In UN Facts for Life Communication for Development Tool
Terms of Reference
Technical Coordinator and Manager to Develop Special Chapter and Infuse Content on Non Communicable Diseases
in UN “Facts for Life” Communication for Development Tool
1.0 Background
1.1 Status of NCDs and Significance for Children and Adolescents
Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), in particular cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancers and chronic respiratory diseases, are increasingly acknowledged as core to the global health and development agenda. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) nearly 36 million people die from NCDs every year and 80% of those deaths occur in low and middle income countries and by 2020 the largest increases in NCDs-related deaths will occur in Africa. The global increase in NCDs is having a profound effect on disability trends with the most prevalent NCDs estimated to account for about two thirds of all years lived with disability. NCDs have a direct impact on productive capacity, employment and the capacity of individuals to enjoy decent work.
Contrary to common perceptions, a large and growing number of children and adolescents are dying as a result of these diseases or are significantly affected because of the death or sickness of a family member suffering from NCDs. In 2002 there were 1.2 million deaths in people under the age of 20, accounting for over 13% of all NCD deaths under 60 years of age. With the present cohort of young people worldwide being the largest it has ever been, this has even greater significance. Forty three per cent of the world’s population is currently under the age of 25, reaching as much as 60% of some populations in developing countries.
The vast majority of the behaviours and addictions that underlie NCDs start as early as conception and persist during childhood and adolescence. The risk factors related to NCDs including tobacco use, alcohol abuse, unhealthy diet and physical inactivity and obesity, influence children’s life chances from conception either directly or indirectly making them more susceptible to acquiring the diseases themselves in adulthood. For instance, it is estimated that more than 42 million children under five are overweight or obese, 35 million of them in developing countries. These children are at a greater risk of NCDs in their adulthood. It is clear that a special focus on children and adolescents must be integral to an effective response to the rising global burden of NCDs.
1.2 Global NCD Response and UN Engagement to Date
The following summarizes some of the key milestones in relation to the global NCD agenda and the engagement of the UN within the global response:
•United Nations High Level Meeting (UNHLM) held on September 19-20 2011
•Political Declaration on NCDs issued by the UN Secretary General
•Establishment of the Non-Communicable Diseases Alliance (NCD Global Alliance),
•Establishment of the NCD Child Alliance (linked to NCD Global Alliance).
•Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) intergovernmental organization Resolution on the UN
interagency Task Force on NCDs adopted in July 2013.
•Co-convening with the NCD Child Alliance of a Ministerial Roundtable in 2012 for advocacy for
government commitment to supporting work on NCDs focused on children.
•Drafting of the WHO-led Global Action Plan (2013-2020) for the prevention and control of NCDs
endorsed by the World Health Assembly.
•Establishment of a global coordination mechanism for NCDs
•Global mapping of NCD related activities.
•Formal establishment of the UN Inter-Agency Task Force on NCDs, October, 2013
1.3 Role of Communication for Development in the NCD Response
Increasingly, it has been acknowledged that the majority of factors contributing to NCDs and in general unfulfilled rights in relation to survival and health, protection, development and participation, are related to harmful behavioural and socio-cultural factors. While policies, and legislation are key to addressing NCDs, as well as how efficiently commodities are distributed or how effectively services are provided, children will continue to die from preventable diseases or suffer from sub-optimal development if their families are not equipped with the necessary knowledge, skills and enabling environment to improve preventative caregiving and care seeking practices and if communities are not enlightened, motivated and empowered to change harmful practices and social norms and to know and demand their rights.
One of the provisions outlined in the UN Political Declaration on NCDs under the heading “reduce risk factors and create health promoting environments” calls for the “scaling up of proven health promotion and primary prevention approaches initiatives including health education and health literacy both in and out of schools starting at the earliest ages.”
Communication for Development (C4D) is a cross-cutting strategy in UNICEF’s programmatic approaches. UNICEF defines C4D as a systematic, planned, and evidence-based approach to promote positive and measurable behavioural and social change. C4D seeks to engage communities and decision-makers at local, national, and regional levels, in dialogue toward promoting, developing, and implementing policies and programs that enhance the quality of life for all. UNICEF’s C4D work relies primarily on (1) behaviour change communication (BCC); (2) social mobilization (including community participation and strengthening an enabling media and communication environment); (3) communication for social change; and (4) advocacy. A central tenet of UNICEF is that C4D is most effective when combined with changes in the social-ecological environment within which children and families live. To that extent, C4D will play a critical role in advancing UNICEF’s engagement in control and prevention of NCDs.
1.4 “Facts for Life” as a Strategic Tool in the UN Inter-Agency NCD Response
Since 1989, one specific tool that has been widely used to provide key information, stimulate behaviour change, guide community action and influence policy and decision makers is “Facts for Life” developed collaboratively and co-published by UNICEF, WHO, UNESCO, UNFPA, UNDP, UNAIDS, WFP and the World Bank. The book has chapters covering a range of issues including Birth Timing, Safe Motherhood and Newborn Health; Child Development and Early Learning; Breastfeeding; Nutrition and Growth; Immunization; Diarrhoea; Coughs and colds; Hygiene; Malaria and Child Protection. As an internationally validated and authoritative reference consistent with the principles of the Convention of the Rights of the Child, “Facts for Life” is one of the world’s most widely read books, with over 15 million copies of previous editions in use in 215 languages across 200 countries. With simple and practical messages, “Facts for Life” has been used by facilitators across numerous sectors and disciplines and has been adapted for use in a variety of inter-personal and multi-media platforms.
“Facts for Life” was updated in 2011 to include information on HIV/AIDs, Emergencies and Accidents. Since the last update, a number of emerging issues impacting significantly on children’s lives and new global commitments which have not been addressed or not sufficiently addressed in the document (eg. Non communicable Diseases, newborn care and disabilities). In the immediate, it has been agreed by UNICEF and the UN Task Force on NCDs to work on producing a revised edition of “Facts for Life” that includes a focus on NCD issues.
2.0 Purpose:
In response to the UN Political Declaration on NCDs and in collaboration with the UN Inter-Agency Task Force on NCDs and relevant stakeholders, the purpose of the consultancy is to provide technical and coordination support for the development of a chapter on NCDs in the UN “Facts for Life” publication and integration of NCD issues into existing chapters with the aim of increasing awareness, commitment and action to address the prevention and management of NCDs.
Major Duties and Responsibilities
1) Develop a work plan for the development and roll out of the chapter and advocacy strategy taking into consideration all strategic opportunities related to the NCD agenda.
2) Undertake desk review of all relevant literature to inform the development of the chapter (see Attachment C for initial references).
3) Solicit and consolidate technical inputs on chapter outline and drafts by liasing with UNICEF Focal points, UN Inter-Agency Task Force and the Global Reference Team; participating in or assisting in convening technical meetings and soliciting online feedback via Facts for Life website (
4) Through interviews with field level programme staff, explore existing knowledge, attitudes and practices on NCDs across selective countries.
5) Prepare chapter outline and first draft based on inputs from all sources.
6) Coordinate the translation of the Chapter into the agreed languages.
7) Coordinate pretesting of key messaging and supplementary information with expected participant groups including children.
8) Coordinate review and clearance of content and design by all key organizations. Facilitate recruitment of copyright editor to review/edit the final draft and work with UNICEF’s Division of Communication on steps for publication.
9) Adapt the content format for the web and work with Division of Communication to upload content.
10) Develop a roll out strategy for using the NCD chapter as an entry point to concretize country-level national and sub-national interventions on NCDs. This should include the following activities
11) Develop an advocacy strategy which will ensure prominence of children and adolescents issues and the visibility of UNICEF, UN and NCD Child Alliance engagement within the overall global response to NCDs with tailor made strategies for global, regional, national and sub-national advocacy. This should include but not be limited to the following:
- Identification and securing of global and country level celebrities/advocates to promote the updated FFL and NCD chapter.
- Engagement in formal meetings with Member States
12) Organize official high level launch linked to policy advocacy effort.
13) Facilitate development of indicators and development of plan for monitoring and evaluating results to include follow up KAP study/evaluation and post publication review.
How: /
- Liason with technical experts and C4D practitioners
- Development of the chapter on NCDs and the advocacy strategies to support its roll out should be guided by the following principles: Multi-Sectoral Approach; Life-Course Approach; Multi-Level Approach; Focus on Promotion and Communication of Healthy Lifestyles; Participation of Children, Adolescents and Youth; Rights-Based and Equity Approach. These principles are described in Attachment A.
Product: / NCD Chapter for Facts for Life and NCD issues incorporated in other chapters.
3.0 Start date:26 December 2013End date: 26 November 2014
4.0 Duty Station:
While the consultant should be based in New York for frequent face to face interaction with various Sections within UNICEF, travel may be required in relation to technical review meetings and country level pre-testing of the revised document.
5.0 Expected results:
The expected results of the consultancy are as follows:
- Availability of a print and web based version of the NCD chapter and NCD issues infused throughout.
- Increased partnerships and networking on the issues of NCDs and children.
Deliverables / Deadline / Duration
(Estimated # of days including liason with technical partners)
1) Workplan for 2014 / End Dec 2013 / 2
2) Draft Annotated Chapter Outline and proposed additions for each chapter / Mid Jan 2014 / 5
(including desk review)
3) Zero Draft INTRODUCTION (in consistent format with the current FFL Publication)
This will provide a brief 'call to action'. It will define NCDs (ie. as chronic diseases) and summarize the extent of the problem and the importance of taking action. / End Jan 2014 / 1
4) Zero Draft KEY MESSAGES:
(in consistent format with the current FFL Publication)
This section will list the key messages on NCDs affecting children and adolescents (related to the Prevention, Detection, Diagnosis, Control and Potential Complications of NCDs, and building political and social support, health literacy and community engagement on NCDs). / Med Feb 2014 / 10
5) Zero Draft SUPPORTING INFORMATION:
(in consistent format with the current FFL Publication)
This section will elaborate on each key message to provide additional details and advice to equip communicators with information to argue a case, overcome common objections/misconceptions and address frequently asked questions. / End Feb 2014 / 20
6) Draft 1 incorporating internal comments from C4D and UNICEF staff / Mid March 2014 / 5
7) Draft 2 with incorporation of comments from Technical Global Reference Group. / End Mar 2014 / 5
8) Draft 3 including second round of comments / Mid April 2014 / 5
9) Draft version of web format / End April 2014 / 10
10) Translated versions in French and Spanish / End May 2014 / 5
11) Pre-Test Report and revision of materials based on feedback / End June 2014 / 12
(including fieldwork)
12) Advocacy Strategy / Mid July 2014 / 3
13) Formal endorsements from UN agencies and key partners / End July 2014 / 5
14) Promotional materials for launch / Early Aug 2014 / 5
15) Monitoring and Evaluation Plan / End Aug 2014 / 5
TOTAL
/ 1006.0 Key Competencies, Technical Background, and Experience Required:
a) Advanced degree in public health with specific knowledge and expertise in NCDs
b) 10 years professional experience in developing country contexts in various regions
c) Specific experience in developing training and guidance tools
d) Specific experience in designing and executing advocacy strategies.
e) Significant experience in facilitating and supporting multi-agency partnerships
f) Experience in working across multiple sectors and levels from family, community, institutional and policy levels.
g) Experience in applying participatory processes with specific focus on children, adolescents and youth.
h) Experience working with UN agencies and UN priorities (ie. Human Rights Based Approach, Vulnerability and Equity, Disabilities etc)
i) Familiarity with life cycle approaches.
j) Familiarity with development of indicators, evaluation and documentation.
k) Knowledge and experience on Non-Communicable Diseases would be an asset.
l) Experience working in health promotion and communication on NCDs.
m) Highly proficient in use of English. French and Spanish would be an asset.
How to Apply:
Qualified candidates are requested to submit a cover letter, CV and P 11 form (which can be downloaded from our website at to with subject line “Consultancy, Develop Special Chapter and Infuse Content on Non Communicable Diseases” by 20 December 2013 , 5:00pm EST. Please indicate your ability, availability and daily/monthly rate to undertake the terms of reference above. Applications submitted without a daily/monthly rate will not be considered.