Organization: UN Children's Fund
Country: Maldives
Closing date:
08 Oct 2017National Consultant
Advert for Terms of Reference for National Consultancy to Support the Development of a Behaviour Change Communication Strategy on first 1000 days of life
Maldives
Ad to TOR Reference Number: TOR/2017/24
Programme Information
UNDAF Outcome: Inclusive and equitable social service for children and adolescents, especially the disadvantaged and vulnerable groups improvedCPD Outcome: Inclusive and equitable social services for children and adolescents, especially the disadvantaged and vulnerable groups are improved by 2020CPD Output 1.1: Comprehensive mechanism for child and adolescent nutrition interventions strengthened, especially in the regions with high malnutrition rates.2-year intervention: Mothers & care-givers have increased knowledge and skills on Infant Young Child FeedingJRWP 2016-2017 Activity: 1.1.1.1.2. Promote knowledge on maternal and child nutrition (with a focus on Infant Young Child feeding) among mothers and caregivers.Purpose of assignment & Background:Maldives has made remarkable progress in the last few decades, yet the nutrition status of the population has not kept pace with other socioeconomic developments in the country. Despite some noteworthy changes, the last Demographic and Health Survey (2009) indicated worrying results for with respect to children’s nutrition; among children under five years of age, 18.9% are stunted, 17.3% are underweight, and 10.6% are wasted. Practice of Exclusive Breastfeeding is also low, with only 48% of infants being exclusively breastfed till 6 months. On the positive side, duration of breastfeeding is relatively high with a national average of 25.3 months. High rates of micronutrient deficiencies among children and women (e.g. Vitamin A & Iron Deficiency) are also worrying. Another emerging concern is the obesity rate, with 5.8% of children under five being obese. Undernutrition and obesity co-exist in many communities.
Irreversible damage to the brain and child's physical development caused by malnutrition during the critical thousand days between conception and second year have been well noted in recent findings and literature such as the Lancet series (2008). Without the appropriate nutrients and care within the first 1000 days of life, a child's body and brain fail to develop properly. Unlike hunger, these effects are largely invisible and irreversible. A major cause for malnutrition, is inadequate complementary feeding practices, and this particularly the case for stunting. ÂAnalysis of nutrition data of under five children in the Maldives shows a steep increase in under nutrition between 6 – 24 months, and this correlates with complimentary feeding period.
Determinants of malnutrition is linked to into three broad underlying factors; household food insecurity (including availability, affordability); inadequate care, feeding practices and unhealthy household environment; and lack of quality health care services. For some, diseases and illnesses has also been associated with undernutrition. There is a need to explore the underlying causes of malnutrition in the Maldives which will provide a better understanding and support to enhance interventions to address it.
Information and education with a focus on bringing about behaviour and social change is essential to support desirable changes in complementary feeding practices. There is a need to advocate and raise awareness for positive behavioural practices through a community based approach. Strategic Communication aimed at bringing about behaviour and social change is vital to promote and support positive outcomes.
In this regard, UNICEF Maldives Country Office is seeking a national consultant to support the lead international consultant who will be undertaking a consultancy to develop a behaviour change communication strategy focusing on the first 1000 days of life, with emphasis on encouraging breast feeding, optimal feeding (Infant and Young Child Feeding - IYCF) practices, stimulation and care in this early period.
What are the objectives to which the consultancy is related?The overall result is for mothers and care-givers to have improved knowledge and skills on Infant Young Child Feeding. The purpose is to raise the profile and create value around the first 1000 days of life that ensures multiple and long-lasting benefits to the child by promoting a range of action-oriented, positive messages on infant feeding, stimulation, nurturing and child-development.
The objective of the current consultancy is to provide technical and coordination support to the lead international consultant who is undertaking the overall work to assess the causes of malnutrition, and design the BCC strategy.
