Consultancy: Real Time Monitoring for COVID-19 Immunization Technical Guidance, ICTD New York (Remote)

Contract

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UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, a connected world.

Scope of Work:

As COVID-19 vaccines are being rolled out in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMIC), immunization programmes often rely on periodic reporting to monitor whether uptake and coverage is progressing equitably among different regions and populations, whether national policies to prioritize at-risk groups are being followed, whether vaccines are being used efficiently in the process, etc. Specialized reporting systems also exist to detect safety signals, by surveilling for adverse events following immunization (AEFI).

However, monitoring approaches that work well for established interventions such as childhood immunization, might not yield information that is timely and specific enough to detect and address some of the challenges that are specific to COVID-19 vaccination [see Annex I ToC below], including: - Priority populations that are not traditionally targeted for immunization or other public health interventions, and which therefore may be harder to quantify, mobilize, and serve. - Vaccine availability far below total needs, making appropriate prioritization more important and vaccine wastage less acceptable. - Some COVID-19 vaccine products have lower shelf life and require more demanding cold chain conditions than the vaccines typically used for childhood vaccination. - The simultaneous use of several vaccine products, with individuals needing to receive a subsequent dose of the same product (for now). - Larger than usual hesitancy to accept COVID-19 vaccines. Furthermore, as programmes roll out these new vaccines for new target populations, they are likely to encounter all kinds of unforeseen challenges that slow down progress, or make vaccination less effective and efficient. Indeed, implementation issues and delays in vaccination have already led to COVID-19 vaccines being spoilt due to expiry in several countries that benefit from the COVAX facility.

Therefore, systems to help detect and remediate issues as they occur may be needed.

Technologies employed may include, but are not limited to DHIS2, CommCare, Kobo Toolbox, RapidPro, OpenSRP, among others.

Real Time Monitoring is an approach to make more detailed data available more frequently, and with rapid analysis, with the corrective actions that could be envisioned if these data are available, through existing government accountability structures at the national level. Though much can be learned and leveraged through country real time monitoring experience employed for immunization campaigns, the Gavi Alliance, UNICEF and WHO are keen to rapidly capture and disseminate learnings of country RTM COVAX implementation to support country uptake of RTM approaches, using digital technologies. This work will also support the strengthening of Routine Immunization systems through COVID-19 RTM implementation and learnings.

In support of the above UNICEF and key partners supporting COVID-19 RTM using digital technologies and approaches, intend to organise focus group discussions with key informants from UNICEF and WHO at country level who have had initial experiences with vaccine roll-out, to confirm the typical challenges that were encountered, and brainstorm on digital information systems and approaches to support cross-country uptake and roll out. In addition, UNICEF will develop guidance related to COVID-19 RTM implementation using digital technologies, building on routine immunization and immunization campaign experience and draft guidance.

UNICEF ICTD will take the lead on the organization of the focus groups at regional and country levels working closely with Programme Division/ Immunization and DICE teams at HQ and regional levels.

Country selection – In consultation with regional advisers, the consultant will help identify priority countries for focus group discussions and/or interviews from which 5-7 country technical briefs/case studies will be developed. The emerging criteria for selection are: a) The COVID-19 immunization program that uses RTM is being implemented or under development [including those potentially adapting ongoing RTM Immunization campaign initiatives for COVAX response.] b) The country has substantial potential for identifying lessons learned and good practices (we may consider a sample with both high vs. lesser performing programs depending on the number and types of programs identified) c) Key informants for the program can be interviewed between late June and September 2021.

Key activities to be undertaken • Participate in joint meetings with Gavi and WHO as needed. • Develop a research protocol and define key questions • Develop template for Technical Brief/Country Case related to C-19 RTM Implementation to be agreed with UNICEF and Gavi • Support the organization of UNICEF-WHO focus groups at country level on C-19 Immunization experience including liaison with UNICEF country offices, WHO staff and others • Review background documentation and literature related to country cases and preparation of the Technical Briefs • Conduct focus groups and in-depth interviews • Develop 5-7 country Technical Briefs according to agreed template • Support review of Technical Briefs once prepared for publication [in designed format] • Support organizations of global webinars based on emerging country experience • Develop light guidance related to emerging COVID-19 RTM implementation aligned with draft RTM Immunization guidance under development [suggesting/proposing modifications to the draft to support alignment and improvement as needed] • Support review of the light guidance once prepared for publication and global webinar based on guidance.

Deliverables 1) Develop a high level work plan and milestones as agreed 2) Develop a suggested template for the Technical Briefs/Case Studies 3) Develop protocol for focus groups and key informant interviews and a template structure for the case studies/Technical Brief documents including key interview questions 4) Based on focus groups and key informant interviews and document review, i) develop Technical Briefs case studies of maximum 3,000 to 4,000 words (total 5-7) as agreed; 5) Based on document review, focus groups and key informant interviews develop “lite” COVID-19 RTM guidance which captures good practices and lessons aligned with and to complement the emerging draft RTM for Immunization campaigns guidance 6) Provide substantive feedback review support to RTM in Immunization Campaign guidance 7) Support webinars related to the country Technical Briefs and case studies, to be organised by UNICEF and the Gavi Alliance providing substantive support and inputs.

Indicative Timelines of the Consultancy July – December 2021 The below are indicative timelines to be further refined as per Deliverable 1.

July-August • Review draft RTM Immunization guidance and suggest modifications and alignment to support finalisation • Identify first set of countries for focus group discussions [3 countries] • Review available country materials/desk review • Liaise with UNICEF and WHO teams to organise focus groups and obtain background documentation • Hold focus group with country 1 and country 2 and country 3 and in depth interviews as needed • Consolidate knowledge from each focus group and desk review and country Technical Brief developed • Global webinars organised by UNICEF on selected country experience.

September-December • Webinars organised by UNICEF on selected country experience • Focus Group discussions continue with country 4, 5 and 6 • Global webinar organised by UNICEF with selected countries based on emerging experience • Consolidate knowledge from focus group and desk review and country Technical Briefs into 15-20 page maximum C-19 RTM related guidance.

[1] See “Monitoring COVID-19 vaccination; Considerations for the collection and use of vaccination data” https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/339993/WHO-2019-nCoV-vaccination-monitoring-2021.1-eng.pdf

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

Professional Experience

• Advanced university degree in communications, journalism, public/external relations, public affairs, public health degree or attendant experience preferred • Knowledge of child health and especially immunization related work • Experience undertaking case study research and evidence-based documentation around health

Other Skills and Qualifications

• Superior editing and writing skills, acquired over at least 3 years of experience, and copy editing of data-rich publications • Portfolio that includes copy editing of advocacy publications written for non-specialized audiences, or technical publications on specialized topics • Demonstrated understanding of international development issues and/or issues concerning children; familiarity with the subject of the publication desirable • Knowledge management, communication strategies, advocacy and networking • Knowledge of theories and practices in communication research planning and strategy • Understanding of United Nations systems and international organizations in general; field/country experience an asset • Demonstrated cultural sensitivity and ability to establish harmonious working relations in a multicultural environment • Fluency in English and excellent writing skills, working knowledge of French is desirable.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

Click here to learn more about UNICEF’s values and competencies.

Interested candidates are asked to submit their financial proposal/daily rate to undertake this assignment. Consultant will receive payment upon successful submission of deliverables 1-7 in accordance to work plan timeline discussed with supervisor. Applications submitted without a financial proposal will not be considered.

Remarks:

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws.