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                                                                            TERMS OF REFERENCE

Background and Justification

Natural hazards, conflicts, disease outbreaks, epidemics and complex emergencies require quality Risk Communication Community Engagement (RCCE) and evidence-informed Social and Behaviour Change (SBC) programming to achieve sectoral results.

RCCE Preparedness, Response and Coordination consultancy will support advancing a measurable people-centred agenda across the ESAR to provide guidance in designing and implementing preparedness and response plans so that they can engage and empower communities as well as influence behaviours and collective actions adapted to specific humanitarian contexts in the COs.

The consultancy will also support UNICEF coordination efforts with the WHO, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and other key partners within the RCCE Working Group. The platform aims to deliver structures and mechanisms for a coordinated evidence-based approach to RCCE across public health, humanitarian and development response.

Due to the protracted public health emergencies in the region in particular cholera and expansion of scope of the RCCE interagency cooperation, the SBC ESARO team is requesting services of RCCE preparedness, response and coordination consultant.

Scope of Work

1) Goal and objective: Under the supervision of the SBC Emergency Specialist, ESARO and in close collaboration with the relevant sections, COs, and core partners (IFRC, WHO) the consultant will provide coordination and technical assistance to COs in SBC/RCCE emergencies to enhance preparedness, response and recovery; build capacity of UNICEF staff and partners with a focus on community engagement and resilience; and monitor the implementation and results of SBC interventions related to emergencies.

2) Provide details/reference to AWP areas covered: COs and partners provided with technical guidance and oversight to prepare for, implement, monitor and evaluate RCCE/SBC in emergency response in the context of major emergencies and public health outbreaks; regional RCCE and SBC in emergency coordination mechanisms including inter-agency mechanisms strengthened and regional partnerships fostered to respond to major emergencies.

3) Activities and Tasks:

Coordinate, Fundraise, Advocate, and Build Partnerships:

• Collaborate with partners to coordinate RCCE work to exchange information, lessons learnt and share resources.

• Cultivate fundraising opportunities, contribute to proposals, and mobilize resources to support regional capacity to provide technical support to COs and core partners joint proposals.

• Document and disseminate best practices and innovative approaches in SBC.

Technical Support and Oversight:

• Provide inputs for and support the development of RCCE strategies, response plans and other relevant documents such as funding proposals, tool kits etc to ESAR focused COs.

• Support the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of response activities including oversight of the interagency team.

• Design toolkits and review guidelines for RCCE with practical tools and templates.

Support AAP guidance and implementation in ESARO

Generate and Use Evidence:

• Design and implement research on social and behavioral drivers, emphasizing underserved communities to inform the core partners coordinated response.

• Summarize data and trends to inform evidence-based SBC strategies, plans, and activities in emergency preparedness and response for core partners.

• Coordinate integrated approach to the evidence generation through integration of social listening, CFM and behaviour data to inform response of core partners.

Build Capacities:

• Support SBC/RCCE needs assessments, training, and capacity building around preparedness and response for ESARO, COs and partners.

• Adapt UNICEF and partners learning resources to enhance SBC capacity among staff and counterparts.

• Facilitate the exchange of experiences and provide technical assistance for adopting new SBC methods in emergencies.

4) Outputs/Deliverables:

Payment Schedule

Payment schedule is as per above table. Payments will be per deliverable as indicated. Payment is upon satisfactory completion of deliverables.

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

Please note that the final remuneration will be negotiated by HR.

Desired competencies, technical background and experience

1. Advanced university degree in behavioural and/or social sciences (anthropology, sociology, psychology, social development, etc.) or public health. Understanding of – or training in – current developments in the field of communication for development theory and research, participatory processes, media; as also strategic communication planning, behaviour analysis, formative research and evaluation. A relevant 1st University Degree in one of the above sciences, with qualifying experience, may also be accepted in lieu of the Advanced University Degree.
2. At least 8-10 years of solid work experience in SBC, of which at least 2-4 years in emergency contexts or dealing with emergency issues, 4-6 years in developing country contexts in ESARO.
3. Proven experience in coordinating and/or facilitating multi-agency SBC preparedness and response in emergencies. Experience in emergency response to outbreaks (Ebola, Cholera, etc.) or understanding of outbreak/risk communications and dealing with the media is an asset
4. Fluency in English. Knowledge of French, Portuguese an asset.
5. Must exhibit the UNICEF Core Values of:

1. Care

2. Respect

3. Integrity

4. Trust

5. Accountability

6. Sustainability

Core Competencies

• Builds and Maintains Partnerships

• Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness

• Drive to achieve results for impact

• Innovates and embraces change

• Manages ambiguity and complexity

• Thinks and acts strategically

• Works collaboratively with others

Conditions

Risks

How to Apply