National Social and Behaviour Change Communication (SBCC) Research Consultant

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS

Open to External Candidates

Reference No	:	IOMTJK/2024/13(C)
Position Title	:	National Social and Behaviour Change Communication (SBCC) Research Consultant
Duty Station	:	Dushanbe, Tajikistan
Classification	:	Consultancy contract
Closing Date	:	June 24, 2024

Nature of the consultancy: To conduct a comprehensive assessment of Knowledge, Attitudes, Practices and Behaviours (KAPB) that impact social cohesion among host and Afghan communities and support the development of a Social and Behavior Change Communication (SBCC) strategy based on the research findings that helps address discrimination, counter xenophobia, and promote mutual understanding.

Project Context and Scope: The IOM mission in Tajikistan is carrying out efforts to support the Government of Tajikistan in the framework of its Comprehensive Action Plan for Afghanistan and Neighbouring Countries (CAP) and the Regional Refugee Response Plan for Afghanistan (RRP). Under the project “Improving migration governance and access to services for displaced Afghans in Pakistan and Central Asia” (the Project), IOM is committed to efforts to enhance social cohesion and access to services for both Tajik and Afghan communities.  

Following the fall of Kabul in 2021, Tajikistan became one of the main neighbouring countries of destination and transit for Afghans. Tajikistan hosts the largest number of refugees in Central Asia, originating primarily from Afghanistan. Currently, more than 7,000 Afghans are living in Tajikistan, primarily with host communities in Vahdat, Rudaki, Dushanbe, Kushoniyon, and Jabbor Rasulov. IOM supports Afghan and host communities through community- and household-level social cohesion interventions, aiming to reinforce access to services for all and increase peaceful coexistence between and within communities. At the community level, IOM conducts integration and social cohesion interventions, with a special focus on Afghan and Tajik youth and women. 

The IOM social cohesion approach establishes trust and solidarity as the basis for social ties among migrants and the receiving society. It addresses discrimination, counters xenophobia, and promotes mutual understanding enabling migrants to find a place in society and be recognized as members. 

Objective: More specifically, the purpose of this assignment is:  

• To conduct a KAPB assessment with a focus on identifying existing stereotypes, negative perceptions, discrimination, and other harmful beliefs and attitudes that undermine social cohesion. The assessment is also expected to identify primary, secondary, and tertiary target groups and effective communication channels and messaging based on the target groups’ preferred information sources.
• To assist an IOM international consultant in developing an SBCC strategy based on the assessment findings to strengthen IOM’s social cohesion activities.

Tasks to be performed under this contract:

Inception period

• Review IOM Communication for Development Toolkit, IOM Public Communication Campaign Toolkit, and other relevant documents and literature;
• Conduct desk research on SBCC methodologies, KAPB studies, social cohesion best practices, and the situation of Afghan communities in Tajikistan;
• Attend meetings with project staff and stakeholders to understand the context and needs of the affected communities;
• Develop and submit a preliminary inception report detailing how the Consultant plans to conduct the assessment using mixed methods.

Analysis and problem definition

• Meet with community leaders, local NGOs, youth, media representatives and other involved parties from both host and Afghan communities in the target districts to better understand existing knowledge (and knowledge gaps), attitudes/beliefs, social norms, behavioural patterns and practices that create barriers to improved social cohesion between host and Afghan communities and identify the primary, secondary and tertiary target groups;
• Assess the current knowledge, attitudes, practices and behaviours of the identified target groups through Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) including the primary target group (people who must be engaged for positive change to occur), the secondary target group (people who have influence on the primary target group, such as family, friends, colleagues), and  the tertiary target group (people who help shape social norms such as mahalla, jamoat and religious leaders and representatives of the media);
• Determine accessible, trusted and preferred communication channels, including interpersonal sources, and identify appropriate types of messaging that may be used to reach the target groups in cooperation with NGOs: 
  • analyze relevant communication channels considering the cost of various communication channels, the number people in the target groups covered by these channels and the types of messages most appropriate for these channels;
  • analyze the availability of information through alternative channels of communication (for instance, written materials are inaccessible to illiterate members of the target groups and must be supplemented with audiovisual materials and/or interpersonal information sources).
• Develop a final KAPB report with findings for all target districts, including feasible recommendations as to how to best counter KAPB that undermine or threaten social cohesion and leverage KAPB that contribute to strengthened social cohesion. Recommendations should take into consideration available resources, local context and project scope. 

