Consultancy: Communication for development strategy to prevent the spread and impact of ZIKV with a focus in high-risk areas and for the following priority groups: pregnant women and their partners, and adolescents.

Provide strategic direction and technical support for ZIKV prevention and Care and Support through communication for development (C4D) and community engagement interventions linked to national and local Zika plans.

I. Background

On February 1, 2016, the Honduran Government declared a national emergency in response to the Zika virus epidemic. As a result, the National Risk Management System was activated, which involved government institutions, municipalities, private companies and the civil society in Zika prevention and vector control.

While in 2017 the number of new Zika cases decreased significantly, Honduras was left with at least 191 reported cases of microcephaly across the country. In this new context of the epidemic, UNICEF Honduras, with LACRO and USAID support, implemented a five pronged strategy: i) strengthen the national strategy for risk communication and community participation, ii) support the development of a regulatory framework for integrated care of children and families affected by the congenital Zika virus syndrome, iii) strengthen the health system and community networks, iv) generate evidence on the impact of the epidemic on children, v) strengthen intersectoral coordination to ensure quality and sustainability of the response beyond the emergency phase.

In this context, a community model of non-clinical interventions for care and support of children and families affected by the congenital Zika virus syndrome was developed in collaboration with the municipalities of Choluteca, Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula, which recorded the highest number of Zika infections and of microcephaly cases. The process saw the participation of 39 health facilities, 58 health workers and a network of 170 community volunteers. In addition to interventions carried out by medical and nursing staff, the model includes eight family education modules, to be used at community level by the network of volunteers and peer supporters, including home visits, group orientation sessions and attention to individual families.

A network of about 600 volunteers from the Municipal Programmes for Children, Adolescents and Youth (PMIAJs) in the 11 municipalities with the highest incidence of Zika infection provided local communication and counselling. They reached 25,000 people with messages on Zika prevention and promoted a favourable environment for children with congenital Zika syndrome and other disabilities, free of stigma and discrimination. Additionally, 1,300 adolescents from all over the country used the U-report platform to disseminate messages among their peers.

With UNICEF Honduras support, the Ministry of Education completed the transition from the emergency response to a longer-term preventive strategy with the incorporation of Zika prevention into the curriculum on climate change. To ensure sustainability of these educational interventions, UNICEF is providing technical assistance for their incorporation into the primary education curriculum and teacher training programme.

II. Consultancy Objectives

General

Provide strategic direction and technical support for ZIKV prevention and Care and Support through communication for development (C4D) and community engagement interventions linked to national and local Zika plans.

Specifics

• Accelerate, strengthen and monitor on-going evidence-based risk communication and community engagement plans at national and local level and systematic monitoring to prevent the spread and impact of ZIKV with focus in high risk areas and for the following priority groups: pregnant women and their partners, and adolescents.
• Engage multiple stakeholders at national and local level to allow proper implementation of communication for development actions around prevention (personal protection and vector control) and care and support.
• Adapt and validate operational guidelines, training and C4D strategies and materials (instruments) tailored for direct and indirect child care and family support (including reduction of stigma and discrimination) interventions at family, community and institutional level, in coordination with key stakeholders and USG partners.

III. Main Accountabilities/Responsabilities/Tasks

1. Communication for Development programme strategy, plan and implementation for behavioural change

• Provides technical support and assistance in the development, management and facilitation of the communication strategy, plan of action and activities for strategic communication and the fostering of social and behavioural change in support of Zika´s programme delivery.

• Development of normative capacity of the interinstitutional table for the implementation of the ZIKV National Strategy of Communication and Community Participation.

2. Programme communication materials

• Adjusts and extends contents and communication materials based on the results of qualitative and quantitative research.

• Compilation and production of the communication toolbox, training, education and community organization used in early intervention and community rehabilitation actions.

3. Partnerships for social mobilization

• Develops and enhances strong partnerships with community groups, leaders and other partners in the community and civil society.
• Advocacy with media and partners of the interinstitutional table for the response to zika and implementation of the communication strategy.
• Implementation of advocacy actions with national and local authorities for the rights of children with disabilities.

4. Capacity building support

• Development of capacities of the inter-agency response desk to zika for the planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of C4D strategies related to zika prevention, and care and support to families affected by congenital zika syndrome.
• Develops training materials and activities to build capacity for participatory and behaviour change communication.

• Development of a toolkit for the planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of C4D strategy related to zika prevention, and care and support of affected families.

5. Coordination and collaboration with government and partners.

• Provides effective coordination and technical support to government at central and local levels, as well as counterparts and other partners in the development and strategic use of communication for social development.

6. Monitoring and evaluation

• Design and implementation of the M&E systems for the C4D strategy,including real-time participatory monitoring mechanisms and community-based monitoring.

• Monitors and evaluates programme activities and prepares monitoring and evaluation reports. Exchange findings, experiences, lessons learned and new methods with partners.

7. Research

     Provides technical inputs for the development of the following researches  

• • KAP study (qualitative and quantitative) to generate evidence to adjust C4D and community engagement interventions.
  • Study of child-rearing in families with a child with a disability that includes the analysis of perceptions, beliefs, social representations and social norms.
  • Systematization of the care and non-clinical support model for children and families affected by the SCZ.

IV. Key Deliverables

1. Training of trainers in C4D to at least 25 members of the national inter-institutional table and prioritized regional teams (three workshops)

   1. Situation analysis for communication: participant analysis, behaviour analysis, communication channel analysis
   2. Strategy design: methodologies for planning and implementation
   3. Monitoring and evaluation of C4D strategies in zika
2. Inter-institutional Zika Communication and Community Participation response plan for five prioritized regions.

