Consultancy for Conducting Baseline Study on Ebola Virus
The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), Sierra Leone Country Office, invites applications from
interested persons for the above mentioned consultancy.
Background:On Saturday, 15th March, 2014 the Directorate of Disease Prevention and Control (DDPC) of the
Ministry of Health and Sanitation (MoHS) got an alert from the Guinean health authorities of an
outbreak of unidentified viral disease in the forest region of their country near to our eastern borders.
This was confirmed as an Ebola hemorrhagic fever by WHO country office. Similarly, Ebola cases
were found in the other neighboring country, Liberia. An outbreak of these two countries, coupled with
the constant population movement and tropical rain forests in South-Eastern Sierra Leone, represents a
very high risk that the outbreak would expand to Sierra Leone.
Therefore, strengthened prevention measures to inform districts and communities bordering Republic
of Guinea and Liberia about the nature of the disease and necessary outbreak containment measures,
should be undertaken to prevent an outbreak of the disease in Sierra Leone.
Purpose of the Assignment:This document serves to seek for a consultant that would conduct baseline study on awareness,
knowledge and perception of Ebola in four districts of the country (one district per region with 250
sample size in each district). The questionnaire will be administered to both rural and urban populations
and at least one school per district.
The selected consultant will identify a research method including the locations where this study is to be
conducted based on the criteria provided by UNICEF and partners. S/he will take on overall
coordination of this study at the community level in four selected districts including collecting and
generating the data. The study is expected to provide insights into the knowledge and perception of
Ebola among the general public and contribute to the further development and production of an
evidence-based communication strategy and activities that would contribute to the prevention of Ebola,
other new epidemics and similar emerging issues.
After 6 months or so of prevention interventions planned with MoHS and partners, a similar study is
expected to be conducted in the same location as an end-line study to understand changes in people’s
knowledge on Ebola. TOR of this assignment will separately prepared.
Specific Objectives: To define a research method including identification of the locations where this study will be
conducted based on the criteria
 To conduct the study at community level in the four selected districts and collect information
about people’s knowledge and perception about Ebola in the country.
 To generate the data and assess the people’s knowledge about Ebola especially the signs and
symptoms and prevention methods and people’s perception on what they would do with the
disease as well as channels of communication where they receive the information about Ebola
 To write a report on the findings with special focus on knowledge, perception and behaviour
aspects and recommendation of further communication interventions with respect to the Ebola
or similar emergency
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Major Activities, Tasks, Outputs and Deliverables:
Under the supervision of the C4D Specialist and M&E officer, the consultant will:
1) Define a research methodology including finalization of the questionnaire, a way to administer the
questionnaire at community level and identify the locations (districts) where the study is carried out
(1 day, Home/office-based)
2) Conduct an orientation for field researchers (half day, Home/office-based)
3) Coordinate field data collections (10 days, in the field)
4) Collect all the data from the field and generate it into Excel or other major statistic software (2.5
days, Home/office-based)
5) Analyse the data and information obtained from the study (2 days, Home/office-based)
6) Write a report and facilitate a briefing meeting to the stakeholders (1 day, Home/office-based)
The consultant is expected to use his/her own computer.
The consultant shall hold discussions and consult staff and individuals of all relevant institutions
including those of the MoHS and other CSOs and shall give feedback to UNICEF about progress
of work on a regular basis in order to keep up the pace of producing the report.
Deliverables:
1) Research methodology including questionnaire;
2) Data in Excel; and
3) Report
All documents will have to be considered of satisfactory quality by the supervisor. The payment for the
production of the study will be based on the deliverables outlined in the SSA contract.
Minimum Qualifications or specialized knowledge/experience required: The consultant must have a post graduate degree in any of the following: Statistics,
Demography, Sociology, Measurement and Evaluations, Economics or related social sciences
 The consultant must have a minimum of six (6) years work experience and a proven ability of
data collection and analysis, if possible to submit a sample report
 The consultant must have experience in conducting similar studies and surveys and producing
adequate and educational reports
 Proven skills in communication and facilitation. Effectively presents thoughts and ideas
including complex technical concepts in a clear, concise and readily understood manner
 Demonstrated experience in communication/social mobilization at the community level is an
asset
 Ability to express clearly and concisely ideas and concepts in written and oral form
Computer skills, including statistics software and various office applications
Estimated time of consultancy and deadline for submission of end product:This consultancy will be a period of 17 working days. The consultant is expected to start work as soon
as possible.
Interested persons should send the following documents by email to srlrecruitment@unicef.org
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(a) An application letter
(b) Curriculum Vitae
(c) A completed UN Form P.11 found on the UNICEF website.
The Personal History Form (P11) in MS Word format can be downloaded from our website at
http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/index_53129.html. Only shortlisted applicants will be
contacted.
The deadline for receipt of applications is 13 May, 2014
UNICEF is a smoke-free environment.
UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages
qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds,
including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organization.
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