Development of SBCC Strategy for AMR-Consultancy

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IRC - The International Rescue Committee

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Job Description

Part 1: Technical description of the required consultancy

General Information

This document is being issued to solicit applications from potential consultants [partners or contractors] to conduct a Social Behavior Change Communication (SBCC) strategy development for the IRC Infectious Disease Impact Initiative: Reducing childhood mortality through the development of an antimicrobial stewardship program in North East Nigeria Project. The Term of Reference (ToR) contains background information related to the above-mentioned Project including the consultancy objectives, the desired methodology, the timeframe and a list of deliverables. This document also contains information about the expertise that the IRC is seeking for this activity and provides guidance on how to submit a proposal for review, assignment management, and intellectual property. The IRC anticipates awarding a fixed award for the SBCC strategy development and will make payments based on submission and the IRC’s approval of deliverables. The award agreement will include a payment schedule with specific deliverables; all payments require the IRC laid down business days processing after approval of deliverables.

Brief Background Information

The International Rescue Committee (IRC), founded in 1933, helps people whose lives and livelihoods have been shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover, and regain control of their future. The IRC works across the arc of crisis, from the acute onset of an emergency to long-term programming across five key outcome areas—safety, health, education, economic wellbeing, and empowerment – supporting affected communities in building resilience. The IRC serves displaced people and their communities, through direct service provision, systems support and strengthening, and resettlement efforts in host countries. The IRC has a strong Nigeria track record of working with the Ministry of Health (MoH) to implement projects that not only increase access to quality health services, but also innovate how and to whom we deliver these services within difficult and evolving contexts.

AMR is barely on the radar within humanitarian contexts. Many countries, such as Nigeria, have national action plans for AMR, but the implementation of these plans is minimal due to competing priorities, chronic underfunding and the lack of a sense of urgency. In Nigeria, the national efforts to combat AMR have not reached the conflict affected areas of North East Nigeria, where the health system has been weakened by almost a decade of humanitarian conflict. This region is the most underserved part of the country, with Borno state being the most underserved state in that region, hosting the highest number of IDPs. In addition to widespread displacement, the conflict has resulted in the destruction of infrastructure and disruption of basic services. Over half of the health facilities in Borno State are reported to be completely damaged or partially functional, with many trained health professionals displaced and unable to render services. IDPs face significant challenges accessing health services, due to the ongoing conflict.

The crisis has also contributed to the proliferation of untrained drug dispensers sometimes called “quacks” who provide treatment for communicable diseases (CDs) without proper diagnosis or adherence to protocol-based treatment. Antimicrobials are provided as treatments for diarrhea, malaria, pneumonia, meningitis, and sepsis, the main causes of death for children under five in Nigeria. Challenges with AMR in Nigeria include prescribers not following guidelines; prescribers not using the necessary diagnostics before prescribing antimicrobials; low adherence to generic prescriptions; and limited public understanding of AMR and/or rational use of antimicrobials. Most of the studies on AMR have been in the South or North East, and the one recent study with data on Borno state highlighted that this geographic area had the lowest knowledge among all Nigerians about AMR.

The vision for this project is to develop a functional and effective health facility level AMR stewardship program within North East Nigeria that serves as a model for other low resourced humanitarian health programs. This project will utilize the strong organizational IRC footprint at the community and facility level, and work with the state MoH to address the lack of investment and attention to AMR within Borno State. It will build on evidence from studies in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMIC) that highlight the success of multifaceted strategies that include both supply and demand interventions, and target health care workers in public and private facilities, and behavior change strategies for the community.

Problem statement

The World Health Organization (WHO, 2018a) has declared that antimicrobial resistance is ‘one of the biggest threats to global health, food security, and development today’. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) occurs when a microbe is able to resist the effects of an antimicrobial designed to control or kill it, causing the microbe to continue to multiply and grow. Human overuse of antimicrobials is a contributing factor and major behavioral change around antimicrobial consumption is needed, but several challenges exist in communicating antimicrobial resistance to the public. Major behavioral change around antimicrobials is needed and will need, in the long run, to be integrated with a multipronged package including vaccination, infection prevention control, WASH measures, and changes in antimicrobial use in livestock. The United Nations has recognized public awareness of the issue as key to achieving change.

