Consultancy – Development of the National Social Behaviour Change Communication (SBCC) HIV, Lesotho

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, an Advocate.

Despite progress since 2010, such as the reduction of new infections by 20 per cent (UNAIDS Estimates, 2018), Lesotho remains vulnerable to the epidemic—with the second highest HIV prevalence, 24.3 per cent, and the highest incidence rate in the world, 1.55 per cent, (Lesotho Population-based HIV Impact Assessment, 2017). Despite over fourteen years of HIV programming in Lesotho, comprehensive knowledge of HIV among men and women 15-49, including knowledge around sexual transmission, remains low—31 per cent and 39 per cent, respectively (Lesotho Demographic Health Survey, 2014). Additionally, behavioural risk factors such as multiple concurrent partnerships and low HIV testing, increase the population’s vulnerability to new HIV infections.

Social Behavior Change Communication (SBCC) is one of the Core Program Areas for Lesotho’s National Strategic Plan for HIV (NSP) 2018/2019-2022/2023 to identify barriers and opportunities related to knowledge, attitudes, perceptions, and socio-cultural practices and norms to inform communication behavior change at multiple levels. Despite over eighteen years of HIV programming in Lesotho, comprehensive knowledge among men and women 15-49 remains low—31 per cent and 39 per cent, respectively (Lesotho Demographic Health Survey, 2014). The aim of the Ministry of Health (MOH) and the National AIDS Commission (NAC) through the development of the National SBCC Strategy for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR)/HIV, is to balance information, education and communication (IEC) with SBCC in order to increase comprehensive knowledge of SRHR and HIV and inspire behavior change at the individual, community, and societal level in order to achieve the NSP targets.

How can you make a difference?

Working closely with the Ministry of Health, National AIDS Commission, and UNICEF, the consultancy is required to work on the development of the National SBCC Strategy for SRH/HIV, and Implementation Plan, based on the findings of the Knowledge, Attitudes, Practices, and Norms (KAPN) Survey on SRHR/HIV currently being conducted in Lesotho and expected to be finalized by August 31, 2019. The consultant will be required to conduct a rapid desk review, consult with stakeholders, facilitate focus group discussions with people living with HIV, key populations, and young people, to develop the SBCC Strategy and Implementation Plan. Additionally, the consultant will be responsible with facilitating the consultative meetings, pre-testing focus group discussion tools, and facilitating the validation meeting. The National SBCC Strategy should have a focus on adolescents and young people.

Key activities in the process:

1. A desk review of available documents and evidence on Social Behavior Change Communication including the NSP, the previous SBCC Strategy, the Modes of Transmission Study, the Condom Strategy, Multiple Concurrent Partnerships Report, the Practices Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices and Norms Survey, and other relevant documentation.
2. Conduct key informant interviews and focus group discussions with people living with HIV, including key populations and young people.
3. Develop the SBCC Strategy for HIV and Implementation Plan though a consultative process and facilitate its validation

Provide details/reference to AWP areas covered:

The activity aligns to the rolling work plan (2019-2021) signed by the Ministry of Health and UNICEF under output 2.1: Adolescents living with or at risk of HIV have increased capacity to demand quality prevention, identification, care, and support services.

Activities and Tasks:

The consultant will be required to:

1. Produce a detailed inception report—including a work plan
2. Conduct a desk review of global, regional and country level evidence on SBCC
3. Through stakeholder consultations with the MOH, NAC, government line ministries UNICEF, UN Agencies, and relevant partners, prepare a draft of the National SBCC Strategy for HIV and Implementation Plan, including the Monitoring and Evaluation Framework.
4. Incorporate comments and feedback and produce a final draft of the National SBCC Strategy for HIV, Implementation Plan, and M&E Framework.

Outputs/Deliverables: **

No.

