Social Behaviour Change Communication Specialist

Organizational Setting

The FAO project “Adapting Rural Households in Southern Iraq to Water Scarcity Induced by Climate Change” (GCP/IRQ/073/CAN) funded by Global Affairs Canada (GAC),and the project “Enhancing Climate Resilience of Vulnerable Agriculture Households in Southern Iraq” (GCP/IRQ/006/GCF) funded by the Green Climate Fund, aim to strength the climate resilience of vulnerable farming households, with a particular focus on women, across eight (8) middle and southern governorates of Iraq: Babil, Missan, Muthanna, Najaf, Al-Qadisiyah, Thi-Qar, Kerbala and Wasit. A key component of the project is the Climate Wise Women (CWW) initiative, focusing on empowering women as agents of change in rural communities. Under this approach, 175 women will be identified and trained to promote CSA through interactive dialogues, peer-to-peer learning, and community demonstrations, reaching approximately 52,500 rural women at the village and homestead level. The CWW cadre, consisting of extension agents and local facilitators, will undergo a customized 6-weeks training program, including but not limited to Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) techniques, integrated pest management, irrigation and water management, agribusiness planning and development, the use of social media and ICT technologies for climate adaptation and advocacy.

To ensure the effective positioning, promotion, and facilitation of the CWWs’ work and achieve widespread behavioral change in CSA and water-energy-food nexus management, FAO is developing a targeted, Social and Behavior Change Communication (SBCC) Strategy. This strategy will include branding, messaging, and behavior change communication products, as well as strategies for engaging men and community leaders to support CWW agents of change and build enabling environment for the initiative.

To achieve the objectives of the CWW approach, FAO is seeking the services of an experienced international consultant to develop a comprehensive and context-specific Social and Behaviour Change Communication Strategy (SBCC) in Climate Change & CSA for the CWW initiative.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Iraq, and the direct supervision of Deputy FAO Representative and in coordination with relevant Project Managers, International Gender Specialist and Communication Specialist.

Technical Focus

Design and delivery of an evidence-based, context-specific SBCC Strategy for the CWW approach, fully aligned with the CWW Theory of Change (ToC) and Operational Plan, to promote equitable CSA adoption and behavioural change in the targeted governorates.

Tasks and responsibilities

In close collaboration with Office of Communications (OCC) branches and appropriate Communication focal points, the incumbent will:

Inception Phase/Assessment Tools

• Review existing project materials, Including TOC, Baseline, CWW curricula, and relevant project documents.

• Prepare a methodological report detailing the approach, tools, sampling, timelines, and overall workplan for the SBCC assessment

Roll-out of SBCC Assessment

• Conduct rapid Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) and Social Norms Analysis Plot (SNAP) assessments with rural women, men, and local authorities, including extension officers.

• Field mission to central and southern governorates of Iraq and analysing behavioural drivers, barriers, and social norms affecting CSA practices in close coordination with gender specialist.

SBCC Strategy Development:

• Translate findings from the KAP/SNAP assessment into behavioural insights and propose targeted communication and engagement approaches to promote Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) practices.

• Develop conceptual frameworks and message matrices addressing the different audiences (women farmers, men, youth, community leaders, local authorities).

• Propose community engagement tools, including dialogue guides, radio discussions, or other culturally adapted approaches for rural settings in close coordination with the gender specialist.

• Provide concept notes and storyboards for suggested communication products (visuals, radio spots, posters, etc.) including key messages and technical specifications, in close coordination with FAO’s Communications Unit.

• Road map draft for integrating the SBCC approach within national systems.

Develop implementation and M&E framework for SBCC strategy

• Comprehensive M&E framework developed with KPIs and means of verification.

• Implementation monitoring plan prepared & indicators aligned with project ToC & log frame, inclusive of institutionalization activities.

• Conduct validation workshops organized by FAO and attended by relevant stakeholders.

Expected Outputs:

- SBCC Methodological Report Completed.

- SBCC Overarching Strategy Developed.

- M&E Framework and Implementation Plan Established.

FAO Standards and guidelines:

• Liaison with OCC will be maintained, either directly or through an agreed focal point/coordinator, to ensure compliance with OCC standards, aligned messaging, and appropriate review and clearance processes.

• All communication materials will follow FAO clearance processes and comply with FAO standards, including:

FAO Strategic Framework 2022-31: https://www.fao.org/strategic-framework/en

FAO social media policy and guidelines: https://www.fao.org/2/socialmedia

Social Media Branding Guidelines: https://openknowledge.fao.org/handle/20.500.14283/cb5044en

FAOSTYLE(https://openknowledge.fao.org/handle/20.500.14283/cb8081en

FAO terminology http://www.fao.org/faoterm

FAO Names Of Countries https://www.fao.org/nocs/en

Story guidelines, Story template, UN map standards, FAO logo policy and related branding guidelines (available to staff).

• Further guidance regarding FAO communications, policies and procedures can be found through the FAO intranet, OCC section.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in in Gender Studies, Behavioural Science, Communications, Rural Development, or any other discipline relevant to the work of the Organization; Consultants with bachelor`s degree need two additional years of relevant professional experience

• At least 10 years’ experience in designing and implementing SBCC strategies for agriculture, climate, and livelihoods programs & institutional capacity building.

• Working knowledge of English (level C).

FAO Core Competencies

• Results Focus

• Teamwork

• Communication

• Building Effective Relationships

• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Selection criteria

• Arabic knowledge is an added asset.

• Proven expertise with KAP, SNAP, SAA and other participatory behaviour change tools.

• Experience in Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) and demonstrable knowledge of the FAO Farmer Field School (FFS) approach will be an asset.

• Experience working in the Near East and North Africa (NENA) region is an asset. Knowledge of the specific socio-economic and political contexts of Iraq is a strong asset.