ADVERTISEMENT – Consultant for development and deployment of locally relevant and complementary social and behavioural change (SBC) / information, education and communication (IEC) materials on Climate Change
_ The Solomon Islands Knowledge-Action-Sustainability for Resilient Villages (SOLKAS) Project, in partnership with Save the Children and the Government of Solomon Islands, is seeking a qualified Consultant to commence October 2024 (up to 20 consulting days over 2-month period). This consultancy is based in Solomon Islands.

The SOLKAS Project is one of the largest locally-led adaptation projects globally, and one of the first with a strong focus on the education sector. Largely funded under the Green Climate Fund (GCF) with co-finance from the governments of Australia, New Zealand and the Solomon Islands, the project will reduce children, youth and communities’ exposure to climate hazards and help build sustainable, resilient communities and livelihoods in the context of climate change. SOLKAS is a partnership with the Government of the Solomon Islands, through the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management, and Meteorology (MECDM), and Save the Children Solomon Islands (SCSI). Implementing ministries include Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development (MEHRD), Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL), Ministry of Rural Development (MRD), Ministry of Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs (MWYCA), Ministry of Fisheries (MFMR), MECDM and Ministry of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening (MPGIS).

Working with communities across six provinces, the project will strengthen resilience to climate change impacts by strengthening the capacities of national, subnational, and local governments, communities, and schools to understand, plan for and implement responses to the climate crisis through 3 components:

1. Community-led development of adaptation plans, building climate change knowledge and skills, and access to climate change information;
2. Resilient livelihoods, food and nutrition security, and school-level building retro-fits; and
3. Institutional strengthening.

Scope of Consultancy

The consultancy is to be delivered in up to 20 days over an estimated period of 5 months with October 2024 commencement. Delivered in collaboration with SOLKAS PMU, MECDM, MEHRD and MWYCFA, the following are essential elements within the consultancy approach and methodology:

• Liaise and work closely with SOLKAS PMU, MECDM and MWYCFA to develop relevant, contextualised content targeting communities.
• Produce the content and develop culturally appropriate SBC/IEC community education materials on climate change in the Solomon Islands context in collaboration with relevant stakeholders. This should include agreeing the key messages on climate risk, climate impact and adaptation action relevant to the Solomon Islands rural and remote locations in partnership with key stakeholders.
• Facilitate pro-active, action-focused coordination and update meetings designed to ensure timely development of deliverables with relevant stakeholders (MECDM, MWYCFA)

• Liaise with designated counterparts within government departments, and key implementing partners to consult, coordinate and follow-up on required information for development of the Climate Change Solomon Island contextualized materials to a high quality

  Specific essential tasks of the consultancy to be delivered over an estimated 5 month period:

• Assess current MECDM and other climate communications in Solomon Islands in terms of messaging and visibility. This will include liaising with MECDM regarding gaps and priorities including messages on the associated climate risks and challenges and local adaptive measures of climate change contextualised for village level audiences. Based on this information, conduct a comprehensive assessment of where key climate messages are visible in the Solomon Island context, where most communities are likely to access information (printed / radio / internet / billboard); and recommend opportunities for climate change messaging in accordance with best international practices approaches.
• Design and facilitate a workshop in Honiara with MECDM to develop IEC materials including billboard, printed materials, radio and social media content based on recommendations
• Collaborate with MECDM and MWYCFA stakeholders to ensure relevant messaging and approaches through workshops and meetings
• Consult with relevant stakeholders (MECDM, MWYCFA and SOLKAS PMU) regarding content, review, refinement, and finalization.
• Ensure all materials including scenes, scripts and narrations are sensitive to gender and people with disability (PWD).
• Pilot the materials with Ministry audiences and a sample of community audiences with the support of PMU
• Refine based on feedback
• Manage suggested deployment methods (including suggested suppliers introductions) and make recommendations of any requirements for successful deployment (e.g. specifications)
• Ensure compliance with Solomon Island Government Ministerial policies, standards, and regulations throughout the development process of the film.

Timeframes

Timeframes are indicative based on a 5-month consultancy engagement commencing in October 2024 with the following indicative phases:

• October 2024: Assessment of existing materials and gaps in addition to desktop review of International best practices; Presentation of findings and recommendations to MECDM and SOLKAS PMU for input along with proposed workshop planning
• November 2024: Workshop in Honiara with MECDM and other stakeholders to develop IEC materials
• December/January: Finalised DRAFT materials considering comments and feedback from stakeholders and technical group
• January/February 2025:
  o Consultation with stakeholders and identification of pilot audiences for testing and refinement of key messages.
  o From refined messaging, create final materials for review and comments from SOLKAS PMU, MECDM, MEHRD and MWYCFA stakeholders
  o Oversee finalisation with graphic design, etc as required
  o Finalisation and endorsement of billboards, printed materials for use in communities in addition to DRAFT radio messaging
• By end February 2025: Submission of Final Products following endorsement

Proposals should outline expected timeframes for deliverables and proposed fees based on deliverables inclusive of any anticipated expenses.

Deliverables and Fees Schedule – please see detailed TOR

Consultant Selection Criteria
Essential knowledge or experience

• Demonstrated experience in development of printed materials in Climate Change education (preferably in Solomon Island context or Pacific context)
• Demonstrated experience in development of Climate Change IEC awareness materials
• Demonstrated ability to plan and deliver on consultancies with skills and strong time management, administrative and organisational skills.
• Highly developed communication skills, written and verbal, including highly developed report writing skills.
• Experience working with a range of teams and environmental and disaster risk and adaptation sector including relevant stakeholders.

• Excellent project management, advocacy, and diplomatic skills to enable effective engagement and responses with stakeholders.

  Desirable knowledge or experience

• Experience in film development preferably climate change in local context
• Experience with approaches to school safety / climate change adaptation / mitigation, including Disaster Risk Reduction or hazard management in community level and Junior High School

Required qualifications and/or accreditations

• Tertiary qualification/s in relevant and/or related discipline or equivalent work experience.

Timeframe:

• Start Date: October 2024
• Completion: February 2025

Deliverables: See detailed TOR for consultancy

Applications:

• Please submit Proposal (under 8 pages), including relevant experience, methodology, activities, timeframe, and financial quotation for deliverables

Child protection and safeguarding requirements

• Maintain a child safe environment at the workplace and safeguard children’s rights, acting in the best interests of children at all times.
• Comply with the Child Safeguarding Code of Conduct and child safeguarding and protection policies and standards (click here to view further details).
• Demonstrate the highest standards of behaviour towards children in both your private and professional life.
• Never abuse the position of trust that comes with being a part of the Save the Children family.
• Maintain a safe and positive relationship at all times when working with children and young people.
• Respond to any concerns for the safety or wellbeing of a child in a program in accordance with internal reporting processes.

Consultants must comply with Save the Children’s Child Safeguarding Policy and undergo a National Police Check and Working with Children Check (if applicable).

Application Deadline: Proposals must be submitted by midnight, 3rd October2024.
Submission Address:

SOLKAS Project Manager
Save the Children – Solomon Islands Office
Email: solkas.hr@savethechildren.org.au

ONLY SHORTLISTED CANDIDATES WILL BE CONTACTED.