Introduction
Jamaica is a participant in the IAEA project to pilot the use of the sterile insect technique (SIT) as part of its Integrated Vector Management (IVM) programme to control the vector of Zika and other arbovirusues. The components of the project are: 1) Surveillance, 2) Mass Rearing of Mosquitoes, 3) Communication and 4) Release and Evaluation.
Jamaica has been engaged in standardizing mass rearing procedures as well as conducting surveillance in control and test areas. A small mass rearing facility has been built to facilitate the project and the government has contracted an officer to implement the project. The next major step is to implement a communication plan to build awareness about the project.
Rationale – Why is Community Engagement required for SIT?
Resistance to the acceptance of new technologies has long been recognized as one very important barrier to the application of such technologies. Public acceptance is greatly dependent on their knowledge and understanding of the project, the technology and the benefits. Local communities that may be exposed during field trials (open- or contained-field trials) need to be made aware of research and risk considerations and be informed of the overall and specific context of the research.
Due to differences in culture, ethics, customs, and social structure between populations, even slight differences, might require completely different approaches to and strategies for community engagement.
Here presented are four examples of countries that utilized different approaches and had varying degrees of success with the piloting of the SIT.
India
In India, a vector control programme conducted during the 1970s aimed to use classical SIT for three different species – Culex fatigans, Aedes aegypti, and Anopheles stephensi. The publication of a critical report claiming that all research data obtained from the experiments conducted could be useful in “germ warfare” or that India was being used as a guinea pig for chemicals or methods not permitted in sponsoring countries, was in use.
Even though scientists that reviewed the project found very few operational issues with the project and actually commended the researcher, the project was terminated as public perspective was affected making it impossible to continue.
Malaysia
In Malaysia, prior to the release of a large number of Genetically Modified Mosquitoes (GMMs), a mark release-recapture (MRR) experiment was planned in an uninhabited area to provide basic information to establish the suppression of the controlled disease through large-scale releases. Relevant information about the proposed field trial was disseminated to the local community nearest to the release site. Not only was permission from local councils and community leaders sought, but a public scientific forum was also presented at the Malaysian National Academy of Sciences, and public talks were given in selected areas. This laid the foundation for a successful pilot of the use of the SIT.
Grand Cayman Island
According to Trivedi in 2011, community engagement was not properly conducted in the Grand Cayman Island programme. The Cayman Island release was the first open-field trial in the world using transgenic mosquitoes; little public debate occurred. There were no public meetings or opportunities for residents to voice concerns about the activities and the release itself. Oxitec was then perceived as secretive. The public questioned the situation and expressed suspicion.
There were no town hall meetings or public debates because it was said that the Cayman Islands’ government did not deem them necessary. Oxitec’s partner in Grand Cayman Island, the Mosquito Research and Control Unit, sent information about the study to local newspapers and its 50 employees attended a one-time lunch meeting about the project from which information filtered out to the rest of Grand Cayman, which has approximately 50,000 inhabitants.
It ultimately affected the implementation of the project and the project was terminated.
Brazil
Brazil engaged in an extensive community engagement programme for over a 12-month period prior to piloting their SIT strategy. It allowed for a successful pilot of the use of sterile mosquitoes. The Brazilian community engagement plan was based on the previous experiences using the same transgenic line used in Grand Cayman Island and considering the mistakes, considerations, and criticisms available from experts and other studies.
Fig. 1 Brazilian Communication process
The foregoing indicates the importance of effective community engagement for successful piloting of new and innovative tools.
Jamaica’s Communication Plan
With the experience of other countries as a reference point, a major component of the SIT project in Jamaica is the implementation of a communication plan.
The proposal is to commence the communication strategy at least six (6) months prior to the start of the pilot.
Against this background, and given the importance of the communication strategy, the Health Promotion & Protection Branch (HPPB) is proposing to engage the services of a communication consultant to develop and implement the communication plan.
Overall Objective of the Consultancy
To develop and implement the communication plan to support the implementation of the SIT project.
Scope of Work
Methodology:
The Communication Consultant will be expected to develop and implement the communication plan through a consultative process with internal and external stakeholders to include community members.
Specific activities of the SIT Communication Consultant include:
- Develop communication plan
- Collaborate and follow-up with internal and external stakeholders to facilitate development and implementation of activities
- Design new IEC material – audiovisual, print, infographics, etc.
- Organize meetings and workshops to facilitate information dissemination
- Develop and facilitate implementation of media campaign using traditional and non-traditional media
Key Deliverables
The specific deliverables of the Communication Consultant are:
- Submission of work plan within 1 week of assumption of duties
- Communication plan and budget within one (1) month of assumption
- Mass media campaign on the SIT project
- Monthly reports demonstrating successful completion of activities within agreed timelines as per the work plan
- New IEC materials developed
- Successful management of social media activities
Contract Period
The duration of the contract is 12 months:
- Contract Begins: September 1, 2021
- Contract Ends: August 31, 2022
Qualifications
The consultant must possess:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Communications, Public Relation or Equivalent
- Minimum 2 years working experience in Public Relations/Communication or the Media.
- Any equivalent combination of education and experience
- Demonstrated experience working with multi-disciplinary teams
Remuneration
The SIT Communication Consultant will be remunerated equivalent to the amount agreed upon in monthly installments, upon submitting a monthly report detailing progress of deliverables as per approved Work Plan.
Specific inputs to be provided by the Ministry of Health and Wellness (MOHW)
The MOHW through the EHU Unit, HPPB will:
- Provide MOHW internal reference documents including SIT Project related information needed to enable the consultant in completing assigned tasks under the objectives in this TOR.
- Assist in convening and facilitating consultations with stakeholders/experts
- Provide written comments on newly developed IEC materials
- The MOHW through the PR & Communications and Health Promotion and Education will:
- Review plans and products of the Communication Consultant and provide feedback
- Utilize internal Health Promotion and Communication network to support the work being done and provide assistance where needed
- Oversee the operations of the Communication Consultant
- Procure goods and services required to carry out communications related tasks, including material designs, product development and placement
Reporting Relations
The consultant will directly report to the Director, Public Relations and Communication/Director, Health Promotion and Education with technical guidance provided by the Medical Entomologist and the Director, Environmental Health Unit, Ministry of Health and Wellness.
Special Terms and Conditions
The Consultant works at his/her own pace but must meet the established deadlines as agreed in the approved work plan. All expenses excluding those procured by the MOHW should be stated in the budget as the total in the proposal is the final amount to be paid. All resources and documentation produced from this activity are owned by the Ministry of Health and Wellness and shall not be accessed, shared or published without the permission of the Ministry of Health and Wellness.
Evaluation Criteria
| Applicants will be scored out of 100 upon the presentation of CV, a detailed work plan and a financial proposal. The scores will be awarded as follows: | ||||||||||||||||||
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A candidate will be considered successful having attained 70% or above.