Ghana: "Communications" - Consultancy (Ghanaian Nationals Required)
Country: Ghana
Closing date: 21 Aug 2013
BackgroundGhana is off track in terms of meeting its sanitation Millennium Development Goal (MDG) target with the current sanitation coverage of 13% compared to the MDG target of 54% (JMP, 2012). Open defecation is a key sanitation challenge affecting the country with 23% of Ghanaians resorting to open defecation. As part of efforts to address this poor sanitation situation and accelerate progress towards the achievement of the MDG target, the Government of Ghana (GoG) has embarked on various initiatives to scale up implementation of sanitation interventions in communities and enhance communication on these initiatives. This is part of the sanitation drive to 2015.
In this regard, a sanitation communication and advocacy campaign is scheduled to be launched in January, 2014. A Sanitation Knowledge Management Initiative (SKMI) has also been established to ensure that programme information on sanitation is available and easily accessible. Both the communication and advocacy campaign and the sanitation knowledge management initiative require communication support services from the EHSD. Further needs for communications support have been identified within the EHSD as outlined below: i) an assessment of CLTS implementation, recently carried out by the CLTS Foundation, shows that documentation and record keeping is poor in implementing regions and districts ii) Both vertical and horizontal coordination is weak at all levels (national, regional and district), a situation that is attributed to poor communication between the various coordination structures established at the various levels such as the Regional Interagency Coordinating Committees for Sanitation (RICCS) and the District Interagency Coordinating Committees for Sanitation (DICCS).
The EHSD however, does not have the required capacity to provide the required communications support services. To fill this gap, the EHSD has requested UNICEF to support the directorate with consultancy services to fill the gap immediately whilst efforts are made to secure permanent staff. UNICEF is interested in supporting this request as a form of capacity strengthening activity for the EHSD as the lead unit for sanitation in the country and also as the key implementing partner for sanitation under the GoG-UNICEF WASH programme.
The consultant will provide vital communication support needed between now and December, 2015 as the advocacy and communication campaign is launched to meet the MDG target and also as coordinator of the SKMI. The consultant will also build capacity of staff to undertake basic communication tasks and support in the training of the substantive communications officer when at post
In line with the above, UNICEF seeks to hire a communications consultant to work with the Environmental Health and Sanitation Directorate. The assignment will be implemented with funding support from the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) and Netherlands Directorate General for International Cooperation (DGIS)
JustificationThe assignment is a critical contribution to the country’s efforts to attain the Sanitation MDG target. It will contribute to fulfilling AWP activity 35.4 “Establish sector monitoring information systems at national level and in 5 regions for effective sector monitoring, evaluation and knowledge management” This assignment requires focused and dedicated attention for an effective period of 11 months, a period that UNICEF staff cannot dedicate to this assignment alone. A consultant is more suitable for this role as this is a direct supportive role to strengthening the capacity of a Government unit.
Specific TasksThe consultant is expected to undertake the following specific tasks in the delivery of this assignment:
Ensure Visibility of EHSD in Basic Sanitation Management: The consultant will support the EHSD to develop an annual communication plan for the directorate with a focus on basic sanitation and hygiene and support its implementation. The communication plan will outline how the EHSD will communicate with sector stakeholders and the general public on basic sanitation to raise awareness on Ghana’s sanitation crisis and give visibility to the directorate’s actions as the Government unit in charge of basic sanitation. It will include supporting the directorate establish and maintain a website.
Ensure effective communication among Sanitation Sector Coordination Structures at all levels: The consultant will establish and maintain communication platforms and mechanisms between members of the National Technical Working Group on Sanitation (NTWGS), the Regional Interagency Coordinating Committees on Sanitation (RICCS) and the District Interagency Coordinating Committees on Sanitation (DICCS). The platforms and mechanisms should support internal communication between members and external communication between the various levels of coordinating structures.
Support National Sanitation Advocacy and Communication Campaign: The consultant will serve as the EHSD Communications Specialist supporting the sanitation advocacy and communication campaign. S/he will provide all the communication input required from EHSD as the key government institution managing the campaign and the lead partner for the sanitation campaign partnership that will be established. The Consultant will also provide monitoring and evaluation services for the campaign.
Coordinate the Sanitation Knowledge Management Initiative: The consultant will serve as the coordinator of the Sanitation Knowledge Management Initiative being implemented under the auspices of the EHSD. The coordinator will manage the initiative ensuring that activities are implemented on schedule and coordinate the activities of the various partners as well as monitor and evaluate the initiative. The coordinator will also provide visibility to the initiative as one being led by Government through the EHSD. The coordinator will be responsible for marketing the SKMI and seeking buy-in by other development partners.
Establish Sanitation Knowledge Management Capacity in Regions and Districts: The coordinator will identify and establish Sanitation Knowledge Management (SKM) Focal persons in each region and district in the 5 regions with the worst sanitation coverage in the country. The SKM focal points will be responsible for ensuring that record keeping, reporting and other forms of documentation are done at the regional and district level. This activity will involve training and providing continuous support to enable SKM focal points undertake effective documentation. The consultant will be responsible for regularly monitoring and evaluating the actions of the SKM focal points and planning for improvements.