Although much research exists on implementing health campaigns in general, little research has been conducted into behavior change communication campaigns focused specifically on antimicrobial resistance, and few evaluations exist of the effectiveness of messaging in campaigns to understand what is, and crucially, what is not, working. This consultancy aims to contribute to the field by exploring how to effectively communicate antimicrobial resistance to the public in a way that can increase knowledge and awareness of the issue and promote behavior change around antimicrobial consumption.

It is on this regard that the IRC has embarked on a Knowledge, Attitude and Practice Assessment on Anti-Microbial Resistance targeting Health Practitioners, Health Stakeholders and Communities. The results of this assessment will be used alongside the findings from a proposed rapid formative SBCC specific assessment, to design and develop a suitable, effective and relevant SBCC implementation strategy to guide the Health programs in responding to these issues. The Social and Behavior Change Communication (SBCC) strategy development will be important for the project to reinforce the adoption of Antimicrobial Use (AMU) and good practices that prevent AMR issues. The SBCC strategy will further enhance the adoption of AMU and good practices through trainings and mass awareness campaigns through Interpersonal communication and the media (both print and electronic), posters, digital platforms etc.

**Purpose and Objectives **of assignment****

The purpose of the assignment is to: Support in the development of a Social and Behavior Change Communication strategy that will be used by the project to train and promote the adoption of Antimicrobial use and good practice approaches.

The specific objectives are to:

i) To conduct a rapid formative assessment to understand context specific enablers/ barriers (positive and negative factors) that influence the trainings and adoption of antimicrobial use and practices among Health practitioners and the community in the target areas. The results of the ongoing KAP Assessment being undertaken by the IRC will be used as foundational pieces of research to inform the strategy development.

ii) Using the findings from the rapid formative assessment and the ongoing KAP Survey, identify existing Social and Behavior Change Communication (SBCC) approaches and tools used by various actors in Nigeria to promote the adoption of antimicrobial use and good practices to prevent antimicrobial resistance, identifying gaps/factors or barriers that limit their effectiveness and make the necessary recommendations to the project to make the approaches that will be adopted effectively.

iii) In consultation with relevant managers and decision makers in the IRC, develop a communication strategy including messaging for various contexts based on the findings of the rapid formative assessment including means and channels (interactive, digital and mass media) to operationalize it to reach all target stakeholders with messages on AMU and good practices. This will guide in the future evaluation of the changes in the knowledge, attitude, norms, beliefs, and behavior and long-term adoption of the practices promoted by the project.

iv) Guide the development of messaging and instructions that will accompany the piloting and rollout of the SBCC strategy to the Health practitioners and the target community to ensure proper use and adoption of newly developed approaches and tools in collaboration with the relevant stakeholders including the government.

v) Develop, pre-test and pilot key SBCC training and media campaign materials (including manuals, illustrations – IEC materials, and modules) with key messages on AMR and good practices that will be used for the recommended appropriate media targeting Health practitioners and other stakeholders in the target areas. Record feedback received in the trainings and pilot and incorporate it in the final ToTs and SBCC strategy.

vi) In collaboration with the existing Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC) structure on AMR through the IRC Nigeria, Conduct an orientation training of trainers (ToT) on the newly developed SBCC strategy with the aim of strengthening the existing knowledge and skills of the health practitioners towards a more integrated SBCC package on primary health seeking behavior change communication approaches

vii) Develop a monitoring, evaluation and learning plan to track progress of implementation and outcomes of the SBCC strategy

Rapid Formative Assessment

SBCC Rapid Formative Assessment Questions

1) What are the current social, economic, and cultural issues that affect the adoption of rational Antimicrobial Use (AMU) and good practices among the Health Practitioners and the target community?

2) What are the current approaches that have been adopted to promote adoption of rational Antimicrobial Use (AMU) and good practices to prevent antimicrobial resistance? What has been the level of success?

3) What are the different media channels (touchpoints) predominantly in use and preferred by the different target audiences for communication campaigns in the target locations?

4) To what extent can the lessons documented be used to develop key messaging for social behavioral change at different levels of society?

5) What are some of the challenges envisioned that may have the potential to affect SBCC activities and consequently hinder the long-term adoption of practices promoted by the project among different stakeholders? What are the risks, assumptions and factors that need to be considered?

6) What are some of the helpful aspects envisioned that may have the potential to affect SBCC activities and consequently favor the long-term adoption of practices promoted by the project among different stakeholders? What are the risks, assumptions and factors that need to be considered?

Study Design and methodology

The SBCC study approach should have a strong focus in the application of participatory approaches and proven methodology that fits well in the context of the local communities and stakeholders.

The consultants are expected to initiate this assignment by conducting literature review of relevant documents including the results of the ongoing IRC KAP survey among others. They will then conduct interviews (group discussions community groups; key informant interviews targeting opinion leaders, relevant stakeholders and national government departments, local and International NGOs among others), with a sample of the targeted project beneficiaries. The consulting firm should be able to state the methodology that they will take to achieve the above objectives including the establishment of the status of outcome related measures such as knowledge, attitudes, norms, behaviors, and/or condition prior to the project intervention.

Deliverables

The following deliverables are expected from the consultant.

Key Consultancy Activities:

i. Rapid Formative SBCC Assessment to identify (or understand) factors that influence the adoption of rational AMU and good practices among different stakeholders in target communities:

− Identify Social and Behavior Change Communication (SBCC) gaps in current approaches used to promote adoption of practices.

− Assess methods and approaches currently used, existing gaps and propose appropriate and effective ones that the project should use to reach the different target groups.

- Assess different media channels (touch points) currently in use and most preferred by different audiences in the target locations. - Consultation with key relevant bodies/actors as appropriate to inform the findings presented and strategies developed.

ii. Develop a well-designed SBCC Strategy that addresses gaps identified in current SBCC approaches.

iii. Develop well designed key messages that will be used in promoting adoption of rational AMU and good practices as well as those that will accompany the piloting of the SBCC Communication strategy.

iv. Develop the most appropriate SBCC media and training materials for SBCC awareness campaigns.

v. Conduct an orientation training of trainers (ToT) on the newly developed SBCC strategy for the Health Practitioners, Health Stakeholders and Community target members.

vi. Develop a Monitoring, Learning and Evaluation Plan for the SBCC activities.

Upon completion, these will be reviewed and agreed by the project focal/technical persons of the IRC or designate and the consultant.

Key Consultancy Deliverables according to the highlighted activities as above:

- Rapid Assessment Report submitted - Approaches and preferred channels identified, and report submitted. - SBCC Strategy - Key message platform and guidelines. - Messaging guidelines and instructions for strategy pilot and rollout. - Training materials developed: Manuals, guides, modules, pictorials, info graphs and other illustrated materials for the target audience - Communication messaging for print and electronic media (including digital platforms like radio jingles etc.) developed. - Orientation training conducted and trained report produced - MEAL Plan

Qualifications

Proposed Timelines and Deliverable Schedule:

1. RFP release date: December 15, 2021

2. Proposal submission date: January 05, 2022

3. Selection Committee Review: By January 11, 2022

4. Short list decided, notifications made, and revisions requested as needed: January 11, 2022

5. Selection and notification: January 14, 2022

6. Contract signed: January 18, 2022

7. Inception report and tool design completed: January 24, 2022

8. Literature review and field research: By January 31, 2022

9. Preparation and submission of draft SBCC communication strategy, training materials, communication messaging & MEAL Plan: February 09, 2022

10. IRC review and feedback on draft SBCC communication strategy, training materials, communication messaging & MEAL Plan: February 15, 2022

11. Preparation and submission of final assessment report: February 21, 2022

12. Submission of final communication strategy, training materials, MEAL Plan: February 28, 2022

13. Training of Trainers: By March 14, 2022

Inception Report

The inception report shall outline the key scope of the work and the intended work plan. The inception report shall be submitted 5 days of commencing the consultancy prior to an inception meeting.

The inception report and meeting will provide the IRC with the opportunity to verify that they share the same understanding about the Terms of Reference.

The inception report should include: -

- Communication protocol- Work plan/schedule indicating key deliverables and milestones, including outputs and timeline for the consultancy as per the ToR - Proposed rapid assessment methodology, including detailed field procedures, data collection framework and data collection tools - Discussion of any limitations to the proposed methodology or approach to undertake the consultancy - Quality control measures - Composition and roles of the Social Behavior Change Communication (SBCC), team.

