UNICEF seeks to recruit a consultant : Communication for Development specialist – Ebola preparedness, ESARO – Kenya

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.

Position Title : Communication for Development specialist – Ebola preparedness  

Level : P4 ,  Location : Zambia and Tanzania       Duration:   27 days  

Reporting to :  Communication for Development Specialist (Emergencies)

 

Background and Justification

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is currently facing a new outbreak of the Ebola Virus Disease(EVD) which was declared on the 1 August 2018 in the province of North Kivu. This new outbreak of EVD is affecting north eastern provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which border Uganda and Rwanda. The ongoing EVD outbreak is not linked to the previous one that occurred in Equateur Province and ended on 24 July 2018. Potential risk factors for transmission of EVD at national and regional levels include the transport links between the affected areas, the rest of the country, and neighboring countries; the internal displacement of populations; and displacement of Congolese refugees to neighboring countries and a long-term humanitarian crisis. Additionally, the security situation in North Kivu hinders the effective implementation of response activities. Based on this context, the public health risk is considered high at the national and regional levels.

Following the declaration of the current outbreak in DRC and the significant risk of cross-border spread to neighboring countries, WHO and UNICEF have prioritized 9 countries for EVD preparedness due to their proximity to the outbreak province and capacity to respond. Seven of the 9 countries are in Eastern and Southern Africa. These include Uganda, Rwanda, South Sudan, and Burundi which are categorized as priority one, with Angola, Tanzania and Zambia in the second category.

UNICEF, WHO along with Ministries of Health, and other partners are actively engaged in the EVD contingency planning that aims to ensure alignment of preparedness and readiness actions in the coming months.  UNICEF’s Communication for Development role as lead UN agency for risk communication includes supporting the development of strategies and co-chairing national Task Forces for Health promotion/risk communication and community engagement alongside the Ministries of Health to ensure effective coordination.

Justification/purpose of the consultancy

The purpose of the consultancy is to strengthen the capacities of National governments in two select countries (Zambia and Tanzania) neighboring DRC to plan and implement Risk communication and Community engagement preparedness and response interventions for Ebola Virus Disease (EVD).

The Consultant will support national level planning, coordination and implementation of preparedness activities for Ebola Virus Disease and other aspects of host government preparedness mechanisms related to risk communication and community engagement.

 

Scope of Work

Goal and Objectives :

The goal of this assignment is to contribute to strengthened capacity of selected Governments neighboring DRC to prepare for the Ebola Virus Disease

Objective : To support selected UNICEF and national governments to improve the preparedness mechanisms for EVD through development of relevant risk communication and community engagement actions

Provide details/reference to AWP areas covered:

This activity is linked to C4D AWP Activity #7: COs provided with technical guidance and oversight to implement and monitor C4D preparedness and response for emergencies, including enhanced capacity in cholera prevention, preparedness and response (with a focus on regional cholera framework roll out). 

Activities and Tasks

• Provide technical support to UNICEF/Ministry of Health in Zambia and Tanzania to develop and/or revise comprehensive national EVD Risk Communication and Community Engagement strategy and implementation plans
• Provide guidance for the development of a monitoring and evaluation framework for the preparedness and response plans including key indicators to measure progress;
• Support the planning/ development of tools for rapid assessments to establish baseline knowledge attitudes, practice and other relevant information to strengthen the strategies;
• Review, and facilitate the development/adaptation of communication materials and make recommendations for any necessary adjustments;
• Support the MOH and partners to develop costed sub regional preparedness and response plans for at least one high-risk area;
• Conduct training to strengthen the capacity of key MOH staff and partners in EVD communication preparedness and response;
• Review and provide inputs into the national contingency/preparedness plans for EVD

Working relationships

The consultant will work under direct supervision of the ESARO C4D Specialist (emergencies) in close collaboration with the in-country C4D specialist.

Methodology and key expected Deliverables 

This consultancy will be undertaken in-country and will involve document review, consultations and meetings with Ministry of health and other line ministries as well as UNICEF, WHO and implementing partners.

Deliverables	Duration/estimated # of working days
National EVD Risk Communication and Community Engagement strategy and implementation plan for Zambia and Tanzania	10 days
Tools and guidelines for assessments and measurement of RCCE interventions for Zambia and Tanzania	4 days
Training on Risk communication for Partners and relevant Government counterparts in Tanzania	5 days
Package of revised/updated EVD messages	4 days
At least one subnational plan for a high-risk zone/district in Tanzania	2 days
Final report of consultancy for Zambia and Tanzania	2 days
Total number of working days per country	27

Duration of the contract

The contract comprises 27 working days to be undertaken between 5 November and December 20, 2018. 

Payment schedule

No.	Deliverables	Timeline/deadline	Payment in percentage
1	National EVD Risk Communication and Community Engagement strategy and implementation plan for Zambia	By November 23, 2019	50%
2	Tools and guidelines for assessments and measurement of RCCE interventions in Zambia
3	Package of revised/updated EVD messages for Zambia
4	National EVD Risk Communication and Community Engagement strategy and implementation plan for Tanzania	By December 14, 2018	50%
5	Tools and guidelines for assessments and measurement of RCCE interventions for Tanzania
6	Training on Risk communication for Partners and relevant Government counterparts
7	Package of revised/updated EVD messages/ for Tanzania
7	One costed subnational plan for a high-risk area in Tanzania
8	Final report of the consultancy
	Total		100%

 

Working conditions

The consultancy will be undertaken in the two countries; Tanzania and Zambia. All travels will be undertaken in economy class. If any additional costs are anticipated (e.g. phone calls), the consultant must seek permission from the supervisor in advance to make sure the cost is reimbursable. The consultant will be expected to use own computer.

 

Qualifications of Successful Candidate

The consultant should have :

• Advanced university degree in behavioural and/or social sciences (anthropology, sociology, psychology, social development, development studies etc.)/ communication for development ;
• At least 8 years of proven experience in Risk communication and/or emergency Communication for Development/Social and Behavior Change Communication ;
• Previous experience conducting Ebola preparedness technical assistance or any other disease outbreak to at-risk countries, or technical assistance experience in EVD affected countries ;
• At least 7-10 years providing technical support to senior-level teams from national Ministries of Health and other national government agencies in developing countries ;
• Experience supporting capacity strengthening of local health structures, institutions, and NGOs as they develop health communication and SBCC strategies ;
• Proven track record in developing and managing SBCC programming in emergency context in Africa or similar environments ;

• Fluency in spoken and written English.

Payment conditions

As per UNICEF DFAM policy, payment is made against approved deliverables. 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.

The consultancy will be governed by and subject to UNICEF’s General Terms and Conditions for individual contracts.

 

Application

Candidates will be requested to submit the following documents :

• Expression of interest / motivation letter ;
• Curriculum Vitae ;
• Previous work sample(s) conducted in the similar field ;
• References and/or Reference Letters ;
• Candidates should indicate their all-inclusive fees. This includes a lumpsum amount for fees an estimated amount for travels and living allowances. All travels will be done in economy class. Please note that all expenses for travels will be reimbursed against actuals.

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

The consultant will be responsible for the administrative management of the assignment. UNICEF will have no liabilities in terms of provision of transport or insurance.