Consultancy: IEC Materials Production

IFRC DRC is looking for a consultancy service for IEC Materials Production.

Interested applicant should submit their expression of interest along with required documents mentioned in the ToR to Ms. Aliza Baidya at aliza.baidya@ifrc.org  by 05 April 2024

Terms of Reference (ToR) for consultancy: IEC Materials Production

Strengthening Ownership and Governance in Disaster Risk Management (STRONG in DRM)

22 March 2024

1. Background

The European Union Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid-funded project "Strengthening Ownership and Governance in Disaster Risk Management (STRONG in DRM)" is being implemented by a consortium formed by Nepal Red Cross Society, IFRC Danish Red Cross, IFRC Finnish Red Cross, and Mercy Corps. This project aims to strengthen efficient and effective disaster risk management by the Government of Nepal and humanitarian stakeholders through a scalable, all-of-society, and risk-informed approach to preparedness, anticipatory action, and early response including shock-responsive social protection, in Lumbini and Sudurpaschim provinces.

The project supports an approach that integrates greater shock responsiveness and anticipatory action into Nepal's Social Security Allowance (SSA) program, to inform the development of more responsive and anticipatory social protection and early actions that protect the most vulnerable before, during, and aftershocks.

In the context of disaster management, there is an increasing body of evidence supporting the effectiveness of anticipatory action compared to solely reactive responses. Acting in anticipation allows for precise targeting of aid to those in need at the right time, leading to a substantial reduction in the impacts and costs associated with emergency response and recovery efforts. This presents a promising opportunity to amalgamate two vital concepts - Forecast-based Action (FbA) and Shock Responsive Social Protection (SRSP) - within the context of Nepal, one of the world's most disaster-prone countries.

To address the needs of the disaster-affected population, it is imperative to strengthen the government's capacity for anticipatory measures. By relying on scientifically determined early warning indicators, proactive actions can be taken in anticipation of potential disasters such as floods. This forward-thinking approach empowers the authorities to take pre-emptive action, ultimately saving lives and safeguarding communities from harm.

2. Purpose, Objective, and Audience

Purpose:

The purpose of the consultancy is to produce two IEC materials on Anticipatory Action that will be used by the community mobilizers to orient households who are at risk of flood disaster so that they can be aware of the anticipatory actions to be taken in case of a possibility of a flood and be able to minimize its impact. The IEC material will include:

1. Financial literacy on cash in anticipation: The use of cash in anticipation of disaster
2. Risk matrix: Anticipatory action and cash in anticipation 

The IEC material may comprise games such as snake and ladder, monopoly, or puzzles, tailored to seamlessly integrate with the content. This approach aims to enhance engagement within the community, utilizing language that is community-friendly, simple, and easily understandable including ensuring correction of grammars and typos.

Objective and Audience:

• The primary audience for the IEC material will be the target communities who are at risk of floods, more specifically in the western Terai region (Bardiya, Kailali, Kanchanpur) of Nepal. Therefore, the language and illustrations should be contextual to the western Terai region, particularly pictorial illustrations and characters should be contextual to Madhesi and Tharu community. The IEC material will be used during community orientation so that they can learn and implement the lessons before a flood hits their communities and can minimize the impact of the disaster. 
• The secondary audience of the video will be stakeholders (Municipal officials, humanitarian organizations, federal-level government officials, donors etc.) who are involved in Anticipatory Action. The IEC will inform them on the relevant subjects and will also reinforce the advocacy materials to promote scaling and replication of the AA approach.

3. Methodology

• Consultation meetings with the project team to understand the content. 
• Study the project overview, Early Action Matrix and review the content provided by the DRC team. Simplifying the language for community comprehension, ensuring proper grammar usage and rectifying any typos. 
• Submit a work plan with timeline. 
• Develop IEC materials, potentially incorporating games like snake and ladder, monopoly, or puzzles, carefully tailored to seamlessly align with the content. Share the developed content for review.
• Ensure that the inclusion and accessibility guideline is followed to ensure that the IEC is understandable to audiences with diverse types of disabilities.  
• Present the IEC material to the project team, consolidate feedback, and incorporate suggested improvements to finalize the material.

4. Materials

STRONG in DRM project overview

Game 1: Financial literacy on cash in anticipation:

• Brief regarding Cash in Anticipation
• Content outline for community orientation on cash anticipation and its utilization

Game 2: Risk matrix:

• Mapped potential risks for Anticipatory Action and cash in anticipation. 
• Risk matrix outline with corresponding messaging for game integration

5. Tentative Schedule

The tentative period of the consultancy will be from March – 4 May 2024.

6. Skills and Requirements

• The consultancy is open for both individuals and companies. During the application process, the applicants must submit CV of all team members who will be engaged in the project. 
• At least five years of relevant professional experience in producing wide range of IEC products. Experience in producing such content for disaster management-related topics will be considered an asset. 
• A creative team that is passionate about storytelling and simplifying program content that is easy to understand by the masses. 
• Ability to collaborate and address inputs at each stage of production provided by the consortium members.

7. Selection criteria

• Quality of samples submitted during the application process.
• Team composition and diversity, experience, and qualification 
• Commitment to quality of deliverables and timely delivery
• Technical and financial proposal

8. Financial Proposal 

Submit a financial proposal in NPR including all applicable tax/vat in the below format.

9. Required documents.

Interested organizations or individuals should submit the following documents:

• Acknowledgement of ToR. (Please attach the signed copy of these Terms of Reference with your offer).
• Team composition and their CV. Only include the ones who will be directly involved in this project. 
• Relevant work samples. 
• A financial proposal with cost breakdown inclusive of all applicable VAT/tax.
• Accompanied by a tentative work plan, including working days for main activities and milestones (e.g., using a Gantt chart).
• A document presenting the consultancy team.
• Copy of Business registration/VAT/PAN.

10. Copyrights and utilization rights:

All materials arising out of the consultancy shall remain the property of IFRC Danish Red Cross. 

11. How to apply:

The full application package should be submitted to aliza.baidya@ifrc.org no later than 05 April 2024. The incomplete application in all respects and applications submitted after the deadline will not be considered. 

We thank you in advance for understanding that only short-listed candidates/Companies will be contacted for the next step in the application process.