Terms of Reference (TOR) –Social Behavior Change (SBC) Local Consultancy Services
Assignment:
In collaboration with the Americares CPRC team, lead the development of a tailored social and behavioral change and communication (SBCC) technical strategy and contextualized SBCC materials that aims to strengthen demand for essential reproductive, maternal, newborn, and adolescent health and family planning (RMNCAH+FP) services and increase respectful maternity care (RMC)-seeking behaviors. This process will be highly participatory using a Human Centered Design [HCD] approach.
About Americares:
Americares is a health-focused relief and development organization that saves lives and improves health for people affected by poverty or disaster. Each year, Americares reaches 85 countries on average, including the United States, with life-changing health programs, medicine, medical supplies, and emergency aid. Americares is one of the world's leading non-profit providers of donated medicine and medical supplies. For more information, visit americares.org
About the Community Partnerships for Respectful Care (CPRC) Project:
The Americares Community Partnerships for Respectful Care (CPRC) is a 5-year project (2020-2025) funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) with the aim to contribute to reducing mortality and morbidity among mothers and their children through improved community-based health care. The USAID CPRC project (USAID Uzazi Staha in Swahili) provides strategic technical assistance at the national, regional and council levels to improve the quality and uptake of RMNCAH+FP and nutrition services, as well as strengthen RMC in Tanzania. Americares Tanzania works with Christian Social Services Commission (CSSC) in the implementation of the USAID CPRC project in the Mwanza Region.
The issue of disrespect and abuse directly and negatively affects the uptake of essential maternal and child health services by women and their families. At the same time, the best evidence-based practices put delivery with a skilled birth attendant (SBA) — a midwife, nurse, or doctor who has undergone specialized training — near the top of the list of interventions that have the greatest impact on maternal mortality. Empowering women by increasing their knowledge on health services they should receive and how health care providers should treat them is an important contributor to decision-making which leads to increased health care seeking and improved quality of services.
The CPRC project is tackling these issues by addressing both the supply and demand sides of maternal health care service delivery through a community-level health intervention model. Building on previous and ongoing investments in Tanzania, the project supports those providing skilled care with the aim to improve the quality of care and increase the number of women delivering with a SBA and those accessing other essential services such as FP, newborn, child health, and nutrition services.
To initiate the co-design process, Americares through CPRC project engaged the Institute of Public Health (IPH) of the Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College (KCMUCo) to conduct a cross-sectional mixed-methods study in the Mwanza region between February 5th to 22nd, 2022. The objective for this formative research was to provide information to monitor and evaluate the CPRC project during pre- and post-implementation phases towards improving respectful maternity care in Mwanza, Tanzania. The survey aimed to [1] assess disrespect and abusive care practices during childbirth, [2] describe the availability of RMNCAH+FP services, [3] access and use of family planning and maternal and child health services, [4] assess level of modern contraceptive use and its dynamics, [5] describe knowledge and practices on optimal breastfeeding and [5] describe male partner support in accessing and use of maternal, child and FP services in Mwanza.
The project aims to develop a strong evidence base in behavioral determinants, drivers, and barriers among women of reproductive age (WRA) around key accelerator behaviors within the project’s scope. The research obtained insight on knowledge and attitudes of WRA at an individual level, decision making dynamics at the interpersonal level (e.g., with partners), and cultural, gender, and social norms at the community level.
Description:
Americares aims to engage a consultant to work with the project team and the Ministry of Health (MOH) - Health Promotion Services (HPS) to translate social and behavioral change and communication (SBCC) theoretical frameworks to program design using a human-centered design (HCD) lens.
Key roles:
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Work with CPRC to translate the formative research into a tailored SBC strategy and interventions for its catchment populations.
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Work with CPRC to identify and prepare the list of stakeholders to be included in co-design workshop.
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Prepare for and facilitate a 3-days co-design workshop with key stakeholders.
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Work with key stakeholders at the community and facility levels to design, prototype, and iterate SBC messaging and targeted interventions. Around improving RMC-related attitudes and behaviors among providers and communities,
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Work with MoH-HPS to adapt existing/available approved SBC materials/resources to increase the uptake of RMNCAH+FP services.
