National Social and Behavioural Change Communication Strategy (Consultancy), Botswana
Gaborone
- Organization: UNICEF - United Nations Children’s Fund
- Location: Gaborone
- Grade: Consultancy - International Consultant - Internationally recruited Contractors Agreement
-
Occupational Groups:
- Social Affairs
- HIV and AIDS
- Communication and Public Information
- Closing Date: Closed
Qualified individuals are invited to apply for Consultancy to develop the National Social and Behavioural Change Communication (SBCC) Strategy for Prevention of HIV among Adolescents and Young People.
Background and Rationale:
Botswana has made great strides in implementation of the national response and in combatting the HIV and AIDS scourge. Through a multi-sectoral evidence based HIV response, the country has reduced the HIV incidence in the general population (2.2 million) from 1.45% in 2008 to 1.35% in 2013[1] against the National Strategic Framework 11 (NSF II) target of 1.4% by 2016. However significant challenges remain before the country can meet the goal of ending AIDS by 2030. According to the 2013 Botswana AIDS Indicator Survey (BAIS IV), Botswana's national HIV prevalence is estimated at 18.5%. Females are disproportionately affected by the HIV epidemic with a prevalence of 20.8% compared to that for males at 15.6%. It is estimated that 10,000 people were newly infected with HIV in 2016 translating into a cumulative total of 360,000 people living with HIV
Adolescent and young people make the largest cohort of Botswana's population and are the most vulnerable population to HIV acquisition. A large percent of them lack access to information, skills and services that they need to protect themselves from HIV, violence and unwanted pregnancies. The last two HIV&AIDS household surveys (BAIS 2008 and 2013), as well as the 2016 Botswana Youth Behavioural and Biological Surveillance Survey among 13 to 19 year old students, suggest worrying and negative trends in behaviour among young people. HIV prevalence among young people (15-24 years) remains high at an estimated 7.9% with strong gender disparity. Each week, 65 adolescents and young people are newly infected with HIV and the majority of these new infections are among girls. Comprehensive knowledge of HIV remains low, condom use among sexually active young people is declining, forced sex is high, and extremely high teenage pregnancy rates continue to be reported in certain parts of the country. Progress in reducing new HIV infections among adolescents and young people is constrained by age disparate and transactional sex, peer pressure, stigma and discrimination, as well as harmful social and gender norms, gender inequality and unequal power dynamics. Furthermore, girls and young women continue to be disproportionately affected by the HIV epidemic with early sexual debut, forced marriage and gender-based violence increasing women's vulnerability to HIV
Scope of Work
Goals and Objectives
Under the overall guidance of the MoHW through NACA and in close collaboration with UNICEF HIV/AIDS Specialist, the consultant will be overall responsible for development of an evidence based National Social and Behavioural Change Communication Strategy for the prevention of HIV among adolescents and young people. The overall purpose of the strategy is to guide and influence evidence based planning, prioritisation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of effective SBCC interventions, including resource mobilization and allocation
More specifically the objectives of this consultancy are:
Desk review on the situation analysis of adolescents and HIV (including a review of available epidemiological, research and programme data) and map potential opportunities and platforms to implement SBCC.
- To develop a national, evidence-based, integrated and operational SBCC strategy for prevention of HIV among adolescents and young people (including a separate monitoring, evaluation plan and action plan).
Activities and tasks
Develop and submit inception report in line with the Terms of Reference that includes concept, rationale, main deliverables, time line and mechanism of work for the assignment.
- Desk review of the Situation Analysis of HIV in Botswana based on available in-country quantitative and qualitative research and analysis. This will include an in-depth understanding of the scope, severity and cause(s) of the problem among adolescents and young people, and of the people and environmental factors that influence their decision-making around priority health issues.
- Review and map existing national programmes, policies and materials in relation to HIV prevention among adolescents and young people including social and behavioural change communication. Identify regional and international examples of effective behaviour change interventions and best practices.
- Design and facilitate a workshop to build the capacities of key partners on HIV and SBCC planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation; including development of messages and materials (1st workshop).
- Ensuring that participants have a common understanding of what SBCC entails (training component) including developing and pre-testing messages and materials.
- Design and facilitate a workshop to draft national SBCC Strategy and Action plan based on social ecological models of communication, approaches and theories of change.
- The strategy will include SMART objectives; appropriate and innovative communication approaches; optimal and efficient communication channels; an action plan and monitoring and evaluation plan (Workshop 2).
- The strategy should include a description of key interventions and platforms for SBCC; coordination mechanisms; capacity development strategy; sustainability and resource mobilization plans.
- Prepare SBCC strategy, M & E plan, and action plan to present to key stakeholders for feedback.
- Finalise and submit national SBCC strategy that includes M & E plan and action plan based on inputs from stakeholders.
Major tasks, deliverables and timeframe
Major Tasks |
Deliverables |
Timeframe |
|
Inception report. |
5 days |
|
A report that includes preliminary analysis of the situation, including challenges and opportunities; mapping of SBCC programmes at national and district levels and  identification of international best practices. |
10 days |
|
Capacity building plan and workshop report |
5 days |
|
Draft SBCC Strategy and Action Plan. |
5 days |
|
Final draft SBCC Strategy (including M & E Plan & Action Plan) |
10 days |
|
Final SBCC Strategy, including M &E Plan and Action Plan. |
5 days |
|
Final consultancy report. |
|
Reporting and timeframe
The consultancy is for a maximum of 40 days over a four-month period.  The consultant will report directly to MoHW/NACA as well as to UNICEF’s HIV/AIDS Specialist. The draft documents and related reports will be reviewed and endorsed by MoHW/NACA prior to submission to UNICEF. All draft documents will be submitted as soft copies while the final documents will be submitted as a soft copy on USB stick and two hard copies
Payment Schedule
Performance will be evaluated on timeliness, alignment with ToRs and quality (depth of analysis and writing). Payment will be made upon satisfactory completion of deliverables as outlined below
20% upon delivery of acceptable inception report, situation analysis and review/mapping report.
- 40% upon submission of 2 workshop reports and draft SBCC Strategy.
- 40% upon delivery of final endorsed national SBCC Strategy, M & E Plan, and Action Plan.
Desired competencies, technical background and experience:
An advanced university degree in social/behavioral sciences, public health, health promotion or a relevant field is required.
- Extensive experience (minimum 12 years) and proven track record in HIV and/or the theory and practice of strategic communication interventions, including social and behaviour change, social mobilization, advocacy, public communication and media with IEC development.
- Preferably with working experience on HIV and/or adolescent programming.
- Proven experience of support to government and civil society in the development of social and behavioural change communication strategies, including advocacy, intervention design and capacity building.
- International experience in communication for development/programme communications and inter-sectoral work including in health, HIV, education and protection.
- Demonstrated ability to analyse and interpret programme data and proven experience in developing monitoring and evaluation frameworks/plans.
- Excellent written and spoken English required; as well as analytic and presentation skills.
- Competencies required include: communication, working with people, drive for results, deciding and initiating action, relating and networking, applying technical expertise, creating and innovating, formulating strategies and concepts.
The Consultant will be expected to produce copies of previous related work as evidence of competency, technical experience and references.
Administrative issues
The consultant will use own equipment to produce deliverables. Office space will be provided at UNICEF as available and necessary
Within UNICEF, the Consultant will work under the overall guidance and direct supervision of HIV/AIDS Specialist in close collaboration with the C4D Specialist and Communications Officer
The Consultant is expected to travel and work in-country and remotely based on an agreed schedule. Timing for visits and planning will be jointly agreed with UNICEF Botswana Country Office. The Consultant is required to indicate an all-inclusive fee for this assignment, taking into account travels to Botswana and in-country travel as applicable. Airfares and in-country living expenses based on existing UN rates will therefore be part of the all-inclusive fee. Skype calls with country partners will be scheduled depending on need
Conditions:
As per UNICEF 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 selected consultant will be governed by and subject to UNICEF’s General Terms and Conditions for individual contracts
How to apply
Interested consultants should follow the link to apply online.
For any enquiries email bkeboife@unicef.org
However, we have found similar vacancies for you: