Individual Consultant

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is a leading agency focused on sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). Established in 1969, UNFPA operates in over 150 countries, with a mission to ensure that every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. The organization emphasizes the importance of sexual and reproductive health, including HIV prevention, and advocates for the holistic development of young people. UNFPA Mozambique specifically addresses the urgent needs of women and girls in the country, particularly in remote areas like Niassa Province, where access to essential health services is limited. The organization collaborates with various partners to implement effective programs aimed at improving health outcomes for mothers, neonates, and adolescents.

Job Overview:
The consultancy aims to support the implementation of the 'Health Improvements for Mothers, Neonates, and Adolescents in Niassa Province (HIMNA)' project, funded by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA). The project, running from 2024 to 2029, focuses on enhancing maternal, neonatal, and adolescent health outcomes through community engagement, improved healthcare service quality, and strengthened monitoring and evaluation (M&E) capacities. The consultant will develop a Communication for Behavioral Impact (COMBI) plan to facilitate community-level interventions, including mobile brigade services, community health agent interventions, and adolescent mentorship programs. The objectives include identifying baseline knowledge and attitudes regarding SRH and GBV, analyzing the target group's practices, and measuring post-intervention changes to demonstrate program effectiveness.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will be responsible for several key tasks, including:

• Submission of an inception report detailing the methodology for the COMBI research, questionnaire design, and field visit plan.
• Coordination with implementing partners to organize meetings and arrangements for consultancy visits to project districts.
• Conducting quantitative and qualitative data collection processes, including administering the COMBI questionnaire, conducting focus group discussions (FGDs), and key informant interviews (KIIs).
• Preparing and submitting site assessment reports that highlight cultural and religious factors influencing SRHR and GBV-related behaviors.
• Developing a comprehensive district-specific COMBI plan tailored to the cultural and social dynamics of the target communities.
• Submitting a final report with actionable recommendations for implementing communication strategies to improve SRHR and GBV outcomes.

Required Qualifications:
The consultant must possess a Master's degree in social/behavioral science, communication, sociology, anthropology, psychology, or health education, with a focus on SRH and GBV-related studies. Additionally, the consultant should have at least 2 years of professional experience in designing, implementing, and evaluating communication strategies for social mobilization and behavioral change, particularly in vulnerable communities. Experience in consulting on strategic communication, advocacy, and public relations related to social development is essential. The consultant should also have experience in training local teams and healthcare workers on communication techniques and behavioral change interventions. Familiarity with UNFPA programs and policies, as well as experience in coordinating multi-sectoral project working groups in Mozambique, is an asset.

Educational Background:
A Master's degree in relevant fields such as social/behavioral science, communication, sociology, anthropology, psychology, or health education is required. The focus should be on studies related to sexual and reproductive health and gender-based violence.

Experience:
The consultant should have a minimum of 2 years of professional working experience in areas related to communication strategies for social mobilization and behavioral change, particularly in contexts involving sexual and reproductive health and gender-based violence. Experience in consulting on strategic communication and public relations, as well as training local teams, is highly desirable. The consultant should have completed at least 3 similar projects in various countries, especially in East and Southern Africa.

Languages:
Fluency in both English and Portuguese is mandatory for this position. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset but is not required.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy will last for a period of 60 working days, with services to be delivered primarily from the Maputo office. The consultant is responsible for all travel-related costs, including per diem, flight tickets, and terminal costs. The final report must be delivered in both Portuguese and English. The consultant will work under the direct supervision of the SRH Team Leader and overall supervision by the Deputy Representative. The consultant is expected to comply with UNFPA’s confidentiality and conflict of interest rules.