Individual consultancy: Support the development of the National communication for development strategy on alternative care and good parenting, including the costed implementation plan and behaviour communication change (BCC) messaging.

In collaboration with the Government, through the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Action – MGCAS, UNICEF Child Protection and Communication Sections are looking for an individual consultant to develop the National communication for development strategy on alternative care and good parenting, including the costed detailed implementation plan and BCC messaging material for increasing community demand for alternative care service for orphans and vulnerable children and reinforce family responsibilities for bringing up their children within the family environment.

Purpose and Objective.

In collaboration with the Government, through the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Action – MGCAS, UNICEF Child Protection and Communication Sections are looking for an individual consultant to develop the National communication for development strategy on alternative care and good parenting, including the costed detailed implementation plan and BCC messaging material for increasing community demand for alternative care service for orphans and vulnerable children and reinforce family responsibilities for bringing up their children within the family environment.

Activities and Tasks: In close coordination with MGCAS and UNICEF, conceive a detailed work plan of the consultancy.

1. Task 1: Develop communication for development strategy which will include:
2. In close coordination with MGCAS, PGR, Tribunal Supremo, civil society organization working in the area of alternative care conduct the following task/activities:

1. Desk review exercise on Alternative Care available data and reports on related Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices - KAPs, cultural beliefs and barriers. Conduct a desk review on resources spent for the Communication for Development programme/social mobilization activities in the last three years and use evidence for the production of a costed implementation plan of the strategy.
2.  
3. Review of the results of the alternative care and good parenting formative research and existing communication strategies (national and international) related to good parenting and alternative care.
4.  
5. Develop the National communication for development strategy on alternative care and good parenting and submit the draft for review to MGCAS and the pre-identified partners

Task 2: Develop the Communication for development strategy costed implementation plan for national and sub-national level for the period 2017 – 2020, including annual activities related to advocacy and communication. The annual media plan should include the identification of the best possible media to be used for different target audiences.

Task 3: Develop and pre-test appropriate messages, tools and material based on the results of the alternative care formative research. This will include development of:

1. Advocacy kits for policy and decision-makers, senior managers and various keys influencers including community leaders;
2. Social Mobilization tool kits to be given to the members of child protection committee for use during their contacts with communities
3. BCC messaging and information, education and communication packages for use by different media/target audiences, members of community committees; decision makers, and key community influencers – information card, illustrative leaflets and posters.

1. Qualifications and Specialized Knowledge:

Academic qualifications:

A degree in Social Science; Communication, Sociology, Law, Social Work, Anthropology, Development or other related discipline

Work experience:

At least 5 years of relevant work experience in developing high quality strategies and communication materials to support Social mobilization activities at the community level taking into account the literacy level of the target groups.

Specific knowledge, competencies, and skills required:

Knowledge and experience in child rights with focus on the various national legislations around protection of children, social protection, alternative care. Ability to relate and network with government, CBOs, child care center and community members.

Language skills:

Excellent knowledge of Portuguese; some national languages and good English is required