Ghana: "Sanitation Drive to 2015: Social norms Campaign" ( Ghanaian Nationals)
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 the citizenry 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) developed the MDG Acceleration Framework for Sanitation which identifies three critical interventions required for scaling up sanitation in the country and which would help put Ghana back on track to meet the sanitation MDG targets in 2015.
Country-wide implementation of Community Led Total Sanitation is one of the three interventions identified. The Community Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) approach is a social norms approach which works with participatory learning tools and interpersonal approaches to eliminate the practice of open defecation and establish the social norm of using latrines one community at a time. Country wide implementation of CLTS is expected to result in the elimination of the practice of defecating in the open in country and the establishment of the social norm of using latrines. The rate of implementing CLTS in the country has been progressive from 69 communities in 2009 to 933 in 2012. The pace of implementation however needs to be increased significantly if Ghana is to meet the MDG target for sanitation.
With 29 months left to December 2015, when the MDGs would have officially ended, there is a renewed drive to implement the MAF for Sanitation in Ghana and Government wants to launch a major campaign in Ghana to enable the country meet the MDG targets. The campaign in Ghana is in line with the resolution adopted by the United Nations General Assembly calling on Member States to support the Sanitation Drive to 2015 initiative by redoubling efforts to close the sanitation gap and end open defecation, the most dangerous sanitation practice for public health. A concept note has been developed to guide the implementation of the campaign.
The campaign will provide communication and advocacy support for on-going programme interventions aimed at improving Ghana’s progress towards the Sanitation MDG target such as the CLTS capacity strengthening project currently underway by Kamal Kar, the originator of CLTS and the CLTS Foundation and ongoing CLTS projects such as the World Bank Sustainable Rural Water and Sanitation Project and the GoG-UNICEF WASH programme. The campaign will also be supported by other ongoing initiatives such as the Sanitation Knowledge Management Initiative and the decentralised planning for ODF attainment. Data on the outcome of the campaign will be available through the Basic Sanitation Information System as well the district Lot Quality Assurance Surveys (LQAS) and national level sanitation surveys.
UNICEF seeks to hire a campaign consultant to coordinate the implementation of the campaign as outlined in the concept note under the auspices of 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 fulfill AWP activity 30.3 “Establish a national campaign to promote the social norm of using latrines and not defecating in the open” The assignment will require extensive engagement and follow-up with several stakeholders at national, regional and district levels with significant time input. This assignment requires focused and dedicated attention for an effective period of 11 months, a period that staff members cannot dedicate to this assignment alone.
Specific TasksThe consultant is expected to undertake the following specific tasks in the delivery of this assignment.
Undertake a desk review of key sanitation policies, plans, programmes and strategies, particularly the MAF, the sanitation campaign concept note, the draft social norms strategy framework, the planners guide for the Sanitation Drive to 2015 and other related documents, the Sanitation and Water for all partnership and the Promise Renewed Campaign
Facilitate the development of a national campaign strategy, plan of action and related tools using the Campaign concept note as a guide. The consultant will work with experts to develop the following:a. A localised campaign logo and tagline which all partners can use to indicate a common cause in line with the global brand being used for the Sanitation Drive to 2015b. A campaign website which includes the use of social media as a platform for mobilizing communities to promote ODF among selected audiences.c. National level advocacy and communication plan with activities planned on a monthly basis for a two year period
Facilitate the implementation of the campaign plan in general and specifically undertake the following activitiesa. Facilitate the implementation of the year-long plan of activities b. Facilitate the establishment (identification, training and coaching) of Sanitation Champions at national level to advocate for the elimination of open defecation. At least 35 champions are expected in all, with 10 at national level and 5 each of the five regions.c. Facilitate a Public launch of the Campaign by the President of the Republic of Ghanad. Facilitate the public declaration of support for the campaign through commitments by Development Partners and other stakeholders .
