Local Consultant: Social and Behavior Change on Health, Nutrition, and WASH (11.5 Months) - Previous Applicants need not apply

Contract

This is a Consultancy contract. More about Consultancy contracts.

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, a fair chance

UNICEF has been an active partner of the Government of the Philippines and civil society in realizing the rights of every Filipino child, in line with priorities to achieve the Millennium Development Goals. UNICEF efforts have been focused on the most vulnerable regions identified by the Government of the Philippines Development Plan, particularly in the regions of Visayas and Mindanao. To ensure that interventions are sustainable and scaled up, UNICEF will support primarily local government units (LGUs) as the main instruments of delivering services and building systems. The level of engagement with government institutions will take into account capacities, economies of scale and sector issues.

It has a field office in Cotabato City, the second largest city in Mindanao, southern Philippines, with some 300,000 population. The city is the regional administrative centre of the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao and over 80 percent of the population is Muslim. Mindanao is both conflict-affected and prone to frequent earthquakes and typhoon storms.

Visit this link for more information on Philippine Country Office: https://www.unicef.org/philippines/

How can you make a difference?

Scope of Work/Tasks:

Health (routine immunization/COVID-19 vaccination)

1. Provide technical assistance to the Ministry of Health in the development of key messages on routine immunization and COVID-19 vaccination, particularly on zero-dose individuals and defaulters.
2. Conduct data gathering to understand the reasons behind the low vaccination coverage, both for routine immunization and COVID-19 vaccination per sector.
3. Review, revise, and finalize existing communication strategies for immunization, including COVID-19 vaccination for each target audience.
4. Conceptualize, test, and finalize customized key messages and IEC materials on immunization for each target audience and the platforms to which they should be delivered.
5. Develop tools that would determine the reach of communication interventions and track the changes in behavior of target audience.
6. Monitor and evaluate progress of SBC campaign on immunization and COVID-19 vaccination and recommend improvement measures.
7. Provide technical support to the Integrated Provincial Health Offices during the microplanning and trainings on Expanded Program on Immunization, Risk Communication and Community Engagement, and SBC.
8. Documentation of good practices and lessons learned in the field, including monthly release of field notes during the implementation of social and behavior change activities.
9. Support and assist in the creation of a social and behavior change network/technical working group in BARMM.

Nutrition

1. Provide technical assistance to the Ministry of Health-Nutrition Division and Health Education and Promotion Office in the refinement and contextualization of key messages on maternal nutrition, infant and young child feeding (MNIYCF), especially breastfeeding, the concept of diet diversification, minimum acceptable diet, age appropriate complementary and supplementary feeding.
2. Conduct data gathering to understand the reasons behind the poor feeding practices.
3. Review, revise, and finalize existing communication strategies for nutrition, especially MNIYCF.
4. Conceptualize, test, and finalize key messages and IEC materials on nutrition.
5. Monitor progress of SBC campaign on nutrition.
6. Documentation of good practices and lessons learned in the field, including monthly release of field notes during the implementation of social and behavior change activities.

WASH

1. Provide technical support to the MOH WASH Team in the development and/or contextualization of already existing WASH IEC materials on key WASH practices, Philippine Approach to Total Sustainable Sanitation (PhATSS), and ending open defecation.
2. Develop and facilitate implementation of a WASH Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice (KAP) Survey tool to be administered in selected communities in the BARMM (especially in the island provinces).
3. Documentation and/or compilation of the good practices and lessons learned from the proposed BARMM Sanitation Summit to be used as guidance notes for planning and implementation of PhATSS-ZOD program in the provinces.
4. Documentation of WASH good practices, lessons learned, and human-interest stories related to the implementation of PhATSS-ZOD program in the BARMM especially in Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur with the aim of sharing at the national level.
5. Support in the facilitation and documentation of SBC training and/or workshops related to WASH intended for BARMM practitioners.

Deliverables:

• All meetings with the MOH Demand Generation Task Group, HEPO/CMU and EPI Team facilitated and attended

• TWG for SBC organized in the MOH

• Submission of regular reports

• Submission of approved TOR of the SBC Technical Working Group (TWG)

• Conduct surveys/FGDs to collect qualitative and quantitative data on perception and behavior towards immunization

• Analysis and report on the results of the survey/FGD

• Review and revise communication plan and strategies (including those developed by government, academic institutions, and development partners) on immunization, including COVID-19 vaccination

• Revised immunization communications plan and strategies based on the results of the survey/data gathering

• Review and revise existing key messages (of UNICEF, government, religious groups, and implementing partners) and IEC materials on immunization

• Ensure that key messages are accessible to persons with disabilities, have the gender, IDP and indigenous people’s lens

• Revised and updated key messages and IEC materials on immunization that are accessible to all, including persons with disabilities

• Develop a communications tracking tool that would determine the reach of communication interventions and track the changes in behavior of target audience.

• A communications tracking tool that has been pilot-tested in selected areas/municipalities (including indigenous peoples’ community, and internally displaced persons) and endorsed to the Ministry of Health, and the SBC technical working group

• Monitoring visits conducted and observations recorded in trip reports including recommendations to be discussed with the MOH and SBC TWG.

• Action plans on agreed recommendations formulated and implemented.

• Submission of regular trip reports and agreed actions

• Participate and co-facilitate in the trainings and micro-planning on RCCE and EPI, and SBC Training

• Review implementing partner’s (Relief International) RCCE activities

• Documentation and report of the trainings conducted

• Good/best practices on the implementation of SBC activities documented (to include human-interest stories)

• Submission of regular reports on SBC activities

• Submission of human-interest stories

• Initiate a meeting with SBC/Information/ Communication Officers and organize the SBC network/Technical Working Group

• Quarterly meetings of the SBC network attended and co-facilitated

• Draft Terms of Reference for the SBC network/Technical Working Group

• Submission of the SBC network directory (to include partners in the academe, religious sector, and youth groups)

• All meetings with the MOH - Nutrition Division, Communications Management Unit, and HEPO facilitated and attended

• TWG for SBC organized in the MOH

• Submission of regular reports

• Submission of approved TOR (including proposed annual plan of activities) of the SBC Technical Working Group (TWG)

• Conduct surveys/FGDs to collect qualitative and quantitative data on perception and behavior towards MNIYCF

• Analysis and report on the results of the survey/FGD

• Review and revise communication plan and strategies on MNIYCF

• Revised communications plan and strategies on MNIYCF based on the results of the survey/data gathering

• Review and revise existing key messages and IEC materials on nutrition and MNIYCF

• Ensure that key messages are accessible to persons with disabilities, have the gender, IDP and indigenous people’s lens

• Revised and updated key messages and IEC materials on immunization that are accessible to all, including persons with disabilities

• Monitoring visits conducted and observations recorded in trip reports including recommendations to be discussed with the MOH and SBC TWG.

• Action plans on agreed recommendations formulated and implemented.

• Submission of regular trip reports and agreed actions

• Good/best practices on the implementation of SBC activities documented (to include human-interest stories)

• Submission of regular reports on SBC activities

• Submission of human-interest stories

• Review of existing WASH IEC materials on key WASH messages, PhATSS, and ending open defecation; agreement on materials to be developed and/or contextualized (e.g., illustrations, texts, language, etc.)

• Ensure that key messages are accessible to persons with disabilities, have the gender, IDP and indigenous people’s lens

• Compilation of final WASH IEC materials to be used in the BARMM – drafted ready for production.

• Review of existing documents that tackle WASH behaviors in the BARMM, e.g., KAP surveys, case studies.

• Facilitate discussions and development of WASH KAP survey to understand changes in knowledge, attitude, and practices on WASH – the aim to administer yearly.

• Final WASH KAP Survey Tool for BARMM communities.

