CON 2026 016 | Advisory and Technical Assistance Services in Social and Behavioral Change Communication (SBCC) Consultant for Safe Motherhood

Introduction

Established in 1951, IOM is a Related Organization of the United Nations, and as the leading UN agency in the field of migration, works closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners. IOM is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It does so by providing services and advice to governments and migrants.

 

IOM is committed to ensuring a workplace where all employees can thrive professionally, while working towards harnessing the full potential of migration. Read more about IOM's workplace culture at IOM workplace culture | International Organization for Migration
 

Project Context and Scope

The International Organization for Migration (IOM)’s health program in Mindanao, particularly the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), aims at strengthening the resilience and responsiveness of the region’s health system and improving access to healthcare, as part of the organization’s strategy to alleviate the driver of unwanted migration and to reduce health-related risks during displacements and migration cycle. IOM has implemented various health-related projects that contributed to better health outcomes in the region. 

IOM’s project “Building Resilience through Inclusive Governance and Healthcare Transformation in BARMM (BRIGHT-BARMM)”, funded by Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), aims to enhance the local capacity of Ministry of Health (MOH) and its provinces and cities/municipalities, to pursue key and cross cutting reforms in health systems. It will strengthen Health Systems (HS), particularly in areas of health governance and leadership, financing, and data and information, to provide a more conducive setting for implementing Safe Motherhood (SM), Adolescent Reproductive Health (ARH), and Global Health Security (GHS) programs. 

Within the Safe Motherhood component, the project seeks to provide interventions that aim to contribute to reduction in maternal and newborn deaths and cases of high-risk pregnancies, especially amongst the vulnerable, conflict-affected populations including IDPs. The outcome involves intensifying community engagement and information campaigns that educate communities on safe motherhood and adolescent reproductive health in complex, mobility context, through maximizing community-based leaders, volunteers, and local pool of human resources for health, and through accelerating institutional and contextualized, locally appropriate approaches to SBCC. 

A key activity under this outcome aims to contribute to institutionalization of community engagement in SM and ARH that are culturally sensitive, gender-responsive, and integrates mobility-lens. It also aims to reinforce community-based SBCC initiatives through the development of a regional SBCC strategy and communication materials for Safe Motherhood. The strategy will guide pregnant women, parents, caregivers, health workers, traditional birth attendants, and leaders such as IDP leaders and camp managers. It will be informed by desk reviews and formative consultations to identify social, cultural, and structural barriers to safer pregnancy and delivery, including displacement-related vulnerabilities.

Under the overall supervision of the Head of Sub-Office, and the direct supervision of the National Migration Health Programme Coordinator, and in close coordination with the Ministry of Health (MOH), partner civil society organizations, and other relevant stakeholders, the successful candidate will provide technical guidance, facilitation, and consolidation of outputs during the Regional Level Consultation SBCC Strategy Workshop.
 

Organizational Department / Unit to which the Consultant is contributing
Migration Health Unit in Mindanao Tasks to be performed under this contractCategory B Consultant hired will provide advisory and technical assistance services, with a primary focus on assessment, facilitation, analysis, and guidance, rather than implementation. The consultant will deliver a report on a two-installment payment basis with a total of PHP 300,000.00:

• I. First Deliverables:
  -Provide technical guidance on the SBCC and cultural mapping and situation analysis, conduct of desk reviews, and follow-up consultations with key stakeholders to inform the workshop.
  -Provide analysis on existing SBCC materials, local health beliefs, religious norms, and conflict-related barriers; conduct audience segmentation and analysis to identify priority audiences or participants and influencing audiences; and identify opportunities, challenges, and barriers in accessing maternal and adolescent health services, especially the vulnerable, high-risk returnees. 
  -Provide technical guidance on the design of the comprehensive SBCC Strategy Planning and Consultation Workshop, and develop a concept note and detailed agenda for the activity. The SBCC strategy will involve a systematic, evidence-based process designed to shift knowledge, attitudes, and norms within the region. 
  -Facilitate at least one SBCC strategy planning and consultation workshop focused on the development of SBCC Strategy Plan. The facilitation will include participatory discussions and breakout sessions to enable stakeholders to collaboratively draft or review SBCC strategy and identify system‑level challenges and solutions. The workshop will engage MOH and IPHOs of the four target mainland provinces, as well as other BARMM agencies such as the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples Affairs (MIPA), Bangsamoro Dar’ul Ifta, local Muslim Religious Leaders, members of the Bangsamoro Internal Displacement Coordinating Council, Bangsamoro Migration Health Network (BMHN), Bangsamoro Women Commission, and Bangsamoro Youth Commission. The participatory workshop involving different stakeholders will help navigate sensitivities and ensure representation from different agencies. 
  - Deliverable by email by April 15, 2026 (40% of overall contract value) -Php 120,000
• II. Final Deliverable:
  -Documentation of the consultation workshop, including pre- and post-test results and analysis, evaluation results, key discussions, and agreed action points to highlight the next steps. The workshop output will be packaged and translated into SBCC materials in various formats, such as bulletin boards, audiovisuals, infographics, and radio songs, as determined in the SBCC strategy, to reflect the key messaging needed in the local languages of the target audience.
  -Final analysis on SBCC Strategy development, incorporating results from mapping, desk reviews, formative data gathering, and workshop outputs, and provide recommendations for SBCC messaging that are culturally sensitive, gender-/age-/ability-inclusive, language, and accessible.
  The comprehensive report shall include, but not be limited to, the executive summary, objectives, synthesis of situational analysis, strategic outputs, implementation framework, challenges & lessons learned, and next steps & recommendations.
  - Deliverable by email by May 15, 2026 (60% of overall contract value) -Php 180,000
   