Facilitate the setting of targets at all levels (national, regional and district) for two years (2014 and 2015) for improved sanitation uptake and for eliminating open defecation with commitments made by the most responsible Government Official in Charge at each level. Document the targets and ensure publicity is provided. Work with Civil Society to implement and sustain an advocacy campaign targeting the Government officials and tasking them to live up to their commitments
Facilitate the development of a partnership of Government agencies, Civil Society, Faith based and Private sector organisations, individuals, etc. to contribute towards the Sanitation Drive to 2015 campaign through diverse activities. Specifically undertake the following.a. Support the identification of partners and marketing of the campaign to the identified partners. b. Support the development of a forum for partners to regularly engage.c. Support the development of guidelines for operating the partnershipd. Support the public launch of the Partnership e. Support the partnership develop an annual plan of action, which will roll for two years) and support implementation for at least 6 months
Facilitate the implementation of the campaign in 5 regions through the enhancement of social norms created by CLTS using diverse tools including Communication for Development tools. Specifically facilitate the following in collaboration with the Coalition of NGOs in Water and Sanitation. CONIWAS will be providing direct support to the regions for the implementation of the Social Norms activities.a. Development of national strategy for Social Norms in Sanitation.b. Development of social norms indicators of CLTS as part of the Joint Sector Annual Assessment Framework for Sanitationc. Development of social norms planning framework for regions and districtsd. Establishment of trained regional and district focal persons on social normse. Development of region and district specific social norms implementation plans as part of District ODF plans f. Assessment of progress of the establishment of the social norms and reportingg. Development of regional and district C4D plans which show a segregation of target groups, core communication messages for each group, activities and channels/media for each group. Multiple channels are expected to be used.d. Implementation of the Regional and District C4D plans with technical support being provided for development of creative briefs, pretesting of designs and messages for noticeability, acceptability, comprehension, memorability, credibility and persuasiveness and subsequent support for implementation and learninge. Monitoring and evaluation of Regional and District C4D campaigns
Documentation of campaign results: The consultant will prepare a monitoring and evaluation plan for the campaign to help in assessing and reporting on progress of key activities, outputs and outcomes. The consultant will also undertake documentation and dissemination of the key outcomes of the assignment with sector stakeholders to enhance sector learning
MethodologyThe assignment is designed to be facilitative and coordinating in nature. The consultant will be supported by the communications working group of the National Technical Working Group on Sanitation comprising sector communications persons, sanitation experts and other resource persons who will work with the consultant in delivering this assignment. The consultant is expected to work with communication officers of partner organisations in the campaign. The consultant will also liaise with consultants already delivering services which have an advocacy and communication component to build synergy with the campaign. The relevant activities include the CLTS Capacity Strengthening Exercise being undertaken by Kamal Kar and the CLTS Foundation, the partnership with the Coalition of NGOs in Water and Sanitation on Social Norms, the decentralized planning for District ODF status using the Sector Wide Approach and the Sanitation Knowledge Management Initiative.
In addition, the consultant will identify the need for additional specific technical expertise when required and work together with the client to procure such services to support the delivery of results in a timely fashion. The consultant will therefore have a pool of resources at his/her disposal for the implementation of this assignment. This is important as a strategy for implementation as it empowers others to take active part in the campaign and contributes to the establishment of the campaign as a social movement.
Figure 1 Communication Resource Linkages for AssignmentWhilst the consultant is responsible for the overall results of the assignment, it is a requirement that the assignment be implemented in such a manner that it empowers stakeholders to take up the campaign as theirs.
The assignment entails significant advocacy and influencing to secure the commitment of key decision makers (politicians and government officials) as well as Development partners. The consultant will be required to engage key decision makers to support the implementation of the campaign at national level and in 5 regions.
In establishing the partnership for the campaign, the consultant will work with the other resources available for this assignment to rally state institutions, development partners, civil society organisations, private sector organisations, traditional and religious leaders, and concerned individuals to support the campaign to eliminate open defecation in Ghana. The Campaign is expected to be implemented in the spirit of partnership with each partner making diverse contributions to help achieve the objective. To ensure that partners are encouraged to continue supporting the campaign, as much visibility as desired will be provided to all partners with the only limitation being a requirement to use the campaign logo and tagline.
The consultant will seek to empower partners by nurturing leaders of various sub-groups within the partnership and tasking them to develop their own plan of action which will include activities aimed at bringing in new partners and resources for implementing the campaign. The consultant will guide the various sub- groups with ideas for their plan of action which could be as diverse as possible. Examples of activity ideas are the operation of social media by media persons, establishment of advocacy think tanks, development of sanitation serials, SMS text messages by telecommunication firms etc. The consultant will coordinate the various action plans, linking groups that have similar ideas and building synergy where possible. In coordinating the work of the partners, the consultant will create a platform for partners to interact regularly. The platform will employ both virtual and face to face methods.
The assignment will be implemented at national level and in the 5 regions with the worst sanitation coverage. The consultant will be required to 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. The EHSD will coordinate the input of all other sector stakeholders. UNICEF will provide support in the delivery of the assignment as the organisation managing the contract.
Expected Deliverables1. Desk Review undertaken2. Strategy, Plan of Action and brand tools (logo, tagline, website) developed for Campaign 3. Minimum of 35 Sanitation Champions in total identified and trained (at least 10 at national level and 5 in each of 5 regions)4. Targets set for Sanitation in all districts in 5 regions, at regional level in the 5 regions and at national level5. Campaign publicly launched6. Partnership for sanitation established and launched at national level7. Facilitative support provided for implementation of national campaign plan of action8. Facilitative support provided for implementation of partnership activities9. Facilitative support provided for implementation of campaign activities in 5 regions
ReportingThe Consultant will be required to submit monthly progress reports in writing and also make regular presentations to the National Technical Working Group on Sanitation (NTWGS). Monthly meetings shall also be held with the Communications working group of the NTWGS. A Final Completion Report is expected at the end of the assignment.
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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.