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Prepare for and conduct review and validation meetings with key stakeholders
Detailed Description of Tasks to be Performed:
The Consultant will conduct the following activities:
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# |
Activity |
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1 |
Participate in Formative Research dissemination to get in-depth insight on key drivers and barriers at both the facility and community levels around RMNCAH+FP and RMC. |
|
2 |
Review the Formative assessment report (provided by CPRC technical staff) to develop preliminary concept note identifying programmatic priorities, communication objectives, audience segmentation and strategy/technical approach. |
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3 |
Conduct comprehensive desk-review of key materials including but not limited to: (1) Tanzania–specific existing approved SBC materials and curriculum related to RMNCAH, FP, nutrition and RMC from MoH-HPS and SBC implementing partners (2) best practices in RMC and case studies/research and summarize plan for local adaptation after co-design. |
|
4 |
Lead and co-facilitate a 3-day consultative workshop with key stakeholders. This includes the review of key stakeholders list to be engaged in the co-design workshop; preparing the workshop agenda and facilitation guide and materials and serving as the lead facilitator (with MoH and CPRC technical staff providing facilitation support). This includes development of a standard workshop agenda and facilitation guide. |
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5 |
Integrate outputs/feedback from the co-design workshop in developing a tailored and context-specific strategy and SBC solutions that expands upon existing national wide approved messaging and approaches. Begin pretesting process for adapted SBC materials |
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6 |
Facilitate a dissemination, review, and validation meeting for pretested materials with the core team from MOH-HPS, CPRC, and implementing partners to harmonize and collate feedback on the SBC strategy and developed tools. |
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7 |
Finalize the tailored SBC strategy and tools based on feedback received from review meetings and prepare final report. |
Deliverables and Due Dates:
The Consultant shall complete the activities outlined above to develop and submit the following deliverables to CPRC Project technical staff:
|
SN |
Activity |
Output Deliverables |
Estimated Duration (Days) |
|
1 |
Participate in Formative Research dissemination meetings to get in-depth insight on key drivers and barriers at both the facility and community levels around RMC+FP. |
|
2 |
|
2 |
Review the Formative assessment report (provided by CPRC technical staff) to develop preliminary concept note and workplan identifying programmatic priorities, communication objectives, audience segmentation, technical approach. |
|
4 |
|
3 |
Conduct comprehensive desk-review of key materials including but not limited to: (1) Tanzania–specific existing approved SBC materials and curriculum related to RMNCAH, FP, nutrition and RMC from MoH-HPS and SBC implementing partners (2) best practices in RMC and case studies/research and summarize plan for local adaptation after co-design. |
|
7 |
|
4 |
Lead and co-facilitate a 3-day consultative workshop with key stakeholders. This includes facilitating the review and approvals of MoH-HPS and key stakeholders to be engaged in the co-design workshop, preparing the workshop agenda and facilitation guide and materials and serving as the lead facilitator (with MoH and CPRC technical staff providing facilitation support). This includes development of a standard workshop agenda and facilitation guide. |
|
6 |
|
5 |
Integrate outputs/feedback from the co-design workshop in developing a tailored and context-specific strategy and SBC solutions that expands upon existing approved messaging and approaches to SBC . |
|
6 |
|
6 |
Conduct pretest activity for adapted SBC materials. |
|
5 |
|
7 |
Facilitate a dissemination, review, and validation meeting for pretested materials with the core team from MOH-HPS, CPRC, and implementing partners to harmonize and collate feedback on the SBC strategy and developed tools. |
|
10 |
|
8 |
Finalize the tailored SBC strategy and tools based on feedback received from review meetings and prepare final report. |
|
5 |
Consultant key deliverables
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Detailed work plan
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Final SBC strategy and message themes, including a facilitation guide, tools, and materials
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Final Report
Consultant Preferred Qualifications:
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Health Behavior, Psychology, Mass/Strategic Communication Marketing, or related field, Masters in Public Health, Behavioral Science or Communication will be an added advantage
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Demonstrated experience conducting Co-Applied Human-Centered Design (HCD) principles in designing, prototyping, and iterating context-specific solutions.
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Strong knowledge of SBC frameworks and human-centered approaches and experience in the design/implementation of effective SBC interventions
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Experience in development of SBCC demand creation materials
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Strong experience and skills in workshop facilitation and fostering collaboration
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Demonstrated skills and experience in qualitative and quantitative research, including synthesis, contextualization, and ability to translate formative research to programmatic strategies and goals
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Excellent organizational skills and demonstrated ability to manage details
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Strong verbal and written communication capability
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Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to work effectively with a wide range of personalities
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Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Office suite
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Must be able to read, write and speak fluent English
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Experience in SBC in RMNCAH+FP projects is strongly preferred
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Experience supporting USAID-funded projects is a plus
Interested consultants must provide information indicating their qualifications for performing the services. Such information may include brochures, description of assignments of similar nature in the last 5 years, experience in similar conditions, availability of related to the assignment, etc. For each completed assignment, the Consultant shall provide the name and address of the client, start and completed dates,
Timeline:
The assignment is expected to take 45 days (period of performance)
Contact person:
The contact person for this assignment is the CPRC Project Director
Interested consultants may obtain further information at the address below during office hours from 08:00 – 16.30 hours local time on Mondays to Fridays inclusive except on public holidays.
The Project Director,
CPRC/USAID Uzazi Staha Project
Americares Tanzania,
2nd Floor, Ekacliff Building House,
Balewa Road / Isamilo Area, Nyamagana City Council,
P.O. Box 49 Mwanza,
Tel: +255 765-696-867
E-mail: JFulli@Americares.org
Submission Deadline:
The proposal must be received no later than 17:30 hours East African Time on Sunday, July 31st, 2022.
Proposal submitted after the deadline will not be considered.
Proposal should be submitted electronically. Please, note that before sending your proposal by e-mail you must sign, scan and send the quote as an attachment in PDF format (as one file), to infotanzania@americares.org
