UNICEF Myanmar Terms of Reference (TOR) for Individual Consultant

UNICEF Myanmar Terms Of Reference (TOR) for Individual Consultant

Post-Assessment on MR CampaignCommunication in Myanmar
Section in Charge: Young Child Survival and Development
How does the consultancy relate to work plan: Improved Young Child Survival and Development (YCSD) with focus on the most vulnerable age groups -new-born by 2015 through increased coverage and quality of more evidence-based preventive and curative services for under-five children and new-born. The production of evidence on the effect of communication interventions on community demand for immunization as well as evidence on reaching out the most vulnerable population in emergency and conflict pronged areas.
Outcome reference: Outcome 102.003 - More mothers and/or caregivers adopt appropriate new-born and child health practices and child health services.
Output reference:102.003.003- Develop tailored interventions to create community demand for immunization, especially among hard to reach populations during campaigns and outbreaks.

1. Background:

Given the prevalence and the severity of diseases caused by Rubella infections in Myanmar and the WHO recommendation which encourages all national EPI programs in all regions to introduce the rubella vaccine, the Government of Republic of the Union of Myanmar has decided, one more time, to take the opportunity of the availability of this effective vaccine and introduce it in its routine immunization program to protect the serious consequence of rubella infections which need to be controlled at the age when it attacks in early childhood.
In this context, Government of Republic of the Union of Myanmar, submitted a proposal to the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI Alliance) for a MR catch up campaign before the introduction of this vaccine into the routine immunization schedule. The proposal was approved in February 2014 with the anticipation that the campaign will be implemented in the fourth quarter of 2014 (October – December). The tentative dates have not been decided yet but initial discussions have started and if the campaign will be implemented in the mentioned period that means only three months are remaining for effective planning and organizing all the needed logistics.
To ensure quality MR campaign, the Ministry of Health needs technical support in planning, implementation, monitoring of the planned activities which will result in to reaching more children during the campaign and at the same time to ensure the MR vaccine is introduced into the routine EPI program successfully. The current existing capacity in the Ministry of Health is not sufficient and as a result UNICEF and WHO are expected to provide most of the needed technical support. In particular, UNICEF will focus on social mobilization and demand creation to increase uptake of services during the campaign. At the same time to increase awareness of caregivers on the importance of introducing measles rubella vaccines in to routine immunization program this will include as well designing best strategies for reaching children in hard to reach and conflict affected areas.
A communication for development (C4D) strategy making use of communication forms which have proven effective in the Myanmar context is designed and implemented to mobilise support, participation and demand for increased uptake of the measles rubella vaccines.
To assess the effects of the communication strategy on communities’ knowledge of MR campaign and their demand for the services, a consultant is needed to undertake a post-assessment. The assessment should identify barriers to access to the service among the communities living in hard to reach and conflict affected areas and any recent changes in such barriers as a result of the communication interventions.
The assessment process will require two missions to Myanmar. A scoping mission will be undertaken prior to roll-out of the communication campaign for introductory interviews with key informants at central and state/region level and planning of the main fieldwork. Findings from this scoping mission will be presented to the partners and in an interim unpublished report. Data collection with families, communities and key informants will be undertaken after the completion of MR campaign. A final assessment report will be drawn up after the second mission.
UNICEF will arrange/hire one local interpreter/research assistant to assist the consultant with data collection and interpretation.

1. Objectives of the consultancy:

General objective:
The general objective of the assignment is to generate evidence on the factors which influence families’ knowledge and demand for measles rubella vaccines, as well as the reach and impact of the communication interventions for hard to reach population.
Specific objectives:
a)To generate evidence on families’ knowledge, attitude and practice on measles rubella vaccines; factors influencing families’ demand for MR campaign and reasons why some children are not vaccinated
b)To assess the relevance and effectiveness of C4D interventions to increase demand for MR campaign
c)To generate evidence on the knowledge, access to the measles rubella vaccinesand utilization of the service by people living in hard to reach and conflict areasas well as in IDP camps.

1. Methodology :

The assessment should employ mainly qualitative, participatory methodologies, including focus groups, individual interviews with families and key informant interviews. Innovative methods of data collection and assessment of communication activities will be encouraged.
During the scoping mission prior to roll-out of communication campaign, mainly key informant interviews at central and state/ region/selected township level will be undertaken.
Data collection for the post-assessment will be done at the end of the MR Campaign to capture effects in terms of changes in knowledge and attitudes. A sample of children and their families will need to be selected in the target areas with an aim to ensure the representation of respondents from various socioeconomic backgrounds, urban/rural residence, children of migrants, ethnic minorities etc. Key informant interviews should be conducted at central level, state/region/township and community level.

1. Geographic Area:Yangon with travel to Nay Pyi Taw. Data collection in Yangon, Kayin, Kachin and Rakhine

1. Duration (including potential extension): 60 working days in the period Oct2014– March 2015, of which 38working days in Myanmar and 22days from home – no extension

1. Supervisor:Closely working with the C4D Team, the Consultant will be reporting to Immunization Specialist, with technical supervision from Chief C4D.

