Student and Youth Working on Reproductive Health Action Team (SAYWHAT) is a membership-based public health social movement organization birthed in 2003 with the express ambition to contribute to the existence of healthy and empowered young people. It draws its membership from tertiary institutions in Zimbabwe and the SADC region. It also organizes and mobilizes students and young people to participate in the promotion of global, regional, and national targets and goals for sustainable development.

SAYWHAT provides platforms for students and youths to discuss public health challenges including sexual and reproductive health and contribute to the development of solutions to the challenges. One of the platforms is the Speak and Solve Initiative SASI debate. The debate model is tailor-made to sharpen student’s and young people’s advocacy skills by focusing on providing policy and programmatic recommendations to emerging health and education challenges.

The inaugural edition of the SAYWHAT SASI Debate competition was launched in 2018 and the previous editions of the SASI debate productions has been broadcasted across various tv networks including Hearts and Soul tv (HSTV), Zim papers TV Network (ZTN), 3ktv and mindset channel on Digital Satellite television (DStv). The previous editions are available on the SAYWHAT You Tube platform.

This year, the SASI debate is in its 7^th Editions respectively. The 2024 competition will take place at the SAYWHAT Studio of Choice located at 24 Jefferson, Logan Park Hatfield Harare on the 30^th and 31^st of May from 8am – 5pm. The SASI debate will run under the theme “Opposing views, Same goal: Unleashing innovative solutions for sustainable development”.

OBJECTIVES OF THE SASI DEBATE

• To analyze students and youth cognitive abilities in retrieving information of the 2030 agenda for sustainable development and its related frameworks.
• To facilitate transferring of accurate information on national, regional, and international public health frameworks.
• To foster critical thinking that results in the development of innovative solutions that address emerging health and education challenges being faced by young people at national level.

SAYWHAT is therefore seeking a consultant who will act as a moderator (chairperson) for the 2-day debate challenge.

PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT

The purpose of this assignment is for the consultant to fully participate in the SASI Debate competition and facilitate, review, and guide the debate discussion. S/he will use the SAYWHAT debate manual to ensure that all the participants adhere to the debate rules. Furthermore, the chairperson should be presentable and be able to articulate debate motions both in a clear and marketable manner such that production of the debate can be used as a fundraising tool for similar interventions that addresses education and health challenges faced by young people.  

SCOPE OF ASSIGNMENT

The consultant shall work within a broad spectrum covering the following aspects:

• To meet physically/virtually with the SAYWHAT Communications and Advocacy team (and any other relevant consultants i.e., debate producer, adjudicators) 1 week before the event to deliberate on the assignment and share relevant information and templates.
• Familiarize with SAYWHAT and its partners, the participants, the debate script, and motions. Use own judgement to encourage discussion, eliminate inappropriate content, and contribute to the production of an edutainment debate that meets international broadcasting standards.
• Facilitate or act as a neutral participant during the debates, by defining boundaries and rules for discussion, providing the motions, encourage participants to share answers, holding them to time limits.
• Facilitate discussion between adjudicators/judges and students.

METHODOLOGY

The Consultant is expected to play the role of a ringmaster, balancing firmness with friendliness to create an engaging debate experience.

SCHEDULE OF WORK

REQUIRED EXPERTISE

Skills and Knowledge

• Bachelor’s degree in English/Communications/Marketing
• Experience with or knowledge of key concepts of education, public health including Sexual and Reproductive health issues.
• Proven skill in moderating events.
• Proven experience with at least two (2) referees and samples.
• Excellent oral and written English. 

REQUIRED SUBMISSIONS

• Copy of CV with at least two (2) referees.
• Quotation for the service.
• Two (2) samples of previous work on events of similar nature.
• Cover Letter demonstrating the ability to execute this task and the methodologies to be employed.

MANAGEMENT

• The Consultant will report to SAYWHAT Communications and Advocacy Lead.
• The Consultant will be responsible for their own overheads and logistical requirements such as transport, office space, administrative and secretarial support, telecommunications, and printing of documentation.
• All deliverables will be prepared in English.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Interested candidates may express their interest by emailing to procurement@saywhat.org.zw and cc infor@saywhat.org.zw referencing “2024 DEBATE MASTER” by the 7^th of May 2024. Please Note: Once appointed, the consultant is expected to fulfill ethical conduct that include confidentiality, consent, doing no harm, and reading and signing the SAYWHAT safeguarding policy.