Short Term Consultancy - Communications Specialist- SolPEN

1. BACKGROUND

   The WHO Solomons office provides support to the MHMS in the implementation of its strategic priorities. One area of priority is the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Like other Pacific nations, rates of non-communicable disease are increasing rapidly. Diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, respiratory illnesses and cancer are increasing rapidly and account for over 70% of all premature deaths.

    

   One of the identified priorities to reduce chronic disease in Solomon Islands is implementation of the SolPEN (Package of Essential Non-Communicable Disease Interventions) program.  The SolPEN program aims to integrate chronic disease screening, treatment, education and management services into all health facilities within the country. Communication and education of stakeholders is a critical component of the program and needed to ensure its success.

    

   In 2018, WHO hired a graphic designer to brand the SolPEN program, create a logo, templates and resources to support initiation of the SolPEN programme. As the programme matures and scales up, additional graphic design and communications support is needed for different materials and resources, audiences and functions.

    

   The Consultant will work with the Ministry of Health and Medical Services, WHO and relevant stakeholders to understand which additional resources are needed by key stakeholders (e.g. decision makers, health workers, patients) to improve programme effectiveness and adherence to protocols. The Consultant will use the existing branding elements to create materials that have a consistent look and feel.

    

   In addition to graphic design and development of printed materials to support screening, treatment and management of chronic disease, the Consultant will design a high-level communication plan for the NCD Division that is consistent with the goals and activities identified in the 2019-2023 Strategic Plan. One of the elements of the plan will include development of a mass-marketing campaign to educate the public and local leaders about the harms of tobacco, alcohol and betel nut and discourage their use in a creative and effective way; while encouraging healthy behaviours such as good nutrition, physical activity and stress reduction.

    

   The Consultant will develop a plan specifically for the mass-media campaign and will design all related materials. The Consultant will conduct focus groups, research and engage with key stakeholders in the development of the campaign to ensure its relevance, effectiveness and culturally appropriate.

1. PURPOSE/SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE OF THE ACTIVITY

A consultant will be recruited to support efforts by the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) in the Solomon Islands to:

• create patient educational materials, health centre resources and promotional materials for the SolPEN (Solomon Islands Package of Essential Non-Communicable Disease Interventions) programme; and,
• develop a mass-marketing campaign to raise awareness of NCD related behavioural risk factors (tobacco/alcohol/betel nut use, unhealthy diet and lack of sufficient physical activity).

1. DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITIES TO BE CARRIED OUT

Output 1: Create and design new educational, promotional and SolPEN resources for patients, health workers, and decision makers.

• Deliverable 1.1: Complete educational pamphlets and posters on healthy lifestyles, behavioural risk factors and disease treatment and management.
• Deliverable 1.2: Design the following: SolPEN, Adult Standard Treatment and Diabetes Guidelines for health workers.

• Deliverable 1.3: Develop a new assessment form/book and resources for cervical cancer.
• Deliverable 1.4: Develop a short promotional video to build awareness and support of SolPEN by the public, leaders, and funders.
• Deliverable 1.5: Develop additional SolPEN resources, as requested.
• Deliverable 1.6: Conduct focus groups, interview key stakeholders, and test materials prior to finalization.
• Deliverable 1.7: Estimate short- and long-term procurement needs, solicit bids from vendors for printing, develop work with vendors to ensure order is complete and accurate.
• Deliverable 1.8: Develop new SolPEN illustrations, using the look and feel of existing SolPEN images.

Output 2: Develop a high-level communication plan for the NCD Division, consistent with the 2019-2023 NCD Strategic Plan.

• Deliverable 2.1: Work with the NCD and Health Promotions divisions to develop a high-level communications plan, including key messages, strategies, key persons responsible, activities and related budget to support the NCD Strategic Plan.
• Deliverable 2.2: Mentor and coach staff on communication plan and health resources development.
• Deliverable 2.3: Support the NCD and Health Promotions divisions in inclusion of relevant health promotions strategies into the 2020 Annual Operating Plans.

   

  Output 3: Develop a mass-media campaign (aligned with SolPEN) to raise awareness of NCD related risk factors of alcohol/tobacco/betel nut use, lack of sufficient physical activity and to inspire the public and decision makers to take action.

