Individual Consultant: Development of the Social and Behaviour Change Communication (SBCC) Strategy for Childhood Obesity Prevention in Viet Nam

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Purpose of Activity/Assignment:

The individual national consultant will develop an evidence based national Social and Behaviour Change Communication (SBCC) strategy for childhood obesity prevention in Viet Nam for Ministry of Health (MOH).

Context:

Overweight, Obesity, and Imbalanced Diets Among Vietnamese Children

In Viet Nam, there has been a concerning surge in the prevalence of overweight and obese children over the last decade, particularly in major urban centers. According to the 2019-2020 National Nutrition Census conducted by the National Institute of Nutrition (NIN)/ Ministry of Health (MOH), the rate of overweight and obese children in Viet Nam has more than doubled, rising from 8.5% in 2010 to 19% in 2020. In 2020, the rates differed across regions, with urban areas recording 26.8%, rural areas at 18.3%, and mountainous areas at 6.9%. Notably, the obesity rate among inner-city children in Ho Chi Minh City exceeded 50%, while in Hanoi, it surpassed 41%.

Overweight and obesity are multifactorial conditions with diverse causes, among which improper nutrition and insufficient physical activity play pivotal roles. Contributing factors include the excessive consumption of refined starches, reliance on processed foods high in sugar, fat, and salt, prolonged use of electronic devices, and various other influences such as genetics, endocrine disorders, and metabolic irregularities…

Research findings across 11 Asian countries, including Indonesia, Japan, among others, reveal that the average daily step count for each Vietnamese individual is only 3,600 steps. This figure represents merely one-third of the recommended standard of 10,000 steps. In a comparative analysis among the 11 countries, Viet Nam falls within the group of the three least active nations.

Studies conducted by the Department of Preventive Medicine/MOH indicate that a minimum of 30% of adults in Viet Nam lacks sufficient physical activity. According to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Viet Nam ranks among the top 10 least active countries globally. Particularly noteworthy is the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to a reduction in exercise and heightened concerns about nutritional imbalances among the populace. It is crucial for individuals to cultivate regular exercise habits and acquire knowledge about nutrition to achieve a balanced lifestyle.

Consequences of Overweight, Obesity, and Imbalanced Diets

Persistent overweight can lead to bodily dysfunction and the development of various diseases. The progression of these conditions is often silent over an extended period, making treatment and recovery exceptionally challenging and costly. Common diseases associated with excess weight include a weakened immune system, bone and joint disorders, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, respiratory issues, digestive ailments, infertility, complications during pregnancy, and psychological impacts such as low self-esteem, reduced proactivity, increased susceptibility to psychological effects, and depression. Additionally, the mortality rate among obese individuals is higher than that of those with normal weight.

In the case of children, being overweight or obese can impede height growth and puberty, posing numerous risks for adulthood diseases. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), childhood obesity stands as one of the most serious public health challenges of the 21st century. The consequences of overweight and obesity may not be immediately apparent but should not be underestimated. When obese children unfortunately contract diseases like diarrhea or pneumonia, the conditions often exacerbate, leading to increased severity and prolonged treatment times.

The detrimental effects of obesity on human health are profound, manifesting in various potentially life-threatening diseases and complications. More alarming is the escalating prevalence of obesity and overweight conditions.

What can be done to address overweight and obesity?

Despite a rapid increase in obesity rates, particularly among children and adolescents, Viet Nam lacks specialized and comprehensive obesity treatment centers. Currently, individuals with obesity are being treated across various departments, including endocrinology, cardiology, oncology, digestive surgery, and nutrition centers. Some resort to self-treatment, whether through informal advice, online information, or peer recommendations, often without professional guidance. A significant obstacle to addressing this issue is the absence of physicians specializing in obesity treatment, coupled with a deficiency in support specialists, including those in nutrition and psychology. Additionally, there is a lack of coordination among these various departments.

To alleviate the burden of disease and enhance the well-being and intelligence of the Vietnamese population, the Prime Minister, on January 5, 2022, signed Decision No. 02/QD-TTg, endorsing the National Strategy on Nutrition for the period 2021-2030, with a vision extending to 2045[2]. The overarching objective of this strategy is to implement appropriate nutritional practices tailored to each individual, locality, region, and ethnic group. This approach aims to reduce the prevalence of diseases, raise awareness about physical well-being, and enhance the stature, physical strength, and intelligence of the Vietnamese people.

Consequently, numerous specific goals and targets have been established, with a primary focus on 'Controlling overweight and obesity, preventing chronic non-communicable diseases, and addressing related risk factors in children, adolescents, and adults.' These goals include:

- Ensuring the controlled rate of overweight and obesity: Children under 5 years old should be below 10% (with urban areas below 11% and rural areas below 7%); children aged 5-18 should be below 19% (with urban areas below 27% and rural areas below 13%); adults aged 19-64 should be below 20% (with urban areas below 23% and rural areas below 17%) by 2025, maintaining these levels until 2030.

