Terms of Reference (TOR) Community awareness raising ... - UNFPA

Terms of Reference (TOR)
Community awareness raising sessions on SRH (sexual and reproductive
health) including FP (family planning), STI (sexually transmitted infections),
HIV, and GBV (gender based violence)
I. INTRODUCTION – about UNFPA
UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, is the world's largest international source of funding for
population and reproductive health programmes.
UNFPA works with governments and non-governmental organizations in over 140 countries, at their
request, and with the support of the international community. We support programmes that help women,
men and young people to:
[a] Plan their families and avoid unwanted pregnancies
[b] Undergo pregnancy and childbirth safely
[c] Avoid sexually transmitted infections [STIs] - including HIV
[d] Combat violence against women.
Together, these elements promote reproductive health- a state of complete physical, mental and social
well-being in all matters related to the reproductive system. Reproductive health is recognized as a human
right, part of the right to health.
UNFPA also helps governments in the world's poorest countries, and in other countries in need, to
formulate population policies and strategies in support of sustainable development. All UNFPA-funded
programmes promote women's equality.
UNFPA works to raise awareness of these needs among people everywhere. We advocate for close
attention to population problems and help to mobilize resources to solve them.
Since 1999, UNFPA Kosovo has been advocating for the reproductive health and rights of every woman,
man and child, individually and as families. UNFPA is dedicated to bring about a world where no mother
dies in the act of giving life, when every pregnancy is wanted and every individual can enjoy a life of
health, dignity and opportunity.
II.
BACKGROUND
UNFPA Kosovo has contributed to strengthening the health sector to address reproductive health in
Kosovo through technical assistance on Reproductive Health and Reproductive Rights; strengthening the
professional health associations; fostering basic training on reproductive health; public advocacy on
reproductive health and rights; awareness raising focused especially on marginalized communities,
donating modern family contraceptives and improving availability of and accessibility of modern
contraceptives delivered through public health facilities.
Family planning is one of the most important components of SRH and maternal and child health. Use of
modern methods of contraception influences both maternal mortality and abortion rates and is also known

to improve infant and child survival through birth spacing by at least two–year intervals. UNFPA donated
to MoH modern contraceptives, which are distributed through the essential drug list to all public
institutions.
Maternal and child health indicators in Kosovo are considered to be one of the poorest in Europe and
provided statistical data are not reliable due to systematic under-reporting. Although the knowledge of
various contraceptive methods is high among all women in Kosovo (95.3%), the use of modern
contraception is low and decreasing, with only 15% of married women of reproductive age using a
modern contraception method; in 2003 it was 22.6 % of them. 1
Although reliable information on HIV and STIs prevalence is not available, it is estimated that the
incidence of HIV is still less than 1% of the population, and less than 5% among high-risk groups. The
knowledge on HIV is relatively high, but poor knowledge on transmission leads to stigmatization of
people living with HIV. The growing numbers of intravenous drug users, the discriminated MSM
community and sex workers, the changing social norms, the large mobile and migrating community and
the low awareness about HIV prevention methods, have led to an increased vulnerability to HIV/AIDS
and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), which the weak and underfunded health sector might have
difficulties to address. 2
Domestic and gender-based violence are rarely discussed publicly and reported, although it is estimated
that these affect women at all ages, ethnicities, marital status and geographic areas. An exploratory
research on the Extent of Gender-Based Violence in Kosova estimated that the rate of domestic violence
was as high as 23% in 2008. The adoption of the new Law on Protection against Domestic Violence
(2010) and of Kosovo Program against Domestic Violence provides that the responsibility for addressing
DV being also transferred to municipalities where mechanisms for coordination remain week.
There is a lack of knowledge and awareness among communities and families about adequate home care
management, child physical and cognitive development and general reproductive health. Kosovo young
population lacks information on their rights or life skills such as unprotected sex, drugs, alcohol, tobacco
and HIV/AIDS. Political and cultural barriers often prevent information and services from reaching young
men and women; there is a general reluctance in families, communities and schools to discuss
reproductive health and sexual behavior. Health education in the formal school system is poor and sexual
and reproductive health is not taught at all.
1.5 % of almost 1.8 million Kosovo population are formed by Kosovo Serbs, Turkish, Bosnian, Gorani,
Roma, Ashkali, Egyptians, and other communities. Knowledge of HIV is considerably low among these
minority communities. Roma, Ashkali, and Egyptian (RAE) belong to the most marginalized
communities in Kosovo. They live in extreme poverty with poor nutrition and limited access to health
services and health indicator among them are also considerably lower. Home deliveries with traditional
birth attendants are quite common among RAE communities.
1
Demographic, Social and Reproductive Health survey in Kosovo (2009), Statistical Agency of Kosovo
Demographic, Social and Reproductive Health survey in Kosovo (2003), Statistical Agency of Kosovo
2 Human Development Report ( 2010), UNDP

