Consultant – Behavioural Insights for Parenting Initiatives –

JOB DESCRIPTION

Qualifications
Purpose of consultancy

To translate evidence from a literature review on the diagnosis and design for uptake of, and retention in, parenting programmes to the optimisation of parenting programmes in at least two countries.

To monitor and guide implementation and build behavioural science capability of partners in these two countries

Background

Despite their effectiveness parenting programmes have failed to reach scale. Evidence suggests that new advances in behavioural science can accelerate our progress to harness demand from caregivers and increase retention in parenting programs.

A wider programme of parenting initiatives will be implemented in six countries in each region of the world. In at least two of the programme's country-based pilot initiatives, the consultant will use the results of an evidence synthesis to guide WHO colleagues, local consultants, partners and suppliers to develop a clear understanding of how the parenting services function including existing structural/system interventions, diagnose barriers and enablers in the local system, design interventions to achieve programme objectives, develop an evaluation plan and evaluation tools, and analyse, interpret and contribute to programme reports and publications.

The overall project will run from January 2024 to April 2026 and include the following:

• Behavioural mapping and definition of the uptake and retention aspects of parenting services documented.
• Behaviorual diagnosis of the influences on uptake and retention documented (comparison with the global evidence).
• Behaviourally-informed intervention proposals documented.
• Interventions co-developed, prioritized and agreed to be implemented.
• Evaluation plan and data collection tools documented and agreed.
• Programme improvement recommendations evaluation shared.
• Capability building strategy produced.
• Capability building strategy shared and agreed with partners.
• Clear responsibilities for behavioural insights activities shared with partners.
• Capability building activities initiated.
• Behaviourally-informed interventions delivered with fidelity and monitored.
• Task shifting from delivery to advisory (except for analysis and writing).
• Behavioural insights aspects of programme and evaluation reports submitted to funders.

Deliverables

Activity 1: Behaviourally-informed interventions designed for implementation and evaluated.

Expected Activities: translate the evidence from the review to the local context.

• Use the evidence synthesis above to inform all other activities below:
• Procure or contribute to the procurement of services for in-country research as outlined in the point below.
• Guide WHO colleagues, local consultants, partners and suppliers to:
  • Develop a clear understanding of how the parenting services function including definition of the public and professional behaviours and clarification of existing structural/system interventions.
  • Diagnose the psychological, social and environmental barriers and enablers to key behaviours (these may have to be prioritised) in the local system.
  • Go beyond messaging and communication to a comprehensive behavioural approach to increasing the uptake of, and retention in, services that target the diagnosed influences on behaviours and complement existing structural/system interventions (this may include optimisation of existing interventions as well as new interventions).
  • Consider and adopt appropriately, context-specific approaches including segmentation, targeting and tailoring.
  • Take a participatory approach to the above including service providers and service users.
• Develop an evaluation plan and evaluation tools.
• Analyse and interpret data collected and produce, or contribute to, programme reports and publications.
• Document and share progress on the behavioural aspects of the programme.

Activity 2: Behaviourally-informed interventions embedded in programme; colleagues capable and confident in using behavioural science.

Expected activities: Guide others on the application of the evidence and build capabilities.

• Guide WHO colleagues, local consultants, partners and suppliers who are managing and implementing the programme on the use of the behavioural science and evaluation.
• Guide the four other countries on the translation of knowledge from these two countries (considering changes in context).
• Design and deliver a capability building strategy building on existing resources and aligned with existing plans of the WHO Behavioural Insights Unit.

Expected monthly reports that cover progress against an agreed workplan covering both of the above activities.

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages
Educational Qualifications:

Essential:

• Advanced university degree in behavioural sciences such as social psychology or social marketing that includes related research methods relevant to the project themes.

Desirable:

• A doctoral degree in a related field.

Experience

Essential:

• 7-10 years of relevant experience in designing and implementing research projects in the fields of behavioural sciences, psychology, social marketing or other related fields.
• Experience working in the field of social welfare for parenting or similar field.
• 3 years of relevant experience in applied research and in the use of a variety of research methods in public health.
• Proven experience in writing protocols and academic papers related to social science research.

Desirable:

• Experience working for WHO or another UN agency.
• Experience working in low- and middle-income context.

Skills/Knowledge:

• Strong project management skills.
• Ability to think analytically, communicate effectively, and execute efficiently.
• Advanced research and analytical skills as demonstrated by peer-reviewed publications in the area of behavioural sciences, risk communication or public health.
• Excellent data analysis and management skills.
• Intermediate level of statistical analysis skills.
• Proficiency in the use of standard office software programmes
• Scientific writing skills.

Languages required:

Essential:

• Expert knowledge of English.

Location

Off site: Home-based.

Travel

The consultant is expected to travel.

Remuneration and budget (travel costs are excluded):
Remuneration:

Band level B – USD 7,000 – 9,980 per month.

Living expenses (A living expense is payable to on-site consultants who are internationally recruited):

N/A

Expected duration of contract:

11 months.

Additional Information

• This vacancy notice may be used to identify candidates for other similar consultancies at the same level.
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• A written test may be used as a form of screening.
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