UNICEF Zimbabwe is inviting proposals from qualified Communication for Development individual consultants for the Sustainable Energy for Health Facilities Program (open to Zimbabweans only)

Consultant Crisis & Emergency Response Programme & Policy Communications & PR Innovation

Contract

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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, good health!

TERMS OF REFERENCE

Purpose: To provide technical communication support to the Sustainable Energy for Health Facilities Program

Subject: Communications for Development (C4D) Consultant for the Sustainable Energy for Health Facilities (SE4HF) Program

Duration: 90 days over a period of maximum of 11 months

Supervisor: Social Policy Officer with support from the C4D Specialist

Background

The Sustainable Energy for Health Facilities (SE4HF) program seeks to improve the health of women and children, especially the most vulnerable, through the promotion of sustainable energy solutions at health facilities and surrounding communities.

67% of the Zimbabwean population live in rural areas. This population depends on rural health facilities for the provision of primary health care, including maternal, new-born and child health services. These services should be available during the day as well as at night especially for deliveries and emergency situations, and yet for fault of a reliable power source these essential services are often disrupted. Up to 32.5% of health facilities lack electricity in Zimbabwe, compromising health service provision with unforgivable consequences for children. Women coming to health centres to deliver are often advised to bring own water and candles for use during delivery.

Energy demand in Zimbabwe is growing gradually, by over 2% annually. Local supply does not meet demand and the shortfall is made up with imports of electricity from Zambia, Mozambique and South Africa. Fuel wood provides the bulk (53%) of the total energy supply, followed by coal (20%), liquid fuels (14%) and electricity (13%). Women and children bear the brunt of the burden, not just of fetching the fuel wood, but also of cooking with it. This high dependency on solid and fossil fuel for energy has very negative health implications, and these greenhouse gas emissions from solid and fossil fuels are contributing to local air pollution as well as climate change. The large dependence on hydropower and the challenges associated with diminishing annual yields in surface water and the worsening rainfall distribution patterns, and in some cases the reduction in total rainfall amounts, call for a re-thinking of water management in electricity generation dependence. There is potential to embed climate change mitigation measures within Zimbabwe’s energy and health sectors. Such measures could focus on reducing dependency on solid and fossil fuel for energy, increasing the efficiency of energy production and use and shifting to cleaner and renewable energy sources which, when combined should lower not only Zimbabwe’s local air pollution but also greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. That sustainable energy is the only viable way forward towards a low-carbon future is becoming increasingly clear.

The Sustainable Energy for Health Facilities (SE4HF) program has 3 main outcomes, namely:

1. Improved provision of sustainable energy and water access at health facilities resulting in improved quality health services for women and children.
2. Awareness and confidence in renewable energy technologies for all health institutions and surrounding communities.
3. Communities adopt and support recommended infant and young child feeding practices and acute respiratory infections are reduced.

UNICEF hereby seeks to engage a C4D Consultant to provide technical support to the program’s communication needs.

Purpose of Assignment:

1. The assignment focuses on providing technical communication support to the SE4HF program. The consultant must develop a communication for development strategy and action plan that speaks to each of the 3 program outcomes outlined above.
2. The assignment requires the consultant to produce program messaging on sustainable energy use in health facilities (i.e. heating, lighting, cold chain, powering water pumps) and related benefits eg safe deliveries, reduced mortalities including the hygiene benefits of safe water access.
3. The assignment involves liaising with external stakeholders including government departments, communities and private companies involved in the solar system installations. With guidance from UNICEF, the Consultant will work with the different stakeholders in meeting the communication needs of the program.
4. Throughout the assignment, the consultant is expected to employ a variety of communication methods and tools in reaching out to the target audiences.

Scope of Work:

The core responsibilities of the Communication for Development Consultant include:

1. Plan communication efforts to strengthen awareness of activities and knowledge on the SE4HF program and sustainable energy in general, taking into account the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent restrictions including travel and social distancing.

• Develop a short to medium term C4D strategy and action plan for SE4HF program.
• Produce various communication materials such as, but not limited to, video documentaries, human interest stories, outreach material, articles, fact sheets, training materials, social media posts and write -ups about outcomes of SE4HF for a variety of channels in accordance with UNICEF guidelines.
• Support training and events relating to the SE4HF program with C4D materials.
• Support UNICEF in enhancing SE4HF communication and knowledge sharing among stakeholders.
• Recommend best practices for information repository of the SE4HF program to enable safekeeping and easy access by target audience.

