National Maternal, new-born and child communication strategy for development (MNCH-C4D) behavior change communication strategy and implementation plan

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

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1. Background 

Maternal, New Born, and Child Health (MNCH) is a core programme area for Lesotho. UNICEF supports the Ministry of Health to develop and implement HIV integrated child survival and maternal health programmes in the country. Demand creation activities have been conducted by both MOH and different partners at national and district levels. However a national Maternal, Newborn and Child Communication for Development (C4D) plan has not been developed. For an effective MNCH programme, both the service provision and demand creation components have to be strong.

A communication strategy and action plan is required to address some of the factors contributing to stagnation in some of key indicators such as routine immunization 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 behaviors in relation to MNCH and utilize the available services. This task requires a dedicated person to work on the production of the National MNCH Behaviour Change Communication strategy and Plan; integrated with HIV, Nutrition and gender sensitive information.

To this end UNICEF would like to recruit a consultant to support the process of MNCH C4D strategy and Action Plan development. The assignment will be two-fold and will be guided by recently developed MNCH KAP. Hence the task would require a desk review of available documents and evidence on MNCH C4D including HIV and Nutrition and conduct key informant interviews. The second part will be to produce an integrated national MNCH C4D strategy and implementation plan engaging all relevant stakeholders in the process. It will be an iterative process and will require close follow ups and liaison with MoH and partners.

To this end, UNICEF Lesotho is inviting proposals from individual consultants for the provision of a National Maternal, new-born and child health communication strategy for development (MNCH-C4D) strategy and implementation plan.

2.      Objectives of the assignment

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

3.      Process and methodology

Conduct a desk review of available social research in the area of MNCH - 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, newborn and child care including:

• Conduct a desk review using data from KAP and use/substantiate the qualitative information from the region during the workshop to understand key behaviors
• Conduct key informant interviews on MNCH C4D.
• Prepare a report on the key findings from the key informant interviews and desk review.
• Consult with MoH, UNICEF, WHO and relevant partners and prepare an outline of the national MNCH C4D strategy
• Facilitate workshop to get partner inputs into the MNCH C4D strategy draft. The strategy will build onto the ongoing communication and social mobilization work being conducted in country by MoH, and partners and community level work being implemented by CSOs. The MNCH C4D strategy will be based on UNICEF global guideline on MNCH-A including HIV C4D strategy development.
• Write up the draft and share it with MOH partners.
• Incorporate comments and feedback and produce a final draft with M&E Framework.

4.     Expected deliverables with time frames

5.     Duration

The assignment is for 30 days spread across 2.5 months commencing 03 April 2018 and ending 15 June 2018

6.     Logistical arrangement and conditions of work

• Consultant should provide his/her own computer
• UNICEF will not pay for travel and related expenses but these will be borne by the consultant as stipulated in the agreed budget.
• No contract may commence unless the contract is signed by both UNICEF and the vendor.

7.     Qualifications

 Advanced university degree in the social/behavioral sciences (Communication, Sociology, Anthropology, Psychology, 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.

Initiate and execute activities in a timely manner

8.     Duty station

Maseru.

9.     How to apply

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 19 March 2018.

Applications to be submitted to:https://www.unicef.org/about/employ/?job=511323 

Only shortlisted consultants will be contacted. UNICEF does not charge a fee during the recruitment process

UNICEF’s core values of Commitment, Diversity and Integrity and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

View our competency framework at

http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/UNICEF_Competencies.pdf

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

Remarks:

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.