GoG-UNICEF WASH Programme Contributions to the Sanitation Knowledge Management Initiative: The consultant will support the GoG-UNICEF WASH programme to provide regular contributions to the Sanitation Knowledge Management Initiative by supporting documentation and dissemination of key sector initiatives under the GoG-UNICEF WASH programme such as :a. Developing fact sheets on new initiatives such as the Social Norms, WASHSPLASH, WASHBAT, HWTS, Sanitation Coordination Structuresb. Develop briefs out of sector assessments and evaluationsc. Providing updates on key sector events such as Global Handwashing Day, World Toilet Day and World Water Dayd. Facilitate the development of short documentaries on key initiatives e.g. documenting the current CLTS story in Ghana, e. Developing knowledge products and case studies using tools such as most significant change, appreciative inquiry and outcome mappingf. Supporting the documentation and dissemination of field innovations in Sanitation through short stories (1 page with stories), 1-5 minute videos and photos. The stories should include Human Interest Stories that can be used in Donor reports. Each district should also be supported to build a photo-bank of sanitation.
Donor Relations- GoG-UNICEF WASH Programme: The Government and UNICEF have partnered to develop and implement a number of donor proposals, notable ones being the CIDA funded “Enhanced WASH in Schools and Communities” and the DGIS funded “Accelerating Sanitation and Water for All in Ghana” project. As the Communications Specialist at the EHSD, the consultant will serve as a focal person representing the EHSD in key activities involving donor relations such as being involved in donor visits, providing briefings to Government on donors, and providing visibility to donor funded activities from the Government front.
Annual Report on Sanitation and Hygiene by the EHSD: The consultant will support the EHSD to prepare and publish annual comprehensive reports on the various activities, outputs and outcomes that the EHSD has led the sector to achieve during the year with due recognition for contributions made by various projects. As the lead partner for sanitation and hygiene activities of the GoG- UNICEF WASH programme, the report will feature key outputs achieved for the various sector outcomes, captured as Intermediate Results in the GoG-UNICEF WASH programme.
MethodologyThe Consultant will work under the immediate supervision of the Environmental Health and Sanitation Directorate of the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development as this assignment is a Government Led Initiative. UNICEF will provide support in the delivery of the assignment as the organisation managing the contract.
Expected Deliverables1. Visibility provided to the Environmental Health and Sanitation Directorate2. Effective communication ensured among Sanitation Sector Coordination Structures at all levels3. Support National Sanitation Advocacy and Communication Campaign4. Sanitation Knowledge Management Initiative effectively coordinated.5. Sanitation Knowledge Management Capacity in Regions and Districts established and functioning6. GoG-UNICEF WASH Programme Contributions made to the Sanitation Knowledge Management Initiative7. Donor Relations services provided to donors contributing to the GoG-UNICEF WASH Programme8. Annual Reports on Sanitation and Hygiene prepared by the EHSD9. Well managed library of photographs, videos and documents to support implementation and advocacy.
ReportingThe Consultant will be required to submit monthly progress reports in writing to the EHSD with copies to UNICEF. Monthly meetings shall also be held with the Supervisor of the contract. A Final Completion Report is expected at the end of the assignment.
Expected background and Experience• The Consultant must be a National with a Degree in Communications, Marketing, Public Relations, Social/Sciences or other related field. • A minimum of 8 years progressively responsible professional work is expected from the Consultant with proven experience in communications particularly in documentation.• Experience in establishing institutional or sectoral communication frameworks is an advantage• Experience in the WASH sector particularly in sanitation is highly desirable
General Conditions: Procedures and Logistics1. The consultant will be provided with the applicable DSA when travelling outside Accra for work purposes.2. The consultant will work from the EHSD offices where S/He will be provided with office space and interact regularly with members of the National Technical Working Group on Sanitation and UNICEF Staff through monthly meetings3. The Consultant will be provided with Transport for official assignments.4. The consultant will be provided with a computer and office supplies for the assignment.
Schedule of payment. The Consultant will be paid on a monthly basis based on the submission of a brief (2 page) monthly activity report as well as the completion of deliverables for the period under review.
Policy both parties should be aware of:? Under the consultancy agreements, a month is defined as 21 working days, and fees are prorated accordingly. Consultants are not paid for weekends or public holidays.? Consultants are not entitled to payment of overtime. All remuneration must be within the contract agreement.? No contract may commence unless the contract is signed by both UNICEF and the consultant or Contractor.? No consultant may travel without a signed travel authorisation prior to the commencement of the journey to the duty station.? Unless authorised, UNICEF will buy the tickets of the consultant. In exceptional cases, the consultant may be authorised to buy their travel tickets and shall be reimbursed at the “most economical and direct route” but this must be agreed to in writing beforehand.? Consultants will not have supervisory responsibilities or authority on UNICEF budget.? Consultant will be required to sign the Health statement for consultants/Individual contractor prior to taking up the assignment, and to document that they have appropriate health insurance, including Medical Evacuation.? The Form 'Designation, change or revocation of beneficiary' must be completed by the consultant upon arrival, at the HR Section.? **** Please consult with HR on entitlements as many are set by UNICEF rules.
Application Procedure:Interested candidates should submit a copy of their CV and P11 form and indicate their fees for the services to be provided. The fee should be expressed as a daily rate.
How to apply:
If interested, please complete the United Nations Personal History form (P11) which can be downloaded from: http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/P11.doc and include a copy of your CV and motivation letter by indicating the title of the position and send your application directly to: email: HRghana@unicef.org
Applications submitted without the P11 form will not be considered.
Only short-listed candidates will be notified.
