REF: UNICEF-SOM/2014/032TERMS OF REFERENCE (TORs)
TO DEVELOP OF A COMMUNICATION FOR DEVELOPMENT (C4D)
STRATEGY FOR MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH FOR SOMALIA
Title:****Develop a C4D Strategy for Maternal and Child Health for Somalia Category and Grade Level: P3/NOC Equivalent Type of Contract: Special Service Agreement Length Of Contract: 3 months over a period of 4 months Organization Unit: Health Duty Stations: Nairobi with travel to Somalia Date of Issue: 25th June 2014 Closing date of
Application: 10th July 2014
Background
Somali health status, particularly maternal and child health outcomes have not shown any improvement since 1990 and at this stage it seems unlikely that Somalia will be able to achieve the health Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) targets. Every year, 69,000 Somali children[1] and 4,800 mothers[2] die because of the weak health system, compared to 8,428 Somali people who died because of conflict during 2004-07. Few recent improvements in health outputs are unevenly distributed in the three zones, with many regions “lagging” in health service provision and system performance.
According to the latest estimates of the UN interagency group, 69,000 Somali children and 4,800 mothers are dying every year because of the poor health status and weak health system. UNICEF’s 2006 multiple indicator cluster survey, showed very slow improvement in the maternal, infant and under 5 mortality, and conversely very low levels of vaccination coverage.
The Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) varies in different estimates to between 1044 and 1600 per 100,000 live births, amongst the highest in the world. The main direct causes of maternal mortality are haemorrhage, prolonged and obstructed labour, eclampsia and Infection. Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is experienced by majority of Somali women with some declining trend and this is thought to contribute to a high incidence of haemorrhage and obstructed labour.
Introduction
Under the GAVI funded programme WHO/UNICEF/UNFPA aim to accelerate progress towards the Millennium Development Goals by further increasing access to basic services for Maternal Child Health (MCH, strengthening the institutional capacity of government, raising awareness and improve behaviors regarding maternal and child health and enabling children and women to claim their rights.
The programme supports services geared towards child and maternal health, nutrition and, seeking to reduce the common causes of infant, under-five child and maternal mortality and to reduce malnutrition levels. The four objectives of the GAVI programme are:
· To improve availability and utilization of immunization and other essential maternal and child health service through strengthening of selected MCH centres;
· Improving access of rural communities to immunization and other basic preventive, promotive and curative health services through supporting CHWs and health posts; and creating on a pilot basis, a new cadre of Female Community-based Health Workers;
· To improve awareness and demand for immunization and other essential quality maternal and child health services by the year 2014, through implementation of a comprehensive and sustained campaign of behavioural change communication;
· To provide evidence (on utilization, impact and cost of services) in order to generate appropriate, equitable and affordable health care delivery models for maximisation of efficiency and equity of immunisation and other essential
Objective
In order to achieve the above objectives the WHO/UNICEF started conducting a formative research on Maternal Child Health in all the three zones in March 2013 and will be and will be completed by July 2014. Based on the research findings the C4D strategy would then be developed. WHO/UNICEF would therefore like to procure the services of a consultant to develop a five year Communication for Development (C4D) strategy taking into account the formative research findings, zone differences in terrain, livelihoods, perceptions, behaviours etc. The strategy will be the foundation for demand creation of the RMNCH services being provided. Based on the strategy the consultant will also be required to develop a fundraising proposal for increased funding for Maternal Child Health (MCH) in Somalia.
Purpose of the assignment
Under the general guidance of the Communication for Development Specialist and in close cooperation with WHO/UNICEF programme staff in Nairobi and at zonal level, the consultant will develop the C4D strategy, develop an implementation plan with a budget for all the three zones. The C4D strategy is aimed at fostering social and behaviour change, and community-driven responses.
