Consultancy - To provide technical guidance in the implementation of the Multi-sectoral Communication for Development Strategy on Adolescent Girls in Seven Learning Districts and ten PCA Partners (Open Ugandan Nationals only)- 6 Months

UNICEF Uganda is looking for a consultant who work closely with the C4D Unit and programme sections to review and enhance behaviour and social change communication, social mobilization and advocacy activities through alliances, networks and partnerships for promoting child rights and to support the implementation of key strategies that includes the Multi-sectoral C4D Strategy for Adolescent Girls and the Adolescent Volunteers Initiative.

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, a fair chance

Uganda is one of the over 190 countries and territories around the world where we work to overcome the obstacles that poverty, violence, disease, and discrimination place in a child’s path. Together with the Government of Uganda and partners we work towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals, the objectives of the Uganda National Development Plan, and the planned outcomes of the United Nations Development Assistance Framework.

Visit this link for more information on Uganda Country Office https://www.unicef.org/uganda/

How can you make a difference?

Under the supervision and guidance of the C4D Specialist, the consultant will work closely with the C4D Unit and programme sections to review and enhance behaviour and social change communication, social mobilization and advocacy activities through alliances, networks and partnerships for promoting child rights and to support the implementation of key strategies that includes the Multi-sectoral C4D Strategy for Adolescent Girls and the Adolescent Volunteers Initiative.

Background

This consultant will provide technical guidance in the implementation of the Multi-Sectoral Communication for Development Strategy for Adolescent Girls in the seven learning districts and through ten PCA partners under the Government of Uganda – UNICEF Country Programme, 2016 to 2020. The three thematic programmes in this country programme are Basic Education Adolescent Development (BEAD), Child Protection (CP) and Child Survival and Development (CSD).

Impact of the Adolescent Girls Programme

Adolescent Girls experience several issues that affect their ability to reach their full potential and complete their two cycles of education. These issues are related to behaviourial and societal barriers that exist in both their homesteads and communities. Adolescent girls face disproportional risks and distinctive consequences in the transition phase of their lives which makes them more likely than their male peers to drop-out of school, to marry at an early age, and to bear the brunt of poor health outcomes especially sexual and reproductive health outcomes Adolescent girls are exposed to multiple vulnerabilities at individual, family and community level with mounting domestic burdens, pressure for marriage or other sexual relationships and all this accounts for their exposure to child marriage , teenage pregnancy, HIV and other health risks.

Adolescent Girls in Uganda are also faced with a challenge of harmful traditional practices that rob them of their education, health, social protection and economic future. They are also faced with a challenge of different forms of violence at school which results in school drop outs. Child marriage is one of the silent forms of gender based violence that threatens the survival and development of children and curtails their freedom to choose and make free and informed consent regarding their future partners.  Child marriage has devastating consequences on the survival and development of children and especially girls when they are married before they get emotionally and physically mature enough to become wives or mothers. The prevalence of child marriage among adolescents in Uganda is high with varying magnitude across the regions. For example, child marriage is highest in northern Uganda with 59%, western region (58%), Eastern region (52%), West Nile (50%), Central (41.9%), South West (37%) and lowest in Kampala with 21%. 

The Multi-sectoral Communication for Development Strategy for Adolescent Girls is to support the delivery of results under the strengthening of technical networks from national to district levels. This effort is to be realized through capacity building of the existing community development work that is mandated by the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development as the convener of the Inter-sectoral Committee (with membership from eight line ministries and ten PCA Partners that have elements of adolescent programming in their intervention areas. This Inter-sectoral Committee is set to support the Government of the Republic of Uganda and UNICEF Country Programme 2016 – 2020 that addresses the demand shift in knowledge, aspirations, behaviours, biased gendered social norms and cultural practices. 

1.) Roll out of the Multi-Sectoral Communication for Development Strategy to the seven learning districts and through ten PCA partners; 2.) development of district work plans based on the C4D/ BEAD/ Child Protection and CSD (Emergencies) RWPs with the various district committees/ Technical planning committees (Adolescent Development) and aligned to the District Development Plans;

• 3.) Monitor and offer support supervision in the implementation of the district work plans (based on the RWPs for BEAD, CP and CSD (Emergencies) through seven District and ten PCA Partners and 4.) Document and disseminate C4D results at District and National levels strengthening capacities of the Districts and PCA Partners. These core areas are to be aligned to the extract from the C4D RWP listed below;

1. 1. 1. Strengthen UNICEF capacity at national and zonal level to implement and monitor holistic, comprehensive C4D programming

• Develop and implement a UCO C4D Capacity Strengthening Plan including for C4D in emergencies and C4D RM&E
• Systematic review of C4D work plan with programme sections

