Background

Following the confirmation of the initial COVID-19 case on 5 April 2020 in South Sudan, subsequent cases were identified and a fully-fledged coordination framework that included the COVID-19 National Taskforce, Chaired by the Vice President was established. This was followed by establishment of service cluster for overall policy and strategic guidance; National Steering Committee and its eight Technical Working Groups, Chaired by the COVID-19 Incident Manager for providing strategic and operational guidance; and the COVID-19 state Taskforce committees for coordinating the frontline implementation of recommended COVID-19 interventions. Coordination and establishment of technical working group (TWG) was achieved with ease given the existing ebola virus disease (EVD) preparedness structures, the partner mapping; effective leadership from the MoH and trainings undertaken thus leading to effective coordination and harmonisation of risk communication approaches and messages – considered to be one of the critical pillars of COVID-19 emergency preparedness and response.

In October 2020, an intra-action review (IAR) was undertaken to assess the functional capacity of the public health and emergency response systems and to identify practical areas for immediate remediation or continued improvement of the current response to the COVID-19 outbreak. 

The findings from the IAR indicated that there was robust mobilization of partners to support RCCE facilitated by presence of humanitarian partners countrywide; there was some level of engagement of community leaders /influencers; there was use of mix communication channels for dissemination of COVID-19 messages; and there was an evidence base- a KAP study that allowed targeted messaging. Key challenges were also teased out: limited systematic community engagement; progressive decrease of risk perception; limited enforcement of the recommended measures to support risk communication messages; and demand versus services imbalance due to weak coordination. 

The Ministry of Health in collaboration with partners has developed several guiding documents to support the RCCE activities in the country. Standard operating procedures (SOP) for RCCE TWG; Communication Strategy for COVAX; Key Messages on COVID vaccination (updated on 27 September 2021) were a few of them. There remains work to be done to revise the existing national Health Promotion and RCCE documents, consolidate the lessons learned thus far, and develop the national Health Promotion and RCCE strategy. A consultant to lead this exercise is, therefore, required.

Duties and Responsibilities

The main objective of this consultancy is to review the existing Health Promotion Strategy in the context of COVID-19 pandemic and support the development of BCC Strategy.

Scope of work

The international consultant will work with the Director of Health Education and Health Promotion, the TWG of RCCE and UNDP focal points to carry out the following tasks:

  • Review and finalize the Health Promotion Strategy that was developed in ( 2018-2023) before the COVID-19 pandemic and the vaccination efforts to be included in this document. Desk review of other strategic and relevant documents will be conducted.
  • Prepare a two-day consultative workshop with the relevant stakeholders involved in risk communication in order to update the RCCE strategy - Planning and conceptualizing of the workshop.
  • Lead and support the development of BCC/RCCE Strategy in the context of COVID-19.
  • Lead and support the development of RCCE Supportive Supervision checklist

Deliverables

The consultant will be expected to submit the following deliverables:

-Deliverable 1: Finalized National Health Promotion Strategy for South Sudan

-Deliverable 2: Finalized BCC strategy

- Deliverable 3: RCCE Supportive Supervision tools (checklists)

Competencies

Technical Skills:

  • Excellent knowledge of health promotion, BCC, RCCE programme reviews 
  • Strategic planning and adequate understanding of the country’s context.
  • Excellent report writing skills and the ability to deliver high quality products in a timely manner.

Functional Competencies:

  • Strong analytical, negotiation and communication skills, including ability to produce high quality practical advisory reports and knowledge products.
  • Professional and/or academic experience in one or more of the areas of  law, political science, governance or related

Project and Resource Management:

  • Ability to produce high quality outputs in a timely manner while understanding and anticipating the evolving client needs.
  • Strong organizational skills.
  • Ability to work independently, produce high quality outputs

Communications and Advocacy:

  • Strong ability to write clearly and convincingly, adapting style and content to different audiences and speak clearly and convincingly.
  • Strong analytical, research and writing skills with demonstrated ability to think strategically.
  • Strong inter-personal, negotiation and liaison skills

Language:

Excellent oral and written English.

Criteria for Evaluation

* Technical Criteria weight; [70%]

* Financial Criteria weight; [30%]

To be computed as a ratio of the Proposal’s offer to the lowest price among the proposals received by UNDP

Payment Method for the Consultancy

  • The consultant shall be paid on a daily rate (based on the number of working days worked)
  • The consultant shall be paid a Daily Subsistence Allowance (DSA)
  • Payments shall be based on the Certificate of Payments that will be submitted
  • Time Sheet will be attached and verified by the direct supervisor; and

  • Final tranche upon performance evaluation from the direct supervisor.

Travel for the consultant

All travel costs will be covered by UNDP according to its rules and regulations. Travel, payment of travel costs including tickets, lodging and terminal expenses will be agreed upon, between UNDP and the Individual Consultant, prior to travel and will be covered and paid by UNDP. The fare will always be “most direct, most economical” and any difference in price with the preferred route will be paid for by the

Required Skills and Experience

Advanced University degree in public health communications, social sciences, anthropology, or related fields

 Experience required:

Essential

  • At least 7 to 10 years of experience of drafting national Health Promotion, BCC, RCCE strategies and/or guidelines.
  • Experience in health promotion, BCC, RCCE in developing countries, particularly with regards to disease outbreak responses and emergencies.
  • Experience of working within the public health system, with partner organizations and government agencies.
  • Proven experience in formulating and implementing complex communication strategies

Guidelines for Applications

Interested applicants are advised to carefully review this advertisement and ensure that they meet the requirements and qualifications described.

 Applicants are to submit:

*Please note that the financial proposal is all-inclusive and shall consider various expenses incurred by the consultant/contractor during the contract period (e.g. rent of dwelling, fee, health insurance, vaccination, visa costs and any other relevant expenses related to the performance of services...). All envisaged costs (except of the unforeseen travel costs for missions, if any) must be included in the financial proposal. Unforeseen travel costs for missions, if any, will be paid separately according to UNDP rules and regulations. All envisaged travel costs must be included in the financial proposal. Per diems cannot exceed UN DSA rates (http://icsc.un.org/rootindex.asp).

Security: Individual Consultants are responsible for ensuring they have vaccinations/inoculations when travelling to certain countries, as designated by the UN Medical Director. Consultants are also required to comply with the UN security directives set forth under https://trip.dss.un.org

Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please make sure you have provided all requested materials.

Due to large number of applications we receive, we can inform only the successful candidates about the outcome or status of the selection process.