Job Description

Youth Advocates is a youth-led organisation working to advance youth rights and amplify their voices where it matters. With a mission of empowering adolescents and young people through knowledge and skills transfer, Youth Advocates continues building on extensive experience leading youth driven projects within the development field, ideally pioneering innovative technology in youth-centered programs partnering with the local communities. Operating in 5 countries across East and Southern Africa (Zambia, Malawi, Kenya, Botswana, and Zimbabwe), Youth Advocates comprehensively addresses the complex behavioral, social, and structural drivers of risk tolerance among young people through combining technology, nationwide multimedia campaign with systems strengthening, community-level outreach, and clinical and psycho-social services. Youth Advocates’ rights-based approach involves increasing access to quality youth friendly services and providing comprehensive gender-sensitive, sexuality education, promoting and preserving human dignity. It uses technology and grassroots initiatives to empower children and youth, claiming respect for fundamental freedoms and rights; improved conditions for young people and their communities; opportunities to learn, work and participate in decisions that affect them.
The first cholera outbreak in the country in 2023 started on February 12, 2023, in Chegutu town, Mashonaland West Province. The outbreak has spread due to (1) poor hygiene practices, (2) unsupervised gatherings and funerals, (3) high usage of unsafe or unprotected sources of water for drinking and domestic use, (4) low national sanitation coverage with 40 percent open defecation (Zimbabwe 2022 Population and Housing Census Report) and (5) low safe-water coverage, which is just 35 percent. This outbreak continued to persist from the dry season into the current rainy season, increasing the risk of the disease spreading. The country is struggling to contain the spread of the cholera outbreak and has announced various measures amid fears of a repeat of the 2008 outbreak which resulted in over 4 200 deaths.
Communities continue to demonstrate a need for knowledge regarding preventive alternatives for the disease and how to support affected individuals, resulting in generalised stigmatisation of those affected. Some groups, especially in parts of Harare, Masvingo, and Chitungwiza, are the most at-risk communities due to poor hygiene practices and religious practices, to name but a few. Schools are the most common site for cholera outbreaks due to their high population density and close contact between students.
Youth Advocates with funding support from UNICEF is implementing a social behaviour change communication project that is aimed at supporting schools in developing and implementing Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) action plans and promote online engagement on the Disaster Risk Management and Resilience (DRMR) course designed by the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education. The project will use innovative approaches and multimedia to establish learner-led cholera prevention initiatives based on the Disaster Risk Management and Resilience (DRMR) plan for education. Priority focus will include enhancing good hygiene and sanitation practices, monitoring hazards plus access to clean and safe water and proper sanitation facilities.

Duties and Responsibilities

Survey Purpose and Objectives
The main objective of this KAP survey is to gather information on the knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to cholera among children and adolescents with in targeted schools across the selected districts. Specifically, the survey aims to:
• Assess the level of knowledge regarding the causes, symptoms, and prevention of cholera.
• Understand the attitudes towards cholera, including perceptions of risk and severity.
• Understand young people’s attitudes towards the Cholera Vaccine.
• Assess the level of schools awareness and utilization of available cholera prevention and treatment
services.

Qualifications and Experience

Target population
The target population for this survey are children and adolescents in schools aged 10-19 years old.
Methodology
Youth Advocates will select a local research consultant/institution to conduct baseline and endline survey. The selected research consultant will be required to prepare detailed research methodology. The Baseline and Endline survey will be proposed to apply both quantitative and qualitative data collection methods.
Data analysis and Interpretation
Primary data and data analysis process will be disaggregated by age, sex and location of the target beneficiaries.. Collected data will be processed using the consultants proposed statistical data analysis software. Draft findings will be presented with project team and key partners to validate.

Timeline
The proposed timeline for this activity is from the 19th of February to 29th February 2024 (Baseline) and 26 June to 12 July 2024 (endline)
Budget
A Narrative and Financial proposal has to be submitted indicated scope of work and all-inclusive costs for the survey.
REQUIREMENTS
• Traceable reference and previous work on the similar assignments.
• Fluency in English and knowledge of local language (Shona and Ndebele) is an added
advantage.
• A minimum of 5 years of practical professional work experience in Research and Advocacy.

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