C4D National Consultant : Risk Communication and Community Engagement in support of the response to COVID -19 in Bamenda, Cameroon

Contract

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

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I. BACKGROUND :

On 31 December 2019, WHO was alerted to several cases of pneumonia in Wuhan City, Hubei Province of China. On 30 January 2020, the Director-General of WHO declared the COVID-19 outbreak a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) under the International Health Regulations (2005). The disease has spread rapidly across the globe with 2,840,830 cases of COVID-19 reported globally, and 203,043 deaths reported according to the WHO as of 26 April 2020.

Cameroon is the 5th country most affected by COVID-19 on the African continent with 1,564 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 50 death and 9 regions out of 10 affected by the epidemic. This includes the North-West and South-West regions which respectively report 9 and 31 cases on April 28th, 2020. For these two regions, the COVID-19 outbreak occurs in a context exacerbated by a socio-political crisis started in 2016 and still on-going. This crisis had a negative impact on the civilian population in all nine divisions of the Southwest and Northwest regions. The majority of IDPs are women and children who are presently deprived from essential basic services, they lack shelter and food, live in unhygienic condition and are not protected from malaria with high level of sexual promiscuity and high risk of transmission of HIV and other Sexual Transmitted Diseases. In addition, children are not going to school, they are no more regularly vaccinated, and are living in depression and tension. The most vulnerable people are children under 5, pregnant women and those affected by diseases with epidemic potential.

In this context and based on the transmission mode of the COVID-19 virus, a successful response will need a clear and integrated Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) strategy to prevent and control the spread of disease with an active engagement with key gatekeepers and stakeholders including governments, community influencers, health care workers, media and local communities (including women, adolescents and young people and persons with disabilities).

II. OBJECTIVE :

The National C4D/RCCE Consultant will primarily focus on supporting COVID-19 response. The incumbent of the position will support for the coordinated design and implementation of a UNICEF supported C4D/RCCE strategy for prevention and response to COVID outbreak in Bamenda.

The Officer provides technical and operational support to the C4D Team and internal colleagues by administering, implementing, monitoring and/or evaluating a variety of C4D initiatives and activities to promote community engagement and participation, and measurable behavioral and social change/mobilization , engaging with communities, local partners and other stakeholders to help prepare and protect individuals, families and communities during response to COVID-19.

III. ACTIVITIES :

1. Support to strategy design and development of C4D/RCCE activities
   • • Research and/or participate in conducting comprehensive C4D situation analysis of social, communication, cultural, economic and political issues in Bamenda. Collect and synthesize qualitative and quantitative information and data to support the establishment of comprehensive and evidence-based information for developing and implementing the component of the COVID response RCCE pillar as per agreed standards and benchmarks.
   • Assist the local government in running the RCCE Pillar meetings and provide technical expertise in C4D.
   • Collect, synthesize, draft and/or organize materials and related documentations for evidence-based C4D/RCCE strategies and plans to ensure optimum impact, scale and sustainability of achievements/results in the framework of COVID-19 response.
   • Monitor and assess the impact of C4D strategies and activities and provide data and feedback to monitor progresses of C4D/COVID response weekly. The report must include rumors/response(s), challenges/solutions, gaps, recent activities and requests for support.
2. Support to the implementation of C4D/RRCE activities
   • • Collaborate with partners to provide operational and technical support to strategies in the areas of participatory communication, RCCE and behaviour change and on appropriate materials and media to reach target audiences research.
   • Provide technical, administrative and logistical support in coordination with other UNICEF's relevant sections and implementing partners, to: (1) Reach target population with culturally appropriate and gender sensitive messages to reduce health risks with reference to both physical and behavioural aspects, (2) Develop capacities for RCCE, behavioural change/promotion and community outreach mobilization among local partners and stakeholders to address issues of fear/stigma associated with COVID, (3) Develop, pre-test, edit, and produce culturally relevant communication materials meeting requirements and quality standards.
   • Manage with actors at community level to identify rumors, to assess information needs, coordinate and map out priority gaps and identify key C4D RCCE/COVID interventions involving groups at risk, social mobilizers and creation of resources and platforms.

