National Contractor – To manage U-Report

Consultant Medical & Health Programme & Policy

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,

Background and Justification

Adolescents (10-19 years) make up 18 per cent of the total population of Lesotho. Like young people elsewhere, they face complex and changing environments. However, in Lesotho, many of their challenges are particularly acute and concerning, especially in the context of widespread poverty where 67.3 per cent of adolescents aged 13-17 years are deprived in multiple dimensions of well-being such as healthcare, nutrition, education, safe water, housing and information.

Lesotho has the second highest HIV prevalence in the world. A quarter of its entire population is living with HIV/AIDS. While HIV related outcomes improved for other age groups, the rate of improvement has not translated for adolescents. Adolescents, and in particular girls, are especially at risk. Every week, 28 adolescent girls 10-19, and seven adolescent boys are newly infected with HIV. Comprehensive knowledge of HIV is also worryingly low among adolescents 35 per cent for girls and 30 per cent for boys. Overlapping risk factors such as high teenage pregnancies (1 in 5), early sexual debut (2 in 5), low contraception use, (1 in 5) and never testing for HIV (2 in 5) place adolescents in high risk of HIV. The nexus between HIV risk among adolescent girls and mother to child transmission of HIV are clear. Over 50 per cent of all pregnancies in Lesotho are among adolescent girls, and young women (15-24) and 1 in 5 ANC attendees are adolescent girls 15-19.

Education often plays a protective role in reducing adolescents vulnerability to HIV infection and other risks. However, only 46 per cent of adolescents are in secondary school. Children with disabilities, rural adolescents and rural boys, in particular, are most disadvantaged. Only 16 per cent of adolescents with disabilities attend secondary school. Rural boys who become herd boys a cultural obligation in Lesotho society are especially likely to be deprived of an education. The poor quality of education is linked to high youth unemployment, another major obstacle to a meaningful life for many adolescents and young people in Lesotho. The broad unemployment rate is estimated at 28 per cent, and it is as high as 43 per cent for youths aged 15 to 24.

Sexual violence against children and adolescents is a tragic but common occurrence in homes, schools and institutions. At least 10,000 adolescents and children are believed to experience sexual abuse in Lesotho, according to a 2011 Situation Analysis of Orphans and Other Vulnerable Children, which remains the best available source of specific data on the subject. More than 24 per cent of women are married by age 18, while almost one in five girls aged 15-19 years have begun childbearing.

To address some of the above mentioned challenges and in line with the national policies and strategies, UNICEF would like to support civil society organisations (CSOs) in the deployment of Rapid Pro /U-Report in Lesotho to support achievement of results for children through adolescent and youth engagement and participation. Rapid Pro in Lesotho will help curb such challenges by allowing a flow of information to adolescents and from through digital platforms facilitating adolescent engagement in the country.

Rapid Pro/U-Report is a program designed to empower young people to speak out on issues that they care about in their communities, encourage citizen-led development and create positive change. By continuous engagement, youth and youth leaders, are able to identify challenges, objectives and goals, and design questions which will be broadcasted via U-Report. U report is currently implemented in over 22 countries across Africa. With over 6.5 million users globally, U-Report has supported both development and humanitarian interventions, advocacy and awareness raising amongst children, adolescent and youth.

The assignment will be led by a consultant with relevant set of competencies to focus their attention on setting up the platform. These competencies are not currently available in LCO, thus the need for a short term consultant.

1. *Goal and Objective*****:

Under the supervision of the Deputy Representative the consultancy will implement UNICEF Lesotho U-Report strategy, including youth and partnership engagement modalities that directly contribute to LCO programme results, manage RapidPro and provide capacity building to interested partners.

The purpose of U-Report in Lesotho is to:

1)Provide information to adolescents and youth

2)Empower young people to share opinions on issues that matter to them

3)Provide valuable information to community members and government for decision making and programme implementation

4)Amplify voices for advocacy at a community, council, district, and national level

5)Use citizen data to improve accountability and strengthen programmes, building on UNICEF Lesotho existing social accountability work and country programme nimbleness to adapt to emerging issues.

6)Influence positive behaviour change for improved social outcomes.

