UNICEF Zimbabwe and Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC), are inviting proposals from national consultants for the development of a National Maternal, Newborn Child & Adolescent Health (MNCAH), Social & Behavior Change Communication Strategy

Under the supervision of the Chief of Communication and technical oversight from the Chief of Health and Nutrition, the consultant will conduct key informant interviews and a desk review of the available research and evidence on RMNCH-A C4D and develop an informed national RMNCH-A C4D communication strategy for Zimbabwe.

Background

Maternal, New Born, Child and Adolescent Health (MNCAH) is a core programme area for Zimbabwe. UNICEF supports the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) to develop and implement Integrated HIV, child survival and maternal health programmes in the country. Demand creation activities have been conducted by both MoHCC and different partners such as MCHIP, OPHID, CWGH and UN Agencies, at national and sub-national levels, however a national Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health (RMNCH-A) Communication for Development (C4D) plan has not been developed. For effective implementation of  MNCAH interventions, both service provision and demand creation components have to be strong.

Since the introduction of the Health Transition Fund in 2012, most of the RMNCH-A indicators have significantly improved. However, a number of these indicators have begun to stagnate, and a communication strategy and action plan is required to address some of the factors contributing to this stagnation, including the growing number of religious and other socio-cultural objectors, the urban elite and peri-urban communities.

An evidence based communication strategy is important to make sure that families and communities adopt positive behaviours in relation to MNCAH and utilize the available services.

As this task requires a dedicated person to work on the production of the  RMNCH-A Behaviour Change Communication strategy and Plan; integrated with HIV, Nutrition and gender sensitive information, UNICEF & MoHCC would like to recruit a consultant to support the process of MNCAH  C4D strategy and Implementation Plan development. The assignment will be two-fold: first to conduct a desk review of available documents and evidence on MNCAH C4D including HIV and Nutrition and conduct key informant interviews. The second part will be to produce an integrated national RMNCH-A C4D communication strategy and implementation plan engaging all relevant stakeholders in the process. It will be an interactive process and will require close follow ups and liaison with MoHCC and partners. The plan should also take into account needs of adolescents and young people.

Objectives

Under the supervision of the Chief of Communication and technical oversight from the Chief of Health and Nutrition,  the consultant will conduct key informant interviews and a desk review of the available research and evidence on RMNCH-A C4D and develop an informed national RMNCH-A C4D communication strategy for Zimbabwe..

Methodology and Expected Outputs

• Conduct a desk review of available social research in the area of RMNCH-A C4D. This will include in-country and regional communication and social mobilization strategies/plans on child survival and maternal health: immunization, diarrhoea and pneumonia, water sanitation and hygiene, nutrition, maternal, new-born, child and adolescent health.
• Conduct a desk review on the global evidence on RMNCH-A C4D including HIV.
• Conduct key informant interviews on RMNCH-A C4D.
• Prepare a report on the key findings from the KIIs and desk review.
• Consult with MoHCC, UNICEF, UNFPA, WHO and relevant partners and prepare an outline of the national RMNCH-A C4D strategy document.
• Facilitate workshop to get partner inputs into the RMNCH-A C4D strategy draft. The strategy will build onto the ongoing communication and social mobilization work being conducted in country by MoHCC, and partners and community level work being implemented by CSOs. The RMNCH-A C4D strategy will be based on UNICEF’s global guideline on RMNCH-A including HIV C4D strategy development.
• Write up the draft and share it with MoHCC and partners.
• Incorporate comments and feedback and produce a final draft.

 Major tasks and Deliverables

The timeframe for the entire consultancy is 30 working days.

Key stages in the process

Tasks: National RMNCH-A C4D Behavior Change Communication Strategy Development including workshops and consultative meetings.

Deliverable: desk review report.

Task: Development of the RMNCAH Communication Strategy.

Deliverable: Final draft National MNCAH C4D Behavior Change Communication Strategy incorporating inputs and feedback from partners and stakeholders.

Task: Development of a comprehensive National RMNCH-A C4D Behavior Change Communication Implementation Plan.

Deliverable: Final Draft Implementation Plan.

Final Tasks and Deliverables:

Submit final Strategy and Implementation Plan Document.

Timeframe

The consultancy will start on 01 October 2017 and run for working 60 days.

Consultancy Requirements

• Advanced university degree in the social/behavioural sciences (Public Health, Communication, Sociology, Anthropology, Psychology, and Health Education) with proven experience in the field of Communication for development, health education/promotion, community mobilization, social marketing, participatory communication, new technologies and research.
• Knowledge of Baseline AKAP Surveys, quantitative and qualitative; as well as development of M&E Frameworks for communication strategies and action plans.
• At least 5 years of progressively responsible professional work experience in the development, planning and management of social development programmes, including several years in developing countries -preferably in Sub-Saharan Africa, with practical experience in the adaptation and application of communication strategy planning processes to specific programmes.
• Excellent analytical and advocacy skills,
• Excellent writing and presentation skills in English;

• Experience in team work in culturally diverse contexts.

  Application Procedure

 If interested and available, please submit your application letter, CV, Technical proposal and an all-inclusive financial proposal detailing daily professional fees needed to support expenses for all phases of work by 25 September 2017. Only shortlisted consultants will be contacted.

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.