The specific objectives of the national consultant are to:
Support the lead consultant to develop a situational analysis to understand the underlying causes and issues related to malnutrition in the Maldives (based on Desk review of documents, focus group discussions and literature review). Analysis will need to explore the reasons for under-five malnutrition context in the Maldives with regards to common determinants such as food availability, affordability, possible illnesses and feeding knowledge and practices.Support the lead consultant to design a Behaviour Change Communication (BCC) strategy on the first 1000 days of life, with emphasis on breast feeding, optimal feeding (IYCF) practices, stimulation and care in this early period.Support the lead consultant to develop a two-year action plan to roll-out the BCC strategySupport the lead consultant to development of a simple monitoring planProvide any follow-up support needed to finalise the documentsThe incumbent is expected to work closely with the international lead consultant, and liaise with health protection agency, UNICEF and other stakeholders.
Duty station:
NA - Male, Maldives (based in the Health Protection Agency), and home-based.
SupervisorAishath Shahula Ahmed - UNICEF, Programme Specialist; supported by Mohamed Yasir, UNICEF Communication for Development Office.
From the Government, the Head of Nutrition section in Health Protection Agency, Male, Maldives will provide support and supervision.
Major tasks to be Accomplished The main role of the national consultant is to provide technical, facilitative and coordination support to the lead international consultant to carry out the following tasks:
Situation Analysis: Conduct a situational analysis to understand the underlying causes and issues related to malnutrition in the Maldives (based on Desk review of documents, focus group discussions and literature review). Explore the reasons for under-five malnutrition context in the Maldives with regards to common determinants such as food availability, affordability, possible illnesses and feeding knowledge and practices. This can be done through undertaking a desk review of existing research and literature and focus group discussions with technical team & stakeholders. Also include review of existing data on IYCF, IEC resources and standards currently used).Identify key behavioural issues related to poor infant/young child feeding and propose recommendations that includes appropriate behaviour change messages (for both target audience), as well as suggested communication channels.Present to technical team and seek comments, feedback and endorsementDevelop an inception report (with findings or issues and recommendations)Develop a communication strategy that includes:Situation: Analysis of causes of malnutrition (eg affordability, access, availability, illness, behaviour issues or others). Communal Issues hindering good behaviour practices or existing communication gaps in previous interventions related to IYCF to act as a baselineCommunication objectivesBehaviour Change objectives including goals, targets and indicators (to monitor progress/behaviour change)Target audiences (primary, secondary)Theory of Change with a sequenced plan of action (lineally outlining how expected change is to occur, and how activities will be sequenced – visually and substantively)Communication channels (with a good mix of diverse channels, including social media, mass media, community engagement to interpersonal influencers (health workers)Stakeholders and partnersProgramme approaches and positioningCommunication strategies and its design:Advocacy (addressed to local leaders “ to inform and motivate appropriate leaders to create a supportive environment and tactics to engage them).Social Mobilisation components (aimed at greater public audiences and tactics to engage them).Behaviour Change Communication activities including messaging (aimed at specific target audiences)Based on the BCC plan proposed, develop a two-year action plan to roll-out the targeted activities with partners.Develop a simplified Monitoring plan, which includes overall goal, targets and indicators to track changes in behaviour, and outcomes (gauge knowledge or behaviour change attributed to the interventions of the campaign or understand if change is occurring organically),Present the BCC strategy to stakeholders for validationFinalise the BCC strategy, Action plan & monitoring planDevelop a 2-page brief / advocacy document for policy makers succinctly defining the goals and targets of the campaign and policy suggestions based on desk review/findingsMajor activities / Tasks
Details of the tasks ( but not limited to)
Working days excluding weekends)
Deliverables
SitAn - Analysis of Issue: Understanding the Context and identifying issues through a desk review of existing research, literature review, and information from focus group discussionsProvide support to the lead consultant to conduct a situational analysis to understand the underlying causes
Gather relevant documents in the country on nutrition, food security, poverty and health and share with the lead consultantProvide information on local context, the nutrition services and systemsIdentify and contact stakeholders for focus group discussionArrange meetings with stakeholders, technical team, policy makers to facilitate the Sitan. Provide support to conduct focus groups, meetings.Provide translation in the meetings and document the process and contentÂDevelop a brief report on findings from the field work / FGD - summary of issues, common IYCF practices and factors influencing it,and common determinants such as food availability, affordability, possible illnesses and feeding knowledge and practices15 working days