2. Support the undertaking of SE4HF program communication activities such as disseminating communication products and key messages to different project stakeholders/audiences

• Participate in the planning of communication products dissemination channels in line with UNICEF guidelines.
• Utilize different modes of communication to disseminate relevant information in a timely manner including use of engaging platforms for mobilizing communities.
• Liaise with the UNICEF SE4HF team including the Solar Consultant and key stakeholders in the designing and dissemination of information through relevant channels.
• Assist with all communication needs of the SE4HF program as appropriate.

3. In collaboration with relevant UNICEF teams, support development of knowledge products and other promotional materials relating to the SE4HF program

Major Task, Deliverable, Timeframe and payment Schedule

No.

Task

Deliverable

Date of Deliverable

Payment Schedule

1.

Produce a C4D strategy and action plan for SE4HF.

Support training and events relating to the SE4HF program.

Communication strategy and action plan, monitoring and evaluation action plan for SE4HF produced, shared and approved by UNICEF

Input into planning of at least 1 training meeting that relates to SE4HF.

30 September 2020

30%

Produce various communication materials including, but not limited to, video documentaries, stories and news, outreach activities.

Support SE4HF in enhancing communication and knowledge sharing among stakeholders

At least 2 stories of human interest produced, 1 outreach activity supported/conducted and one more communication product as per the communication strategy.

At least 1 communication and knowledge sharing initiative supported.

30 November 2020

40%

2.

Participate in the planning of communication products dissemination channels in line with UNICEF guidelines

Utilize different modes of communication to disseminate relevant information in a timely manner

Information and communication material toolkit for different engagement platforms developed & disseminated.

31 January 2021

3.

Support development of knowledge products and other promotional materials relating to the SE4HF program.

Documented support on development of at least 2 knowledge product material relating to SE4HF program.

30 April 2021

30%

4.

Submission of final communications repository for SE4HF program developed during the course of assignment.

Submit final dossier of communications repository.

30 June 2021

All deliverables will have to meet expected quality and standards as assessed by the supervisor of the assignment. Should the consultant fail to deliver as per expected quality and standards, UNICEF reserves the right to amend the payouts accordingly, or to delay them until satisfactory submission has been received.

Consultant’s Workplace:

The consultant is expected to use his/her own equipment and work mainly from his/her home location.

Consultancy Costs and Payment Modalities

The work plan is in line with the work schedule above. The consultant must plan a maximum of 20 travel days (taking into consideration that travel might be restricted due to COVID-19. All costs incurred to perform travels to the relevant districts where health facilities are located (Daily subsistence allowance, communication costs etc.) must be included in the all-inclusive financial offer of the consultant. Consultant shall use own transport to undertake assignment where necessary. Therefore, the consultant will be expected to submit a technical and all-inclusive financial proposal detailing his professional fees, travel related costs and other miscellaneous consultancy costs for delivering this assignment as part of the online application.

Additional Comments

The consultant must have ability to undertake the assessment and subsequent deliverables remotely from UNICEF ZCO and project beneficiaries, in anticipation of possible natural disasters and other challenges such as COVID-19. Support and assistance will be provided by UNICEF and the relevant implementing partners as well as relevant Government of Zimbabwe Ministries and supporting structures where necessary.

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

• An advanced University degree in Communications, Media, Journalism or related field.
• Previous experience working in/producing communications for development material.
• Minimum of 5 years of extensive professional experience in C4D. The consultant must have completed at least 2 related assignments that includes program documentation, production of documentaries and designing IEC and training materials.
• Documented knowledge and traceable experience in C4D and working with communities.
• Understanding of key human development issues.
• Computer literate.
• Fluency in English and local languages, verbal and written.
• Excellent report writing skills.

Personal Competencies

• Ability to exercise sound technical judgment.
• Able to work effectively in a multi-cultural environment and a high sense of integrity.
• Outstanding communication, networking and negotiation skills.

For 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 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.

Please note that UNICEF does not charge a fee or require personal banking details at any stage of the recruitment 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.

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Added 4 years ago - Updated 2 years ago - Source: unicef.org