ThaiNGO

CONDUCT OF A SITUATION ANALYSIS ON THE STATUS OF CONSUMER DEMAND
FOR WILDLIFE PARTS AND PRODUCTS IN THAILAND/VIETNAM

I. Background

The USAID Wildlife Asia Activity aims to end wildlife crime in Asia by employing a comprehensive approach through improved regional cooperation. At the end of the Activity, the desired outcomes include reduction in consumer demand for wildlife parts and products; improved enforcement of existing laws, policies and agreements related to wildlife crime; passing and implementation of new laws, policies or reforms; improved cooperation and collaboration among regional, international, and inter-institutional law enforcement; and increased collaboration and coordination between development partners and USG agencies involved in combating wildlife trafficking (CWT).

FHI 360, a USAID Wildlife Asia implementing partner, is responsible for Objective 1 which aims to reduce consumer demand for wildlife parts and products in China, Thailand and Vietnam. The strategic approach to achieve this Objective is through the use of FHI 360’s Social and Behavior Change Communication (SBCC) framework, an interactive, researched, and planned process to change norms and individual behaviors. The SBCC framework is based on a socio-ecological model which recognizes the relationship between people and their immediate and broader environment to identify tipping points to change individual behaviors, social norms, political will or policy. Once identified, three strategies are adopted to target behavior change: advocacy, social mobilization, and behavior change communication (BCC).

The foundation of SBCC interventions is research to obtain evidence on behavioral determinants - motivations, barriers, and drivers at various levels i.e., personal, family, community, and larger environment (social, political, religious, economic). The insights obtained from this formative research provides information for the behavior analysis necessary to identify and validate the specific determinants and other influencing factors that may be used in messages and communication materials and strategies.

The first major activity identified in Objective 1’s plan is a Situation Analysis of consumer demand for wildlife parts and products in China, Thailand and Vietnam which will be used as a basis for planning specific SBCC intervention.

II. Purpose

FHI 360 is looking for a consultant to conduct the Situation Analysis of Consumer Demand for wildlife parts and products in Thiland and Vietnam.

III. Description of Situation Analysis

The Situation analysis will comprise:

1. a literature review (published and grey literature) of available research on Thai and Vietnamese consumer knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and practices (KABP) regarding elephant, rhino, pangolin and tiger parts and products ;
2. an assessment of current and past communication or demand reduction efforts on illegal wildlife products implemented in Thailand and Vietnam and their results;
3. a review of other relevant documents; and,
4. individual or group Interviews with key stakeholders with knowledge of and experience in Thailand and/or Vietnam e.g., those involved in wildlife demand reduction campaigns/other activities to stop wildlife crime, and other to be determined (TBD) relevant stakeholders.

The Situation Analysis will reveal the current evidence or “state of knowledge” on consumer behaviors and activities on demand reduction for the four species e.g., which specific target audiences have been identified, what behavioral analysis has been done on these target audiences, what are the behavioral determinants per target audience per species, what demand reduction activities have been/have not been effective and why, what are the commonalities in behavioral determinants across target audiences and species (if any), what are the gaps in behavioral research and in demand reduction campaigns that are actionable by the project.The analysis will define research needs based on the gaps.

IV. Consultant Tasks

The Consultant will perform the following tasks:

1. Gather and summarize information on research studies from various sources (published material, grey literature, organizational websites) on knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, practices of various Chinese target audiences regarding the consumption and/or purchase of elephant, rhino, pangolin and tiger parts and products. Information on each research study will consist of the following: source of information; research title; implementing organization; date/period study was conducted; location of study; research objectives; methodology used; number and socio-demographic profile of respondents; key findings; recommendations.

2. Gather and summarize information on current and past communication activities or projects implemented in Thailand and Vietnam aimed to reduce consumption and/or purchase of elephant, rhino, pangolin and tiger parts and products. Information will consist of the following: source of information; activity/project title; implementing organization; funding agency; objectives of the communication activity/project; location or geographic coverage; key target audiences; specific communication interventions implemented (advocacy, social mobilization, BCC) and channels used (social media, individual or group communication through face-to-face or other channels like mobile phones or other innovative media, community mobilization;, radio, TV, print materials distribution, etc.); what research studies were done prior to, during and after the activity/project; key results; lessons learned; recommendations. As part of this review, the consultant shall gather copies where available of any communication materials used as part of these communication efforts.

3. Gather and review other documents, if any, that are relevant to the above cited tasks nos 1-2.

4. Identify key individual or organizational stakeholders with knowledge on and experience in Thailand and/or Vietnam (wildlife champions, law enforcers, media, trend-setters, lifestyle influentials, other relevant influentials, community leaders, etc.) and meet with them to gather their opinions on research gaps and possible demand reduction activities.

5. Based on the information gathered from Tasks 1-4 above, make an analysis to determine which specific target audiences are significant for consumer demand reduction; what behavioral analysis has been done on these target audiences, if any; what are the behavioral determinants per target audience per species; what demand reduction activities addressing which target audiences have been implemented; what demand reduction activities have been/have not been effective and why; what are the commonalities in behavioral determinants across target audiences and species (if any); what are the gaps in behavioral research and in demand reduction campaigns; and what gaps are actionable by the project.

6. Prepare a PowerPoint Presentation (PPT) on the Analysis

While the Situation Analysis is in progress, FHI 360 (Supervisor) will hold regular individual and/or joint discussions with the Consultant implementing the Situation Analysis in China and in Thailand/Vietnam, respectively, to determine commonalities in findings (e.g., behavioral determinants among target audiences across species and/or across countries, campaigns that have worked, lessons learned, recommendations), and possible synthesis of results for the three countries.

V. Qualifications

The Consultant needs to have the following qualifications:

• Master’s degree or its international equivalent in communication, social marketing, or a related field; experience with biodiversity and/or conservation programs an advantage

• Understanding of and expertise in behavior change communication

• At least 7 years of experience supporting and managing communication programs in a development field with 3 years involvement in communication-related research

• Knowledge and understanding of quantitative and qualitative research methods

• Understanding of behavioral analysis for communication

• Logical and analytical thinker

• Excellent English verbal and written communication skills and ability to speak and read Mandarin

• Demonstrated ability to write reports and analytical documents in English

• Knowledge of the Chinese culture and social environment

• Experience working in China preferred

• Excellent people skills, and ability to conduct interviews

• Ability to set priorities and meet deadlines

VI. Level of Effort (LOE) and Supervisor
The LOE is 25 working days. The Consultant will be supervised by the FHI 360 SBCC Objective 1 Lead or her designated representative.

VII. Deliverables
1. Progress report (bullet form) of progress of activities – at the end of each week
2. Draft Situation Analysis Report covering the five tasks described above. The Report format will be discussed and agreed upon with the Supervisor – after 20 days
3. Final Situation Analysis Report incorporating FHI 360 comments and PPT – 5 days after receipt of the comments
4. PPT of the Situation Analysis

Interested candidates can apply the job online through the following link as below.

https://consultants-fhi360.icims.com/jobs/17917/wildlife-asia%3a-consultant-to-conduct-the-situation-analysis-of-consumer-demand-for-wildlife-parts-and-products-in-thailand-and-vietnam/job

VIII. Documents Required for Application:

1. Updated CV
2. Written statement (2-3 paragraphs) of why Applicant is suitable for the assignment and availability
3. Biodata form

Only short-listed candidates will be interviewed. Short-listed candidates will be required to submit 1-2 writing samples (brief reports or Notes). 

The consultant should be based in either Thailand or Vietnam. Kindly note some travel will be required to Thailand or Vietnam, depending on where the consultant is based.