Call for Consultant
My Age Zimbabwe through support from Coalition to build Momentum, Power, Activism, Strategy and Solidarity in Africa is seeking a consultant for the development of Disability Responsive IEC materials on COVID-19, SRHR, HIV and AIDS.
Deadline: 10 June 2020
Location: Zimbabwe
Application Deadline: 30 June 2020
Background
My Age Zimbabwe Trust is a youth led and youth-serving organisation that champions youth leadership, participation, gender equality and the health and rights of adolescents and young people. My Age harnesses evidence and unite diverse voices to spark commitment from Duty Bearers to youth related issues. Anchored in meaningful youth engagement and sexual and reproductive health, we advocate for the rights of young people across every aspect of their lives.
According to a report developed by the United Nations in 2017, people with disabilities have been excluded and neglected in all of the sectors responding to SRHR, HIV and AIDS. HIV prevalence data among people with disabilities are scarce. Data from sub-Saharan Africa suggest an increased risk of HIV infection of 1.48 times in men with disabilities and 2.21 times in women with disabilities compared with men without disabilities. In Zimbabwe, the lack of availability of data collected through Government structures that can show the level of burden HIV has with regards to persons with disability is an indicator of the lack of prioritisation of this population group. The data available is more qualitative than quantitative which poses a challenge when deciding on the investment needed to respond adequately to the challenges being faced by persons with disability. Access to HIV prevention, care, treatment and support and sexual and reproductive health and rights services is equally important, and in some cases even more important, for people with disabilities compared with their peers without disabilities but programs and interventions continue to miss this key group.
The call for an expert to develop disability responsive IEC Materials is motivated by the gaps in production of disability responsive IEC materials on COVID-19, SRHR, HIV and AIDS in order to facilitate the increase in access of quality health services by persons with disability face in particular Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW). According to a research carried out in Zimbabwe by Banks et. al (2017) the lack of adequate resources was cited universally as a primary barrier to the provision of services. Recognizing the importance of mainstreaming disability into their programmes, the study finds that staff feared that they did not have the time and resources to make the necessary adaptations. For example, the lack of alternative forms of communication (e.g. Braille, sign language, pictorial forms) was listed as a major challenge to the delivery of important information and the participation of individuals with sensory or intellectual impairments. These barriers to accessing timely, quality HIV, Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights and now COVID 19 prevention, treatment, care and support information and services may cause irregular access to COVID 19, SRHR, HIV and AIDS services or inadequate treatment for opportunistic infections in those living with HIV, all of which can lead to or exacerbate disability.
Overall Objective
To develop disability responsive IEC material (braille, pictorials, audio and visual formats) on COVID-19, SRHR, HIV and AIDS prevention, treatment, care and support.
Intended Use of the IEC MATERIAL
- To disseminate COVID-19, SRHR and HIV and AIDS information to persons with disability particularly AGYW to make informed decisions with regards to their health and well-being.
- The materials will be used by stakeholders and organizations working with persons with disability disseminating information on COVID-19, SRHR, HIV and AIDS.
Consultant Profile
- A Bachelor’s/Master’s degree in Communication or related.
- Proven record in developing quality disability responsive IEC material.
- At least 5 years’ experience working with young people with disability.
- Excellent communication, analysis, writing and presentation skills in disability responsive formats;
- Knowledge on COVID-19, Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights, HIV and AIDS.
- Has a progressive stance on Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights particularly on adolescent girls and young women with disability.
- Is youth-friendly and has non-discriminatory attitudes towards working with young people
How to apply
Applicants should submit:
- Not more than 1 page long Expression of Interest (EOI),
- At most 3 page Concept note outlining the methodology to be used factoring in lockdown legislation.
- Curriculum Vitae to:
info@myage-zim.orgCC: joseph@myage-zim.organd tawanda@myage-zim.orgwith “M.A.Z DISABILITY RESPONSIVE IEC MATERIAL CONSULTANCY” as the subject title.
You can download this call HERE.
Application Deadline: 10 JUNE 2020
Please note only shortlisted candidates will be contacted – Thank you for your interest.