1. The Government of the Republic of Uganda has received financing from the World Bank towards the cost of the Uganda Reproductive Maternal and Child Health Services Improvement Project, and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting services

2. The consulting services (the Services) include the Development of a National Communication Strategy and BDAR Communication campaign plan for the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA). NIRA was established by the Registration of Persons Act 2015 (ROPA) as a specialized Authority for the registration of persons, the registration of births and deaths and the issuance of the appropriate certificates.

3. The scope of the Services require a Consultancy firm to: :

i. Undertake a communication needs analysis for Civil Registration and determine the communication requirements that must be met to support civil registration processes including determining the Knowledge, Practices, Attitudes and Beliefs (KAPBs) of the target populations regarding registration of births and deaths and define key messages and approaches to address the KAPBs;

ii. Conduct an audit of NIRAs current communication and stakeholder engagement initiatives and map out the key audiences with emphasis on their interests in the national registration processes as well as their areas of influence and propose appropriate strategies to engage them;

iii. Identify potentially relevant stakeholders with whom to communicate and channels/methods of communication to be used; iv. Draft and cost a detailed, evidence based communication strategy, with a detailed implementation plan for carrying out communication with different target audiences, incorporating key communication messages, communication channels, issues management plan, crisis communication plan and a media engagement plan;

v. Develop and cost a Communication and Advocacy Plan incorporating C4D approaches to raise awareness and demand for birth and death registration services;

vi. Prepare a capacity building plan on communications to help the NIRA staff to implement the strategy;

vii. Design a monitoring and evaluation plan for the communication strategy to enable effective communications audits;

viii. Present the draft strategy and campaign plan at review meetings with NIRA;

ix. Organize a consensus building meeting at national level with the relevant stakeholders to finalize the Communication Strategy & Plan; and

x. Prepare final Communication Strategy for Civil Registration. The implementation period for the Services is five (05) months.

4. The Ministry of Health on behalf of NIRA now invites eligible consulting firms ("Consultants') to indicate their interest in providing the above consultancy Services. Interested Consultants should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services. The short listing criteria are:

a. At least 10 years' experience in Development of Communication Strategies.

b. Evidence of preparation of at least two National/Sectoral Communication Strategies during the last 7 years.

c. Experience in designing public health information/behavioural change strategies.

d. Availability of qualified and skilled personnel in Public Communication, Development Communication, Statistic, Economics.

e. Knowledge of international best practice in conducting similar assignments as well as good understanding of Uganda's communication landscape is an added advantage.

5. The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to paragraph 1.9 of the Wald Bank's Guidelines: Selection and Employment of Consultants by World Bank Borrowers January 2011 Revised July 2014 ("Consultant Guidelines"), setting forth the World Bank's policy on conflict of interest.

6. Consultants may associate with other firms in the form of a joint venture or a sub consultancy to enhance their qualifications. The type of association whether a joint venture or a sub consultancy should be dearly indicated in the Expression of interest.

7. A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Selection Based on Consultant Qualification Selection (CQS) method set out in the Consultant Guidelines.

8. Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours from 09:00 to 17:00 hours (Local time).

9. Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form to the address below (in person or by courier) by 10:00 am, on 22^nd  June, 2018. The Ag. Procurement Specialist, Uganda Reproductive Maternal and Child Health Services Improvement Project Ministry of Health, Room D109, Plot 6 Lourdel Road, KAMPALA, UGANDA. Tel: +256417712315

10. The Procurement schedule (subject to minor changes) is as follows:

a Publish Bid Notice:   31/05/2018

Bid Closing:   22/06/2018

Short listing Process and approvals:   20/07/2018

Issue of Request for Proposal:   3/08/2018

Opening of Technical proposals:   31/08/2018

Complete evaluation of combined Technical and Financial Proposals:  28/09/2018

Contract signature:   22/10/2018

Dr. Diana Atwine

PERMANENT SECRETARY