3. Advocacy, networking and partnership building

   • • Work with UNICEF sectoral partners at local level to incorporate and integrate their normative guidance and activities into the RCCE efforts, as well as with other sectors.
   • Develop and improve a strong partnership with community groups, local authorities and civil society to promote participation in positive social and behavioral change activities related to COVID response/mobilization.
   • Collaborate with internal /regional communication partners to harmonize, link and/or coordinate messaging to enhance C4D outreach and contribution to programmatic outcomes related to COVID-19 response.

4. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

   • • Support the organization, administration and implement capacity building initiatives to enhance the competencies of social mobilisers and other key actors/influencers. Develop training materials for training activities, and revise and update them as necessary.
   • Institutionalize/share best practices and knowledge learned/products with global/local partners and stakeholders to build capacity of practitioners/users and disseminate products to key audiences including partners and donors.

5. ****Research, Monitoring and Evaluation****

   • Based on results of Monitoring and Evaluation efforts, guide the revisions of the communication strategy and messages through participatory micro-planning with government officials, programme staff, and other UNICEF partners.
   • Analyze and evaluate data to ensure compliance and achievement of objectives and recommend corrective action, when necessary, to meet programme/project objectives. IV. Key Expected Results, Deliverables and Fees Payment

   Results / Resultats

   Deliverables / Livrables

   Date

   Payment

   1.

• Support to strategy design and development of C4D activities is provided
• Support to implementation of C4D activities is provided
• Advocacy, networking and partnership building
• Knowledge management and capacity building

• Research, Monitor and Evaluate

  Monthly report is received and endorsed by the Supervisor

  30 days (By end Sept 2020)

  33,33%

  2.

• Support to strategy design and development of C4D activities is provided

• Support to implementation of C4D activities is provided
• Advocacy, networking and partnership building
• Knowledge management and capacity building

• Research, Monitor and Evaluate

  Monthly report is received and endorsed by the Supervisor

  31 days (By end Oct 2020)

  33,33%

  3.

• Support to strategy design and development of C4D activities is provided

• Support to implementation of C4D activities is provided
• Advocacy, networking and partnership building
• Knowledge management and capacity building

• Research, Monitor and Evaluate

  Monthly report is received and endorsed by the Supervisor

  31 days (By end Nov 2020)

  33,33%

V. QUALIFICATION AND EXPERIENCE

Education :

• A University Degree (BAC+3) in social and behavioral science, sociology, anthropology, psychology, education, communication, public relations or other related social science field is required.

  Experience :

• A minimum of 2 years of professional experience in areas of social development program planning, communications and public advocacy and/or related areas at the international and/or large organization some of which preferably were served in a developing country is required.

  Language :

• Fluency in English is required, Knowledge of another official UN language and Pidgin is an asset

  VI. CONDITION OF WORK :

  The Consultants are expected to provide their own laptop and other required equipment, software and relevant facilities to complete his/her assignment tasks.

  VII. SUPERVISION :

  The primary supervisor of the contract will be the Chief of UNICEF Buea Field Office. The secondary supervisor providing specific technical guidance will be the Chief C4D section in coordination with the National C4D/RCCE COVID-19 consultant based in Buea.

  The consultant will be expected to provide technical COVID-19 risk communications support inside the region covering his duty station. A travel plan will be developed based on the need for risk communications/communication support. Travel costs within their Duty station will be covered by UNICEF Buea office.

  VIII. PROPOSAL SUBMISSION

  Application shall be submitted to UNICEF Cameroon before the deadline containing the following required documentation:

  1. Technical Proposal: Consultant shall prepare a proposal in response to the ToR, ensuring that the purpose, objective, scope, criteria and deliverable of the assessment are addressed. Draft work plan and timeline for the assessment should be included. The technical Proposal shall also include updated CV and personal history Forms (P11) of the consultant, and copies of 2 assessments performed previously by the consultant.

  2. Financial Proposal: Offer with cost breakdown: Consultancy fees, travel costs, Daily Substance Allowance (DAS) other costs. The Financial Proposal shall be submitted in a separate file, clearly named Financial Proposal

  3. Please submit the Technical and Financial Proposal SEPARATELY.

• For every Child, you demonstrate…

  UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Result.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

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.