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Consultancy - To provide technical guidance in the implementation of the National Integrated Early Childhood Development Advocacy and Communication Strategy (Open to Ugandan Nationals Only) - 6 Months

Kampala

  • Organization: UNICEF - United Nations Children’s Fund
  • Location: Kampala
  • Grade: Consultancy - Consultant - Contractors Agreement
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Legal - Broad
    • Political Affairs
    • Communication and Public Information
    • Children's rights (health and protection)
    • Communication for Development (C4D)
  • Closing Date: Closed

UNICEF Uganda is looking for a consultant who will work closely with the C4D Unit, programme officers/ specialists in BEAD, CHILD PROTECTION and CSD sections at Kampala and zonal office levels 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 all C4D approaches as noted in the National Integrated Early Childhood Development Advocacy and Communication Strategy.

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, programme officers/ specialists in BEAD, CHILD PROTECTION and CSD sections at Kampala and zonal office levels 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 all C4D approaches as noted in the National Integrated Early Childhood Development Advocacy and Communication Strategy.

Background

The consultant will provide technical guidance in the implementation of the National Integrated Early Childhood Development (IECD) Advocacy and Communication Strategy for Uganda in seven learning districts and through eleven 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).

Context of Early Childhood Development

Development in early childhood is a multi-dimensional process. In order to meet children’s diverse needs during the early years, government coordination is essential, both horizontally across different sectors as well as vertically from the local to national levels. In many countries non-state actors (either domestic or international) participate in ECD service delivery; for this reason, mechanisms to coordinate with non-state actors are also essential.

It is in this context that Uganda has developed and launched the multi-sectoral IECD Policy that is being disseminated nationwide. The National Integrated Early Childhood Development Policy of Uganda (NIECDPU) is the first of its kind and signals the country’s increased commitment to its youngest citizens. It calls for a holistic approach to ECD by relevant sectors including, education, health, social protection and welfare, water and sanitation. Its primary objective is to ensure an integrated approach to the implementation and delivery of quality ECD services from conception to birth and to enhance coordination and cohesion amongst the many ECD stakeholders to create a unified ECD system in Uganda.

The central government is responsible for the design of the IECD Policy in Uganda. However, the responsibility of implementation of the Policy and IECD service provision falls to the Local Government’s jurisdiction. Uganda has established an institutional anchor to lead ECD policy and coordination across sectors. The Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development (MoGLSD).  Presently, it is leading and coordinating the development of the NIECD Policy of Uganda. The aim is to achieve the integration of policy through strengthened and more effective coordination of sectors to work collaboratively to plan common goals and complimentary strategies that reduce the compartmentalization of the child development and care services.

The desirable outcome is that all children (conception to eight years) are well nourished and healthy; have age appropriate development skills; go to school ready to learn and achieve; are in clean and stimulating environments and are protected from abuse and violence.  In order to achieve this, one of the policy actions aims to increase awareness and commitment to ECD services and programmes by all stakeholders by developing and implementing a comprehensive and sustainable NIECD Advocacy and Communication Strategy.

In January 2019, the NIECD Secretariat convened members of the NIECD Technical Working Group to conduct a validation of the NIECD Advocacy and Communication Strategy. This was done with an overall appreciation on improving the systems from national to sub-national levels to generate, sustain and institutionalize this demand and advocacy for ECD services by households and communities in Uganda.

The Roll out and Implementation Plan in the NIECD Advocacy and Communication Strategy will support all the eight sectors (at national and district level) to realize results of the Rolling Work Plans (RWPs) for Basic Education Adolescent Development (BEAD), Child Protection (CP) and Child Survival and Development (CSD).

The consultancy is to provide technical support to the Advocacy and Communication Office/Desk in the NIECD Secretariat at national level. At sub-national level the Consultant will provide targeted technical support to District Community Development Officers, Community Development Officers, the NIECD District Committees to implement the following;

1.) Roll out and implementation of the NIECD Advocacy and Communication Strategy to the seven learning districts for UNICEF supported programming

2.) Development of work plans (aligned to the activities in the C4D RWPs) with the various NIECD District Committees/ Technical planning committees and aligned to the District Development Plans

3.) Monitor and offer support supervision in the implementation of the work-plans through seven districts and eleven PCA Partners

4.) Strengthening capacities of the districts and PCA Partners.

5.) Documentation and dissemination of C4D results at District and National levels

These core areas are to be aligned to the C4D RWP main activities below;

      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 national and sub-national level as well as NGOs

  • Support Line ministries (MoH, MoES, MoGLSD) to conduct C4D audits at national and subnational 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 volunteers 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

  • 2.1.10 Support mobilization, capacity building and active engagement of communities, parents and families in the implementation of Early Childhood Care and Education               
  • 2.2.26 Implement the community engagement initiatives that support increased demand for excellent quality education (model parents and parenting skills)
  • 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.

 

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.
  • 3.3.4. Provide Technical and Financial support to NIRA to develop and disseminate a national CRVS Communications Strategy to create demand for, and uptake of CRVS services.

     

    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: 

  • Provide technical support to the strengthening the C4D institutional structure and capacity of Government of Uganda counterparts in key line ministries at national and sub-national levels
  • Provide technical support to the PCA partners such as Faith Based Organizations and INGOs and District partners to support the roll out and implementation of the NIECD Advocacy and Communication Strategy that includes the development of a Parenting package based on the Parenting Guidelines and implement the Key Family Care Practices package.
  • Generate a strong evidence base for C4D through rigorous research, monitoring and evaluation
  • Facilitate C4D planning, review and re-planning workshops.

Expected Deliverables

  1. An inception report and consultancy work plan for six months

At national level technical support to Advocacy and Communication Desk/Office;

  1. Reviewed C4D work plans of seven learning districts and eleven PCA partners
  2. A developed training package for capacity building
  3. Developed and disseminated RM&E toolkit for C4D intervention

  4. At district level provide technical support to CAOs, DCDOs, CDOs, NIECD district committees;

  5. Capacity building reports on C4D RM&E for seven learning districts and eleven PCA partners
  6. Developed and disseminated work plans for seven learning districts and eleven PCA partners
  7. Support supervision, monitoring, mentoring reports for seven learning districts and eleven PCA partners
  8. Progress reports on implementation plan of the NIECD Advocacy and Communication Strategy interventions in the seven learning districts and through the eleven PCA partners
  9. Support the Advocacy and Communication Desk/Unit to review documentation and dissemination of C4D results at national level and at district level through the CAOs, DCDOs, CDOs, NIECD district committees 
  10. Documentation of C4D results through case studies, caption stories and human-interest stories
  11. Final report with recommendations and lessons learnt 

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.

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 Early Childhood Development.

 

Competencies:

  • Excellent facilitation skills, negotiation skills and oral and written communication skills;
  • Strong analytical skills
  • Knowledge of the Uganda context is an added advantage
  • Knowledge of Early Childhood Development of working with government and civil society groups. Field work experience. Background/familiarity with Emergency/humanitarian contexts is an asset.
  • Fluency in English is required.

 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.

 

This vacancy is now closed.
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