International consultancy to provide technical assistance to MOHSPP in Behaviour Change Communication Institutional Development for the ADB Maternal and Child Health Integrated Project in Ta

Contract

This is a P-3 contract. This kind of contract is known as Professional and Director staff. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's a staff contract. It usually requires 5 years of experience, depending on education.

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The salary for this job should be between 106,748 USD and 139,778 USD.

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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,

Background Maternal and Child Health (MCH) remains a priority in Tajikistan's National Development and Health Sector policies and strategies including Tajikistan's commitment to the attainment of Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). Despite significant gains in the last decade, Maternal and Child Health (MCH) outcomes in Tajikistan are worse than the average in Central Asia and Caucasus regions. Rates of malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies are high. Preventable illnesses contribute to a considerable proportion of all child deaths in Tajikistan. Acute infections are the leading cause of death in the post-neonatal period. Acute respiratory illness (ARI), pneumonia, and acute diarrhea still account for more than half of reported child deaths within the first year of life, a pattern that has remained persistent over the last decade . Unsafe home deliveries are considered to be a major contributing factor to the high infant and maternal mortality rates in Tajikistan.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is supporting the Ministry of Health and Social Protection (MoHSPP) to implement a Maternal and Child Health Integrated Care (MCHIC) Project within the purview of the National Health Strategy 2010-2020. The project aims at improving the health status and well-being of mothers and children in 3 districts (Shamsuddin Shohin, Rasht, and Fayzobod) focusing on the integrated MCH care delivery at both primary and secondary health care levels. The MCHIC project targets the following three outputs: (i) Integrated quality MCH services delivery improved in project districts; (ii) MCH services rationalized, upgraded, equipped and case-based payment system piloted in project targeted districts; and (iii) Knowledge on maternal and child health and health-seeking behavior improved through various communication activities implemented.

UNICEF through a recently signed agreement is providing technical support to the Ministry of Health and Social Protection for the actualization of outputs 1 and 3 of the project. One of the main components of the project is to improve knowledge on maternal and child health and health seeking behaviors, through capacity enhancement of Ministry of Health and Social Protection of Population (MOHSPP), Republican Centre for Healthy Lifestyle (RCHLS), Republican Education and Clinical Centre for Family Medicine (RECCFM), development of the district specific BCC strategy and community mobilization to address social norms supporting collective MCH objectives and challenging harmful practices.

Behavior change communication component under the project will be implemented in close collaboration with Ministry of Health and Social Protection of Population (MOHSPP), Republican Centre for Healthy Lifestyle (RCHLS), Republican Education and Clinical Centre for Family Medicine (RECCFM) and Republican Centre for Reproductive Health that are mandated for the behavior change communication and play key role in supporting families to improve health and nutrition related knowledge, attitudes and practices to enforce appropriate health seeking behavior. To enhance capacity of key stakeholders, there is a need to conduct institutional capacity assessment and based on the findings to develop capacity building plan at national and sub-national levels to strengthen them to deliver strong BCC messages, engaging communities and ensure stronger linkages with the health care facilities.

Within this context, UNICEF Tajikistan Country Office seeks to hire an international consultant to provide technical assistance in Behavior Change Communication Institutional Development for the ADB Maternal and Child Health Integrated Project in Tajikistan.

How can you make a difference?

OBJECTIVE:

Communication for development is an essential element of mother and child health support programmes. The purpose of this assignment is to enhance the BCC capacity of Ministry of Health and Social Protection of Population (MOHSPP), Republican Centre for Healthy Lifestyle (RCHLS), Republican Education and Clinical Centre for Family Medicine (RECCFM) and strengthen partnership with relevant stakeholders through institutional capacity assessment and based on the findings to develop and implement the institutional capacity building plan at national and subnational level.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ASSIGNMENT:

The consultant will work in close cooperation with Ministry of Health and Social Protection of Population (MOHSPP), Republican Centre for Healthy Lifestyle (RCHLS), Republican Education and Clinical Centre for Family Medicine (RECCFM) and Republican Center for Reproductive Health to:

1. Conduct an assessment of the capacity of the above-mentioned government departments to strategize, plan, implement and monitor Social and Behaviour Change Communication interventions especially for women and children related programmes.
2. Develop a comprehensive institutional SBCC capacity development strategy and its implementation plan that is informed by the gap analysis and has the buy in of all stakeholder
3. Develop the training package for capacity building on SBCC for the relevant institutions (MOHSPP, RCHLS, RECCFM and Republican Centre for Reproductive Health) at national and subnational levels.

