National Consultant to Develop National Communication and Advocacy Strategy and Action Plan for Public Health Promotion (2025-2029)

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Purpose of Assignment:

To develop National Communication and Advocacy Strategy and Action Plan (2025 – 2029) that includes M&E framework to guide public health promotion efforts in line with the Royal Government of Bhutan’s 13th Five-Year Plan (FYP).

Background and Context:

The Ministry of Health, Bhutan aims to enhance its health promotion efforts to improve public health and nutrition outcomes aligned with the Ministry’s goals and needs of the Bhutanese population. To address the current challenge of emerging public health and nutrition issues and leverage new opportunities for effective health behavioural communication, the ministry in collaboration with UNICEF is going to develop the National Communication and Advocacy Strategy and Action Plan for Public Health Promotion 2025-2029.

Justification for the Assignment:

This assignment aims to develop a National Communication and Advocacy Strategy for Public Health Promotion (2025–2029), with Action Plan and M&E framework, that addresses the findings from the review of current health promotion strategy, emerging public health challenges and aligns with Bhutan’s evolving priorities.

The strategy and action plan will provide strategic direction for national communication and advocacy initiatives, emphasizing community engagement, behavioral insights, and innovative communication platforms including digital innovations/ platforms. Additionally, the strategy will serve as an important tool to support planning, resource mobilization, and implementation of public health promotion activities across all levels from national to community settings while ensuring that communication is evidence-based, culturally appropriate, and inclusive.

Scope of work:

• Assessment and Analysis of health and nutrition promotion, advocacy and communication strategies and interventions.
• Conduct a thorough desk review of current/previous communication strategies, tools, and materials.
• Carry out an assessment of the current communication and advocacy landscape
• Engage with stakeholders, including health professionals, community leaders, and the public, to gather insights and feedback.
• Analyze the effectiveness of existing communication efforts and identify key areas for enhancement through engagement of wider partners and platforms including digital platforms (AI and digital technology) for wider reach to communities.
• Develop National Communication and Advocacy Strategy and Action Plan for Public Health Promotion with a costed Action plan
• Design a national strategy for advocacy, communication and promotion of health and nutrition positive behavioural practices.
• Facilitate stakeholders’ consultation to validate the proposed strategy and action plan with M&E framework for health & nutrition promotion, advocacy and communication.
• Recommend innovative communication strategies, channels and methods to reach diverse audiences for better health and nutrition outcomes.
• Develop a costed action plan with road map and M&E frameworks for the national strategy on health & nutrition promotion, advocacy and communication.

Methodology:

The selected consultant will work under the strategic and programmatic guidance of the Chief of Health Promotion and Risk Communication Division (HPRCD), Ministry of Health and UNICEF Health & Nutrition Specialist in close collaboration with other programme officers, Programme Departments of Public Health, Ministry of Health (MoH) and UNICEF programme sections. In addition, the consultant will facilitate stakeholders’ consultation meetings, workshops, and consultations with stakeholders to gather inputs for the development of document.

The assignment will be executed in two phases: a comprehensive review and situation analysis, followed by development of national strategy for health promotion, advocacy and communication including the Action plan and M&E framework. The final output will be a validated, practical, and results-oriented strategy for the next five years.

The final output will be a validated, practical, and results-oriented strategy to guide coordinated, impactful, and sustainable public health communication and advocacy interventions over the next five years.

The methodology will consist of the following:

1. Formation of a Technical Working Group (TWG)

A Technical Working Group (TWG) will be established, led by HPRCD, Ministry of Health (MoH) and comprising key stakeholders, to oversee the entire process, provide operational guidance, and ensure coordination across relevant sectors. The TWG will include representatives from health, communication, social behavior change (SBC), gender, local government, and UN agencies and relevant development partners.

2. Review of the National Health Promotion Strategic Plan (2015-2023)

• The consultant will undertake a comprehensive review of the previous National Health Promotion Strategic Plan (2015–2023). This will involve an analysis of the strategies, programs, and activities implemented under the previous plan, evaluating their successes, challenges, and lessons learned.
• Desk Review: The consultant will review existing documents, evaluations, and reports relevant to the previous plan, as well as any new public health priorities identified in the 13th Five-Year Plan (FYP) and ongoing public health trends in Bhutan.