7)Provide technical assistance to partners who wants to work with one-on-one counseling through U-Partner.

In addition, U-Report will be used in humanitarian response to engage adolescents, young people, and caregivers in the areas of continuity of health, education, and social protection services, as well as response to emergencies.

The consultant will support Government of Lesotho, UNICEF, UN Agencies, and civil society organisations (CSOs), through the U-Report Task Team, coordinating U-Report to enable young people and marginalised groups to have access to information and have a voice on issues that matter to them. In doing so, he/she will work with partners to:

a)Scale the program to create a national voice of youth on SRHR/HIV

b)Complement Education data collection channels for remote learning feedback and re-enrolment tracking

b)Mobilise registered users to stay engaged

c)Collect data and use responsibly to create positive change

d)Ensure users are given feedback on how data is used

e)Ensure sustainability of the programme by developing support models (management capacities anchored within the NGO space, defining roles / accountabilities that sit with staff in the UNICEF CO, and a financial model)

Scope of Work

2. Provide details/reference to AWP areas covered:

The activity aligns to the rolling workplan (2019-2021) signed by Government Ministries (Water, Health, Social Development, Education) and UNICEF

3. Activities and Tasks:

The consultant is expected to:

• Manage RapidPro in Lesotho and provide technical guidance on the introduction and funtionality of RapidPro in Lesotho
• Work with UNICEF Communication team to identify key issues to trigger social media debates / sharing of information U-Report in Lesotho.
• Build the capacity of U-Report Ambassadors and Workshops facilitators to engage and scaleup the platform.
• Identify existing adolescents networks and design and run a public information campaign on U-report.
• Build outreach traditional and social media campaigns for on U-Report
• Facilitate the analyses and dissemination of data and disseminate internally and with implementing partners and U-Report Task Team
• Translate U-Report polls into Sesotho
• Implement and update the U-Report Strategy, in consultation with UNICEF and partners (including government, NGOs and CSOs), aligning to the UNICEF Global Adolescent
• Act as a liaison between UNICEF Lesotho and RapidPro vendor in resolving technical issues, in collaboration with IT team of LCO and Resident Coordinator Office (RCO).
• Identify best practices for U-Report programme and RapidPro application from other offices for replication in Lesotho
• Work with UNICEF focal points and partners to guarantee advocacy actions with U-Report data.
• Coordinate project daily life with different stakeholders (UNICEF partners, Online and Offline actions and implementing partners, Global U-Report community, Task Team).
• Contribute to the global innovation community of practice and knowledge exchange

Outputs/Deliverables:

Tasks

Tasks / Milestones

Deliverables

Due Date

1. Identify existing adolescents networks and design and run a public information campaign

2. Map existing service provision landscape

3. Work with Task Team and U-Report partners to include adolescents and young people as decision makers on the project.

4. Work with UNICEF Communication team to identify key issues to trigger social media debates / sharing of information U-Report in Lesotho. Coordinating the work done by the platform on social media.

5. Build the capacity of U-Report Ambassadors and Workshops facilitaros to engage and scaleup the platform.

Mapping exercise report.

Social media posts, newspaper cuttings, meeting minutes etc

Training reports/programmes and contacts.

May 2021

2. Build outreach campaigns through U-Report

3. Consult U-Report Task Team on SMS based questionnaires and themes for the next 6 months

4. Configure Questionnaires in RapidPro
5. Work with Design Firm to develop promotion material
6. Identify geographic areas with AYP technical team
7. Run campaigns
8. Facilitate the analyses and dissemination of data and disseminate internally

and with implementing partners and U-Report Task Team

7. Create standard operating procedures to be followed by all users of the U-reporting system.

8. Evaluate partner usage of U-report and understanding incentives and constraints involved between high level users and low level users.

Periodical (Monthly or Bi-monthly) materials with poll and data related information available.

