Re-advertisement- Home-based consultancy (with travel): Development of a Social and Behavioral Change Communication (SBCC) strategy for UNICEF Migrant and Refugee Italy Response (38 days)

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, results

Since 2016, UNICEF is responding to the unique needs of adolescents and young people who are seeking asylum in Europe, on the move, stranded or pushed back. The operation established in Italy aims to provides support to the Government of Italy on children and young migrants and refugees, to ensure timely, equal and appropriate care, protection and support for social inclusion, as part of the Regional Migrant and Refugee Response. Initially the Italy Response focused mainly on child protection and adolescent development, while since 2019 a Gender-Based Violence component has been integrated.

The Youth & Adolescent Development programme focuses on participation and skills building activities to guarantee Unaccompanied Minors (UAMs) and young migrants and refugees have access to key information, have their voices heard and are empowered to take the lead and have the skills and competencies needed for their social inclusion in Italy.

The focus of the Child Protection and Gender-Based Violence (GBV) programmes is access to key life protecting information, promotion of uptake of services, identification and referral of at-risk boys and girls to relevant services, including psychosocial assistance, GBV services and access to alternative care and guardianship. Moreover, in 2020 a key partnership with DG Health was established, which includes a strong component of health literacy promotion among migrant and refugees. Key health messages are therefore woven into existing programmes, with a strong focus on mental health, immunization and adolescent reproductive health.

The primary channel through which the 3 programmes (Youth & Adolescent Development, the Child Protection and GBV) combine their efforts and collaboration is U-Report on the Move (https://onthemove.ureport.in/ ), a digital platform dedicated to UAMs and young migrants and refugees living in Italy. Through the platform, U-Reporters have the possibility to voice their opinion on key issues of concern through monthly opinion polls, to access key information for their protection and social inclusion (via digital content and live chats) and to benefit from digital one-to-one counseling (legal and more) via U Partner.

Offline, mobile teams are a key channel for both the Child Protection and GBV programmes, targeting primarily young migrants and refugees who are outside of the formal reception system as well as families living in informal settlements. Outreach activities also take place within the reception system.

In support to the UNICEF Uprooted campaign, and particularly starting in 2019 with version 2.0 of Uprooted, the migrant and refugee response has stepped up efforts in support to the promotion of positive narrative around uprooted children and young people. For this purpose, other channels have been set up and/or leveraged, namely, UNICEF Italy Activate Talks (https://www.activatetalksitalia.com/ )and the U-blogger platform (https://www.ublogger.org/), as well as mass media and social media platforms targeting the Italian audience for amplification purposes.

A key component of all Communication for Development interventions has been the involvement of adolescents and young people themselves. Whilst the focus has been on UAMs and young migrants and refugees it has also included, particularly for Social and Behaviour Change Communication (SBCC) activities in support to the Uprooted campaign, Italian adolescents and youth. Italian adolescents and youth engaged include young people from marginalized communities, 2^nd generation migrants. To date, substantive results have been achieved with regards to youth engagement and advocacy, further work is needed to ensure that connecting young migrants and refugee voices with policy and decision makers translates into policy change.

With the onset of the COVID-19 emergency, the scope of SBCC interventions has expanded to include Risk Communication and Community engagement interventions, using both online and offline platforms for messages on prevention and access to services and for behavioural change, as well as to better inform UAMs and young migrants and refugees on the changes brought about by the secondary impact of Covid-19 (legal status, online safety, education paths, GBV and employment) to their entitlements. Through mobilization and engagement of UAMs, young migrants and refugees, Italians from marginalized communities, 2^nd generation adolescents, young activists and volunteers, further advances were made visavis the social cohesion agenda and particularly in the promotion of the coexistence between migrant and refugee youth and Italian youth from host communities. In an effort to amplify the positive messages in order to foster positive and measurable social change new strategic partnerships were established with 2 major social media platforms targeting the Italian audience: Freeda and Scuola Zoo (https://www.scuolazoo.com/). Freeda (http://www.freedamedia.com/) has a primary focus on girls and women’s issues; Scuola Zoo caters to Italian adolescents and youth going to school.

UNICEF Migrant and Refugee Response is now looking to widen the communication platforms and channels and scope of activities in support to the three U-Report pillars of Scale, Engage and Change through development of a Podcast/Web-Radio channel.

How can you make a difference?

The purpose of this consultancy is to support UNICEF Migrant and Refugee Italy Response in the development of a Social and Behavioural Change Communication (SBCC) strategy for 2021 and beyond based on a Theory of Change and Monitoring and Evaluation framework.

Strategy will be developed in consultation with national and international stakeholders. The SBCC Strategy Development Consultant will work together with the SBCC Research Assistant. They will ensure regular communication, both bilaterally and with the Migrant and Refugee Team. The field mission to Rome, Italy will be carried out jointly.