3. Stakeholder Engagement and Situation Analysis

The consultant will conduct a situation analysis to assess the current health communication and advocacy landscape in Bhutan. This will involve the following steps:

• Stakeholder Consultations and Interviews: The consultant will meet with key stakeholders, including MoH officials, UNICEF, other UN agencies, development partners, civil society organizations, local health workers, and community representatives. This will help gather diverse perspectives on the current challenges and opportunities in public health communication and advocacy.
• Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and Key Informant Interviews (KIIs): FGDs and KIIs will be conducted to collect qualitative data from various sectors involved in health promotion, ensuring that the needs and concerns of different stakeholders are captured.
• Mapping of Communication Channels: A review will be carried out to assess the communication channels currently used in health promotion and advocacy. This will include traditional media, social media, community-level communication mechanisms, and digital platforms.
• Consultations: The consultant will conduct consultations with key stakeholders to identify strengths, weaknesses, and gaps in the previous strategy and public health communication efforts.

4. Development of National Communication and Advocacy Strategy and Action Plan for Public Health Promotion (2025-2029)

Based on the findings from the review and situation analysis, the consultant will develop a comprehensive National Communication and Advocacy Strategy and Action Plan for Public Health Promotion (2025-2029).

• Strategy Drafting: The consultant will prepare a draft of the strategy that aligns with Bhutan’s public health priorities, particularly as outlined in the 13th FYP. The strategy will include clear objectives, priority areas, target audiences, messaging, and actionable steps to address key public health challenges.
• Action Plan and Costing: The action plan will be developed alongside the strategy, specifying the steps for implementation, timelines, roles, and responsibilities, as well as a detailed budget for communication activities. This will ensure that the strategy is actionable and resourced.
• Stakeholder Validation: The draft strategy will be presented to TWG for feedback. The consultant will incorporate input and finalize the strategy and action plan.

5. Finalization and Presentation of National Communication and Advocacy Strategy and Action Plan for Public Health Promotion.

• Final Report: The consultant will submit a final report detailing the developed National Communication and Advocacy Strategy and Action Plan for Public Health Promotion, including an implementation roadmap, monitoring and evaluation (M&E) framework, and recommendations for resource mobilization.
• Stakeholder Presentation: The final strategy will be presented to the senior management of the Ministry of Health and UNICEF. A comprehensive PowerPoint presentation will be delivered, summarizing the process, findings, and key components of the strategy.

NB: The consultant needs to update the progress regularly to ensure that the work is going according to plan.

Work Assignment Overview:

Work Assignment

Deliverables/Outputs

Duration (in days)

Develop and submit Inception Report (including methodology, timeline, tools for review and consultation, etc.) and materials for stakeholder consultations and get approval from MoH and UNICEF

Draft Inception Report/ Workplan, and Consultation Tools

5

Present the final inception report with tools developed for data collection, outline the new national advocacy and communication strategy for health and nutrition, and present it at the TWG meeting to review and finalize

Final Inception Report/workplan, TWG Meeting Minutes

1

Comprehensive desk review of National Health Promotion Strategic Plan (2015–2023), 13th FYP priorities, and other relevant documents

Desk Review Report

12

Conduct stakeholder mapping and develop detailed consultation plan and tools

Stakeholder Map, Consultation Plan and tools

3

Conduct KIIs and FGDs with key stakeholders, partners, civil society, and communities for situation analysis

Report on KIIs and FGDs

15

Mapping and analysis of existing public health communication channels, tools, and community engagement mechanisms

Communication Channel Mapping Report

3

Draft Situation Analysis Report based on review and consultations

Draft Situation Analysis Report

5

Stakeholder review and validation of Situation Analysis Report

Stakeholder Review Meeting Minutes

5

Draft National Communication and Advocacy Strategy and Action Plan for Public Health Promotion (2025–2029)