KEY DELIVERABLES and PAYMENT SCHEDULE:

1. Develop an inception report/work plan for achieving ToR tasks with timeline.

Inception report detailing the key activities/process and timeline for action (5 days); Deadline: September 2020.

2. Review MOHSPP, RCHLS, RECCFM and RCRH regulatory framework with the focus on SBCC.

Report of the findings of the review (5 days); Deadline: September 2020.

3. Conduct a comprehensive institutional assessment of SBCC capacity of MOHSPP, RCHLS, RECCFM and RCRH.

Institutional Assessment Report detailing status of capacity, capacity gaps and recommendation for institutional capacity enhancement/development (10 days); Deadline: 12 October 2020

4. Develop comprehensive institutional SBCC capacity building strategy and implementation plan with timeline.

• Capacity building strategy and its implementation plan with timeline
• Presentations and documents for capacity building strategy and plan consensus workshop prepared and shared with relevant partners.
• Consensus building workshop facilitated and notes on consensus meeting agreement to inform finalisation of capacity building plan.

(8 days); Deadline: 22 October 2020.

5. Develop training package for capacity building on SBCC. Training package for SBCC (training curricular and training support materials) (10 days); Deadline: 9 November 2020.
6. Conduct ToT for the key government stakeholders on SBCC at the national and sub-national level.

• Conducted TOT on SBCC at national level
• Training report

(4 days). Deadline: 19 November 2020.

7. Provide final report, summarizing the process and outcomes of the assignment as well as a set of recommendations and follow-up actions. Final report of assignment (3 days); Deadline: 30 November 2020.

Note: Due to COVID 19, the work and deliverables are subject to change. Consultant need to be flexible to adjust to any unforeseen adjustments that might occur during the implementation.

Payment schedule:

• 1st instalment 30% – upon completion and UNICEF approval of the deliverables 1-3;
• 2nd instalment 30% - upon completion and UNICEF approval of the deliverables 4-6;
• 3rd instalment 40% - upon completion and UNICEF approval of the deliverables 7-8

Performance indicators for the evaluation of results:

The evaluation of the results will be based on:

1. Technical and professional competence (quality of the products delivered to UNICEF);
2. Scope of work (e.g. No. of meetings with the stakeholders);
3. Quality of work (quality of methodology, draft, and final report);
4. Quantity of work (completing the tasks indicated in the table above within the set timeframe)

In addition, such indicators as work relations, responsibility, drive for results, and communication will be taken into account during the evaluation of the Consultant's work.

Estimated duration of contract and remuneration: The assignment will be carried out in 45 working days spread over a period ranging from September 2020 till 30 November 2020.

Location: Dushanbe, Tajikistan with travel to the field.

Travel involved: Consultant is expected to travel to Tajikistan. Travel plans to be pre-approved and agreed to by UNICEF Tajikistan. Travel paid for by UNICEF shall be based on economy class travel, regardless of the length of travel. Costs for accommodation, meals and incidentals shall not exceed applicable daily subsistence allowance (DSA) rates, as promulgated by the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC). Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for assuming costs for obtaining visas and travel insurance.

Supervision: The consultant will work under the technical guidance of the ECD/C4D Officer, in close collaboration with Early Years team members and with overall guidance provided by UNICEF Chief of Health and Nutrition. UNICEF will be responsible for arranging meetings with government counterparts and other stakeholders and for convening consultation events.

Reporting to**: ECD/C4D Officer, UNICEF Tajikistan

Insurances: UNICEF does not provide or arrange life or health insurance coverage for consultants and individual contractors, and consultants and individual contractors are not eligible to participate in the life or health insurance schemes available to United Nations staff members. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for assuming all costs related to required inoculations, vaccinations and medical examinations. Consultants and individual contractors are fully responsible for arranging, at their own expense, such life, health and other forms of insurance covering the period of their services as they consider appropriate. The responsibility of UNICEF is limited solely to the payment of compensation for service-incurred death, injury or illness as per the provisions detailed below.

Recourse: UNICEF reserves the right to withhold all or a portion of payment if performance is unsatisfactory, if work/outputs is incomplete, not delivered or for failure to meet deadlines.

Ethical considerations: Adequate measures should be taken to ensure that the process responds to quality and ethical requirements. The contracted consultant should be sensitive to beliefs, manners, and customs and act with integrity and honesty in their relationships with all stakeholders. It should also protect the anonymity and confidentiality of individual information.

Mandatory trainings: Consultants and individual contractors, regardless of contract duration, must complete the applicable mandatory trainings. The link will be provided during the selection process for the successful candidates.

