. As part of this commitment, UNICEF in collaboration with the Ministry of Health will conduct a Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) study to gain deeper insight into the underlying causes of low breastfeeding rates. This study will provide a structured, evidence-based approach to understanding the knowledge, perceptions, and behaviors of mothers and their support networks regarding breastfeeding. The findings will help identify key influencing factors and guide the development of targeted policies and programs aimed at promoting, protecting, and supporting exclusive breastfeeding in Suriname.

PURPOSE AND SCOPE OF WORK

Purpose of Study
The primary objective of this KAP study is to gain a comprehensive understanding of the key factors influencing breastfeeding practices in Suriname. The insights generated will serve as a critical evidence base to inform a more targeted and context-specific response. The findings will enable UNICEF to support the Ministry of Health in developing national policy, designing evidence-based programs and interventions that promote, protect, and support breastfeeding, and enhancing advocacy and public awareness efforts. Ultimately, the study aims to contribute to improved breastfeeding rates and better health and development outcomes for infants and young children in Suriname.

OBJECTIVE OF THE CONSULTANCY

The overall objective of this consultancy is to support UNICEF and the Ministry of Health in strengthening the national response to low breastfeeding rates in Suriname through evidence-based insights and recommendations. Specifically, the consultant will be expected:
- To conduct desk review related to existing BF programs, policies, intervention and legislation both from government and other development partners and identify gaps, challenges and best practices.
- To conduct an in-depth assessment of the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) related to breastfeeding among women/mothers, their support networks, healthcare professionals and other relevant stakeholders.
- To identify key barriers and enabling factors that influence breastfeeding behaviors across different demographic and social contexts.
- To develop practical and evidence-based recommendations to improve breastfeeding practices and increase exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) rates in Suriname

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have… 

A master’s degree in nutrition studies, public health, global health, social studies, epidemiology, or related areas
• A minimum of 5 years of professional experience in field of public health, nutrition studies or social studies including the design and implementation of public health research methods and analysis.
• Proven experience in the design and methods of qualitative and quantitative study and research, as well as experience in facilitating and collecting information
• Previous experience working with multiple stakeholders including CBOs, government agencies, civil society groups and international development partners
• Knowledge of the equity and gender approaches and their application is an asset
• Fluency in spoken and written English
• Good ability to write reports clearly and concisely.
• Strong organisational, and presentation skills

Desirable:

Previous work experience with the United Nations System or other international development organizations and/or national governments.
• Experiential knowledge of Suriname’s sub-regional contexts and knowledge of local languages is an asset.
• Proven experience in the design and methods for qualitative and quantitative data collection is an asset

For every Child, you demonstrate… 

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS). 

 Please access the complete here: 

To view our competency framework, please visit  here. 

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic background, and persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. To create a more inclusive workplace, UNICEF offers paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. Click here to learn more about flexible work arrangements, well-being, and benefits.

According to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. In its Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy 2022-2030, UNICEF has committed to increase the number of employees with disabilities by 2030. At UNICEF, we provide reasonable accommodation for work-related support requirements of candidates and employees with disabilities. Also, UNICEF has launched a Global Accessibility Helpdesk to strengthen physical and digital accessibility. If you are an applicant with a disability who needs digital accessibility support in completing the online application, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

Remarks:  

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. 

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws. 

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.