3. Cultural adaptation of C4D strategy

   1. Production of culturally appropriate material for the education of families of children with disabilities, including the integration of the WHO toolkit for the Zika approach and Care for Child Development toolkit developed by UNICEF-WHO.
   2. Communication, training, education and community organization toolbox for the support of early intervention and community based interventions on early childhood development and disability
4. Design and implementation of the M&E systems for the C4D strategy,including real-time participatory monitoring mechanisms and community-based monitoring.

V. Minimum Requirements

Education

University degree in the social/behavioral sciences, (Social Communication, Sociology, Anthropology, Psychology, Health Education, Public health) with emphasis on strategic communication planning for behavior development, social mobilization, participatory communication, and research.

Work Experience

Minimum ten years of relevant professional work experience in the planning and management of social development programmes, including work experience in developing countries, with practical experience in the adaptation and application of communication planning processes to specific programmes.

Language Proficiency 

Excellent communication and writing skills in Spanish is essential. Proficiency in English is required.  

Technical Knowledge

1. Specific Technical experience required

• Up-to-date knowledge of developments in the fields of: communication theory, motivational psychology, adult learning theory, indigenous media, community organisation and participation, strategic communication planning, behavior analysis, formative research and evaluation of communication interventions.
• Knowledge of and experience in inter-disciplinary approaches in programme development and implementation in programme communication, social mobilisation and behavioral change.
• Experience in emergency operations and management.
• Experience of and skills in programme communication networking, advocacy and negotiation.
• Experience in organizing and implementing training.
• Experience of community capacity building.

VI. Selection Criteria

The selection of the consultant will be based on the following aspects and weights:

• Consultant profile and experience: 30%
• Technical proposal: 40%
• Economic offer (including mobilization costs): 30%

The technical proposal must at least contain the following points:

• The proposed methodology with its own justification to achieve results.
• Explanation of how the processes and intermediate products will guarantee the delivery of results.
• Description of how the consultant will establish coordination mechanisms and procedures for institutional strengthening.
• Preliminary implementation schedule.

The economic offer must include foreseen costs involved in the consultancy (Lump Sum) Professional fees and mobilization costs

VII Duration

Six (6) months from signature of the contract. Tentatively from 01/03/2018 to 31/08/2018

VIII Additional Information

a. Place of work

The consultancy will be based in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. The hired person will be responsible for his or her own transportation to and within Honduras.

b. Visits to key partners

All necessary visits should be made to prioritized partners particularly at the national offices and  municipal level.

c. Workshops

According to the training plan and technical work meetings UNICEF will cover the expenses according to the administrative rules, this schedule must be sent at least 15 days before developing such events.

d. Travel abroad

If the consultant is required to leave the country for a technical meeting, UNICEF Honduras will provide the costs related to airfare and travel expenses through an amendment covering all expenses incurred. Being vaccinated against the Yellow Fever is mandatory. UNICEF Honduras also recommends that applicants be in possession of vaccination records so as to streamline the selection process.

e. Per diems

Except as stated in clause d), these costs must be included as part of the financial offer to develop this consultancy. Based on the implementing plan.

f. Office space and equipment:

The consultant will procure his/her equipment and place of work, when there is a need for team meetings or if the consultant interacts with the UNICEF team, the consultant will be contaced via Skype or provided with a temporary office space for the fulfilment of this service.

g. Insurance

Consultants are fully responsible for arranging, at their own expense, life, health and other forms of insurance covering the period of their services as they consider appropriate. 

h. Products and reports delivery

The consultant will deliver the agreed products and reports by electronic means, in spanish and to the satisfaction of the supervisors of this consultancy. The consultant will bear the costs of issuing and delivering these products/reports. Prior the content development the structure of the reports will be validated with the supervisor.

i. Property rights

All documents, materials or products of this consultancy are owned by UNICEF and may not be used by third parties without authorisation.

IX. Payment  

Subject to conditions established in the contract. Payment against delivery of invoice and expected products in section IV and satisfaction of the supervision of the contract

Training (25%)

1. Training of trainers in C4D to at least 25 members of the national inter-institutional table and prioritized regional teams (three workshops)

1. 1. Situation analysis for communication: participant analysis, behaviour analysis, communication channel analysis
   2. Strategy design: methodologies for planning and implementation
   3. Monitoring and evaluation of C4D strategies in zika

Planning (25%)

1. Inter-institutional Zika Communication and Community Participation response plan for five prioritized regions.

Cultural adaptation (25%)

1. Cultural adaptation of C4D strategy

   1. Production of culturally appropriate material for the education of families of children with disabilities, including the integration of the WHO toolkit for the Zika approach and Care for Child Development toolkit developed by UNICEF-WHO.
   2. Communication, training, education and community organization toolbox for the support of early intervention and community based interventions on early childhood development and disability

M&E (25%)

1. Design and implementation of the M&E systems for the C4D strategy, including real-time participatory monitoring mechanisms and community-based monitoring.

X. Applications

Consultants interested in applying must deliver the following:

• An application letter highlighting the knowledge, experience and skills relevant to the development of this consultancy.
• Your resume updated according to the experts defined in Section V.
• A technical proposal as detailed in Section VI.
• An economic offer as detailed in Section VI

Interested parties should send their offer documents to the e-mail address: contracts_honduras@unicef.org  with the reference number and name of consultancy.

Please note that only consultants who are pre-selected will be contacted.