Background

• Project HOPE, the People-to-People Health Foundation, Inc. is a US based non-profit global health organization has over 60 years old global health and disaster relief experience with its head quarter in Washington DC and with offices in different parts around the world.
• Project HOPE is a registered charity in Ethiopia that has been implementing health and HIV/AIDS programs since 2017. Under one of its projects, USAID Community HIV/AIDS Care and Treatment Activity, Project HOPE is providing technical assistance services to various Local Implementing Partners (LIPs) implementing the USAID Ethiopia funded Family Focused HIV/AIDS Prevention Care and Support Activities in Addis Ababa, Amhara, Gambella, Oromia , Sidama and SNNPR regions of Ethiopia. One of the technical assistance areas is implementation of cervical cancer demand creation activity among WLHIVs in line with Ethiopia’s Country Operational Plan for FY21.
• Cervical cancer is considered as one of the most preventable cancer that continues to lead to a considerable number of deaths, particularly in developing countries where cervical cancer is usually detected in advanced stages due to the lack of effective preventive mechanisms. An estimated 80% of all patients with cancer in developing countries are presented with advanced stages at their first consultation. Moreover, according to a World Health Organization (WHO) estimate, the number of deaths from cervical cancer is expected to rise from the current figure of 274,883 to 474,000 annually and over 95% of these deaths are expected to be from developing countries.
• WHO estimates a diagnosis of 4,648 cases and 3,235 deaths annually in Ethiopia. However, these statistics are considered as an underestimation of the actual number of cases. This underestimation is said to be attributed to lack of adequate diagnostic and reporting mechanisms.
• For high risk groups like HIV infected women, screening can be done earlier starting from 25 and above. It is also indicated that, in low resource areas screening every 10 years or just once between the ages of 35- 45 significantly reduce cervical cancer mortality. There are several screening techniques which include Cytology, HPV DNA tests, and Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid (VIA).
• Project HOPE and LIPs have started to use a mixture of Social Behavior Change and Communication (SBCC) strategies including home visits by CRPs and other community workers, to improve knowledge about cervical cancer, develop positive attitude about and improve uptake of screening services.
• To ensure development of a standardized and tailored approaches to achieve this, Project HOPE is seeking the service of a consultant to carry out the review and development of standardized materials in the area.

Purpose of the assignment

The purpose of this consultancy is to collect and analyze available SBCC materials and make all necessary contacts with stakeholders that will help to inform preparation of a SBCC strategy and materials to promotion and create demand for cervical cancer screening services among Women living with HIV.

Objectives of the assignment

• Explore current SBCC activities approaches, activities and tools to promote uptake of cervical cancer screening among WLHIV
• Identify any existing demand and supply side opportunities and barriers to successful SBCC activities including behavioral determinants, quality of care and access and social support mechanisms etc.
• Develop a draft SBCC strategy taking in to consideration the available materials at PH and FMoH
• Develop priority SBCC materials by adapting or designing new content that help support ongoing community based efforts to create demand for CXCA screening

Tasks

• Collect, review, and evaluate all print, mass media and digital materials that can be found (e.g., print-based materials such as job aids including counseling cards, posters, brochures, and mass media such as radio/TV PSAs, and digital media materials such as SMS scripts) related to cervical cancer screening services among Women living with HIV. Standard material collection checklist and methods need to be developed to identify both local and global resources, if possible hard copies of materials.
• Through key informant interviews, conduct a landscape analysis with relevant organizations and stakeholders working at the national, regional and site levels. The landscape analysis report should include: list of all organizations working on cervical cancer screening; list of SBCC activities in relation to the subject matter including communication channels and media being used; identified list of areas for potential collaboration; existing plans and activities; identify the activities and gatekeepers; the main channels and formats used by these organizations.
• Moreover, the consultant will create a list of activities (e.g., interpersonal communication, community mobilization, mass media) and key messages as well as the intended audience.
• Result of the media analysis with list of existing media channels in most target SNUs. Describe the sizes and types of the audience that they reach and the obstacles and opportunities involved in local communication efforts and SBCC activities. What has worked and what has not?
• Collect reports or other documentation that describe the cervical cancer screening service uptake by WLHIV-behavioral analysis.
• Based on the findings of the landscape analysis, conduct a brief formative research in a few selected SNUs (among program leaders, HCWs and Clients) to identify existing individual, household, community, service utilization, and service delivery practices and factors affecting use of services (barriers and motivating factors); define priority behavioral and social support outcomes, barriers, and target audiences for demand creation for CXCA screening services. CHCT will provide guidance in the research design, protocols (e.g., individual interviews, group interviews/ discussions, observations) and instruments to be used.
• Work with USAID CHCT staff and LIPs to analyze the data from the formative research and develop presentation of findings
• In collaboration with CHCT staff, design and co-facilitate a 1-2 day workshop with key stakeholders to finalize the CXCA SBCC approach/Strategy, materials and transfer key SBCC skills.
• Write a final report.