- Reducing the average salt consumption of the population (aged 15-49) to less than 8 grams/day by 2025 and further reducing it to less than 7 grams/day by 2030.

To effectively implement these strategic solutions, it is imperative to garner the active participation and collaboration of organizations, units, and businesses, in addition to the ongoing efforts of the government and functional agencies. This collective effort aims to enhance the stature, physical strength, and intelligence of the Vietnamese people, with a particular emphasis on children. Notably, a key component of this strategy is a comprehensive set of communication solutions designed to raise public awareness and foster correct and sufficient understanding about nutrition.

UNICEF is transitioning into a new phase of partnership with Viet Nam as part of its 2022-2026 Country Program. Within this framework, the promotion of nutrition for children and women remains a central pillar of our strategic collaboration. UNICEF Viet Nam is committed to working closely with the national and provincial authorities to advance the shared objective of reducing child obesity and child malnutrition in designated regions.

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[1] Please refer to the UNICEF’s SBC Guidance and Social and Behaviour Change Communications (SBCC).

[2] https://thuvienphapluat.vn/van-ban/The-thao-Y-te/Quyet-dinh-02-QD-TTg-2022-phe-duyet-Chien-luoc-Quoc-gia-ve-dinh-duong-2021-2030-499683.aspx

How can you make a difference?

For full Objective, Tasks, Deliverables, please find as enclosed 2-Individual consultant TOR_SBCC strategy_Obesity-Final (002).pdf

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

Education:

- Minimum Qualifications required: Master in Social and Behaviour Change Communication, Behavioural Science, Social Sciences, Public Health, Nutrition.

Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required:

The National SBCC Expert cum Team Leader with following qualifications:

- Minimum of Master level degree(s) in the relevant field, such as Social and behaviour change communication, behavioural science, social sciences, public health, nutrition, and at least 8 years of relevant experience.

- At least 8 years of proven and successful experience in the design and implementation of behavior change programs, preferably with at least five years’ experience in nutrition. (Note that strong experience within behavior change carries the greatest weight).

- Strong experiences in development of BCC (Behaviour change communication) materials in Viet Nam is desirable; familiarity with the nutrition and public health (including experience with community-based activities).

- Strong experiences in strategy and campaign concept design.

- Ability to effectively and respectfully work with and lead a team of professionals with different cultural and sectoral backgrounds.

- Native Vietnamese speaking and be fluent in English.

The Nutrition Expert (or Public Health Expert) – team member:

- Minimum of Master level degree(s) in the relevant field, such as nutrition, public health and at least 8 years of relevant experience.

- At least 8 years of proven experience in maternal and child nutrition field.

- Proven experience in providing technical support for the institution in the whole process of desk review, development of tools and methods, data collection and analysis.

- Familiarity with the rural nutrition, maternal health care sector in Viet Nam.

- Strong experiences in theme/message development.

- Ability to work with a team of professionals effectively and respectfully with different cultural and sectoral backgrounds.

- Native Vietnamese speaking and be fluent in English.

Evaluation Criteria:

A) Technical Evaluation: maximum 75 Points B) Financial Proposal: maximum 25 points

1.1 Educational background: 25 points

1.2 Relevant working experiences: 50 points

- Technical proposal submitted with relevant approach to meet the specific objectives and reach the specific target audience: 20 points.

- Relevant working experience with samples of SBCC strategy/campaign of the team leader: 20 points.

- Technical competencies and working experience of the team member (CV): 10 points.

The maximum number of points shall be allotted to the lowest Financial Proposal that is opened/evaluated and compared among technical qualified candidates who have attained a minimum 50-point score in the technical evaluation. Other Financial Proposals will receive points in inverse proportion to the lowest price.

The Contract shall be awarded to candidate (team leader) obtaining the highest combined technical and financial scores, subject to the satisfactory result of the verification interview if needed.

The team leader will be responsible for the assignment, including the process and quality of work, as well as account for all the deliverables specified in the TOR.

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.

Submission of applications:

a. Letter of interest/confirmation of availability and CV;

b. A technical proposal submitted with relevant approach to meet the specific objectives and reach the specific target audiences (not exceeding 5 pages);

c. Three references;

d. Financial proposal: All-inclusive lump-sum cost including consultancy fee, travel and any other relevant costs for this assignment. Quotation lumpsum_SBCC Obesity (002).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-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.

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Added 21 days ago - Updated 8 days ago - Source: unicef.org