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

• Education: Advanced university degree in the fields of Public Health and/or Health/Social Policy and has master's on Epidemiology with specialization on Infection control and/or Healthcare Waste Management or PhD Degree in health policy/health management or related areas.
• Expertise in development of adapting global standards and guidelines to developing countries context national strategies, health policy documents, national policies and guidelines, especially related to Infection Prevention and Control and the Healthcare Waste Management.
• Work Experience: Minimum 10 years of practical experience: in the field of planning and implementation of the health sector assessments; strategic planning and capacity building (mandatory); Recent experience (within the past 5 years) in the development projects with Infection control and a medical waste management aspects in countries with transition economies and experience of working with top-management of national ministries and local authorities would be an advantage;
• Relevant technical expertise and consultancy experiences with international/UN organization in the field of epidemiological safety (including assessment in accordance with WHO guidelines) and health system strengthening. Extensive experience in CIS countries is an asset.
• Competencies: Strong analytical and conceptual thinking. Excellent writing skills. Excellent communication and presentation skills with stakeholders and the ability to work under pressure and commitment to work to a tight timeframe.
• Language: Fluency in English (written and spoken), knowledge of Russian and/or Tajik is an asset.

EVALUATION PROCESS: Qualified candidates are requested to submit:

1. Cover letter/application/CV.
2. A technical proposal with proposed methodology/approach to managing the project, showing understanding of tasks.
3. Financial quote for the consultancy in USD per deliverable, stating also the timeframe for completion of deliverable and/or daily rate in USD.
4. Examples of previous, relevant work related to the deliverables.
5. At least 2 References

Queries can be sent to: tad-procurement@unicef.org with subject line "International consultancy to provide technical assistance to MOHSPP in Behaviour Change Communication Institutional Development for the ADB Maternal and Child Health Integrated Project in Tajikistan". Applications must be received by the 3 September 2020 on our website: http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/index.php.

Travel costs and DSA will be covered in accordance with UN rules and regulations. No other remunerations apply. The office retains the right to adopt assessment methodology including but not limited to interview or a small assignment. As a general principle, the fees payable to a consultant or individual contractor follow the "best value for money" principle, i.e., achieving the desired outcome at the lowest possible cost.

Please note that consultants and individual contractors are responsible for assuming costs for obtaining visas and travel insurance.

During the selection, the ratio between the technical evaluation and commercial offer is 80 to 20.

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on a cumulative analysis methodology. The award of the Contract shall be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

a) responsive/compliant/acceptable, and b) Having received the highest score out of a weighted set of technical and financial criteria.

* Technical Criteria weight -80%; * Financial Criteria weight -20%;

Criteria

Weight

Max. Point

TECHNICAL QUALIFICATION (max. 80 points)

80%

80

Overall Response (20 points)

Understanding of tasks, objectives and completeness and coherence of response

15

Overall match between the TOR requirements and proposal

15

Proposed Methodology and Approach (20 points)

Quality of proposed approach/methodology

10

Quality of proposed work plan

10

Technical Capacity (40 points)

Advanced university degree in the fields of Economics and/or Public Health and/or Health/Social Policy and has master’s or PhD Degree in related areas.

5

Minimum 10 years of practical experience: in the field of strategic institutional assessment; strategic planning and capacity building (mandatory); Recent experience (within the past 5 years) in the implementation of institutional development projects in countries with transition economies and experience of working with top-management of national ministries and local authorities would be an advantage

5

Expertise in communication for development or the social/behavioural sciences (Sociology, Anthropology, Psychology, Health Education), with emphasis on participatory communication, communication design/planning and monitoring and evaluation framework development

8

Strong analytical and conceptual thinking. Excellent writing skills. Excellent communication and presentation skills with stakeholders and the ability to work under pressure and commitment to work to a tight timeframe

7

Fluency in English (written and spoken), knowledge of Russian and / or Tajik is an asset

5

FINANCIAL PROPOSAL (max. 30 points) (daily rate, lump sum, per deliverable, Economy Air Ticket)

20%

20

TOTAL SCORE (max. 100 points)

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 64 points in Technical Criteria evaluation will be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

Financial Proposal

Please provide a rate all-inclusive price (in US dollars) for delivery of professional services in accordance with the assignments described under this TOR.

The formula for the rating of the Financial Proposals will be as follows:

FP Rating = (Lowest Priced Offer / Price of the Offer Being Reviewed) x 100

F****or 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 Results.

View our competency framework at http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/UNICEF_Competencies.pdf

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, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

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