Individual National Consultancy – Provide technical and operational support in the implementation of ongoing C4D interventions in Province 2(Only for Nepalese Nationals)

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

UNICEF Nepal Country Programme (2018-2022) recognizes Communication for Development as an important programme component to promote behavioural and social change by engaging key stakeholders at all levels, strengthening their capacities and confidence and promote meaningful dialogue and positive actions that contribute to social change. C4D envisions to build capacity and raise awareness, address harmful social norms through social behaviour change communication strategy to Health, Nutrition, WASH, Education and Child Protection.

The province performs poorly on most of the social development indicator compared to the national average. Health and nutrition indicators – neonatal, infant and under-five mortality rates, for instance, are all significantly higher than the national average. Immunization coverage is also lower than the national average, with over 43,000 children still not fully immunized, and a higher percentage of children under five who suffer stunting or wasting or are underweight for their age.

Over 102,000 households across the province still don’t enjoy regular water supply, and over 53,000 homes don’t have latrines. Birth registration rates are also low in the province: there are 278,723 children under five who have not been registered.

As far as education is concerned, enrollment at the pre-primary level is around 60 per cent, compared to 82.5 per cent nationwide. A total of 147,030 children (56 per cent girls) between 5-12 years of age are not in school, while a total of 261,061 children (53 per cent girls) between 13-16 years of age are deprived of access to secondary education.

As high as 58 per cent of women between 20 to 24 years of age report that they were married before the age of 18. Child labour is another key issue, with 28.7 per cent of children between five to 17 years of age reportedly engaged in labour.

In terms of exposure to media, television is the most popular medium for both men and women aged 15-49 years, followed closely by the Internet. Mobile phone ownership, while lower than the national average in the case of women, is higher for men between 15-49 years of age: 92 per cent own mobile phones.

C4D plays an important role in coordination with sectors, to build capacity and raise awareness, address harmful social norms through social behaviour change communication strategy.

How can you make a difference?

The purpose of this consultancy is to provide technical assistance to UNICEF Sectors Province and Local levels in:

• Planning and implementing COVID-19 risk communication community engagement interventions in coordination with UNICEF sectors, partners and local level

• In collaboration with the health team, support provincial government in evidence-based planning and implementing demand generation of COVID-19 vaccine

• Collaborate with, advise and/or consult internal partners and external partners to design C4D interventions, including formulation, production and testing localised communication materials engagement and participation of key audiences to ensure maximum outreach to achieve planned social and behavioural change results

• Confirm/verify the technical quality, consistency and relevancy of communications strategies, including materials that are developed, produced and disseminated to target audiences (e.g. individuals, communities, government officials, partners, media etc). Recommend appropriate multiple media formats (e.g. print, digital/social media, TV/Radio, Web, community networks, etc.).

• Oversee the production and implementation of multi-media initiatives for compliance with targets and plans that integrate the latest evidence.

• Technical support to carry out C4D advocacy activities with/for a wide range of stakeholders, partners, communities, etc. to encourage/promote engagement and dialogue, inclusion, self-determination and participation in mobilizing social, political, behavioral and cultural change to achieve sustainable programme results on children and women’s rights, equity and wellbeing. Develop/select materials and other communication tools for C4D events.

The consultant will accomplish the following tasks as per the methodology outlined below:

• Address Risk Communication Community Engagement issues related to COVID-19 by coordinating with sectors

• Provide technical support to partner to plan and implement social mobilization intervention on promoting public health safety measures

• Technical support to Provincial government in micro planning and social mobilization for covid-19 vaccination campaign

• Technical support to Provincial government to collect, compile and address manage vaccine-hesitancy, rumors through establishment of feedback mechanism.

• Technical support to sectors to design pre-test, finalize and disseminate IEC martials

• Provide technical support to capacity building of local stakeholders to leverage internal resources of local governments in their annual plans for C4D interventions.

• Confirm/verify the technical quality, consistency and relevancy of communications strategies, including materials that are developed, produced and disseminated to target audiences and relevant communication platforms.

Duration

The duration of the contract for six months and the assignment is expected to start from March 2021.

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

Minimum Qualifications Required

Education

University degree in social science or any other field related to Communication for Development.

Work Experience

• At least three years of experience in the related field

• Technical knowledge in planning, advocacy, C4D and emergency response

• Relevant experience in coordination planning, facilitation and budgeting

• Excellent Nepali and English writing and speaking skills

• Relevant experience with UN agencies will be an added advantage

Competencies

• Good communication, coordination, analytical and facilitation skills

• Capacity to work independently and take initiative

• Demonstrated commitment to delivering timely and high- quality results.

Special Skills

• Experience working in an emergency context is considered as an asset.

• Computer skills (including advanced Spreadsheet/Microsoft Excel).

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 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:

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.