Monthly

Analyses and dissemination of poll results and data e

1. Analysis report Dissermination of results after each poll

Poll Results report

Per U-report Poll

3. Document U-Report progress, challenges and lessons learnt

4. Collaborate with all stakeholders to present achievements, challenges and lessons learnt on use of RapidPro

5. Produce final documentation of experiences and lessons learnt
6. Build the capacity of UNICEF Programme Specialists to conduct U-Report campaigns
7. Arrange meetings with U-reporters on the collection of data and findings.
8. Report results of statical analysis

Final Documentation report Available

27/2/2022

Desired profile

• Bachelor degree in Social Sciences, International Relations, Development, Community Development, Information Technology, or equivalent work experience
• At least two years of experience working with adolescents
• Previous experience in programme management is considered an asset
• Progressively responsible professional work experience in communication, education, and technology fields
• Demonstrated experience with youth and adolescent engagement programmes, including leveraging new technologies to implement C4D strategies.
• Experience with RapidPro or other SMS-based engagement pilot is an added advantage.
• Some professional or academic background in one of UNICEF sectorial areas (preferably Health or Education) is desired
• Familiarity with information systems and communication technologies
• A strong understanding of UNICEF mission and vision as well as its programmes through direct or indirect work experience with UNICEF
• Proven skills in communication, networking, strategic thinking, advocacy, negotiation, and ability to relate this to new media and young people
• Proven ability to conceptualize, plan and execute ideas as well as to transfer knowledge and skills
• Proven capacity to work with and lead collaborative teams across different locations and with different technical skills
• Strong writing and communication skills and the aptitude to handle competing messages and priorities with multiple audiences
• Very good interpersonal skills, skilled at persuading, influencing, relating and networking
• Creative, innovative thinker who can also translate ideas into practical applications
• Fluency in English and Sesotho

Administrative issues

The candidate selected will be governed by and subject to UNICEF General Terms and Conditions for individual contracts

1. The contractor will work on its own computer(s) and materials in the execution of this assignment.
2. The work of the contractor is full-time and office based but may require visiting districts for monitoring activities;
3. The consultant payment is inclusive of professional fees; if the consultant is to travel outside Maseru and stay overnights, related Living allowance will be exclusive of the total contract value.
4. As per UNICEF DFAM policy, payment is made against approved deliverables and monthly workplans. No advance payment is allowed unless in exceptional circumstances against bank guarantee, subject to a maximum of 30 per cent of the total contract value in cases where advance purchases, for example for supplies or travel, may be necessary.
5. Monthly payments will be made upon submission of a monthly report and invoice.
6. The contractor will be entitled to UN Official Holidays and Paid Time Off (at the rate of one and a half days for each full month of service) to be credited on the last calendar day of the month, and up to 17 days for a maximum of 11.5 months contract.
7. Contractors are not entitled to payment of overtime. All remuneration must be within the contract agreement.
8. No contract may commence unless the contract is signed by both UNICEF and the consultant.
9. Contractor will be required to complete online courses related to Ethics, Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse and Security related trainings prior to taking up the assignment and/or travel.
10. Contractor will be required to sign the Health Statement for consultants/individual prior to taking up the assignment, and to share an appropriate proof of health insurance covering COVID-19
11. Please also see UNICEF Standard Terms and Conditions attached.

Risks

UNICEF Lesotho 2019-2022 Country Programme Document (CPD) was developed with a risk-informed programming lens to support sustainable programs, considering assumptions for the pro-ject success. The development of the CPD, through which this activity will contribute to, analysed the vulnerabilities, systems, capacities, resources, and looked at the risks beneficiaries may face to prevent the risk or mitigate the impact. The risks associated with the implementation of this activity are minimal and below the global threshold set by UNICEF Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Office. The risks will be managed through constant monitoring, providing early warning of potential issues in programme implementation, and advocacy with GOL officials. All reasonable and likely risks should be identified and a relevant risk response and possible mitigating action defined.

How to Apply

Qualified candidates are requested to complete an application including profile to the respective advertisement on https://www.unicef.org/about/employ/ Please indicate your ability, availability and financial proposal/quote to complete the terms of reference above.

Rates must include all expenses related to the assignment (e.g. consultancy fee, , living allowance).

Applications submitted without a fee/ rate will not be considered.

If you have not been contacted within 2 months of the closing date please accept that your application was unsuccessful. Regret emails will be sent only to shortlisted/contacted candidates.

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.

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.

Apply now

Added 3 years ago - Updated 2 years ago - Source: unicef.org