• WASH KAP Survey Implementation Plan for the year 2023.

• Review documents coming from partners to be presented as good practices and lessons learned; as necessary improve the write ups and package them as KM products (e.g., technical/guide notes).

• Compilation of PhATSS-ZOD Program Implementation Good Practices and Lessons Learned in the BARMM

• Conduct field missions in Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur to document good practices and lessons learned of UNICEF funded/support WASH program/s.

• Presentation of topic options to UNICEF and MOH teams.

• 2 Documents of WASH Good Practices and Lessons Learned in Maguindanao and LDS

• 2 human-interest stories on WASH

• Integration of SBC in the WASH trainings/workshops for BARMM.

• Support through conduct of orientation /presentation on SBC to WASH partners in BARMM.

• At least 2 orientations on SBC and WASH communication materials participated as presenter/speaker.

Qualifications and Competencies of Successful Consultant

• Advanced University degree in one of the disciplines relevant to the following areas: journalism, development communications, communications, public health or related field.
• Bachelor’s degree might be considered with equivalent work experience below.

Work Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years or more of relevant experience in social and behavior change, risk communication and community engagement
• Experience in managing development program (implementation, financial management, reporting), preferably some social and behavior change projects (both technical and financial management) is required.
• Experience in developing and implementing crisis communication plan.
• Expertise in the development and design of knowledge products for various audiences.
• Strong relationships with major local, regional and national reporters and bloggers are a plus.
• Proven record of securing placements with traditional and digital media.
• Strong social media skills/understanding.
• Thorough knowledge of social media tools, including Twitter and Facebook
• A good track record in working with the government and implementation of social and behavior change strategies.
• Experience in working in emergency responses is an advantage.
• Relevant experience working in the UN or other international development organization is an asset.
• Good understanding of geographical and cultural diversity of the BARMM is an advantage.
• Ability to (i) work flexibly and independently with limited supervision in a multicultural team environment and deliver quality results against tight deadlines; and (ii) handle multiple tasks and deliver quality outputs even under pressure, is required.
• Strong computer skill (word, excel, power point, outlook) is required.
• Strong communication skills (both writing and speaking), especially the ability to draft analytical reports/documents is required.
• Proactive coordination and networking skills required.
• Supported by strong references preferred.

Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required:

• Good understanding on the health, nutrition, and WASH Programs implemented by the Ministry of Health in BARMM and expert on social and behavior change communications campaigns and strategies.

Competency Profile

• Core Values (Required)

Care, Respect, Integrity, Teamwork, Accountability (CRITA)

Core Competencies

• Nurtures, Leads and Manages People
• Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness
• Works Collaboratively with others
• Builds and Maintains Partnerships
• Innovates and Embraces Change
• Thinks and Acts Strategically
• Drives to achieve impactful results
• Manages ambiguity and complexity

Functional Competencies

• Formulating Strategies and Concepts [I]
• Analyzing [II]
• Applying Technical Expertise [ I]
• Learning and Researching [II]
• Planning and Organizing [II]

Languages:

• Fluency in English and Filipino languages required.
• Preferably knowledgeable in BARMM context (language and culture).

HOW TO APPLY

Qualified candidates are requested to complete an online candidate profile in http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/ by 09 June 2023. Only applications sent through the e-recruitment portal under Job Number: 557100 will be considered.

All candidates are requested to submit a COVER LETTER, and the duly filled P11 Form which can be downloaded from our website at P11 Form.docx (sharepoint.com) indicating three (3) previous supervisors. Please indicate your ability, availability and daily/monthly rate to undertake the terms of reference above. Applications submitted without a daily/monthly rate will not be considered.

Only shortlisted consultants will be contacted.

Remarks:

Terms of reference may be shared upon request.

By applying through our Talent Management System (TMS) you agree to our privacy statement which is in line with the Philippines Data Privacy Act. You are strongly advised to read carefully through the privacy statement before submitting your application.

"UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations, 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."