The UNICEF Botswana Country Office is seeking a local expert to undertake feasibility assessment for setting up Behavioural Insight and Research Design (BIRD) Hub in Botswana.
The overall objective of the assignment is to explore different approaches used in similar projects or initiatives to establish framing of the feasibility assessment and engage with identified stakeholders to assess viability of conceptualized potential approaches and ultimately make analysis and conclusion on feasibility of the planned intervention (BIRD Hub). The assessment will respond to below questions:
• What is the level of interest and demonstrated demand for BIRD hub services among target stakeholders?
• What are the key factors that will enable access and utilization of services by target stakeholders?
• To what extent is there interest and capacity by potential technical and funding partners to collaborate on setting up a BIRD Hub in Botswana and fund it through institutional support or demand for services?
• What is the capacity of potential academic partners to host the BIRD Hub and mobilize resources to sustain its services for at least 3-5 years beyond the initial establishment supported by UNICEF?
• To what extent is the BIRD Hub sustainable in Botswana in its current envisioned format?
• Are there any emerging lessons and approaches from the assessment that demonstrate potential feasibility or impact?
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Background
Behaviour change is a complex process that is at the core of achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs). People`s perceptions and attitudes towards development interventions determine whether they will adopt the change being advocated for through policies and programmes, therefore failure to build positive perceptions on development interventions diminishes the likelihood to achieve sustainable development goals. Behavioural barriers may be caused by personal, social, or environmental factors, therefore, understanding why people act or make decisions that may prevent them from engaging in positive behaviour is very important.
Behaviour change therefore requires intersectional and multiple behavioural interventions to increase the likelihood of positive behaviour. This can be made easier with the help of Behavioural Insights approach which combines insights from psychology, cognitive science, and social science with evidence from experiments to provide rationale on how people make decisions. Behavioural Insights help to understand the factors that influence human behaviours and practices, such as conscious and unconscious motivations, barriers, and biases, as well as social-cultural and structural factors that influence people’s decisions. Behavioural insights can also contribute towards designing new or modifying already existing interventions to address barriers or optimize achievement of intervention goal.
Botswana like many countries has been implementing social and behaviour change programmes for many years, but with limited documentation of design approaches, best practices, and impact, thereby making it difficult to understand effectiveness of SBC programmes. Recently, there has been a demonstrated appetite to engage actively on social and behaviour change approach with the introduction of the ‘Mindset Change’ pillar in the government`s ‘Reset Agenda’ which was subsequently followed by a Mindset Change campaign in 2023. These efforts by government showcases an opportunity to accelerate social and behaviour change programming in Botswana.
Based on the gap and opportunity stated above that UNICEF would like to explore the feasibility of supporting counterparts to establish a behavioural insights and research design (BIRD) hub in partnership with academia and government. The objective is to institutionalize capacity building and behavioural research for increased use of behavioral and social science approaches, to promote evidence-based planning SBC-focused development programmes, ultimately aiming to optimize the realization of children`s rights and that of communities they live in.
Justification for Feasibility Assessment
The BIRD hub is expected to be a capacity building and research center for social and behaviour change programming in Botswana, where relevant government departments, NGOs and practitioners can access training, research, and SBC knowledge products to enhance SBC programming in Botswana. The hub is expected to be hosted by an academic institution with the support of government, UNICEF, and other stakeholders. Through the hub, it is expected that SBC programming in Botswana will become more evidence based and practitioners will be more capacitated to plan and execute SBC programmes.
Initial consultations with key stakeholders have pointed out several issues that UNICEF needs to assess to determine the viability of setting up a BIRD Hub in Botswana. Some of the identified key factors include demand for BIRD hub services by targeted stakeholders (Social Sector Ministries, especially those working on children’s issues), also NGOs. Another key factor is sustainability of the BIRD hub given the limited donor driven programming in Botswana, thereby requiring significant buy in from Government and other stakeholders. There might be other factors that may need to be considered beyond the major 2 mentioned, and it is expected that assessment may also unlock innovative approaches for a more impactful and sustainable approach.
The feasibility assessment is key in the process of establishing BIRD hub as, if recommended, it is expected to be a resource intensive and time-consuming investment, therefore requiring a thorough assessment of feasibility and sustainability prior to further planning and mobilization of resources.
Description of Assignment
The overall objective of the assignment is to explore different approaches used in similar projects or initiatives to establish framing of the feasibility assessment and engage with identified stakeholders to assess viability of conceptualized potential approaches and ultimately make analysis and conclusion on feasibility of the planned intervention (BIRD Hub).
The assessment will respond to below questions:
• What is the level of interest and demonstrated demand for BIRD hub services among target stakeholders?
• What are the key factors that will enable access and utilization of services by target stakeholders?
• To what extent is there interest and capacity by potential technical and funding partners to collaborate on setting up a BIRD Hub in Botswana and fund it through institutional support or demand for services?
• What is the capacity of potential academic partners to host the BIRD Hub and mobilize resources to sustain its services for at least 3-5 years beyond the initial establishment supported by UNICEF?
