Background
In collaboration with the Nigeria AFRINEST study investigators and SMOH/SPHCDA in Ebonyi and Kogi States, USAID’s Maternal and Child Survival Program (MCSP) will support Kogi and Ebonyi States to introduce and expand full treatment for Possible Severe Bacterial Infection (PSBI) at Primary Health Care centers where referral is not possible. This involves both supply and demand side activities.
The demand creation activity recommended by the World Health Organization is early postnatal care (PNC) home visits by trained community health workers (CHWs).
However, it is widely recognized that while home visits by dedicated CHWs under research conditions results in very high coverage, implementation of home visits by CHWs with multiple responsibilities under routine service delivery conditions only reach about a quarter of their target.
This means programs seeking to implement full treatment for PSBI should, in addition to home visits, seek alternate approaches to demand creation.
MCSP is seeking to use a mixture of Social Behavior Change and Communication (SBCC) strategies including home visits by CORPs and other community workers, to improve recognition of danger signs and early care-seeking by caregivers of young infants.
In order to prepare for the development of the strategy for the SBCC component of the PSBI intervention, MCSP is seeking the services of a Nigerian national consultant to carry out some preparatory activities.
Job Purpose
The purpose of this consultancy is to collect detailed information and make all necessary contacts that will help prepare and inform the PSBI SBCC materials and approach for both states.
Tasks
Collect, review, and evaluate (MCSP to provide the evaluation form) all print, mass media and digital materials that can be found (e.g., print-based materials such as job aids including counseling cards, posters, brochures, and mass media such as radio jingles, and digital-based materials such as SMS scripts) related to newborn health/ postnatal care for young infants (0-59 days)/ caring for a sick young infant/ care-seeking for a sick young infant/ care-seeking for PSBI. The materials do not need to be specific to Nigeria. If possible, collect hard copies of materials.
Through key informant interviews, conduct a landscape analysis with relevant organizations and stakeholders working at the state-level in Ebonyi and Kogi including Johns Hopkins University Center for Communication Programs (JHUCCP)/ Health Communication Capacity Collaborative (HC3) and staff from the state Ministry of Health and the state Primary Health Care Development Agency. The landscape analysis report (template will be provided) will include:
List of all organizations working on newborn health interventions/ improving care-seeking for PSBI in Nigeria (in particular in the two focal states). List any areas for potential collaboration.
List SBCC activities in relation of the existing newborn health interventions and the communication channels and media being used. Consultant to find out what the existing plans and activities are in relation to the issue. Identify the activities and note the gatekeepers – the individuals or organizations responsible – for each activity. Note the main channels and formats used by these organizations. Create a list the activities (e.g., interpersonal communication, community mobilization, mass media) and key messages as well as the intended audience.
List of existing media channels in each state. Describe the sizes and types of the audience that they reach.
List of the obstacles and opportunities involved in local communication efforts and SBC activities in relation to newborn health. What has worked and what has not?
Collect reports or other documentation that describe the care-seeking behaviors by caregivers of young infants in Nigeria – in particular Kogi and Ebonyi states.
Based on the landscape analysis findings, with remote and in-person (possible) support from MCSP HQ, conduct a small amount of formative research in Kogi and Ebonyi state to identify existing household, community support, service utilization, and service delivery practices and factors affecting optimal behaviors and use of services (barriers and motivating factors); define priority behavioral and social support outcomes, barriers, and target audiences for demand creation for PSBI services. MCSP will provide the research design and protocol (e.g., individual interviews, group interviews/ discussions, observations) and instruments to be used.
Work with MCSP staff to analyze the data from the formative research and develop presentation of findings
In collaboration with MCSP staff in-country and headquarters team, design and co-facilitate a 1-2 day workshop with key stakeholders to finalize the PSBI SBCC approach.
Write workshop report.
Debliverables At the end of the assignment, the consultant will write and share a report including the following information:
Compendium of all related SBCC materials in relation to newborn health/ postnatal care for young infants (0-59 days)/ caring for a sick young infant/ care seeking for a sick young infant).
Evaluation form listing all related SBCC materials reviewed.
Landscape analysis report that will include information on the strategies and activities implemented by HC3 and other possible stakeholders in the area of care seeking for newborns and recommendations for possible collaboration.
Formative research and data collection forms and draft presentation of findings.
Draft workshop agenda
Report from the PSBI SBCC approach workshop that includes audience segments, and objectives; suggested channels, messages, tools and activities, list of SBCC materials to be developed or adopted/adapted and use by the program for improving care-seeking for PSBI, roles and responsibilities of each partner, how the partners will work together; and a timeline for implementing the SBCC approach. A report template will be provided.
Duration:
The estimated time for this consultancy is 20 days between August 24th to September 30th.
Reporting Lines:
The consultant will report to the MCSP Nigeria Senior Newborn Health Advisor with a dotted line to the Nutrition Social and Behavior Change Communication Advisor based in Washington, DC.
The consultant is expected to schedule and hold frequent virtual and in-person meetings with MCSP counterpart in DC during the period of the consultancy.
Qualifications
Candidates for this Consultancy position should hold at least a master’s degree in public health or social or behavioral sciences, with specific training in behavior change, community mobilization
At least 5 years of experience in designing and implementing SBCC strategies for reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health (RMNCH) programming.
Writing skills
Qualitative research design, data collection and data analysis skills (desired)
Presentation and meeting facilitation skills (desired)
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