National consultancy to provide technical assistance to MOHSPP in Social Mobilization Strategic Planning and Implementation for the ADB Maternal and Child Health Integrated Project in Tajikistan

The purpose of this assignment is development of social and behavior change strategies and implementation plans that are specific for (Shamsuddin Shohin, Rasht, and Fayzobod) project target districts to strengthen capacity and knowledge of communities on MCH issues and ensure stronger linkage with health facilities through mobilization of village community members and local governments

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The TOR in English and Russian can be find here: TOR National Consultancy Social Mobilization final_eng.docx TOR NC Social Mobilization rus.docx

For every child,

Background
Maternal and Child Health (MCH) remains a priority in Tajikistan's National Development and Health Sector policies and strategies including Tajikistan's commitment to the attainment of Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). Despite significant gains in the last decade, Maternal and Child Health (MCH) outcomes in Tajikistan are worse than the average in Central Asia and Caucasus regions. Rates of malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies are high. 

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is supporting the Ministry of Health and Social Protection (MoHSPP) to implement a Maternal and Child Health Integrated Care (MCHIC) Project within the purview of the National Health Strategy 2010-2020. The project aims at improving the health status and well-being of mothers and children in 3 districts (Shamsuddin Shohin, Rasht, and Fayzobod) focusing on the integrated MCH care delivery at both primary and secondary health care levels. The MCHIC project targets the following three outputs: (i) Integrated quality MCH services delivery improved in project districts; (ii) MCH services rationalized, upgraded, equipped and case-based payment system piloted in project targeted districts; and (iii) Knowledge on maternal and child health and health-seeking behavior improved through various communication activities implemented.

Community-based activities under the project will to be guided by the SBCC strategy, targeting both health providers and population with the aim to improve health and nutrition related knowledge, attitudes and practices to enforce appropriate health seeking behavior. The strategy will focus on the constraints of limited health and nutrition related knowledge and health seeking behaviors, sub-standard communication practices and capacity of health service providers and adverse socio-cultural beliefs and adverse traditions. The communication strategy and activities will focus on pregnant and young mothers, mothers-in-law, male family members, with special attention on heads of family and members of the Mahalla, including religious leaders as influencing persons and communities.

Within this context, UNICEF Tajikistan Country Office seeks to hire national consultant to provide technical assistance in the development of Social and Community Mobilization strategies for the target districts of ADB Maternal and Child Health Integrated Project in Tajikistan. 

How can you make a difference?

OBJECTIVE: Communication for development is an essential element of mother and child health support programmes. The purpose of this assignment is development of social and behavior change strategies and implementation plans that are specific for (Shamsuddin Shohin, Rasht, and Fayzobod) project target districts to strengthen capacity and knowledge of communities on MCH issues and ensure stronger linkage with health facilities through mobilization of village community members and local governments.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ASSIGNMENT: The consultant will work in close cooperation with Ministry of Health and Social Protection of Population (MOHSPP), Republican Centre for Healthy Lifestyle (RCHLS), Republican Education and Clinical Centre for Family Medicine (RECCFM) and Republican Centre for Reproductive Health to:

1. Conduct mapping of community structures and existing mechanisms for community and social mobilization to strategize, plan, implement and monitor social and behaviour change strategy.
2. Conduct mapping of existing Job-Aids in supporting families and MCH communication in targeted districts.
3. Develop district specific SBCC strategy and its implementation plan and monitoring framework based on the findings of the baseline Knowledge, Attitude and Practice Survey and community mapping report and has the buy in of all stakeholders.
4. Develop training package for the training of community members on root cause analysis and planning.

 KEY DELIVERABLES and PAYMENT SCHEDULE:

1. Develop inception report/workplan that includes key milestones, deliverables, timeframe (5 days). Deadline: September 2020.
2. Mapping of community structures and existing mechanisms for community and social mobilization and mapping of existing Job-Aids at PHC level in Sh. Shohin, Rasht, and Fayzobod (18 days (14 days of field work)). Deadline: 20 October 2020

3. Development of creative brief to guide development of Job- Aids for different target audiences. (8 days). Deadline: 30 October 2020

4. Develop district specific SBCC strategy and its implementation plan and monitoring framework based on the findings and recommendations of a baseline Knowledge, Attitude and Practice Survey and community mapping.  (22 days); Deadline: 27 November 2020

5. Develop creative briefs to produce culturally relevant behaviour change communication materials of SBCC strategy (7 days). Deadline: 2 December 2020

6. Develop training materials for the training of community members on root cause analysis and planning (6 days).  Deadline: 20 December 2020

7. Conduct trainings of community members in the application of root cause analysis methodology and planning (6 days of field work); Deadline: 28 February 2021.

8. Develop small grants manual for approval by MoHSPP (5 days); Deadline: 28 February 2021.

9. Produce a final report, summarizing the process and outcomes of the assignment as well as a set of recommendations and follow-up actions (3 days); Deadline: 30 March 2021. 

Note: Due to COVID 19, the work and deliverables are subject to change. Consultant need to be flexible to adjust to any unforeseen adjustments that might occur during the implementation.  