Deliverable

Duration

(Estimated # of days )

Definition

Timeline/Deadline

Schedule of Payment (%)

1

Draft Inception report with Work plan

5

The Inception Report clarifies the TOR and sets common understanding between the consultant and the supervisor; and is the operational document for the consultancy and is used to determine the required inputs for the development and delivery of the output of the consultancy. As such the Inception Report must detail:

-Methodology for providing the key outputs of the consultancy (including data analysis plan)

-Resources required that are outside of the control of the consultant;

-Identify key performance indicators/milestones that the consultant will monitor;

-Indicate roles and responsibilities for activity implementation using the RACI model;

-Timelines for the achievement of tasks associated with the consultant’s deliverables;

4 November 2019

30%

2

Field Visits Report

10

The consultant will be expected to travel to 5 districts for data collection and district level consultations

14 November 2019

2

SBCC Workshop Report

5

The consultant will facilitate a meeting for stakeholders to develop the National SBCC Strategy and present on field visit findings.

19 November 2019

3

Draft SBCC Strategy, Implementation Plan, and M&E Framework.

15

The draft SBCC Strategy should be comprehensive and address the six programmatic areas and priorities referred to in the NSP. The SBCC strategy should link existing SBCC Strategies in the country (ie RMNCAH Strategy). Additionally, the strategy should include a section on SBCC for each NSP target population/audience: men, pregnant women, key populations as defined in the NSP, with a priority on adolescents and young people).

4 December 2019

50%

4

Validation Workshop Report

2

The consultant will facilitate a meeting for stakeholders to validate the Draft SBCC Strategy, Implementation Plan, and M&E Framework.

6 December 2019

5

Final SBCC Strategy for HIV, Implementation Action Plan, and M&E Framework

5

The consultant will finalize and submit an edited final SBCC Strategy for HIV, Implementation Action Plan, and M&E Framework

11 December 2019

20% **

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

1. An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in the social/behavioral sciences (Communication, Sociology, Anthropology, Psychology, Health Education) with proven experience in the field of Communication for Development, health education/promotion, community mobilization, social marketing, participatory communication, new technologies and research;*A first University Degree in a relevant field combined with 2 additional years of professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an Advanced University Degree.
2. A minimum of 8 years of relevant professional experience inthe development, planning and management of social development programmes, including several years in developing countries -preferably in Sub-Saharan Africa, with practical experience in the adaptation and application of SBCC strategy planning processes to specific programmes;
3. Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency is considered an asset.
4. 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;

1. Previous experience in HIV programming is an asset;
2. Excellent analytical and advocacy skills;
3. Full computer literacy, including knowledge of relevant software;
4. High proficiency in English (a sample of recent analytical report will be requested).
5. Experience in team work in culturally diverse contexts;and
6. Ability to complete the tasks in a tight schedule and with limited supervision.

View our competency framework at

http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/UNICEF_Competencies.pdf

Administrative issues

The candidate selected will be governed by and subject to UNICEF’s General Terms and Conditions for individual contracts

1. The consultant will work on its own computer(s) and materials in the execution of this assignment.
2. The work of the consultant is full-time and office based; but is required to visit districts for data collection and consultations.
3. The consultant’s payment will be according to the payment schedule inclusive of travel (a two-way travel based on economy class fares), living allowance and professional fees; when the consultant is to travel outside Maseru and stay overnights, related Living allowance will be inclusive of the total contract value.
4. As per UNICEF DFAM policy, payment is made against approved deliverables. No advance payment is allowed unless in exceptional circumstances against bank guarantee, subject to a maximum of 30 per cent of the total contract value in cases where advance purchases, for example for supplies or travel, may be necessary.
5. Consultant will not be entitled to leave, however, unpaid day offs will be discussed and agreed with supervisor
6. The contractor’s job is for full-time and Office-based; he/she will require visiting districts for data collections (10 working days).
7. Please also see UNICEF’s Standard Terms and Conditions attached.

How to Apply

Qualified candidates are requested to complete an application including profile to the respective advertisement on https://www.unicef.org/about/employ/ Please indicate your ability, availability and financial proposal/quote to complete the terms of reference above. Additionally, applications should include a project plan, including a detailed proposed methodology, outlining how all activities and deliverables will be completed.

Rates must include all expenses related to the assignment (e.g. consultancy fee, travel/flights, living allowance).

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

If you have not been contacted within 2 months of the closing date please accept that your application was unsuccessful. Regret emails will be sent only to shortlisted/contacted candidates.

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. **