Specifically, the consultancy aims to:

• Maximize synergies, efficiency and results of SBCC interventions of the Migrant and Refugee Programme;
• Sharpen and systematize monitoring and evaluation of SBCC interventions;
• Strengthen existing and/or establish new partnerships for scaling up and sustaining SBCC interventions of the Migrant and Refugee Programme;
• Expand opportunities for connecting young migrants and refugee voices with policy and multi-sector decision makers and for influencing national and local policy agendas.

The objectives will be met through:

• Assessment of the current response in relation to expected results, exploring its relevance, appropriateness and effectiveness;
• Review of the internal capacities to design, implement, monitor and assess SBCC interventions, as well as coordination and working modalities of the Migrant and Refugee Response Team for the implementation of SBCC interventions;
• Assessment of existing partner capacity and potential and identification of the main government counterparts and other key actors engaged in SBCC work e.g. strategic community level actors, community networks, faith-based organizations, youth networks, women’s organizations and umbrella organizations;
• Assessment of the potential opportunities for programming and strengthening SBCC contribution to proposed results, including articulating UNICEF’s contribution to meeting national sector priorities and strategies;
• Development of the SBCC strategy based on a Theory of Change and M&E framework;
• Consultation workshop with the stakeholders and partners.

Methodology and Approach

• Desk review of existing information sources including plans, reports, relevant policy documents, current M&E framework and lessons learned from other countries;
• Mapping of channels (social media platforms, mass-media and inter-personal communication etc.) utilized by the Migrant and refugee response programme and review quality of content produced and amplification approaches;
• Data collection tools (semi structure interviews, focus group discussions (FGDs)) – online/offline including migrants and refugees;
• Consultation of stakeholders and/or partners;
• Field visits;
• Participatory techniques.

Tasks

Under the overall supervision of the Coordinator of the National Response in Italy, the consultant is expected to collaborate closely with the UNICEF Migrant and Refugee Italy Response teams and liaise with the relevant partners, to achieve as follows:

Total: 38 working days

Performance Indicators: 

• Quality of written materials produced;
• Accuracy, depth and relevance of information provided;
• Timeliness of response to the team’s requests for support;
• Timely delivery of deliverables and adherence to timeline and set deadlines.

Contractual arrangements:

• Duration: The contract is expected to be for 38 days during a 3-month period. 
• Duty Station and Travel:  The consultant will be home based. The consultant is expected to make 1 trip to Rome for max 5 days, in case the Consultant is based elsewhere. 
• Logistics: The consultant must have his/her own computer and email, phone and credits, printer and paper, podcast recording and designing material and software.
• Payment: The payment will be done in 4 instalments:
  • First instalment (the equivalent of 14 days) after satisfactory completion of tasks 1 and 2
  • Second instalment (10 days) after satisfactory completion of tasks 3 and 4;
  • Third instalment (10 days) after satisfactory completion of task 5;
  • Fourth instalment (4 days) after satisfactory completion of task 6.
• Taxes: Consultants and Individual contractors are responsible for paying any taxes derived from the earnings received from UNICEF.

NATURE OF PENALTY CLAUSE IN CONTRACT

If the final reports and documents are not submitted according to the deliverables stated in this TOR, the payments will be withheld.

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 (fees reduced due to late submission: 20 days – 10%; 1 month -20%; 2 months -30%; more 2 months – payment withhold). All materials developed will remain the copyright of UNICEF and UNICEF will be free to adapt and modify them in the future.

TRAVEL:

• All UNICEF rules and regulations related to travel of Consultants/ Individual Contractors apply.
• All travels shall be undertaken only upon the prior written approval by UNICEF.
• An amount for travel will be specified in the contract (travel lumpsum).
• The consultant is responsible for his/her for travel arrangements. The most economic and direct route is authorized.
• Travel costs will be reimbursed after the completion of mission. UNICEF will pay applicable DSA and other travel related expenses upon submission of the invoice together with the supporting documentation.

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

Required:

• Advanced University degree in communication, behaviour and social science, anthropology, or any related technical field;
• At least 5 years of experience in the SBCC field;
• Proven track record in country level SBCC strategy development;
• Fluency in Italian and English;
• Previous work experience with UNICEF or UN;
• Familiarity with remote videoconferencing software to conduct interviews and FGDs.

Desired:

• Experience working with migrant and refugee or highly vulnerable populations

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 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.

TO APPLY

Applicants are invited to:

• complete their UNICEF profile;
• attach CV and Motivation Letter;
• submit the financial proposal, bearing in mind that the maximum daily allowed for this consultancy is USD 500, travels not included;
• Indicate a lumpsum for expected travels and expenditures (a total of 5 travel days is expected, if conditions will allow travelling).

Remarks:

This is a re-advertisement in order to expand the candidate pool. Previous applicants need not reapply as their original application will be duly considered.

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

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.