Specific Assignment:
Reporting to the C4D Specialist the Consultant will work closely with the WHO/UNICEF/UNFPA programme staff in Nairobi and at the zones. The consultant will also be required to work closely with the MoH in all the three zones. The specific responsibilities are to:
a) Conduct a desk review on Maternal Child Health documents on C4D, formative research and other programme specific documents.
b) Undertake an in-depth analysis of the BCC interventions in the three zones in terms of their cultural appropriateness and effectiveness, and include practical recommendations in the strategy. Suggest appropriate and acceptable cost-effective strategies that will motivate local communities to health-seeking behaviour.
c) In close consultation with the Zonal offices and the three Ministries of Health develop 5-year MCH C4D strategy for each of the three zones.
d) Development of the strategy should be through a consultative process, including stakeholder meetings, receiving feedback from partners. The strategy should be grounded on an appropriate communication theory.
e) Facilitate the consultative process at the zones and produce respective reports.
f) Prepare final draft strategy document that includes an implementation plan and budget.
g) Prepare PowerPoint presentation for each zone and a synopsis of not more than 3 pages for each strategy.
h) Present the final Strategy document to WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA Zones, Ministry of Health and implementing partners.
i) Based on the approved strategy develop proposal to raise funds for the implementation of the strategy.
Time frame proposed and methodology
The consultancy will be for 3 months over a period of 4 months:
· Desk review of available documents and studies (10 days)
· Consultation, rapid assessment/market analysis in the field (5 days)
· Meeting with each of the stakeholders in the zone (15 days, 5 days per zone)
· Report writing and strategy development (6 days)
· Presentation of first draft to Zone and USCC staff (3 day)
· Finalization of strategy with inputs from office (5 days)
· Developing funding proposal for the strategy (5 days)
·
Deliverables
Inception report
Report on the findings from the review and consultative meetings
Final Zone Specific 5 year C4D strategy for the three zones including costed implementation plan
Presentation of the three strategies to the head office and zones.
Proposal with funding required to implement 5-year C4D strategy.
Required qualifications of the consultant
The consultant should have:
· An advanced degree in public health, communication, development or social studies with proven experience in the field of Communication for development, health education/promotion, community mobilization, social marketing and Strong experience capacity building for C4D
· At least five years’ experience in developing C4D strategies targeting low literacy populations;
· Excellent writing and presentation skills in English language;
· Good analytical and communication skills.
General Conditions
· The contract for the consultancy will include assignment costs and travel costs to Somalia
· The consultant is expected to have his/her own laptop computer.
· The outputs of the consultancy remain the property of UNICEF Somalia
Interested and qualified candidates should send their applications with updated UN Personal History Form P11, updated CV attaching copies of academic certificates to the email below. UN staff are requested to provide the last two Performance Evaluation Reports (PERs). Applications submitted without a duly completed and signed Personal History Form (P11) which can be downloadedathttp://www.unon.org/docs/P11.doc)willwill) not be considered.***Please indicate your expected fee for the assignment*. Applicants must quote the vacancy number and post title in the subject line of the application.**
Email to: somaliahrvacancies@unicef.org
Only short-listed applicants will be contacted
UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organisation.
More vacancy announcements are posted on UNICEF Somalia websitehttp://www.unicef.org/somalia/index.html
[1] : Levels and Trends in Child Mortality, Report 2010, Estimates Developed by the UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation
[2] : Trends in Maternal Mortality 1990 to 2008; Estimates developed by WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA and The World Bank
How to apply:
Interested and qualified candidates should send their applications with updated UN Personal History Form P11, updated CV attaching copies of academic certificates to the email below. UN staff are requested to provide the last two Performance Evaluation Reports (PERs). Applications submitted without a duly completed and signed Personal History Form (P11) which can be downloadedathttp://www.unon.org/docs/P11.doc)willwill) not be considered.***Please indicate your expected fee for the assignment*. Applicants must quote the vacancy number and post title in the subject line of the application.**
Email to: somaliahrvacancies@unicef.org
Only short-listed applicants will be contacted