Draft Strategy and Action Plan

10

Present draft strategy and action plan to TWG and stakeholders for feedback

TWG Meeting Minutes, Feedback Summary

3

TWG Meeting Minutes, Feedback Summary

Final Strategy and Action Plan

5

Develop Implementation Roadmap and Monitoring & Evaluation Framework

Implementation Roadmap and M&E Framework

7

Submit final draft of National Communication and Advocacy Strategy and Action Plan for Public Health Promotion, prepare a Summary Report of the assignment outlining process, findings, and strategic outcomes

Final draft of the strategy with action plan, M&E framework

3

Present final strategy and action plan to TWG, senior management at MoH and UNICEF

Presentation and Final Meeting Minutes

3

Final Submission of all deliverables (soft and hard copies)

Final Package Submission

5

Total No. of days

85

Deliverables and Payment Schedule:

1. Final Inception Report/workplan, Desk Review Report, Stakeholder Mapping and Consultation Plan – 30%
2. Reports on KIIs and FGDs, Final Situation Analysis Report and Communication Channel Mapping – 20%
3. Final draft National Communication and Advocacy Strategy and Action Plan with Implementation Roadmap and M&E Framework for Public Health Promotion – 30%
4. Final Strategy and Action Plan, Implementation Roadmap and M&E Framework including Summary Report, Presentation PPT and Final Meeting Minutes, Final Package – 20%

Travel: Consultant should incorporate travel expenses for 15 days of local travel within the consultancy fee.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

1. Qualification:

• Advanced university degree (master’s or higher) in public health, social sciences, communication, or a related field.

2. Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years of professional experience at the national and/or international level in developing strategies, planning, and implementing health communication, advocacy, or public health promotion programs.
• Experience in developing national-level communication strategies and action plans will be an asset.
• Experience in health, child survival, health, nutrition, development and care, and adolescent health programme interventions.
• Past experience of working with the UN, especially UNICEF on similar assignments will be an asset.

3. Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required:

• Strong ability to engage stakeholders and lead participatory and consultative processes.
• Excellent communication, facilitation, analytical, and drafting skills with the ability to synthesize complex information.
• Demonstrated organizational and planning skills, with the ability to manage multiple perspectives and work under pressure.
• Ability to work effectively within teams and adapt to dynamic and demanding environments.
• Experience on teaching/training facilitation on primary health and nutrition care (PHC) will be an asset.

Submission of Proposals and Evaluation Criteria

Proposal should include the following:

• Consultant’s qualification and experience with detailed CV.
• Technical proposal outlining approaches and methodologies.
• A lump sum fee in BTN indicating a breakdown of professional fee for the anticipated number of working days, including travel expenses for local travel.
• Name(s) of collaborator(s) with CVs (if applicable) with their full curriculum vitae.
• Reference to similar work (final products or links to previous work can be shared along with the proposal).

Selection will be done by UNICEF Bhutan as follows:

1. Technical Evaluation (75 points)

• Education Qualification – 10 points
• Relevant Work Experience – 30 points
• Technical Proposal – 35 points

Note: Candidate should score minimum of 50 points out of 75 to be considered for financial evaluation.

2. Financial Evaluation – 25 points

Procedures and Logistics:

1. The consultant is expected to use his/her computer and office space
2. The consultant will report the progress periodically to Health and Nutrition Officer of UNICEF Bhutan, who will monitor the progress, provide further directives and endorse the report.

Remarks:

1. The candidates must submit the financial proposal along with the technical proposals.
2. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS).

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic background, and persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. To create a more inclusive workplace, UNICEF offers paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. Click here to learn more about flexible work arrangements, well-being, and benefits.

According to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. In its Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy 2022-2030, UNICEF has committed to increase the number of employees with disabilities by 2030. At UNICEF, we provide reasonable accommodation for work-related support requirements of candidates and employees with disabilities. Also, UNICEF has launched a Global Accessibility Helpdesk to strengthen physical and digital accessibility. If you are an applicant with a disability who needs digital accessibility support in completing the online application, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility jobs-near-me.org UNICEF.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws.

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.

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