1. Type of Supervision/support required from UNICEF: Consultant will receive a briefing at the beginning of assignment, then regular discussions via email and in person

1. Description of assignment:

Tasks / End Product/deliverables / Duration/
Deadline

1. Finalise methodology and research plan for assessment, describing methods to be employed, and numbers and type of respondents to be included in research.

(the draft methodology is to be included in expression of interest form) / Document detailing research plan and methodology to be employed, including numbers and type of respondents to be included in research / Oct, 3days from home

1. Develop a set of research tools for data collection with families, key informants and community members (research tools for key informants will be used both during scoping mission and for post-assessment; research tools for data collection with families and community members will be used for post-assessment)

/ -A set of research tools for data collection, adapted to the various type of respondents / Oct, 4days from home

1. Scoping mission (in country mission) for introductory key informant interviews at central and state/township level

/ Mission report / November – , 13working days (in country)

1. Draft an interim report from scoping mission, outlining findings and particular messages which can be added to communication campaign

/ Interim report based on scoping mission / November -5days (from home)

1. Main field data collection; post-assessment

/ Field notes to be used for data analysis.Short summary of findings; PowerPoint presentation outlining main findings / January/February – 25 working days (in country)

1. Draft report based on findings from scoping missionand post-assessment fieldwork

/ Draft report containing background/ introduction outlining relevant existing literature and policies in the area of MR campaign; methodology; findings; conclusions and recommendations; list of references and relevant annexes / February
(8days from home)

1. Finalise the report based on comments from UNICEF and government departments

/ Approved final report of no more than 60 pages + annexes / February
(2days from home)

1. Create a PowerPoint presentation on the findings and recommendations of the study

/ PowerPoint presentation / February

1. Advertisement / Invitation / Request for Expression of Interest

Consultancy will be advertised through HR network and on UNICEF website as well as soliciting from the existing database of communication consultant at Regional Office and Headquarters including head hunting of potential candidates.

1. Selection process (EOI to be attached to TOR)

Interested candidates are required to complete the Expression of Interest Form circulated with the call for proposals, answering the technical questions included.
The consultant will be identified by UNICEF based on a competitive selection process, taking into account the candidate’s experience, the quality of the answers produced, and the lump-sum requested.If deemed opportune, UNICEF will require a telephone interview with shortlisted candidates.

1. Qualification and specialized knowledge/experience required for the assignment:

-Advanced university degree in social sciences, behaviour change, social research or related areas
-Minimum 8 years proven experience of conducting social research utilising innovative participatory methods and solid experience of conducting interviews with vulnerable respondents on potentially sensitive issues
-Excellent research, analytical and writing skills
-Demonstrated familiarity with human rights standards and principles, particularly CRC
-Experience of conducting assessments related to C4D campaigns will be an asset
-Previous research experience in Myanmar will be an asset

1. Other conditions:

The consultant will be allowed to work in the UNICEF office, but must utilise a personal laptop for his or her work.
The consultant will be required to travel to undertake field research. UNICEF will pay domestic travel in Myanmar, but will not pay additional DSA for internationally recruited consultant. If the selected candidate is based in Myanmar, no international travel will be paid, and DSA will be payable for the time spent in the field only.
Life and health insurance
UNICEF does not provide or arrange life or health insurance coverage for consultants and individual contractors, and consultants and individual contractors are not eligible to participate in the life or health insurance schemes available to United Nations staff members. Consultants and individual contractors are fully responsible for arranging, at their own expense, such life, health and other forms of insurance covering the period of their services as they consider appropriate. The responsibility of UNICEF is limited solely to the payment of compensation for service-incurred death, injury or illness as per the provisions detailed below.
Insurance for service-incurred death, injury or illness
Consultants and individual contractors who are authorized to travel at UNICEF expense or who are required under their contract to perform services in a UNICEF or United Nations office shall be provided with insurance coverage, through a UNICEF-retained third party insurance provider, covering death, injury and illness attributable to the performance of official UNICEF duties. Compensation in the event of service-incurred death, injury or illness shall be equivalent to amounts stipulated in the agreement between UNICEF and the insurance provider.
Ethical principles:
Research methods used should be consistent with UNICEF Ethical And Principle Guidelines for the reporting on children and young people under 18 years old.
Payment:

• 20% upon completion of agreed methodology and research tools
• 40% upon completion of scoping mission and interim report
• 40% upon completion of final report.

Confidentiality:
The documents produced during the period of this consultancy will be treated as strictly confidential, and the rights of distribution and/ or publication will reside solely with UNICEF.
The contract signed with the consultant will include the other general terms defined by UNICEF.

1. Nature of Penalty Clause to be stipulated in the contract:

UNICEF Myanmar reserves the right not to pay the Contractor or withhold part of the payable amount if one or more requirements established for this assignment is not met or deadline set for the accomplishment of the tasks is missed.

TOR Consultancy for Post-assessment on Communication for MR Campaign

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