An inception report with update on key tasks and progressDevelop a brief report on findings from the field work / FGD: summary of common IYCF practices and factors influencing it2. Support to develop the social behavior change communication strategy
Support the lead consultant to develop a BCC strategyProvide logistical, coordination, and documentation support on a need basis12 working days
Report on work progress and support provided to develop the BCC strategy3. Development of a two-year action plan, as well as a simplified M & E plan
Support the lead consultant to develop the action plan and M & E plan.Provide logistical, coordination, and documentation support on a need basis4 working days
Report on work progress and support provided to develop the Action plan and M & E plan4. Validation and Finalization of Strategy & Monitoring plan
Provide support to the lead consultant to conduct the stakeholder validation meeting, and finalization of key documents:
Provide logistical and technical support to hold the validation meetingProvide coordination and facilitation support before, during and after the meeting (on any follow-up), and documentation of discussions (including stakeholder feedback)Facilitate the commenting and feedback process between the stakeholders, technical team, key partners and consultant.Provide any other support to lead consultant during the finalization stage, and while in the country and from home-baseTranslation of the advocacy brief to Dhivehi9 working days
Final report on work progress and tasks conductedDocumentation of workshop proceedings with comments from stakeholders
Estimated duration of contract For the International consultant, it is estimated that the project will take approximately 50-60 calendar days between October 2017 early January 2018
Official travel involved (itinerary and duration) NA (short field visit to nearby islands if required)
Payment schedule:
Deliverable
Percentage payment
Inception reportBrief report capturing findings: issues, practices and factors influencing it, and causes and determines (Dhivehi)25%
Progress Report on tasks related toBehaviour Change Communication Strategy (draft)Action Plan (draft)Monitoring plan (draft)15%
Progress Report on tasks related toValidation meeting - report on stakeholder consultation (including comments from stakeholders)20%
Support to finalize the following, and final reportFinalized BCC strategyFinalized Monitoring planSummary / 2 Page briefTranslation of the 2-page advocacy brief (to Dhivehi)40%
Notes:
Deliverables to be submitted within 5 days of completion of activity (or submission of key task by the lead / international consultant).UNICEF will only make milestone payments based on achievement of specific deliverables as listed in the table above, rather than monthly fees: Payments are tied to the deliverables and will be subjected to acceptance of deliverable by UNICEF and partners.Also note that UNICEF does not make advance payment and UNICEF is exempted from paying VAT and any other forms of taxes
Qualifications or specialized knowledge and/or experience required Must have at least an undergraduate degree in communication, nutrition, public health or relevant fieldAt least 2 years of relevant experience, preferably in communication for development (C4D), research, nutrition, public health or strategic communication for behaviour change communication.Experience in supporting research undertakings. Experience in conducting focus groups and interviews, and ability to synthesis the information is an added advantageExcellent communication skills in English (oral and written) and Dhivehi language advanced skills in professional writing.Translation skills (particularly from Dhivehi to English) is a requirement, demonstrated by experienceExperience in coordinating missions, arranging and facilitating meetingsAble to follow directions and carry out work as well as work proactively. Receptive to feedback and is flexible to changes. Able to travel if requiredHave an open attitude towards working with people at different levels. Must be able to manage diverse view points and work in demanding situations.
Deadline for application is 8th Oct 2017 (1200 hrs Maldives Time [GMT + 5])
Application with (i) updated CV, (ii) Updated P11 Form and separately (iii) a proposed (daily) fee in MVR and a (iii) expression of interest to be submitted as attachments with the online application. UNICEF may also ask for submission of relevant work.
Application Link: https://goo.gl/E36Dyz
ONLY SHORT-LISTED APPLICANTS WILL BE CONTACTEDÂ
ANNEX 1: SELECTION PROCESS
Interested candidates should submit an application along with the following documents and a price (daily fee) proposal quoted in MVR
Accompanying documents and testimonials
Applicants (individuals or institutions) are requested to back up their submissions by providingP11 Form
Updated CVProposed daily FeeEvidence of experience in similar types of work in terms of references and work samplesHow to apply:UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organization. To apply, click on the following link http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/?job=507580