International Consultant for Baseline KAP Survey- Community Awareness Building Programme for the ‘Education Environment Improvement Project'

Under the supervision of the Education Specialist, the consultant will define and design the baseline KAP survey, virtually train the data collectors (selected CSO will carry out the data collection and data entry), review the quality of data collection and provide support/train the KZO officer to supervise the ongoing data collection, provide a framework for data entry, analyse the findings and develop a report.

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Under the supervision of the Education Specialist, the consultant will define and design the baseline KAP survey, virtually train the data collectors (selected CSO will carry out the data collection and data entry), review the quality of data collection and provide support/train the KZO officer to supervise the ongoing data collection, provide a framework for data entry,  analyse the findings and develop a report. 

 The programme which aims to enhance learning outcomes in 13 targeted poor-performing schools through both hardware (infrastructure) and software interventions in the Kilinochchi district, is being implemented by the Zonal and Provincial Departments of Education with the support of UNICEF. The overall programme objectives are as follows:    

• To improve the physical learning environment through construction/renovation of classrooms/facilities and equipping of the targeted schools.
• To build the capacity of teachers, principals and in-service advisors to provide better quality education services in the targeted schools that promote improved learning outcomes and social cohesion.
• To increase community awareness on the importance of education and the role of parents as part of the school community.

Within the overall project scope of the project, strengthening community participation has been given equal priority and the following seven main themes have been identified through the participatory planning sessions conducted with the Zonal teams, school committees and students, for focused attention in the community.

1. Violence free schools:

             Create violence free schools (i.e. elimination of corporal punishment, verbal abuse 

             and bullying in school) supported by positive disciplining in school and home.  

2. Reading culture:

             Enhance the reading habit among students in school and at home, to improve the

             quality of learning.

3. ICT online safety:

             Create awareness on the importance of ICT to support learning, and the safe use of

             technology in daily life.

4. Importance of education:

             Prevent or reduce school drop outs and/or irregular attendance by empowering the

             parents and community.  

5. Social cohesion:

             Increase awareness on the importance of soft/transversal skills (i.e. trust, respect for

             diversity, empathy, tolerance). 

6. Health/Nutrition/WASH:

             Establish holistic healthy behavior practices and modify incorrect practices.

7. Children with disabilities:

             Enhance the acceptance and integration of children with disability in the school and    

             Community.

Whilst a CSO has already been selected to implement this module, to help monitor the progress and ultimately the behaviour change brought about by the interventions a baseline KAP survey needs to be developed and administered amongst the target audience. This baseline KAP survey is intended to gain an understanding of the current knowledge, attitude and practices of the project beneficiaries such as students, parents and community members in and around the key thematic areas identified for intervention. Since there currently is data collected under these seven themes with the implementation plan to be finalized based on identified objectives (expected behavior change) the main purpose of the KAP is to establish a baseline as opposed to a full-fledged KAP survey. This baseline needs to be established in 2020 with the end line survey planned for 2022.

Accordingly, UNICEF education section is seeking services of a qualified individual to provide consultancy services towards establishing a baseline KAP survey

Activities and Tasks:

The major tasks to be undertaken by the consultant in this regard may include but are not limited to the following:

1. Study the findings from the reports generated by the CSO which relate to the background information on the seven themes from the perspectives of parents, teachers and students. The CSO is conducting interviews for gathering information on the current levels of awareness, practices, attitudes etc. on the seven themes which will be fed into the workshops with sector experts. The CSO is using the draft concept notes which have been developed for each thematic area which also details some guiding questions to be asked from the target groups.
2. With the information from the above exercise a series of workshops will be conducted with experts who can provide inputs into the development of implementation strategies for the delivery of key messages to the community.  Relevant stakeholders from the district, province and national levels will participate in these discussions which will be held in Kilinochchi/Jaffna. Based on these discussions the implementation strategy for each theme will be defined along with the key areas for behavior change being identified. The consultant will need to study the findings from these workshops before designing the KAP survey.
3. Based on the above, develop the survey protocol/inception report which should include areas such as: the objectives, the key indicators, survey questions, sampling plan, data collection and management methods, data analysis plan, plan for ethics review, budget, timeline, plan for utilization and dissemination of findings. The survey protocol needs to be approved by UNICEF before moving on to the next stage. A monitoring framework too needs to be developed by the consultant to monitor progress of the key indicators. Monitoring will be done by the CSO hence the consultant needs to provide them with a training on the methodology.
4. Lead the 4-day workshop for KAP survey tools development with support from KZO Officer and CSO. Pre-test and finalize the questionnaire with the support of the KZO Officer and CSO.
5. Develop an enumerator training programme and the related materials. Train the data collectors on administering the questionnaire. Train the KZO Officer to conduct quality checks on the collected data. The data collection and entering will be carried out by the CSO.
6. Based on the data analysis plan, prepare analytical report and presentation materials.

 Work relationships: 

The consultant is expected to maintain a good working relationship with the UNICEF staff members, selected CSO for the community awareness module implementation as well as relevant stakeholders from the Government authorities/experts. 

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

1. Education:  A Degree/Post Graduate Degree in Education, Social Sciences or any other relevant subjects.
2. Specialist skills/Training: Previous experience working on surveys which include KAP (at least minimum one KAP survey required), Ethnographic, Demographic etc. Experience and proven track record of field level work  . Possesses excellent communication and observation skills.
3. Years of experience:  Minimum 8  years of professional experience in conducting surveys of this nature. Working experience in UN or other international development organization, as well as with the government is an asset. Knowledge of the geographical area would be an advantage.
4. Competencies:  Strong skills in analysis and reporting in English. Patient and skilled at providing constructive feedback to staff.
5. Languages required: Fluency in English language is a must.

Duration of the consultancy: 46 working days (spread over 3 months) 

Please complete your profile in UNICEF's e-Recruitment system. Please provide (attach) a Personal History Form (P-11) highlighting previous engagements which meet the qualification criteria described above. Personal History Form (P11) can be downloaded from: https://www.unicef.org/about/employ/index_consultancy_assignments.html

Interested consultants should indicate ability, availability and all-inclusive fee rate Monthly fee for expected deliverables to undertake the terms of reference.

Applications submitted without a fee/ rate will not be considered.

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Expected start date – 15.07.2020

Location of the consultancy - Remote working. The Consultant will have to liaise virtually with the relevant staff members of UNICEF during the assignment.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

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 be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

Remarks:

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

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws.