Digital Media and Animation specialist 83 views2 applications

Background information:

The year 2020 is important as it marks the achievements and progress made to advance rights and choices for all; to recommit to completing the ICPD Programme of Action, and to advance the implementation of the ICPD agenda, understanding its important contribution to accelerating the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) within the framework of Agenda 2030.

In 2019, UNFPA- the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency, co-convened the Nairobi Summit on ICPD25 in Nairobi. This radically inclusive conference brought together over 8,300 heads of state, young people, leaders from civil society, religious institutions, the private sector, indigenous communities, as well as activists, people with disabilities, academics, and thought leaders to take collective action to achieve sexual and reproductive health for all and accelerating the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) within the framework of Agenda 2030. The summit will be remembered as a watershed moment that saved lives and lifted millions of women and girls, their families and their communities from exclusion and marginalization; and enabled nations to reap the benefits of a demographic dividend to grow their economies.

The Malawi 2018 Population and Housing census results show that 75 percent of the population is made up of people under the age of 35. Under the overall country programme 75% of strategies are aimed at developing and implementing effective adolescent reproductive health and rights. One of the strategies is engaging young people through digital platforms. Youth-focused digital platforms are an effective tool at breaking down barriers to SRHR information and services, as well as building youth voice in health advocacy.

In Malawi, there is an increasing number of young people who are spending time on social media and other digital platforms, which represent powerful channels to reach youth, understand their world, and link them with sexual reproductive health information and services. A critical health issue in Malawi remains the high rates of unplanned pregnancies among adolescents, driven in part by a lack of comprehensive sexual health education and socioeconomic barriers to accessing youth-friendly health services. Thus, digital engagement (online and offline) plays an important role in

UNFPA’s response to create new pathways for sharing health-related information and learning in the most remote and resource-poor settings to positively influence the reproductive health outcomes for young people. UNFPA Malawi introduced creative ways of engaging young people through Nthambi animated series, which captures everyday challenges faced by young people in Malawi. The Nthambi character now represents the face of UNFPA Malawi and has been used widely on various information, education and communication (IEC) and advocacy materials the country office has produced from 2019.

Use of visual images in an integrated manner helps position UNFPA in Malawi as a knowledge leader, expands outreach and broadens engagement around ASRH. UNFPA Malawi country office is therefore seeking a digital media consultant to create visuals and content based on the Nthambi character, targeted to young people through social media and digital platforms (online and offline). The digital media assets will be integrated under the Joint Programme of Girls Education (JPGE) digital platform, the Gender Based Violence programme advocacy and IEC, ASRH (Safe Space manuals and menstrual hygiene) and UNFPA external communication on traditional and new media.

DIGITAL GRAPHICS/ANIMATION LINKING WITH SRHR

UNFPA, together with UNICEF and WFP is supporting the Government of Malawi with implementing the second phase of the Joint Program on Girls Education (JPGE) in Dedza, Salima and Mangochi districts through financial support from the Royal Norwegian Embassy.

Because the number of school dropouts, especially among girls, increases steadily align with grade level, it brings about a large difference in numbers among standards. The decrease in student numbers as the grade increases is obvious. Especially when comparing standard 7 and standard 8 to standard 1 and standard 2, it is abundantly clear that the numbers are dwindling. There are several factors contributing to this issue but the main ones would have to be pregnancy and early marriage. The purpose of the program is therefore to protect young people from dropping out of school due to early pregnancy and from sexual violence through comprehensive sexual education (CSE) education. In Malawi, a limited number of primary schools are provided with tablets for use by students to enhance learning in various fields of study. Currently, under JPGE a total of 26 schools have received 30 tablets each and plans are underway to enroll 20 more institutions and each will receive 15 tablets. The rolling out of digital learning program to an additional 20 schools will contribute to the achievement of key deliverables under outcome 3 of the additionally approved funding concept by the donor, that adolescent girls and boys in the targeted schools and out of school have access to SRHR information and services.