Deliverables

·     Detailed work plan for the assignment with timelines

• Compendium of all related SBCC materials in relation to cervical cancer screening mainly among WLHIV
• Evaluation form listing all related SBCC materials reviewed.
• Landscape analysis report that will include information on the strategies and activities implemented by FMOH and other stakeholders and recommendations for possible collaboration.
• Formative research and data collection forms and draft presentation of findings.
• Draft workshop agenda
• A final consultancy report including summary of all the above deliverables highlighting the core SBCC strategy that includes audience segments, and objectives; suggested channels, messages, tools and activities, list and print ready samples of SBCC materials including those to be developed or adopted/adapted with core messages for use by the program, roles and responsibilities of each partner, how the partners will work together; and a timeline for implementing the SBCC approach.
• At the end of the assignment, the consultant will write and share a the following information:

Duration:

• The estimated time for this consultancy is 20 days, between March 25^th and April 30^th 2021.

Reporting Lines:

• The consultant will report to the Director of Programs Implementation with a dotted line to the Care and Support Advisor
• The consultant is expected to schedule and hold frequent virtual and in-person meetings with project HOPE staffs during the period of the consultancy.

Proposed Timeline

Tasks

Approximate number of working days

Landscape analysis and formative assessment (11 days)

• Desk review and SBCC material gathering: 3 days (may continue beyond this)
• Finalize formative assessment protocol and tools – draft from CHCT: 1 day
• Conduct assessment: 4 days
• Analysis and write up of a brief report: 2 days
• Present results to CHCT team: 1 day

SBCC strategy and materials development (9 days)

• Develop an SBCC Strategy: 3 days
• Write Communication Plan: 1 days
• Facilitate validation workshop for the strategy and materials: 2 days
• Finalization of materials and strategy based on inputs from the workshop: 2days
• Final consultancy report: 1 day
• Total: 20 days

Job Requirements

Qualifications

• Candidates for this Consultancy position should hold at least a master’s degree in public health with particular concentration on health education, communication and promotion, or masters degree in social or behavioral sciences, with specific training in behavior change, and community mobilization
• At least 10 years of experience in designing and implementing SBCC strategies and activities, particularly focusing on demand creation for public health services among marginalized groups
• Working knowledge and experience in cervical cancer preventions and HIV/AIDS programming

Essential Criteria:

• Application detailing the summary of your relevant experience, how you meet the profile required and details of time required (maximum 2 pages)
• CV and relevant credentials to support previous SBCC strategy and material development experience in a similar field
• Understanding and experience with cervical cancer screening and treatment activities
• Daily rate – the consultant must submit daily rate

How to Apply

Submission:

The deadline for submission of the applications with CV, credentials and sample of similar works done with proposed daily consultancy rate is 19^th March 2021 by email through this link or Hand delivered to Project HOPE Ethiopia Office, Bole Sub City, Woreda 03, Behind Bole Medhanealem Church, Tel. 0116622123, between 8:00AM and 5:30 PM from Monday to Thursday and 8:00AM to 1:30 PM on Friday