Consultant – Key Influencer Mapping in Malawi in support of UNICEF Malawi advocacy priorities

The Consultant will map key influencers both individuals and organisations who are doing advocacy work and advancing the agenda in Malawi in the areas of Early Childhood Development (ECD) specifically the age of 0-3 years and Adolescents (10-14 years – boys and girls). The selected Consultant will also set up an online database to support recording of information and data on UNICEF Malawi’s existing and potential partnerships with key influencers.

Title of Assignment: Consultant – Key Influencer Mapping in Malawi in support of UNICEF Malawi advocacy priorities
Section: Communication
Location: Lilongwe, Malawi (with travel to the field)
Duration: 45 days (cumulative)
Start date: from 29 May 2017 To: 28 July, 2017

Background and Justification

UNICEF Malawi’s current country programme has been extended by two years and will now end in 2018. The extension of the country programme has provided the opportunity to review and revise existing strategies such as the Communication and Advocacy strategies as well as the Partnerships Strategy. These separate strategies have been revised and are now combined into one Communication, Advocacy and Partnerships strategy. The newly revised strategy outlines a shift in UNICEF Malawi’s partnership engagement. Moving forward, UNICEF Malawi’s strategy will be less about formal partnerships with organisations and more about mapping and engaging key influencers to create movements on specific issues. For example on religious groups, rather than engaging an umbrella organisation, we can reach out to specific churches willing to engage on the issue of child marriage who have a large presence in the areas affected by this issue.

UNICEF Malawi has identified two priority advocacy areas that the Communication Section will support through its partnership engagements, media outreach, communication for development (C4D) and external relations work. The broad priority areas are:

1. 0-3 year olds (ECD) with a focus on:

1.1 parenting skills,
1.2 community networks and
1.3 children raised without two parents

2. 10-14 year olds (Adolescent boys and girls) with a focus on:

2.1 Lifeskills Education for 10-14 years
2.2 Child Marriage
2.3 Secondary School drop-out

The mapping work done through this consultancy will provide UNICEF Malawi with necessary information to engage and strengthen alliances with important influencers to support UNICEF in its efforts to advance children’s rights in Malawi.

Purpose of Consultancy

Under the supervision of the Partnerships Specialist, the Consultant will map key influencers both individuals and organisations who are doing advocacy work and advancing the agenda in Malawi in the areas of:

1. Early Childhood Development (ECD) specifically the age of 0-3 years
2. Adolescents (10-14 years – boys and girls)

By influencers we mean those individuals and organisations who can help UNICEF Malawi achieve its priority advocacy (upstream – Government and policy makers) and behaviour change (downstream – community) objectives and establish a social partnership for change.

The selected Consultant will also set up an online database to support recording of information and data on UNICEF Malawi’s existing and potential partnerships with key influencers.

Scope of Work

Under the guidance of the Partnerships Specialist, the Consultant will conduct research of private sector businesses, high net worth individuals, NGOs, civil society organisations, faith-based organisations, community-based organisations, influential donors/philanthropic foundations in Malawi as well as the Malawian diaspora specifically in the two thematic areas stated in section above (i.e. ECD and Adolescents).
This research will include –but is not limited to- the level of influence of particular individual/organization and how this has been determined; history of individual or organisations working in particular area, level of investment from human and financial resource, social investments including innovation.

In close consultation with UNICEF Malawi, the consultant is expected to perform the following:

1. Desk review and interviews with key focal persons in Malawi such as UNDP’s Private Sector Development Specialist; DFID Malawi’s Private Sector Partnership Specialist etc., research and mapping of private sector businesses, high net worth individuals, NGOs, civil society organisations, faith-based organisations, community-based organisations, influential donors/philanthropic foundations in Malawi as well as the Malawian diaspora specifically in the two thematic areas stated in section above (i.e. ECD and Adolescents). Mapping should include UN sister agencies
2. Develop criteria and prioritise the top 3 influencers/potential partners in each of the groups as defined in point #1 above (private sector businesses, high net worth individuals etc.).
3. Conduct a case by case analysis of the identified top influencers/potential partners (this can include interviews), analyzing opportunities, risks of each partnership and make recommendations on engagement with UNICEF Malawi.
4. Develop an online database with data/information gathered through research in this consultancy covering UNICEF Malawi’s potential new and existing partnerships with key influencers.

Deliverables

1. Desk review, research and subsequent mapping of private sector businesses, high net worth individuals, NGOs, civil society organisations, faith-based organisations, community-based organisations, influential donors/philanthropic foundations in Malawi as well as the Malawian diaspora specifically in the two thematic areas stated in section above (i.e. 0-3 ECD and 10-14 Adolescents) completed. Mapping should include UN sister agencies
Estimate #(Days): 22 days
Timeline/ Deadline: 27 June, 2017
Schedule of payment: On receipt of deliverable

2. Analysis of research and mapping completed and criteria developed to determine top 3 influencers/potential partners in each of the groups as outlined in deliverable #1; Case by case analysis of top influencers (risks, opportunities) completed and recommendations for engagement/partnership shared with UNICEF Malawi
Estimate #(Days): 12 days
Timeline/ Deadline: 13 July, 2017

3. Online database developed with data/information gathered through research covering UNICEF Malawi’s potential new and existing partnerships with key influencers
Estimate #(Days): 11 days
Timeline/ Deadline: 28 July, 2017
Schedule of payment: Final payment will be made on receipt of deliverable

Payment Schedule

Payment will be made upon completion of the deliverables as listed above.

Desired competencies, technical background and experience

• Advanced university degree in Communication, Journalism, Public Relations, Public Affairs or relevant professional work experience working in partnerships (public/private)
• At least five (5) years of experience working with UNICEF/UN, bi-lateral, international donors/agencies and or non-government organisations
• Proven experience/knowledge of Malawi and its political, government, community structures and sound knowledge of private sector, non-government organisations, civil society organisations, faith-based organisations.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English. Knowledge of local language will be considered an asset.
• Excellent organization and facilitation skills
• Ability to work within tight deadlines.
• Ability to work as part of a team and in a multicultural and sensitive environment
• Familiarity and experience working in Malawi essential
• Familiarity with UNICEF programmes and policies, knowledge of international development policies and institutions, international politics is an advantage.

Administrative issues

Consultant should preferably be based in Malawi. Some travel within Malawi is expected.

Conditions

• Consultant should preferably be based in Malawi and will be expected to meet with UNICEF staff in Lilongwe and travel to field from time to time.
• Payment to consultant will only be made for work satisfactorily completed and accepted by UNICEF Malawi. 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.
• Consultants are not entitled to payment of overtime. All remuneration must be within the contract agreement.
• Consultant will work remotely and will be required to meet with UNICEF focal person during course of consultancy. Frequency of meetings will be agreed upon on signing of contract.
• Field travel expenses, including DSA, will be covered in accordance with UNICEF’s rules and tariffs, by the consultant and reimbursed against actuals.