Country: Myanmar
Closing date: 03 Jun 2018
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Background:
Ranked as the most at risk country in East Asia and the Pacific for humanitarian crises and disasters, Myanmar is vulnerable to a wide range of hazards, including floods, cyclones, earthquakes, landslides and tsunamis. While the country has been dealing with the devastating effects of cyclone Nargis over the past decade, it has also continued to experience disaster related losses triggered by natural hazards that affect households, communities and the local and national economy.
A complex interplay of issues that include armed conflict, statelessness, displacement and trafficking, combine with Myanmar’s vulnerability to natural disasters to create an environment that exacerbates the risk of communicable diseases.During the monsoon season in particular, which runs from mid-May to mid-November, flooding and disease outbreaks and epidemics are a regular occurrence.Outbreaks of H1N1, measles and cholera are not uncommon, and, while health systems are increasingly prepared to respond, there is growing recognition that more emphasis needs to be placed on prevention and preparedness among communities to respond effectively to both expected and unexpected emergencies.
Community engagement through communication for development (C4D) approaches in preparedness efforts to respond to natural disasters and public health emergencies as part of a wider health systems strengthening exercise, can build capacities of local systems to respond promptly and effectively to a critical incident, curb an outbreak, and support communities to recover and rebuild.
Purpose of the Consultancy
During emergencies, behavioural and social aspects can either aggravate or curb the situation. Typically, the uncertainty that characterizes emergencies fuels fear and panic among communities, spreading rumours and misconceptions that affect people’s ability to respond appropriately. This also includes capacity needs assessment and building local capacity. Communication for Development (C4D) has the power to coordinate clear and credible communication efforts that engage communities and individuals to adopt risk reduction behaviours. Through C4D a strong, united voice is disseminated across multiple channels, making the difference between whether an emergency spirals out of control or is curbed swiftly.
Communication for Development ensures that relevant stakeholders from different organizations and institutions as well as communities are identified, understand their roles, identify capacity gaps and can preposition resources to act quickly and jointly to solve the emergency issue. It provides harmonized and coordinated messages, tailored to the needs of communities to prompt protective behaviours. It creates structures among different actors, and feedback mechanisms within communities, to programme managers, to service providers and to policy makers (following the Accountability to Affected Populations framework).
A well designed, coordinated, timely and strategic C4D approach along with evidence based results oriented participatory and gender sensitive action plan and accompanying coordination mechanisms, can manage people’s expectations during an emergency and assist response efforts. This will ensure access to key life-saving information and feedback systems. Through C4D, communities can be engaged in two way communication and supported to adopt the required changes, rumours can be detected early, and barriers to desired behaviours can be uncovered and addressed promptly. Communication efforts that are harmonized, relevant, timely, financially supported and aligned to all preparedness technical teams play a crucial role in addressing the behavioural and social aspects that precede and follow an emergency. As such, they need to integrated into the preparedness and response agenda from the onset.
Objectives of the consultancy:
The objective of the consultancy is for an individual consultant to conduct a 4-day workshop with key stakeholders to develop or modify the country-specific C4D preparedness and response communication plan for emergencies and health outbreaks.
Assignment tasks and expected deliverables:
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Qualification and specialized knowledge/experience required for the assignment:
Interested candidates are requested to submit the application with updated CV and completed EOI form.
TOR_ C4D Consultant.docxExpression of Interest EOI_ C4D Consultant.doc
UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organisation.
How to apply:
UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organization. To apply, click on the following link http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/?job=513366