UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential. 

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, health.

One of the most critical times for good nutrition is in the 1,000-day period from conception until a child’s second birthday. The most recent MICS-2012 report has brought to light concerning downward trends in early and exclusive breastfeeding within Moldova. There has been limited progress in the last twenty years to significantly raise breastfeeding rates. When compared to DHS-2005 data, early breastfeeding has declined from 65% to 61%, while exclusive breastfeeding during the initial 6 months of life has decreased from 46% to 36%, with only 12% of infants breastfed up to the age of two years. Notably, in the rural areas of Moldova, approximately 40% of children aged 0-5 months are exclusively breastfed, in contrast to 30% in urban areas. To acquire updated data pertaining to parents/caregivers’ knowledge and practices in the field of Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF), UNICEF Moldova is conducting a nationally representative study which aims to furnish compelling evidence for decision-makers, aid in policy planning and monitoring of IYCF trends with the emphasis on identifying knowledge and policy gaps prevalent in the country.

How can you make a difference? 

1. Purpose pf the Consultancy

This consultancy aims to provide technical support to the Health team in reviewing and enhancing the country's regulatory system concerning breast-milk substitutes (BMS), feeding bottles, teats, and the labeling of food products for children under three years old. This consultancy aims to adjust and develop laws that align with the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes, the European Union directives/regulations and ensure the proper labeling of products intended for young children.

2. Objectives of the consultancy

Under the guidance of the Health Officer and of the Legal Specialist from UNICEF HQ, the consultant will conduct a legal landscape analysis to inform the development of laws implementing the Code and the labeling of foods products intended for children under 3 y.o. The review of the country’s regulatory system will be performed using a legal landscape analysis tool developed by UNICEF HQ. In addition, the consultant will provide support in adjustment/development of the concerned laws/regulations.

3. Specific Tasks and Deliverables

The Consultant, under the direct supervision of the Health Officer and of the Legal Specialist from UNICEF HQ, when required, will ensure the provision of services of the highest quality and standards. He/she will: 

• Conduct a legal landscape analysis of the existing national Code-related laws/regulations (The analysis will be performed using a legal landscape analysis tool developed by UNICEF HQ. The provisions of Code-implementation laws will be grouped into three main categories: labelling and composition, health care systems, marketing prohibitions. The analysis will include relevant national and sub-national laws. Litigation and regulatory enforcement actions that affect the interpretation or application of these laws will be considered. Any information to the implementation, monitoring, enforcement, evaluation of the law that cannot be found, will be explained, as this can provide useful insights; Determine what legislation and/or regulations are needed to implement the Code; Provide recommendations for the most appropriate policy pathways for the new law;)
• Conduct a legal landscape analysis of the existing national laws/regulations concerning the labeling of food products intended for children under 3 y.o.
• Adjustment/ development of the law to implement the Code. The law must also align with the updated EU legislation.
• Adjustment/ development of the law concerning labeling of food products intended for children under 3 y.o. The law must also align with the updated EU legislation.

4.  Deliverables and delivery dates

* Exact deadlines will be mutually agreed upon contract signature.

5. Reporting requirements

The consultant will report to the Health Officer, who will regularly communicate with the consultant and provide feedback and guidance on his/her performance and all other necessary support so to achieve objectives of the consultancy, as well as remain aware of any upcoming issues related to consultant’s performance and quality of work. When required, the working process and deliverables will be consulted with the Legal Specialist from UNICEF HQ.

All activities and deliverables undertaken by the consultant shall be discussed and planned in consultation with UNICEF. The consultant is expected to deliver each component of the workplan electronically (in Word format) and in Romanian/English based on requirements.

6. Work location and official travel involved

The work will be performed remotely and will not require local travels.

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

• University degree in public health, nutrition, mother and child health or any other relevant studies.
• At least 10 years of practical professional experience in public health, nutrition, mother and child health.
• Fluency in Romanian and working knowledge of English
• Strong background in the country’s legal system, government processes and legislative drafting will be considered an asset.
• Previous relevant experience in nutrition with UN and other development organizations can be
  considered an advantage.  

For every Child, you demonstrate… 

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

 To view our competency framework, please visit  here. 

 For more details on the consultancy assignment and requirements, please refer to attached Terms of reference (ToR):

 TOR_individual _Consultancy_Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes.docx

HOW TO APPLY: Your online application should contain the Technical Offer and Financial Offer (templates below). Please secure the Financial Proposal *.pdf document with a password on document view; the password will be requested only from technically qualified candidates.  

 Technical Offer_Consultancy on Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes.docx

 Financial Offer_Consultancy on Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes.xlsx

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment. 

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. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. 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. 

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 vaccinatedstatus 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.