5.3.2   Strengthen the C4D institutional structure and capacity of GOU counterparts in key ministries at sub-national level as well as NGOs

• Support line ministries (MoH, MoES, MoGLSD) to conduct C4D audits at national and sub national levels to identify systemic and structural gaps and support needs

5.3.3   Develop and implement a C4D RM&E capacity strengthening plan with PME and ZO PME focal points

• Document C4D success stories and lessons learned

5.3.4   Accelerate Results for Adolescent and ECD Programming - Volunteers for C4D and Advocacy Engagement

• Support Adolescent Volunteers (based on the Adolescent Volunteers Implementation Plan) to conduct advocacy and engagement at national and sub-national and community levels with technical support from UNICEF ESARO, UNICEF Kampala, ZO, DLG and PCA partners.

5.3.5 IEC Material/Toolkit Development and Media Campaigns

• Implement media campaigns at national, district and community levels
• Media monitoring to determine impact of campaigns at national, district and community levels.

5.3.6: C4D Support to Programme Sections for BEAD, CP and CSD (Emergencies).

BEAD

• 2.3.2.c. Support the development and utilization of innovative platforms to engage with adolescent girls and boys in primary schools, secondary schools or out of school and support their participation in community development (including U-report)          
• 2.3.4.a. Provide technical and financial support to establish schools as agents of change in the community through PTA sensitization/trainings on Parenting skills, Key Family Care Practices for parents and caregivers, including on gender, violence prevention and reporting, positive discipline and health/hygiene                
• 2.3.4.b. Provide technical and financial support to community outreach to change social norms regarding gender, violence against children and adolescent health (including with school clubs, parent teacher associations through Music Dance and Drama and Sports)              
• 2.3.4.c. Provide technical and financial support to roll-out of key policies / social mobilization interventions pertaining to adolescent development through engagement of religious, community and political leaders.           

CHILD PROTECTION                

• 3.1.5. Provide technical and financial support to GOU to develop and roll out an integrated and costed national C4D strategy, and a multi-media campaign to raise awareness on Violence Against Children (VAC) and harmful practices, and change negative social norms impacting children's well-being including those of in and out of schools in both humanitarian and development contexts.         
• 3.1.6 Provide financial, technical and material support to GOU and implementing partners to mobilize and support community based structures, including schools, and community members to engage in initiatives aimed at preventing violence against children and harmful practices in development and humanitarian contexts (including child marriage, teenage pregnancy, child neglect and abuse, FGM/C, and child protection in emergencies concerns), as well as increase the demand for child protection services.            

• 3.1.7. Provide financial, technical and material support to GOU and implementing partners to implement, monitor and report on parent targeted interventions aimed at strengthening and enhancing skills of parents including parental resilience, creation of supportive social networks, knowledge on parenting and child development stages to prevent and respond to violence against children in development and humanitarian contexts.

   

  CSD (EMERGENCIES)

• 1.1.111.2 Support to MoH/NTF and districts in prevention, preparedness and response in the context of major health outbreaks such as Ebola, Haemorrhagic Fever, Cholera etc.

Key Tasks: 

• Produce inception report and work plan.
• Report on developed C4D work plans (based on the RWPs for BEAD, CHILD PROTECTION and CSD Emergencies) of seven districts and ten PCA partners
• Develop and disseminate a training package for capacity building
• Develop and disseminate an RM&E toolkit for measuring progress during the planning, implementation, Research, Monitoring and Evaluation (RM&E) and documentation of C4D interventions
• Develop and disseminate the work plans for seven Districts and ten PCA partners.
• Conduct a capacity building for seven Districts and ten PCA Partners.
• Support supervision for seven Districts and ten PCA Partners
• Monitor and report - each quarter - on progress on implementation of the seven Districts and ten PCA partners.
• Document C4D results at district level.
• Facilitate the dissemination of C4D results at district and national level.
• Submit final report with recommendations and lessons learnt on the roll out and implementation of the Multi-Sectoral Communication for Development Strategy for Adolescent Girls

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have… 

Education:  

-         Advanced university degree in Communication, Social Sciences, Behavioural Sciences, Public Health or other related field. A Masters’ degree in Health Communication is an added advantage.

Work experience:

-         5-10 years’ experience in Communication for Social and Behaviour Change

-         Proven expertise in developing Child Protection, Education and Health Communication Strategies and working in sectors involved in Adolescent development and participation.

Competencies:

-         Excellent facilitation skills, negotiation skills and oral and written communication skills;

-         A repertoire of a wide range of facilitation approaches

-         Strong analytical skills

-         Knowledge of the Uganda context is an added advantage.

 For every Child, you demonstrate…

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

The competencies required for this post are….

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.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

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.