| | Company Overview
Palladium is a global leader in the design, development and delivery of Positive Impact - the intentional creation of enduring social and economic value. We work with foundations, investors, governments, corporations, communities and civil societyto formulate strategies and implement solutions that generate lasting social, environmental and financial benefits.
For the past 50 years, we have been making Positive Impact possible. With a team of more than 2,500 employees operating in 90 plus countries and a global network of more than 35,000 technical experts, Palladium has improved - and is committed to continuing to improve - economies, societies and most importantly, people's lives.
Palladium is a child-safe organisation, and screens applicants for suitability to work with children. We also provide equal employment to all participants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, veteran or maritalstatus.
Project Overview and Role
Background and Scope of Work
The USAID-funded Health Policy Plus (HP+) in Malawi works with key stakeholders to advance health policy and financing for family planning and reproductive health (FP/RH), HIV, and maternal and newborn health at national and subnational levels. The project aims to improve the enabling environment for equitable and sustainable health services, supplies, and delivery systems through policy development and implementation, with an emphasis on voluntary, rights-based health programs, and by strengthening in-country partners' capacity to navigatecomplex environments for effective policy design, implementation, and financing aligned to the existing priorities. HP+ is managed by Palladium, and is funded by USAID.
HP+ is supporting the Ministry of Health and partners to implement youth-friendly health services in accordance with the national YFHS strategy. As part of this work, HP+ would like to engage a local consultant to assist with initiating community dialogue among leaders, teachers, health providers, parents, and young people on how to best implement the YFHS strategyat local levels, as well as to carry out advocacy trainings to support community engagement in holding government accountable for advancing current national policies and strategies. The two selected districts for this activity are Machinga and Chikwawa, (additional districts may be added at a later date). The consultant will work in direct coordination with a Senior Program Associate and under direct supervision of the Technical Advisor, Policy and Advocacy. She/he will also collaborate with HP+ technical specialists from headquarters who will provide short-term technical assistance from time to time.This work will be done in tandem with a separate HP+ activity aimed to translate national policies to the local level (Core 1.3), including the YFHS strategy. Under this core activity, HP+ will conduct an audience analysisto determine the best types of messages and formats to reach our target groups, and develop simple materials (such as talking points, posters, captioned images, etc.) that synthesize key information from the policy and strategy, and then packaging and disseminating this harmonized information in appropriate language and formats for stakeholders at the (sub-national) district and grassroots levels, such as MPs, district administrators, traditional authorities, etc. The consultant will be expected to align work under this activity, with this Core 1.3 activity. This may include feeding into Core 1.3 materials development, and/or using products from Core 1.3 in the consultants work.The duration of the consultancy is from May 2017 (estimated) to September 2017. This area of work may extend past this date depending on progress of activities and availability of funding. The weekly time requirements may vary, depending on the stage of the process.
Some weeks may require full time work from the consultant, while other weeks it may only require part-time commitment. The consultant will receive specific requests to initiate work for each task, with an assigned due date from the Technical Advisor. The consultant will not be authorized to undertake tasks under this scope of work without prior authorization from the Technical Advisor. The Technical Advisor will confirm assignment of any HP+-related tasks, provide specific due dates at the time of assignment, and supervise their implementation.
Responsibilities
Activities to be Carried Out and Deliverables
The consultant will be expected to deliver results corresponding to the following activities:
1. Within identified districts, engage the Ministry of Education Science and Technology (MOEST) and Ministry of Gender, Child Development, Community Social Welfare and Disability (MOGCDCSWD) to inform government officials on purpose and scope of activities, solicit input, and request support and introductions where needed, to link with community Parent-Teacher Associations(PTA groups).
Deliverables;
i. PowerPoint presentation with content to be communicated to participants
ii. Agenda for the meeting with objectives
iii. Meeting report (2-3 pages)detailing date of visits, attendees, topics covered, and any specific points made by government officials.
2. HP+ has already initiated contact with another organization for potential collaboration on this activity, and leveraging existing PTA groups. The consultant will need to follow up on these contacts and initiate work.
Deliverables
i. List (excel file) of contacts for all PTAs that will be engaged in the project
ii. Agenda(s) to meetings heldand corresponding summary meeting notes with key recommendations and next steps
iii. Input from SC on what information materials (formatand content) will be useful forworking with PTAs. This should be documented in a short memo or report (1-3 pages).