Strategy design 

• Assist an IOM international expert in developing an SBCC strategy. The strategy will include:
  • Audience segmentation
  • Communication objectives
  • Strategic approaches
  • Positioning and key messages for each target group
  • Plans for implementation 
  • Plans for monitoring and evaluation

Development and testing

• Together with the IOM project team, develop and test the messaging and communication channels with representatives of the target groups for:
  • Comprehension – is the messaging clearly explained and easy to understand? 
  • Appeal – is the messaging and channel appealing enough to hold attention and be remembered?
  • Acceptability – does the messaging contain anything that is culturally offensive, annoying or false?
  • Relevance – does the audience feel that the messaging speaks to them and is about/for them and is being shared through a trusted, accessible channel?
  • Persuasion – does the messaging persuade the audience to make the desired change?
• Update the SBCC strategy and the messaging based on the results of the testing.  

Tangible and measurable outputs of the work assignment

The Consultant will deliver: 

A Preliminary Inception Report indicating how the Consultant plans to implement this consultancy, including: 

1. Summary of the desk/literature review; 
2. Scope of work; 
3. Overview of the proposed methodology (including details of the data collection and analysis and key stakeholders to consult);
4. Work plan / implementation plan 
5. Outline for the Final KAPB Report 

Preliminary KAPB Report generated as a result of the research conducted with target groups and stakeholders, including:

1. Methodology 
2. Identified primary, secondary, and tertiary target groups
3. Characteristics of the target groups
4. Detailed KAPB of each target group related to social cohesion between host and Afghan communities
5. Identified relevant and accessible communication channels, including interpersonal sources of information;
6. Recommendations on how to counter KAPB that undermine or threaten social cohesion and leverage KAPB that contribute to strengthened social cohesion.

Presentation of the preliminary findings of the KAPB assessment to IOM project staff and community stakeholders.

A Final KAPB Report the presents a clear and concise analysis of the information gathered, based on the agreed upon report outline. The report should include: 

1. A title page 
2. Table of contents
3. List of acronyms and abbreviations
4. Executive summary (max. 2 pages)
5. Introduction and background
6. Methodology 
7. KAPB assessment results
8. Conclusion
9. Recommendations for on how to counter KAPB that undermine or threaten social cohesion and leverage KAPB that contribute to strengthened social cohesion.
10. Annexes 

Support for the development of the SBCC strategy 

Experience, education and/or skills required

a. Experience 

• At least 5 years of professional experience, preferably in Tajikistan and/or Central Asia, conducting community research, including data collection and analysis.
• Experience working with vulnerable populations, including migrants, Afghan communities, and victims of trafficking.
• Experience with qualitative methods, including Focus Group Discussions and Key Informant Interviews;
• Experience working on projects focused on social cohesion is a strong advantage.

b. Education

• University degree / advanced degree in Social Science, Social Work, Communications, or International Relations with an emphasis on research methodologies, data collection, and analysis, and monitoring and evaluation. 

c. Skills 

- Excellent interpersonal and networking skills

- Ability to interact with Senior Officials (governmental and non-governmental, including in multi-lateral and bi-lateral settings)

- Experience in gathering and systematizing information and data

- Excellent organizational skills

- Ability to work with limited supervision

- Familiarity with the local context of rural Tajikistan

- Strong computer literacy in using the Microsoft Office package

- Excellent communication skills

- Technical knowledge, skills and experience related to SBCC is a strong advantage. 

- Strong computer skills and analytical skills with ability to write and review technical reports required

- Proven work record in a multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary environment is necessary

- Fluency in spoken and written Tajik and English is required. Knowledge of Russian is preferred.

d. Competencies

The incumbent is expected to demonstrate the following values and competencies:

Values - all IOM staff members must abide by and demonstrate these three values:

Inclusion and respect for diversity: respects and promotes individual and cultural differences; encourages diversity and inclusion wherever possible.

Integrity and transparency: maintains high ethical standards and acts in a manner consistent with organizational principles/rules and standards of conduct.

Professionalism: demonstrates ability to work in a composed, competent and committed manner and exercises careful judgment in meeting day-to-day challenges.

Core Competencies – behavioural indicators

Teamwork: develops and promotes effective collaboration within and across units to achieve shared goals and optimize results.

Delivering results: produces and delivers quality results in a service-oriented and timely manner; is action oriented and committed to achieving agreed outcomes.

Managing and sharing knowledge: continuously seeks to learn, share knowledge and innovate.

Accountability: takes ownership for achieving the Organization’s priorities and assumes responsibility for own action and delegated work.

Communication: encourages and contributes to clear and open communication; explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring, and motivational way.

How to apply:

Interested candidates are invited to submit their application – Cover Letter, Curriculum Vitae (CV) and remuneration expectations in English by June 24, 2024, 23:59h local time at the latest to applications.tj@iom.int indicating the position title in email subject line and quoting the reference code – IOMTJK/2024/13(C).

Applications from qualified female candidates are highly encouraged.

Incomplete applications will not be taken into consideration. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. The appointment is subject to funding confirmation.

Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment.

No late applications will be accepted.

Posting period:

From 10.06.2024 to 24.06.2024