Centre for Agriculture and Biosciences International
Background
CABI – through its PlantwisePlus programme – is seeking to reduce the risk of pesticides to stakeholders in the food value chain. Reducing pesticide risks for these actors will improve the safety of food and protect farmer and environmental health.
Efforts to achieve these goals are multi-faceted and include policy-level discussion and advocacy in order to provide an enabling environment for risk reduction, covering issues such as pesticide registration, availability of safer alternatives and monitoring of residue levels in food crops for instance.
In addition, the programme aims to support changes at the local level which can result in risk reduction at the individual and farm levels.
Context of the assignment
This consultancy particularly focuses on the behaviours of farmers, and the factors and organisations which influence their decision making around this issue.
In order to bring about social and behaviour change, CABI is planning to develop and implement a communication campaign which focuses on specific risks where there are opportunities to achieve a beneficial impact, recognising the complexity of behaviour and the drivers around pesticide usage (such as cost, habit, effectiveness of alternatives etc).
CABI has completed a survey on consumer behaviours in relation to food safety in Kenya, completed a situational analysis of pesticide risks in Kenya and in July is conducting formative research in Nakuru County, where the pilot activities will be conducted. From these findings the campaign will be developed and then implemented during September – December 2022, with the potential to scale the activities out further in 2023.
We are looking for a Social and Behaviour Change agency to support the ideation and strategizing of this pesticide risk reduction campaign, and oversee the implementation of the pilot activities in Nakuru County. We will accept proposals where the agency can either be on the ground in country, or able to work remotely to assist the implementing team, although the preference is for on the ground support.
CABI has a small team of development communication and other professionals who are responsible for the implementation of the campaign whom the successful agency will work alongside to build their capacity and mentor them through the campaign development.
We require an agency to support us with the following:
- Identifying the risks that can be addressed through a communication campaign, in the context of Nakuru County and based on the formative research
- Identifying the audiences, the desired change and the metrics of success for the campaign
- Development of behaviour change solutions which can address the risks identified above. This will include messaging, format, channels and approaches
- Oversight of testing processes and revision to improve the behaviour change solutions developed
- Input into the design of the implementation of the campaign and oversight of this process
This will require the Social and Behaviour Change agency to lead the CABI team and facilitate campaign team meetings in order to create the outputs outlined above. This will necessitate continuous support throughout the consultancy period with the agency becoming part of a virtual CABI team.
The campaign development will be linked to a platform of relevant local stakeholders who give insights on barriers, messaging and appropriate channels of communication as well as supporting with campaign implementation as needed. The Social and Behaviour Change agency will need to work with this group of actors with CABI.
Key Deliverables:
- Training of Development Communication team of 5 in social and behaviour change methodologies and approaches (workshop or series of workshops)
- Written campaign strategy identifying audiences, changes sought, metrics of success and approach
- Production of design and messaging options for behaviour change solutions (e.g. posters, radio programmes, packaging etc)
- Development of testing protocol and process for campaign messaging
- Campaign implementation plan with monitoring guidelines
Timelines:
The Consultant is expected to carry out these tasks for a maximum of 20 working days starting June 2022. After signing of contract, the Consultant together with CABI and other critical stakeholders will agree on dates for an initial stakeholder meeting and policy dialogue. In any case, these activities should be completed by September 30, 2022 including a final briefing paper with recommendations, and policy engagement workshop report.
About you
- Experienced Social and Behaviour Change agency
- Sectoral experience from agriculture or related development sectors is essential
- Demonstrable, proven effectiveness of past interventions
- Experience of working in Sub-Saharan Africa
Equal Opportunities
We are a thriving international organisation attracting a diverse range of talented people from around the world. Our staff currently comprises over 30 nationalities and as an equal opportunities employer we welcome applications from candidates irrespective of age, gender, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, disability, religion, sexual orientation or marital status. No applicant will be disadvantaged by conditions which cannot be shown to be justified and selection will be based on merit.
How to apply
In submitting a bid for this assignment, each consultant is required to present an outline of their proposed approach to executing the assignment, relevant experiences, the fees, as well as an indicative workplan from the date of contracting.
All documents must be submitted by email to: [email protected] by close of business 31st July, 2022.