The technical support of digital media and animation for this project through this consultancy will ensure strengthening of quality sexual and reproductive health education aspect and maximize the investment already made through JPGE. Additionally, the interactive media and animation will directly strengthen linkages with other programme components and opportunity for further scaling up JPGE approach for integrated and sustainable programming

To promote innovative approaches and strengthen integration among program components the use of digital learning platform will be expanded to include comprehensive sexuality education for both in and out of school adolescents. This will contribute to maximizing impact and cost efficiency.

UNFPA Malawi country office is also seeking a consultant who will work on multiple digital media and animation fronts for some of the ongoing projects in the country through UNFPA. The description of service’s is mentioned below.

Therefore, UNFPA Malawi would like to contract individual consultant on a retainer basis that can develop creative illustrative referral pathways as per the description of work.

Scope of work:

(Description of services, activities, or outputs)

Under the overall supervision of the Resident Representative, direct supervision of the Communications Analyst, Deputy Representative and in close collaboration with the communications and SRH team, the consultant will develop:-

1) Support the coordination in digital application development and content system for JPGE through content, quality assurance of the images, and certification of the completion of work and if required art work designing on top of the work already created.

2) Sequels to NTHAMBI SERIES. NTHAMBI SERIES was an animated series created in 2019 by UNFPA CO in line with the Nairobi Summit and its mandates. We aim to use the same character named ‘NTHAMBI’ in integration and approach towards sexual and reproductive health.

3) Series of images on each character involved in the NTHAMBI SERIES specially on 10 NATIONAL MALAWI NAIROBI COMMITMENTS. The objective is to advocate on social-media the commitment of Malawi towards agenda 2030.

4) Creating menstrual cup animated and graphic videos in line with the menstrual cup project in the CO.

5) Creating animated illustration and videos to support UNFPA in UN75 activities.

6) Digital, creative media and animation support in areas of UNFPA mandates (SRHR, HIV, Gender and Youth) whenever necessary.

Duration and working schedule:

The consultant will be hired on a retainer basis.

1st April 2020- 31^st August 2020 (Maximum 14 working days per month)

1^st September 2020 – 31^st December 2020 (Maximum 10 working days per month).

Place where services are to be delivered:

UNFPA Malawi Country Office

Delivery dates and how work will be delivered (e.g.* electronic, hard copy etc.):**

The consultant is expected to deliver according the road map developed by the communications and JPGE team, and according to the requests based on the country office on the projects where support is outlined above. All work to be delivered electronically.

Time line:

The task is expected to be completed within a given number of times by the requesting officer in the country office.

Monitoring and progress control, including reporting requirements, periodicity format and deadline:

Progress will be monitored as per the schedule of each deliverable outlined above including:

· Regular meetings with the Representative, Deputy Representative and the Communications team, SRH and Youth team.

· Reports will be submitted at the end of the activity.

Supervisory arrangements:

Under the overall supervision of the Resident Representative the communications specialist will provide the supervisory role.

Expected travel:

The majority of activities are envisaged to be delivered from stationed country office.

Required expertise, qualifications and competencies, including language requirements:

Qualifications: **

· Minimum Master’s degree in Fine Arts, Computer graphics, Interactive media communications studies or related field is required.

· Strong theoretical and practical background in graphic design, including the use of design software’s

· Show a clear and mature style of design, demonstrating an understanding of the communication requirements of the United Nations.

· Good understanding of new and evolving technologies and digital platforms;

· Knowledge of standard software packages

· The ability to deliver fast – within the 20 days’ time period

Experience:

· The consultant should have at least 7 years of professional experience in graphic designing, interactive media or social innovation.

· The consultant should have experience in documentation work (collecting visuals, packaging and editing) of the project/program or the success for diverse audience.

· Strong track record of producing small movies/illustrations and combining multimedia designing and intercultural communication.

· The consultant should have good knowledge, experience in producing animation video materials for young people (15-24) on various development themes, particularly on ASRH.

· Working experience in development or humanitarian environment is desirable.

· Experience of working in Malawi.

Inputs / services to be provided by UNFPA or implementing partner (e.g. support services, office space, equipment), if applicable:

UNFPA will provide:

· Required documentation.

· Office Space