Between 2007 and 2011, UNFPA in cooperation with UNICEF and WHO implemented programme
“Improving Health of Women and Children in Kosovo” focusing on raising awareness in marginalized
communities among others. UNFPA contributed in awareness raising in communities, especially in rural
areas and in RAE communities. UNFPA supported local NGOs to implement community education
courses/lectures, and outreach activities, during which a series of important issues such as SRH, family
planning through the usage of modern contraceptive methods, STI/AIDS, prevention of Gender-based
Violence (GBV), as well as hygiene were promoted. In total, 4059 RAE community members attended
community sessions. Condoms and hygienic packages were distributed to all the participants.
Monitoring visits showed that the number of RAE community members seeking for medical services had
significantly increased as a consequence of information that the community gained during the health
education sessions provided by trainers and volunteers of the RAE community.
A RAE NGO in Fushe Kosovo has conducted a household survey regarding the current health and social
situation of the community. Based on the findings, the abortion rate, deliveries at homes, STI and other
diseases’ prevalence are still very high and the contraceptive usage is low. The survey showed that:
62% of RAE community in Fushe Kosovo lives with social support and 92% of these told that
social help does not cover their needs for health issues;
60% deliveries occurred at hospital, while 38% at home, of which 9% experienced complications.
54% reported that they plan their family, 49% reported that they use contraception. The most
popular method is the condom (in 2008, 48.90%; in 2009, 80.40% and in 2010, 70%).
III.
RATIONALE
UNFPA Kosovo addresses issues of maternal and child health by programme “Partnership to Improve
Sexual and Reproductive Health in Kosovo” jointly implemented by UNFPA, UNICEF and WHO. The 4
years lasting programme which has been initiated earlier in 2012 and funded by generosity of the
government of the Grand Duchy of Luxemburg is aiming to improve evidence-based policy making in the
health sector, enhance the quality of public health services, as well as raise awareness and initiative
among Kosovo citizens and civil society. Programme has been implemented in close collaboration with
the Ministry of Health supporting newly developed Maternal, Child, Adolescent and Reproductive Health
Strategy.
The UNFPA Strategic Plan 2008-1011 is the framework for all UNFPA programmes and has been
extended to 2013. Global, regional and country programmes will all contribute to the achievement of the
Strategic Plan results, which have been approved by the governing body of UNFPA, the Executive Board.
The overall purpose of the global and regional programme (GRP) is to assure that UNFPA exercises
effective global and regional leadership in providing support to countries in implementation of the ICPD
Programme of Action and contributions to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals
(MDGs). The global and regional programme is linked to country operations and mutually reinforces
policy, technical and programme dimensions through provision of the multi-disciplinary technical
assistances, reinforcement of the policy dialogues and programming, including joint programming where
viable.

“To enable and support responsible voluntary decisions about child-bearing and methods of family
planning of their choice, as well as other methods of their choice for regulation of fertility which are not
against the law and to have the information, education and means to do so” is one of the objectives for
Sexual and reproductive health of ICDPs Programme of Action.
IV.
PURPOSE
V. UNFPA is seeking the services of national NGO in order to carry out community
awareness raising sessions on SRH/RR including FP, STI, HIV, and GBV at Municipalities of
Fushe Kosova and Obiliq. Providing information about these issues, availability of free services
and FP commodities, will empower people to make responsible and informed choices about their
health and life.
VI.
OBJECTIVES
Activities will impact to increased empowerment of women, men and children, raised awareness on
maternal and child health by contributing to outcome focusing on empowerment of women, men and
children to demand, access and use quality health services , and outcome resulting in women and
children/youth making more responsible choices for healthy lifestyles and their environment.
It is anticipated that the projects will be implemented at community level () during the project duration,
with respect to annual reporting deadlines.
Project will focus on the area of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Reproductive Rights, and will
include topics listed below:
Community based education activities Sexual and Reproductive Health and rights, Safe
Motherhood, Family planning , HIV, STI, Gender Based Violence;
Promoting activities on safe sex behavior;
Sessions focused on rural and vulnerable communities;
Sessions should be focused on men, women, and youth.
VII.
Process and Methodology
It is required that project will be strongly based on a holistic approach that ensures strong local
relationships during the project implementation. UNFPA will monitor and supervise the activities
undertaken by the Contractor and will provide guidelines and orientation according to project objectives
in line with UNFPA rules and regulations.
Other responsibilities of the contractor are:
The Contractor should make pictures or record of every activity, as well as of important meetings
with beneficiaries of the project;

VIII.
IX.
The Contractor should provide a consolidated report on activities (focus group meetings,
trainings, materials used, recommendations and suggestions on best training approaches,
awareness activities, IEC/BCC interventions);
The Contractor is responsible for keeping active and regular communication with UNFPA RH
Coordinator;
The Contractor is responsible for satisfactory delivery of the services as described under these
ToRs.
Deliverables
Detailed project proposal
Quarterly narrative and financial reports on activities;
Specific activity plan in advance (For the purpose of monitoring);
Methodology for community based sessions within chosen community/communities;
Methodology for community based sessions within chosen community/communities;
Data base for participants;
First draft of Standard Project report on Activities including any IEC/BCC materials produced
and distributed no later than 25 th November of respective year;
Final report;
Project Duration: One year initially, with possibility of extension;
X. Resource Requirements
The National NGO is encouraged to ensure a nation-wide coverage, with focused on Country
Development Programme, target municipalities and community work. The NGO’s should have
experience of at least 5 years working with communities with focus on SRH, Advocacy and Awareness
raising.
The qualification background of the NGO’s should be in the areas of: Education, Community work,
Marginalized communities, Youth; Vulnerable and Marginalized Youth; Advocacy and Awareness on
SRH and ASRH
The NGO’s are expected to have:
General professional experience
High level of expertise in: Community work with Rural, Vulnerable and Marginalized
Communities, Advocacy and Awareness raising activities on SRH;
Excellent knowledge and significant skills in prevention and response using relevant experience
for developing training and capacity building programmes in developing countries with focus on
communities, especially the vulnerable ones;
Skills in running community sessions/trainings on SRH/RR;
Proven training and /or educational skills;
Previous UN working experience is an asset.