Short-term Consultancy on Behavior Change Communication of Rafetus Swinhoei Conservation Project

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Contractor’s Title:

Short-term consultancy on Behavior Change Communication of Rafetus swinhoei Conservation Project

Contracted work:

Behavior Change Communication of Rafetus swinhoei Conservation Project

Location of Services:

All communes around Xuan Khanh Lake and Dong Mo Lake, Son Tay, Ha Noi

Date(s) of performance of Services:

Jan2020 - Jun2020

Report to:

Communication Team Leader of WCS Viet Nam

I.    Background: 
Hoan Kiem Turtle (Rafetus swinhoei) is one of the world’s most endangered species, with only three known individuals alive today - a male in China and the other two in Viet Nam of unknown gender, age, health, and breeding status. In the last few decades, a number of international and national conservation efforts have been made to identify additional individuals in the wild without success.
Two known Hoan Kiem Turtles of Viet Nam are in Dong Mo and Xuan Khanh Lake. Dong Mo Lake is around 1,400ha, located over 3 districts and towns including Son Tay town (Kim Son commune, Son Dong, Co Dong), Ba Vi district (Yen Bai commune), Ha Noi city. Xuan Khanh Lake is approximately 165ha, located in Son Tay town (Xuan Son commune), Ha Noi city.

In 2015, WCS began to participate in the conservation of critically endangered Hoan Kiem Turtle. Our goal is to restore Hoan Kiem Turtle’s population in Viet Nam. We have been working with Ha Noi Department of Fisheries and the Indo-Myanmar Conservation, Asian Turtle Program (ATP) to implement the Hoan Kiem Turtle Conservation Plan of Ha Noi People's Committee for the period of 2018-2020, with a vision to 2030.

In July 2019, WCS conducted in-depth interviews with local people in communes around those two lakes to understand their daily habits that might have impacts on the turtle, their knowledge and perceptions of the species (i.e how the turtle’ existence is relevant to their lives). Findings from this initial study together with our observation in the field have helped us identify water pollution and unsafe fishing methods as two major threats to this culturally revered species. Raising awareness and other communication activities are in need to minimize habitat-damaging risks caused by humans and help increase the opportunities of saving the iconic species.

In the period from December 2019 to December 2020, WCS will focus on interventions to change behaviors of the targeted groups in communes around these two lakes towards a safer environment for and less risky fishing techniques to the turtles.

We are seeking a consultant or a team of consultants (preferably 2 individuals) with a strong background and profound relevant experience to provide technical assistance for and co-work with our staff in designing and implementing such behavior change activities.

II.    Objectives:

The objective of this consultancy service is to (1) design and guide the implementation of behavior change communication (BCC) activities in Rafetus swinhoei Conservation Project and (2) build capacity for the WCS team to implement those activities. Specifically, BCC activities will aim at changing or positively influencing practices that may cause harm to Hoan Kiem Turtle.

III.    Expected results:

  • A comprehensive BCC plan to save the Rafetus swinhoei Conservation Project in Dong Mo and Xuan Khanh Lake
  • Train and coach the WCS team to implement BCC activities in Son Tay, Ha Noi.

IV.    Scope of work and timeline

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Tasks

Description

Deliverables

Timeline

1

Carry out 02 day training course on BCC for WCS staff

The Consultant team is expected to build capacity for WCS staffs through well-designed training sessions which cover but not limited to:

Behavior change and BCC

  • Defining behavior change and BCC
  • The behavior change process: stages of behavior change and BCC needs
  • Guiding principles for BCC

Essential skills to carry out the BCC activities

  • Developing a BCC strategy/plan: target audience; behaviors and influencing factors; objectives, messages, communication channels for different stages of behavior change; BCC materials development
  • Pre-testing techniques
  • Implementing, monitoring and evaluating a BBC strategy

Application of BCC planning process across various teams projects including changing the behaviors of politicians, law enforcement officers towards combating wildlife crime: asking the right questions, thinking about the issues and mapping out solutions and timeline/work plan.

 

Estimated time: 5 days (2 days for training & 3 days for preparation)
  • Agenda, session planning, presentation with images, videos, handouts and other related training materials
  • Pre & Post-test results of participants

Feb. 2020

2

Carry out a baseline survey

The Consultant team is expected to work with the WCS team to carry out a baseline survey to identify specific behaviors of different target groups that can affect the turtles and the key determinants (behavior change factors) of those behaviors.

All data and documents of WCS’ previous surveys will be provided to the consultant team for reference

 

Estimated time: 5 days
  • A baseline survey outline/plan approved by WCS
  • A baseline survey report reflecting processed, analyzed data from the surveys, inputs from WCS team; and recommendations for suitable communication interventions

Mar.2020

3

Develop a BCC plan to to save the of Rafetus swinhoei individuals in Dong Mo and Xuan Khanh Lake

Based on the baseline survey, the consultant team is expected to develop a BCC plan which includes but not limited to:

  • Audience segmentation to identify specific targeted groups
  • Theories of change, behavior change model - framework and flows
  • Behavior change interventions
  • M&E system to monitor the quantity, quality and effectiveness of messages, tools, materials, and channels used in the implementation of BCC activities

 

Estimated time: 5 days
  • A comprehensive BCC planfinalized and agreed by WCS
  • WCS’ required financial documents signed

 

Apr. 2020

4

Execute the BCC plan

Coach the WCS team in implementing initial BCC interventions in Son Tay, Ha Noi

 

Estimated time: 17 days on-site and 5 days virtually

Monitoring reports

Apr. - Dec. 2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 




V. Requirements:

  • A minimum of 5-7 years of professional experience in BCC, especially experiences in developing and implementing BCC initiatives for development sector;
  • Strong research, survey and reporting skills as well as the ability to coach;
  • Excellent interpersonal skills required, including strong professional communication ability;
  • Proven knowledge of environmental issues and wildlife conservation would be a strong advantage;
  • Experience in working with the local community;
  • Strong written and spoken English ability

VI.    Professional fee and expenses

  • A budget proposal will be proposed by consultant or a team of consultants (preferably 2 individuals) to a maximum of 74 person days during the period of January – June 2020.
  • Other travel costs and expenses of BCC interventions/activities in the field will be covered by WCS following WCS’s cost norm.

VII.    Application Procedure

Interested candidates are invited to send their proposal including CV with proof of relevant experience Ms. Nguyen Thu My, Human Resource Officer of WCS, email address: [email protected] by 23:59 on 12 January 2020 at the latest.

Proposal email should have subject: “Consultancy on BCC of Rafetus swinhoei Conservation Project”

Note: Only shortlisted candidate will be contacted.

Job Details
Organisation Name: 
WCS
Application Deadline: 
Sun, 2020-01-12