Individual Consultant for Communication for Behavioral Impact (COMBI)

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is a leading agency focused on sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). Established to ensure that every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled, UNFPA operates globally, regionally, and at the country level. The organization emphasizes the importance of effective programs for women and girls, particularly in the areas of sexual and reproductive health, including HIV prevention. The UNFPA Mozambique office is currently implementing the 'Health Improvements for Mothers, Neonates, and Adolescents in Niassa Province (HIMNA)' project, funded by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), which aims to enhance access to essential sexual and reproductive health services for women and girls in Niassa province. UNFPA has a strong commitment to addressing the challenges faced by vulnerable populations, particularly in regions with limited access to healthcare services, such as Niassa, which is often referred to as 'Mozambique's forgotten province.'

Job Overview:
The consultancy aims to develop a Communication for Behavioral Impact (COMBI) plan to support the HIMNA project, which focuses on improving maternal, neonatal, and adolescent health outcomes in Niassa Province. The consultant will be responsible for identifying baseline knowledge, local myths, misconceptions, attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors related to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) and gender-based violence (GBV). The objectives include understanding the target group's knowledge and practices, raising awareness about barriers to effective public health interventions, and measuring post-intervention changes to demonstrate program effectiveness. The results will inform the design of evidence-based programs and guide behavioral change interventions in the community, ensuring that they are culturally relevant and effective in addressing the needs of the population.

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

• Submitting an inception report detailing the methodology for the COMBI research, questionnaire design, and field visit plan.
• Coordinating with implementing partners to organize meetings and arrangements for consultancy visits to project districts.
• Designing and 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. The consultant will also map existing SRH/GBV service provision systems, assess community attitudes towards interventions, identify barriers to accessing services, and evaluate response mechanisms for SRHR and GBV service provision.

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, as well as familiarity with UNFPA programs and policies. A proven track record of completing similar projects in East and Southern Africa is highly desirable.

Educational Background:
A Master's degree in a relevant field 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 experience in the field, with a strong background in designing and implementing communication strategies for social mobilization and behavioral change. Experience in consulting on strategic communication and public relations, particularly in the context of social development and health, is crucial. The consultant should also have experience in training and capacity building for local teams and healthcare workers, as well as familiarity with UNFPA programs and policies.

Languages:
Fluency in both English and Portuguese is mandatory for this position, as the consultant will be required to communicate effectively with local stakeholders and produce reports in both languages. Knowledge of additional local languages may be advantageous but is not mandatory.

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 will be 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.