Reporting

Activity 1: Draft report

The draft consultancy report, addressing the ToR, should be produced in English for the IRC to provide feedback within 22 days from the date of approval of the consultancy for activity 1. The report should be concise and within 30 pages excluding annexes and Executive Summary, and at a minimum should contain the following sections:

List of acronyms and abbreviations

- Table of contents - Executive Summary - Introduction (project) - Methodology, Implementation Details, Limitations, and Delimitation - Results and discussions - Conclusions, Lessons learned and Recommendations - Revised MEAL Plan Template - Annexes:

- Rapid Assessment Instruments: questionnaires, interview guides, etc., as applicable - Annexes: maps, graphics, etc.

Activity 1: Final report

- The final report will be produced 5 days after receiving comments on the draft report. The content and structure of the final analytical report shall include but not necessarily limited to Executive Summary, findings, recommendations and lessons learnt - Final version of data collection tool sets.

Activity 2, 3 & 4: The Manual design and presentation shall be discussed during the inception meeting.

The team must include the services of a graphic designer for the illustrations and infographic generation.

Activity 5: Clear and concise training methodology and report submitted as per the deliverables

Activity 6: Clear MEAL Plan as per deliverable

Timeframe:

This consultancy will be for a maximum of 35 to 40 days in a 3-month period including at least 20 days in country/ in office (could be split over 3-4 visits) if the consultant is based outside of Borno State. It is possible that other support is provided remotely / virtually.

Qualifications or specialized knowledge and/or experience required:

The IRC is looking for the firm/Individual with substantial experience performing SBCC related consultancies. More specifically, the lead consultant should have a proven track record in conducting SBCC strategy development and related implementation guidelines. Experience with country situations similar to that of Borno State, Nigeria and with similar projects, especially related to AMR projects is desired.

Experience:

- A minimum of 5 to 10 years of professional experience implementing SBCC programs or advising on social and behavior change interventions; experience with campaigns related to health including AMR or other communicable disease campaigns preferred. - Experience designing and conducting rapid formative SBCC research and MEAL related to social and behavior change. - Excellent interpersonal skills required, including strong professional communication ability; - Experience as a consultant producing and delivering quality results; - Previous experience supporting the development of behavior change campaigns that delivered results; - Advocacy and networking skills with a broad range of stakeholders including government, National Center for Disease Control, private Sector including media companies, civil society, NGOs and international cooperation; - Advanced computer skills with proficiency in Windows, Microsoft office and other digital media - Openness to working collaboratively with a diverse team - Experience working in a role to build capacity of others - Strong written and spoken English ability - Experience working in Borno State or Nigeria and conversant in local language is an advantage - Experience working with Pfizer funded projects would be an advantage

Interested candidates are kindly requested to submit the application with:

- A current CV - Short proposal (maximum 10 pages) to outline the suggested approach and means to accomplish the objectives/ stages of support outlined above - 2 – 3 previous work samples (SBCC materials produced or involved in / example of previous strategy developed) in the last 3 years - Proposed daily rate or budget (including proposed costs if travelling from outside Maiduguri for face-to-face visits)

Part 2: Logistics & Coordination

Social and Behavior Change Communication (SBCC) Team

The IRC Project Manager will manage and coordinate the whole Social Behavior Change Communication (SBCC) process. S/He will serve as the primary contact with the survey and project teams and will facilitate the required support from the IRC. The IRC must agree to any changes in the Schedule of Work (SoW), plan and process, methodology, etc. During the consultancy, the contractor may seek and receive additional advice or guidance from the IRC Social Behavior Change Communication (SBCC), coordinator, but the consultant team will operate independently, without direct supervision by any IRC staff.

Responsibility of the IRC Coordinator

a) Guide the consultants with existing relevant baseline tools developed including KAP Survey reports

c) Provide any information that may be required by the consultant during the implementation of the task

d) Participate in decision making according to consultant tasks above and be available for consultation as needed

e) Review and approve the inception report including proposed methodology

f) Make all contacts for the consultants with partners and community

g) Review the draft report and provide comments

h) Organize a feedback workshop

i) Organize training workshop in close liaison with the Consultant

h) Address any issues that may arise from time to time

Responsibility of the Consultant

a) Prepare and present an inception report to the IRC team. The report should demonstrate the consults’ understanding of the assignment and should detail a breakdown of activities, timelines, and methodology/approach to be used.

b) Undertake primary and secondary data collection through qualitative and quantitative approaches.

c) Analyze and interpret data and thereafter prepare a draft rapid formative assessment report and share with the IRC Team and the key stakeholders for review.

f) Discuss any gaps in the draft with the IRC Project team and come up with ways of addressing the gaps if any

g) Prepare SBCC strategy, key messages, communication manuals, tools and IEC materials

h) Organize and conduct orientation training of trainers’ workshop in close liaison with the IRC Team and submit corresponding training report

i) Prepare and submit MEAL plan and feedback channels

The assignment will require travel to and possible staying in the target project region in Nigeria. Other than related documents, all resources (transport, hotel reservations, data collection enumerators, etc.) should be arranged by the consultant team and factored into the financial proposal.