Performance indicators for the evaluation of results

• Meeting with the project team, MOH, and other stakeholders (1st week)
• Detailed work plan and timeline for the implementation of the SBCC strategy plan and the design of the regional workshop (2nd week)
• Desk reviews and formative research for SBCC Strategy Plan ( 3rd week – 4th week)
• Regional Consultative/Co-Development Workshop for SBCC Strategy Plan (5th week)
• Writing of a comprehensive report based on the SBCC Strategy desk reviews and formative research, including the workshop’s outputs (6th week)

Required Qualifications and Experience

Education/ Experience/ Skills

• Master’s Degree (or equivalent) in Social and Behavioral Sciences, Public Health, Development Communication, or Sociology/Anthropology.
• Certification in Social and Behavioral Change is highly preferred. 
• At least 5-10 years of experience in designing and implementing evidence-based SBCC strategies for international agencies or UN agencies.
• Strong analytical, communication, writing, and training skills are a major competitive advantage.
• Experience in maternal and child health and familiarity with the socio-political landscape and context of BARMM are desirable.

 

Travel Required
The candidate will undertake duty travels in support of the programme, as may be required. Travels outside the duty station will be covered by IOM.
 

Languages

For this consultancy, fluency in English and Filipino is required. Knowledge of another BARMM local language is desirable.

Proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.

Required Competencies

IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link. Competencies will be assessed during the selection process.

Values - all IOM staff members must abide by and demonstrate these five values:

• Inclusion and respect for diversity: Respects and promotes individual and cultural differences. Encourages diversity and inclusion.
• Integrity and transparency: Maintains high ethical standards and acts in a manner consistent with organizational principles/rules and standards of conduct.
• Professionalism: Demonstrates ability to work in a composed, competent and committed manner and exercises careful judgment in meeting day-to-day challenges.
• Courage: Demonstrates willingness to take a stand on issues of importance.
• Empathy: Shows compassion for others, makes people feel safe, respected and fairly treated.

 

Core Competencies – behavioural indicators

• Teamwork: Develops and promotes effective collaboration within and across units to achieve shared goals and optimize results.
• Delivering results: Produces and delivers quality results in a service-oriented and timely manner. Is action oriented and committed to achieving agreed outcomes.
• Managing and sharing knowledge: Continuously seeks to learn, share knowledge and innovate.
• Accountability: Takes ownership for achieving the Organization’s priorities and assumes responsibility for own actions and delegated work.
• Communication: Encourages and contributes to clear and open communication. Explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring and motivational way.

Notes

IOM covers Consultants against occupational accidents and illnesses under the Compensation Plan (CP), free of charge, for the duration of the consultancy. IOM does not provide evacuation or medical insurance for reasons related to non-occupational accidents and illnesses. Consultants are responsible for their own medical insurance for non-occupational accident or illness and will be required to provide written proof of such coverage before commencing work. 

Any offer made to the candidate in relation to this vacancy notice is subject to funding confirmation.

Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, security clearances.

IOM has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and IOM, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities.

IOM does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process (application, interview, processing, training or other fee). IOM does not request any information related to bank accounts.

IOM only accepts duly completed applications submitted through the IOM e-Recruitment system (for internal candidates link here). The online tool also allows candidates to track the status of their application.

No late applications will be accepted. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

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