Individual Consultant: Knowledge, Attitude and Practice Study on Vaccine hesitancy (Nationals of Guyana only)

Contract

This is a Consultancy contract. More about Consultancy contracts.

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 healthy life

Background

The Ministry of Health (MoH) in partnership with UNICEF is seeking a deeper understanding of the hesitancy in some communities to accept the COVID-19 vaccine. This study is expected to contribute to the review and adjustment of the national immunization program to including the COVID-19 Vaccine. The intends to seek populations’ perspectives of the COVID-19 vaccine and vaccines in general for children under 5, adolescents and adults. This survey builds on the national COVID-19 acceptance survey and is expected to enable the development and adaptation of a plan of action that considers adults, adolescents and children in communities that have the lowest the COVID-19 vaccination uptake at the national, regional, and local levels.

The survey will also determine who are the hesitant populations and what are the enablers and barriers to vaccination uptake for these populations i.e., adults, adolescent, and children. It will also contribute to the development and adaptation of a plan of action that considers the unique features and characteristics of the COVID-19 vaccine. The essential elements that should be included in the plan for the introduction of the new vaccine or improve coverage for existing vaccinations programs will be informed by this survey.

Additionally, Government and its partners are focused on achieving the Sustainable Development Goals within the context of the Low Carbon Development Strategy 2030. These terms of reference are for the recruitment of a consultant to lead this study.

Scope and Objectives

This consultancy is to conduct a KAP Study in selected communities, in Regions 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 in line with the 2022 M&E work plan. Under the overall supervision of the Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist, the consultant will lead the planning, implementing, and reporting of this mixed-method study. The findings of this data generation exercise will inform an understanding of the COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy challenges in selected communities.

Other specific scopes include:

• Time: the consultancy will be implemented between July and December, 31 2022. • Programmatic: The Consultant will concentrate on these communities exclusively. The social norms and other nuances of these communities will shape the reported patterns and conclusions of this data generation exercise. • Thematic scope: This consultancy will focus on primarily the hesitancy to take the COVID-19 vaccine and secondarily on hesitancy towards the vaccination programme in Guyana. • Geographic scope: This consultancy will focus on specific communities in Regions 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10.

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

• An Advanced University Degree in Social Sciences, Anthropology, Sociology, Social Work, or any other related fields. Specialization in mixed-method study will be an advantage - • A minimum of 10 years of professional experience in conducting studies and research • Proven experience in the design and methods of qualitative and quantitative study and research. • Proven experience in facilitating and collecting information, including data collection with children • Knowledge of the equity and gender approaches and their application • Fluency in spoken and written English • Good ability to write reports clearly and concisely. • Strong organizational, and presentation skills

Desired:

• Previous work experience with the United Nations System.
• Experiential knowledge of Guyana’s sub-regional contexts.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA).

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

Please access the complete ToR here: KAP study on Vaccine hesitancy nationals of Guyana only.pdf

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 offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment.

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:

All candidates must include a technical and financial proposal. 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.

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.