Proposal Submission Requirements

All interested bidders will submit their proposals with the following information:

1) Technical Proposal (not to exceed 10 pages)

- General Information [not to exceed 2 pages]

- Organization overview - Capacity statement - Website - Attachments:

- Evidence of satisfactory records of performance, integrity, and business ethics.

- Evidence of adequate management and financial capacity to manage the award.

- Technical Approach (not to exceed 8 pages):

- A detailed methodology on how the assignment will be conducted, including data collection/information gathering approaches. - List and briefly describe the team and its proposed personnel, indicating what role each proposed individual will have; CVs of team members to be provided in an attachment. Lead Consultant’s (who will lead the assignment) Maximum 3-page CV highlighting related assignment completed, role in the completed assignment. - Other team members’ (who will be involved in the assignment the assignment). 2 paragraph short CV highlighting related assignment completed and role - A clear and comprehensive work plan (draft), outlining the major activities, people responsible and time schedule. - Consultant capacity statement, including past experiences and activities related to the assignment. Reference information must include the location, award numbers, and brief description of work performed. - At least three references of other clients for which similar assignments were undertaken with contact information for each

2) Financial Proposal (Budget)

The consultant should submit a financial proposal that include all proposed costs in US dollars. The proposed budget should have sufficient detail to allow evaluation of costs proposed. It should at least contain:

1. Itemized budget (in USD); 2. Narrative explanations of line items;

The IRC reserves the right to request further information supporting detailed costs and prices.

3) Annexes

- Documents related to similar previous relevant studies. - Consultant’s Registration Certificate (or other relevant government identification) - A copy of a previous similar assignments undertaken within the last 3 years.

4. Proposal Submission

Interested local or international firms legally eligible to implement this assignment in Nigeria are requested to submit their proposal expressing interest in carrying out this assignment. Please include the name of the person in your organization/firm who will be involved in negotiating the contract as well as your telephone and email contact information. Submissions must be in English and typed single-spaced using Times New Roman font size 12, with a complete set of appendices/attachments as applicable. All pages must be numbered and include the ToR reference number in the cover page, and name of the organization/Firm at the bottom of each page.

The proposal (duly signed) should comprise technical and financial proposal. The Proposal will be accepted preferably in soft copy through email and mentioning subject line; “The IRC Infectious Disease Impact Initiative: Reducing childhood mortality through the development of an antimicrobial stewardship program in Northeast Nigeria Project - Social and Behavioral Change Communication (SBCC) Strategy Development to the appropriate IRC provided email address on or before January 05, 2022 by Close of Business.

5) Late Submissions and Modifications:

Proposals received after the submission deadline will not be considered. Applicants are responsible to ensure their proposals are submitted according to the instructions stated herein. The IRC retains the right to terminate this RFP or modify the requirements upon notification to the Applicants.

6) Selection Criteria

Submitted proposals must clearly demonstrate alignment with the ToR outlined above with appropriate level of details. An agreement will be signed with the Offeror whose proposal follows the instructions in this RFP. Proposals will be evaluated according to the following criteria:

Table 2: Selection Criteria

Proposal Evaluation Focus

i. Accuracy and relevance of the proposed technical approach and methodology -20%

ii. Completeness of proposal according to the RFP (general information, activity plan, budget, team expertise, etc.) -20%

iii. Proposed team: expertise and competencies to address project components -20%

iv. Relevance and capability/skill to implement/manage the assignment -20%

v. Budget justification and costs realism -20%

With total making 100%.

The selection committee will evaluate the technical proposal based upon the criteria listed above and the financial proposal will be evaluated based on the reasonableness of costs and cost-effectiveness in the budget.

Added 2 years ago - Updated 11 months ago - Source: rescue.org