Payment schedule:

• 1^st instalment 30% - upon completion and UNICEF approval of the deliverables 1-2; 2^nd instalment 30% - upon completion and UNICEF approval of the deliverables 3-5; 3^rd instalment 40% - upon completion and UNICEF approval of the deliverables 6-9;

 Performance indicators for the evaluation of results:

 The evaluation of the results will be based on:

1. Technical and professional competence (quality of the products delivered to UNICEF);
2. Scope of work (e.g. No. of meetings with the stakeholders);
3. Quality of work (quality of methodology, draft, and final report);
4. Quantity of work (completing the tasks indicated in the table above within the set timeframe)

In addition, such indicators as work relations, responsibility, drive for results, and communication will be taken into account during the evaluation of the Consultant's work.

Estimated duration of contract and remuneration: The assignment will be carried out in 80 working days spread over a period ranging from September 2020 - March 2021. 

Approximately 60 days working from office. Approximately 20 days working in the field. 

Location: Dushanbe, Tajikistan with travel to the field.  

Travel involved: Consultant is expected to travel to Tajikistan. Travel plans to be pre-approved and agreed to by UNICEF Tajikistan.
Travel paid for by UNICEF shall be based on economy class travel, regardless of the length of travel. Costs for accommodation, meals and incidentals shall not exceed applicable daily subsistence allowance (DSA) rates, as promulgated by the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC). Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for assuming costs for obtaining visas and travel insurance. 

Supervision: The consultant will work under the technical guidance of the ECD/C4D Officer, in close collaboration with Early Years team members and with overall guidance provided by UNICEF Chief of Health and Nutrition. UNICEF will be responsible for arranging meetings with government counterparts and other stakeholders and for convening consultation events.

Reporting to: ECD/C4D Officer, UNICEF Tajikistan

Insurances: UNICEF does not provide or arrange life or health insurance coverage for consultants and individual contractors, and consultants and individual contractors are not eligible to participate in the life or health insurance schemes available to United Nations staff members. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for assuming all costs related to required inoculations, vaccinations and medical examinations.   Consultants and individual contractors are fully responsible for arranging, at their own expense, such life, health and other forms of insurance covering the period of their services as they consider appropriate. The responsibility of UNICEF is limited solely to the payment of compensation for service-incurred death, injury or illness as per the provisions detailed below. 

Recourse: UNICEF reserves the right to withhold all or a portion of payment if performance is unsatisfactory, if work/outputs is incomplete, not delivered or for failure to meet deadlines. 

Ethical considerations: Adequate measures should be taken to ensure that the process responds to quality and ethical requirements. The contracted consultant should be sensitive to beliefs, manners, and customs and act with integrity and honesty in their relationships with all stakeholders. It should also protect the anonymity and confidentiality of individual information. 

Mandatory trainings: Consultants and individual contractors, regardless of contract duration, must complete the applicable mandatory trainings. The link will be provided during the selection process for the successful candidates.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have: Education: Advanced university degree in Social Science and other in related areas.

Work Experience: Experience in developing operational manuals for administration of small grants programs the field of strategic institutional assessment; strategic planning and capacity building (mandatory); Proven 5 years of practical experience in design and implementation of small grants programs ideally in the development context.

Relevant technical expertise and consultancy experiences with international/UN organization in the field of maternal, neonatal and child health services, continuous quality improvement (including quality care assessment as per WHO guidelines), and health system strengthening. Familiarity with Tajikistan context.

Competencies: Strong analytical and conceptual thinking. Excellent writing skills. Excellent communication and presentation skills with stakeholders and the ability to work under pressure and commitment to work to a tight timeframe.

Language: Fluency in English (written and spoken), knowledge of Russian and/or Tajik is an asset.

EVALUATION PROCESS:
Qualified candidates are requested to submit:

1. Cover letter/application/CV.
2. A technical proposal with proposed methodology/approach to managing the project, showing understanding of tasks.
3. Financial quote for the consultancy in TJS per deliverable, stating also the timeframe for completion of deliverable and/or daily rate in TJS.
4. Examples of previous, relevant work related to the deliverables.
5. At least 2 References

During the selection, the ratio between the technical evaluation and commercial offer is 80 to 20.

Queries can be sent to tad-procurement@unicef.org with the subject National consultancy to provide technical assistance to MOHSPP in Social Mobilization Strategic Planning and Implementation for the ADB Maternal and Child Health Integrated Project in Tajikistan”. Applications must be received in the system by 24 September 2020 on our website: http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/index.php .  

Travel costs and DSA will be covered in accordance with UN rules and regulations. No other remunerations apply. The office retains the right to adopt assessment methodology including but not limited to interview or a small assignment. As a general principle, the fees payable to a consultant or individual contractor follow the "best value for money" principle, i.e., achieving the desired outcome at the lowest possible cost.

Please note that consultants and individual contractors are responsible for assuming costs for obtaining visas and travel insurance.

During the selection, the ratio between the technical evaluation and commercial offer is 80 to 20.

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on a cumulative analysis methodology. The award of the Contract shall be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

a) responsive/compliant/acceptable, and b) Having received the highest score out of a weighted set of technical and financial criteria.

* Technical Criteria weight - 80%; * Financial Criteria weight - 20%;

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 64 points in Technical Criteria evaluation will be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

Financial Proposal Please provide a rate all-inclusive price (in US dollars) for delivery of professional services in accordance with the assignments described under this TOR. 

FP Rating = (Lowest Priced Offer / Price of the Offer Being Reviewed) x 100

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.

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