3. Create and/or adapt summaries/information materials on YFHS that can be used at the community level.
Deliverables
i. List of materials used from the Core activities 1.3, identifying the likely target group, and reason for using the tool
ii. Adapt/revise materials developed under Core Activity 1.3 so they specifically target audiences under this activity. Input should be provided using track changes.
iii. Outline of discussion questions for information materials to be disseminated
iv. Short monitoring report (3-5 pages) of dissemination and use of informational materials during PTA meetings and other community events/venues (e.g., reading clubs), material, target audience, venue disseminated, number disseminated, observations of usefulness and effectiveness of information materials, feedback from target audience and other relevant observations
4. Use the PTA structures to discuss development issues and institute YFHS as a standing item on the agenda. This will include initial meetings to conduct awareness sessions with these community groups so they learn about the YFHS strategy, commitments, and general data on youth and SRH. Follow up meetings with amenable community groups will conduct advocacy trainings and support the communities to develop advocacy plans to promote local implementation of YFHS.
Deliverables
i. Advocacy training with PTAs and other target groupsas identified earlier
a. Training content in form of PowerPoint and handouts
b. Training agenda with objectivesc. Short report (2-5 pages) on advocacy trainings (dates, names/contact info of attendees, commentary on how training went and suggestions for changes in future)
ii. Monitoring plan of community awareness activities
a. List of indicators to be monitored
b. M&E plan on how to follow-up on these indicators
c. Monthly progress reports and short bullets on the indicators
d. Quarterly report on the activity and 1-3 pages
5. List potential NGOs in the area with similar programs that could partner with HP+ such as Girl Effect who may be interested in supporting some components of the plans.
Deliverables
i. Summary notes of meetings held with agenda, areas of collaboration identified, key recommendations, and suggested next steps.
6. Assist HP+ to document the processes, approaches, best practices, challenges, and successes throughout implementation of all the above listed activities by incorporating reflections into reports, providing debriefs on activities, etc.
Deliverables
i. Short write-up on the project 4 -10 pages listing all the approaches used, successes, challenges, and recommendations and as attachments, photos of events (with approved consent)
ii. Documented products specified in medium to be shared (write ups, video, audio, posters, etc.)
Additionally, the consultant will:
1. Participate in routine (i.e., twice monthly) team meetings via Skype with the HP+ Country Director, Technical Advisor for Policy and Advocacy, Senior Program Associate for FP and YFHS and U.S.-based technical specialists as required, to provide updates and progress on activities and to problem solve any obstacles and challenges.
2. Communicate on an ad hoc basis with the HP+ team in person and via email and/or Skype.
3. Prepare and submit invoices and expense reports using Palladium templates and filing procedures for travel and other expenses incurred during the implementation and delivery of services outlined in this Agreement.
Requirements
Criteria for Selection:
The ideal candidate will have previous experience in a similar role and have a thorough understanding of project management, monitoring and evaluation, advocacy and adolescent/youth sexual reproductive health in Malawi. Local consultants are requested to send a CV and a short proposal (2-3 pages) of how he/she would support this activity, and an estimated level of effort with price quotation for each deliverable. The proposal should address the following selection criteria:
Technical Expertise;
1. Demonstrated understanding of YFHS strategy or Adolescent and Youth Sexual Reproductive Health at the national and community level in Malawi, and key issues that may be encountered/should be addressed in this activity.
2. Illustrative key stakeholders at the national and sub-national level who must be engaged to successfully implement the activities.
Past Experience;
Consultants past experience working with government officials, donors, and civil society; ability to interact with a variety of stakeholders at different levels, particularly at the district level. Experience working in Machinga and Chikwawa preferred. Experience in facilitating meetings and innovative/effective methodologies to mobilize and build capacity of targeted populations in advocacy. Past experience can be detailed in the CV.
2. Demonstrated Availability, Skills, and Tools to Undertake the Assignment
3. Evidence of strong technical writing skills in English. Examples of previous writing products may be requested and/or a writing test may be administered to short-listed candidates.
4. Availability throughout the specified period of duration.
5. Has access to personal internet and email and comfortable using SKYPE as a routine communication method.
6. Skill as a convener or facilitator of meetings/workshop.
7. Post-secondary education, Masters Degree preferred.
8. Positive References; At least 2 references from past consultancies with government or NGOs.
Submissions will be reviewed by a committee with local and international expertise in project management, FP/RH,and youth issues.
Please note only local candidates, legally entitled to work in Malawi, are eligible to apply, and consultants must have access to their own computer with Microsoft Office, and regular access to internet, email, and Skype.
How To Apply:
Applicants should send the above mentioned proposal and include a CV, to;
hpplusapplymalawi@thepalladiumgroup.com
by 18:00hours (Lilongwe time) on April 23, 2017.
Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
Details; Intermediate Level
Location: Lilongwe, Malawi
Closing date: 29 April 2017
Company: The Palladium Group | | | |
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