   

• Deliverable 3.1: Conduct research to identify cultural considerations and WHO best practices in designing a campaign(s).
• Deliverable 3.2: Conduct focus groups, interviews and test concepts and ideas and materials with key stakeholders to ensure relevancy and cultural appropriateness of key messages.
• Deliverable 3.3: Assess opportunities, venues and distribution methods for dissemination of campaign materials and messages.
• Deliverable 3.4: Develop mass-media campaign plan to include objectives, concepts, themes, stakeholder key messages, settings, distribution methods, and costings.
• Deliverable 3.5: Develop, design and/or create campaign materials that are ready for print/video/radio ready for implementation in 2020.
• Deliverable 3.6: Ensure risk factor sub-campaigns (e.g. healthy eating, no tobacco use) link together in a coherent and strategic fashion.

Output 4: Design new documents, images, tools, promotional and educational resources as requested. This may include:

• Deliverable 4.1: Design of the Solomon Islands NCD Policy Roadmap.
• Deliverable 4.2: Support development of NCD related communications materials for key stakeholders and events.

1. METHODS TO CARRY OUT THE ACTIVITY

The Consultant will work collaboratively with the Ministry of Health and Medical Services NCD and Health Promotions programme and WHO NCD Technical Officer generate and revise the workplan. Some documents may require edits or multiple drafts before final documents are approved.

The Consultant will work primarily in the NCD office at the Ministry of Health to ensure communications and designs are reflective of needs and to build staff capacity in this area.

1. QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

    

EDUCATION

Essential:  

Univeristy degree or above in arts, graphic design, marketing, health education or related education. 5 years of related experience may subsistute for University degree.

EXPERIENCE

Essential:

• Minimum 5 years of experience developing branding campaigns and materials with proven effectiveness.
• Designing PEN related documents and materials.
• Experience designing health education and promotional materials.
• Developing professional documents, forms, and templates.
• Experience designing mass-marketing campaigns for NCD-related behavioural risk factors.
• Desired: experience working in the Pacific, especially Solomon Islands.

TECHNICAL SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE

• Expert use of Adobe Creative Cloud (e.g. Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator) software and video production and editing.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate complex concepts into an easy-to-understand manner.
• Ability to translate technical, health-related documents into plain-talk.
• Problem solving, analytical and interpersonal skills.
• Understanding of health systems.
• Illustration and graphic design.
• Time management.

LANGUAGES

Written fluency in English is essential (read, write and speak).

COMPETENCIES

• Communicating in a credible and effective way.
• Producing results.
• Collaboration and teamwork.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Place of assignment

The selected Consultant will work approximately 50% of the time from their home location and 50% of time in Honiara, Solomon Islands.

Medical clearance

The consultant will be expected to provide a medical certificate of fitness for work.

Travel

All travel arrangements will be made by WHO – WHO will not be responsible for tickets purchased by the Consultant without the express, prior authorization of WHO. Domestic travel to the provinces may be necessary. While in-country under the terms of this consultancy, the Consultant will receive daily subsistence allowance.

Visas requirements: it is the consultant’s responsibility to fulfil visa requirements and ask for a visa support letter(s) if needed.

Availability

Please indicate in your Expression of Interest (Cover Letter) your available start date and confirm your availability to work in Honiara for 50% of the contract period, or greater.

Work Samples

Please provide two past examples of branding campaigns and related documents that most closely relate to this consultancy.

Questions

Questions about the consultancy should be directed to Kirsten Frandsen, NCD Technical Officer at frandsenk@who.int.

APPLICATIONS

Qualified and interested specialists should submit their CV {for individual contractors} or Company Profile {for institutional applications} and Expression of Interest {cover letter} to the Supply Officer through WP RO UNGM at < wproungm@who.int > by 3 July 2019. 

The cover letter should outline how their experience and qualifications make them a suitable candidate for this position and should include their proposed daily consultancy fee and availability.

Please use Tender Notice No. WPRO/2019-06/SLB_NCD/TN92486/mom as subject to all submission.  Only successful candidates will be contacted.