• To what extent is the BIRD Hub sustainable in Botswana in its current envisioned format?
• Are there any emerging lessons and approaches from the assessment that demonstrate potential feasibility or impact?
The assessment should also capture potential innovative approaches within engagements with stakeholders. Some of the specific objectives of the assignment include the below:
• Desk research on similar interventions and propose approach/s as frame for feasibility assessment.
• Engagements with identified stakeholders (government, NGOs, academia, and potential technical and funding partners) to assess levels of interest in the establishment, demand for behavioural science insights for programming and planning, potential ownership by national institutions and funding opportunities (government, private sector, and development partners).
• Analysis of engagements to draw conclusion on feasibility of intervention.
• Where applicable, recommend approaches based on analysis of engagements and research.
Expected Deliverables
Deliverable 1: Approved Inception Report
Description: Inception report will cover consultant`s interpretation of assignment, proposed approach to the feasibility assessment, desktop research on the subject matter, draft questionnaires and finally execution plan including timelines for the entire consultancy.
Timeline: 5 Days
Payment Plan: 20%
Deliverable 2: Consultations with identified key stakeholders. The consultations should at a minimum include the following:
Consultative session with line Ministries
Description: This deliverable will encompass assessment of existing SBC trainings and research partnerships and activities. Assess SBC capacity and research needs and demand appetite for BIRD Hub services. The session will also capture ideas on operational approach that ensures sustainability and respond to demand dynamics, this will include 2 or 3 costed models.
Consultative Session with academia
Description: Potential academic partner is envisioned to be University of Botswana or consortium of academic institutions in Eastern and Southern Africa, therefore consultative session is needed to draw insights on dynamics of the partnership including their experience with similar partnership and what works. The session will also establish faculties to be actively involved, opportunities that can be leveraged for sustainability and demand drive, opportunities will also include availability of ICT platforms for knowledge management.
Consultative session with NGOs
Description: This deliverable will encompass assessment of existing SBC trainings and research partnerships and activities. Assess SBC capacity and research needs and demand appetite for BIRD Hub services. The session will also capture ideas on operational approach that ensures sustainability and response demand dynamics.
Consultative session with Potential Technical and Funding Partners
Description: One on one consultations with potential technical and funding partners is expected to focus on assessing appetite and capacity to support BIRD Hub as a technical and funding partner.
Timeline: 10 Days
Deliverable 3: Draft Feasibility Report
Description: Draft feasibility report will comprise of the description of the engagement process, and analytical outcomes of the engagements with substantial focus on key factors, the report will include draft recommendations with where applicable.
Timeline: 10 days
Payment plan: 30%
Approved Final Report
Description: Final Feasibility Assessment Report with UNICEF inputs. If feasibility is established with analytical recommendations on way forward or proposed approach, consultant will facilitate a validation session with all stakeholders as feedback to the consultative process and to validate the proposed approach. The session will pave way to planning engagements. Following the validation meeting, consultant will prepare final report.
Timeline: 15 Days
Payment Plan: 50%
NB: All submissions should be made in electronic version (Word, Excel, tabulations etc., the format must be agreed with UNICEF).
All materials developed will remain the copyright of UNICEF and UNICEF will be free to adapt and modify them in the future.
UNICEF does not provide any equipment/software (e.g. computer equipment, software applications, software license, server, other related services) required for conducting the project. Interested contractors should ensure availability of equipment and software necessary for conducting the project.
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
- An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in Social Sciences or related field.
*A first University Degree in a relevant field combined with 2 additional years of professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an Advanced University Degree.
- A minimum of at least 5 years of relevant professional experience in managing development programmes focusing on capacity-building and research in partnership with government.
- Proven experience in assessing or evaluating development programmes.
- Demonstrated experience working in the field of social and behaviour change.
- International experience in conducting feasibility assessments is considered an asset.
- Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency is considered an asset.
- Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.
The selection and conditions of service of consultant will be governed by and subject to UNICEF’s Policies and General Terms and Conditions for individual consultants.
- No contract may commence unless the contract is signed by both UNICEF and the consultant.
- Consultancy is performance based; payments will only be paid against approved deliverables as per schedule of payment.
- Consultant will be required to complete mandatory online courses (e.g. Ethics, Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse and Security) upon receipt of offer and before the signature of contract.
- Consultant will be required to sign the Health Statement for consultants and to share an applicable proof of health insurance covering medical evacuation (if travel is involved) prior to taking up the assignment.
How to Apply:
Qualified candidates are requested to complete an application including profile to the respective advertisement online. Please indicate your ability, availability and a technical proposal and financial proposal/quote to complete the terms of reference above.
Rates must include all expenses related to the assignment (e.g., consultancy fee, travel if applicable), quoted in BWP.
Applications submitted without a technical and financial proposal/fee/ rate will not be considered.
For every Child, you demonstrate…
UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS).
To view our competency framework, please visit here.
UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.
UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment.
UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.
Remarks:
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.
Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws.
The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.
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