Consultancy Recruitment (National): Developing advocacy, communications, and social mobilization strategies/plan and training for introduction and deployment of novel oral polio vaccine type

Consultant Medical & Health Programme & Policy

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UNICEF Iran Country Office

Consultancy Recruitment (National): Developing advocacy, communications, and social mobilization strategies/plan and training for introduction and deployment of novel oral polio vaccine type 2 (nOPV2) in Iran

Type of Assignment: Individual

Submitted by: Health and Nutrition

Purpose: Developing an advocacy, communications, and social mobilization strategies/plan and training for introduction and deployment of novel oral polio vaccine type 2 (nOPV2) in Iran

Location: Sistan and Baluchistan, Hormozgan and Kerman

Duration of Contract: 123 days

Start Date: September 2021

Reporting to: Ministry of Health and Medical Education (Immunization office), UNICEF Iran

Preface:

In 2020, the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) launched a new strategy for Polio outbreak response as part of the Polio Eradication & Endgame Strategy. This strategy is the implementation of novel oral polio vaccine type 2 (nOPV2), a modification of the existing oral polio vaccineOPV2. For an introduction and implementation of the nOPV2 in the countries, where experiencing circulating Vaccine Derived Polio Virus type 2 (cVDPV2) outbreaks or under the threat of emerging the outbreak, there is a need to get the verification approval by WHO.

For achieving this goal to get the WHO verification, countries need to provide certain requirements documents as readiness plan based on defined criteria and checklists to address vaccine-related response well in advance.

Background and objective of the consultancy

The polio vaccine, mOPV2, has been used broadly in response to the polio outbreak in the affected areas at the global level. In recent years, WHO and Global polio eradication initiative (GPEI) has requested the countries to replace this vaccine with a similar vaccine, nOPV2, with more genetic stability and less likely to revert into a form that can cause paralysis. For this replacement and use in the time of outbreaks, countries need to achieve some defined criteria in their readiness verification plan to obtain WHO verification. Part of this readiness plan is dedicated to community engagement and Advocacy, communications, and social mobilization (ACSM) (category G). These activities will be a critical piece of the nOPV2 preparation and implementation process. Communication messaging, tools, and training will be crucial for increasing awareness and acceptance of nOPV2 among people and health workers.

Communications preparedness will also be essential to help ensure an appropriate and timely response in case of any vaccine-related events. Countries will need to plan for more intensive communication and engagement approaches to mitigate against potential misinformation and the spread of rumors. Additionally, developing an advocacy strategy to engage key local stakeholders (e.g. relevant medical and professional associations, and religious and community leaders) and harness their roles as immunization champions will be crucial.

Scope of consultancy

The recruited consultant will provide and develop the needed documents based on the GPEI and WHO guidelines and checklists. The checklist has four categories: 1-safety; 2-surveillance; 3- cold chain, logistics, and vaccine management (CCL&VM) and 4- advocacy, communications, and social mobilization (ACSM). The main scope of this consultancy is the fourth part: “advocacy, communications, and social mobilization” to develop comprehensive communications plans including advocacy, Communication for development (C4D) for behavioral change, and crisis and risk communications strategies and community engagement.

Main activities:

The consultant will be expected to undertake the below activities:

• Developing advocacy strategy for obtaining the support of community leaders, local authorities, and other stakeholders for the successful implementation of novel oral polio vaccine type 2 (nOPV2) introduction campaign. Produce C4D materials for advocacy.
• Developing behavioural strategies and promote awareness about the polio campaign to reduce vaccine refusals and hesitancy among communities
• Preparing the key messages and its suitable vehicles, tools, and products based on the contextual needs of the country via adopting C4D action plan.
• Developing the crisis and risk communication plan based on the appropriate strategies to communicate effectively during crises emergencies. Communications preparedness plan to ensure an appropriate and timely response in case of any vaccine-related events (VRE).
• Developing a plan to encounter rumors and misinformation.
• Drafting the outlines of the training sessions for front-line health workers in order to raise awareness and acceptance of nOPV2 and prediction of informational materials and resources.

Methodology and Technical Approach

Various data and information collection methods might be used in this study, as well as roundtable discussions with stakeholders. interviews, surveys, FGD, group discussions, and observations and develop a Communication for Development (C4D) strategy based on the contextualized modality.

Deliverables, time frame, and modality of payment

First deliverables:

• Report on polio situation analysis in Iran

• List of primary and secondary stakeholders and community influencers

• Advocacy action plan and suitable messages and materials for each identified group

Time frame: 21 working days

Payment: 20% of the total contract amount

Second deliverables:

• Community behavioural action plan including ways to:

1. promote awareness about the polio campaign
2. reduce vaccine refusals and hesitancy among communities,
3. mobilize community,
4. Use mass media & social media to promote the campaign and correct misinformation and rumors

Time frame: 21 days

Payment: 30% of the total contract amount

Third deliverables:

Action plan on risk communication during crises and emergencies, containing

• Identification of vaccine-related events (VRE) and potential issues, including timely response in case of any VRE

• Strategies to communicate effectively during crises, to ensure an appropriate and

Time frame: 21 days

Payment: 30 % of the total contract amount

Forth deliverables:

Conducting 3 workshops for health workers on advocacy, communication, risk communication, and trust-building for the introduction of the new vaccine in 3 selected provinces

Time frame: 60 days

Payment: 20 % of the total contract amount

Total number of required working days: 93 days

Budget and terms of payment:

The consultancy fee shall be paid in installments, upon approval of relevant deliverables by UNICEF and the EPI department. For traveling to the selected provinces, the consultant shall be included as part of the all-inclusive quotation (lump sum), in which case the consultant will be responsible for her/his travel arrangements. The Consultant will be responsible for organizing and coordinating all meetings with the counterparts as required.

Ethical Note

All products developed in the course of this consultancy are the intellectual property of UNICEF. The consultant may not share these products without the expressed permission and acknowledgment of UNICEF Iran.

Consultant qualification: The qualification has two parts, technical and financial criteria. At least a 60 scores should achieve for the technical scope.

Assessment Criteria for the Consultant

Evaluation Criteria for Facilitator:

• Qualification #1 Minimum Master’s degree or Ph.D. in health promotion, public health, medical sociology, and relevant disciplinaries /

Score: 20

Master: 10 Scores

PhD: 20 Scores

• Qualification #2 Minimum 5 years of working experience in the field of risk communication especially in emergencies and campaign/ community engagement/social mobilization

Score: 40

8 points for each year

• Qualification #3 Proven on facilitation skills and training workshop and developing materials experience related to this consultancy

Score: 15

5 Scores per Workshop/material developing the training materials

• Financial proposal

Score: 25

• Technical qualification

Score: 75

Total Score: 100

Call for proposals

A proposal shall include the following:

-Cover letter

-Full curriculum vitae of the researcher/his or her qualifications and experience and Reference to similar work

-The technical proposal including the approach that the consultant will follow in executing the assignment -one page

-Financial proposal

Evaluation process and method

The technical proposal shall account for 75 points of the total score for selection. The minimum passing score for the technical evaluation is 60. The financial proposal shall account for 25 points of the total score for selection.

N.B. All reports and presentations should be submitted in electronic versions in English and Persian.

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

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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.

Remarks:

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

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.

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Added 2 years ago - Updated 2 years ago - Source: unicef.org