National Communication for Development Consultant, Accra, Ghana (Re-ADVERTISED)

UNICEF Ghana seeks the services of a committed and very experienced professional who will be engaged as a Communication for Development Consultant. He/She will support ongoing communication for development (C4D) planning and implementation and strengthen monitoring component of the program. This includes the design of tools, documentation, data mining, knowledge sharing and program support as well as implementation and monitoring of behaviour and social change communication interventions in line with the UNICEF Ghana Country Programme Document. The assignment is expected to be for 11 months. The consultant will work full time and based in Accra Office. Only Ghanaians are eligible to apply. NOTE: This is a re-advertisement. Candidates who applied to earlier announcement do not please, need to re-apply.

TERMS OF REFERENCE 

Background

Communication for Development is a cross sectorial unit of UNICEF that works to support the behavioral change communication process of the country development strategy. Currently the unit supports all sections in both the office and the field with activities of planning and implementation, including special campaigns, commemoration days, events and emergency preparedness and response. The unit has five staff including one in Tamale field office who are expected to plan, implement and monitor all C4D interventions across sections in UNICEF and as well as both government and NGO partners in the regions.

 Purpose / Key duties

UNICEF Ghana is seeking for a national C4D consultant to support planning, implementation and monitoring of the program. UNICEF Ghana C4D has been working in five focus regions of the country; with additional focused interventions in both the Volta and Greater Accra Regions. The unit has been active in 5,202 communities across 60 districts across the country. The programme is now gearing towards upstream work for system strengthening on SBCC so that C4D approaches are integrated well into government work and within sectors such as WASH, Health and Nutrition, Education and Child protection, besides social protection. It also uses mass media interventions, community theatre, radio, mobile phones, talking books (TB) and interpersonal communication (IPC)/social mobilization to improve family practices in health, nutrition, WASH, education, and child protection. The C4D consultant will play a key role to support ongoing C4D planning and implementation and strengthen monitoring component of the program.

1. Develop a monitoring and evaluation framework for C4D programme
2. Conduct data mining using existing data to set baseline in key programmatic areas.
3. Develop an online IEC repository with metadata and selection criteria and work with supervisor to develop phase II of the IEC repository into a taxonomy driven library to bring in;
   1. IEC materials across life stage behaviours of all programmes across the sections in UNICEF.
   2. Government and NGO partners related IEC materials across life stage behaviours.
4. Support coordination, monitoring and reporting on communication for behaviour change initiatives conducted in communities across the regions.
5. Develop knowledge briefs on C4D interventions to provide relevant information for wider audience and support knowledge sharing events and platforms.
6. Support in general the performance of any other activity related to C4D programme if required
7. Support the dissemination of MICS results in partnership with M&E unit

Justification

The increasing demand and scope of SBCC and the need for innovation, the C4D Unit requires additional human resource to support in monitoring the implementation of C4D interventions given the strategic shift in the UNICEF new country program on upstream work and the need for more evidence generation and sharing of M&E aspect of C4D interventions. To this end it is agreed that a consultant position would be needed to support for a period of 11.5 months. In order to support these requirements, UNICEF Ghana is looking for a C4D professional as a consultant. The incumbent would be an experienced and competent professional to support the C4D Unit in the design of tools, documentation, data mining, knowledge sharing and program support as well as implementation and monitoring of behaviour and social change communication interventions in line with the UNICEF Country Programme Document.  

Key Deliverables / Tasks

The incumbent is expected to deliver the following;

Reporting

The incumbent will be under the direct supervision of the C4D Specialist, Unit Head.  The consultant will be expected to give weekly updates and monthly/quarterly progress reports.

Estimated Duration of the Contract

The contract is for a duration of 11.5 months.

Expected background and Experience

 Advanced university degree in the social/behavioural sciences (Sociology, Anthropology, Psychology, development studies, community-based development) or in a related field with emphasis on participatory communication, communication planning, social mobilization, and participatory research, training and impact evaluation of communication interventions, including mass and innovative media.

1. Excellent oral and written communication skills.
2. Knowledge of current developments in the fields of communication theory, adult learning theory, indigenous media, community organization and participation.
3. Proven skills in strategic communication planning, implementation, behaviour analysis, formative research and evaluation of communication interventions including development of M&E methodologies and frame work.
4. At least five years of experience in a relevant field regarding communication for development (C4D), project design and implementation, research and trainings as well as M&E.

General Conditions: Procedures and Logistics

• Consultant will work from the UNICEF office in Accra, and desk will be provided.
• The Consultant will use his/her own IT equipment (lap top and phone), however will have access to the internet services, external hard drive and printers.
• In case of travel outside of the Duty Station (Accra) on the monthly monitoring visit to a region, the consultant will be paid DSA as per standard norms.
• Consultant will be paid on a bi-monthly basis upon submission of bi-monthly report and other key deliverables agreed upon at the time of signing the contract.  Final payment to consultant will be dependent on the completion of deliverables.

Interested candidates are kindly requested to submit application on-line with detailed updated CV and Resume highlighting their key achievements relevant to this assignment.  Also attach a two page write up on how you plan to accomplish the outlined deliverables. Kindly propose your monthly consultancy fee in Ghana Cedis.