International Consultant for Communication for Development (C4D) for the introduction of new vaccines in The Gambia

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, hope.

Communication for Development (C4D) plays a crucial role in improving child immunization through promotion of routine immunization, support to vaccination campaigns and any other outbreak response measures, by fostering understanding of childhood diseases, creating demand for services and acceptance of the vaccines and other public health measures. In recognition of this important role, UNICEF’s Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) has a component of C4D where successful implementation of EPI activities with partners is combined with effective C4D, ensuring demand creation and strong community uptake of immunization services. The UNICEF Gambia Country Office assists the government through the Ministry of Health, EPI programme over the years to have effective C4D to support disease outbreak response planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, and national immunization programs.

Following the eradication of Wild Polio Virus type 2 (WPV2), the Gambia is using Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) in immunization programmes switched from trivalent OPV to bivalent OPV (serotype 1 and 3). After four years to switch, Type 2 circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus (cVDPV2) cases have soared in neighboring Senegal. However, the concern about continuing circulation of derived poliovirus in Senegal keeps eroding the country efforts towards polio eradication. The challenges are to effectively control outbreaks of vaccine-derived polioviruses in the Gambia bearing in mind the proximity and human movement between The Gambia and Senegal.

It should be noted that the risk assessment at the regional level underlines new countries affected or at risk of the occurrence of circulating Vaccine Derived Polio Virus type 2 (cVDPV2) such as Senegal, The Gambia, Guinea Bissau, Sierra Leone, Mauritania, Gabon and Equatorial Guinea. For such, a set of actions must be put in place to support countries in preparation through the development of requirements,

It is important to note that recently, African Regional Certification Committee agreed on the need to introduce the novel Oral Polio Vaccine type 2 (nOPV2) which is an Innovative Tool for cVDPV2 Outbreak Response,and was being submitted for Emergency Use Listing (EUL), nOPV2 is the first vaccine to go through the EUL process. nOPV2 was re-affirmed on April 2020 recommendation for initial use criteria under EUL and new recommendations related to nOPV2 assessment and safety monitoring to support decision-making for subsequent phases of nOPV2 use were made. In principle, nOPV2 becomes the vaccine of choice for response to cVDPV2 outbreaks after the interim.

Given the urgent need of limiting the spread of COVID-19, UNICEF Gambia country office supported the Ministry of Health to develop and implement the demand generation strategies in the first phase of the COVID 19 vaccination as demand and vaccine acceptance is a key component of COVID-19 vaccine introduction. However, during an Intra Agency Review meeting, some key challenges were highlighted, among which are inadequate involvement of local mobilizers, misinformation and vaccine safety concern and hesitancy among the population.

As the second phase of the COVID 19 vaccination has started in The Gambia to vaccinate all person over the age of 18 years, the vaccination will require further support around demand creation through effective Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE).

This consultation aims to provide technical support to the country on aspects of Communication for Development, not only for the response but also to facilitate the introduction of the new nOPV2 and COVID-19 vaccines in The Gambia.

In view of this, expanded technical assistance is required for The Gambia to meet all Emergency Use Listing requirements, specifically the development of C4D requirements and the implementation of high-quality Supplementary Immunization Activities (SIAs) in response to the cVDPV2 outbreaks. It is in this context that this consultancy is required to provide technical support to facilitate the introduction of the aforementioned new vaccines in The Gambia.

How can you make a difference?

Under the supervision of the Child Survival and Development (CSD) Manager and in close coordination with the C4D officer and Immunization officer, the C4D consultant will be responsible for providing the technical guidance, supporting the development of C4D requirements for preparation of introduction of nOPV2 vaccines, SIAs, and COVID-19 vaccines.

The C4D consultant will collaborate closely with national counterparts in the Ministry of Health, as well as the partners to coordinate communication and social mobilization efforts during outbreaks response.

Scope of work

The national consultant will work under the supervision of CSD Manager and in strong collaboration with programme staff (particularly the existing UNICEF C4D officer and Immunization Officer), government partners and civil society organisation.

The consultant will be required to deliver the following results, which will be adjusted on a case-by-case basis to fit the country needs.

• Facilitate the development and finalisation of the advocacy strategy for key stakeholders in the Gambia based on countries’ response to requirements regarding nOPV2 introduction and GPEI provided global guidance.
• Facilitate the development and finalisation of C4D action plan key components, communications and messages relating to nOPV2 based on countries’ response to requirements regarding nOPV2 introduction and GPEI provided global guidance.
• Facilitate the development of a crisis communication plan and it responds to the needs identified in the response plan in the event of events related to the nOPV2 vaccine for AEFI.
• Support the development and pretesting of advocacy, communication and social mobilisation messages, products, and tools.
• Support the identification and orientation of all necessary stakeholders on messaging related to nOPV2.
• Produce C4D materials for advocacy to promote awareness of polio and other campaign.
• Provide support to the county, district and field level staff on raising awareness amongst communities to increase demand for polio vaccine.
• Plan and coordinate the conduct of advocacy meetings and community engagement activities at the county, district and community levels.
• Support coordination meeting of social mobilisation subcommittee for nOPV2 preparedness and introduction.
• Compile final report at the end of the contract highlighting findings and recommendations for EPI C4D activities in the county.
• Assist in other C4D/immunization programme related duties as assigned including COVID-19 response.
• Support the implementation of COVID 19 vaccine public acceptance and social mobilization, including risk communication and community engagement strategies

Deliverables

The proposed consultant should provide the following products/deliverables

An Advocacy strategy for key stakeholders in the Gambia based on countries’ response to requirements regarding nOPV2 introduction and GPEI provided global guidance developed and finalised

A C4D action plan key components, communications and messages relating to nOPV2 developed and finalised

A crisis communication plan and it responds to the needs identified in the response plan in the event of events related to the nOPV2 vaccine for AEFI developed and finalised

C4D materials for advocacy to promote awareness of polio and other campaign available

Social and behavioural change materials for nOPV2 introduction and SIAs available

Technical support to C4D strategy for COVID 19 vaccination acceptance and demand creation

Submit monthly plan and report detailing activities, progress and ‘Way Forward to the CSD Manager and CSD Officer.

Submit final report including lessons learnt at the end of the contract

Expected qualifications and skills

• Advanced university degree in communication for development, social/behavioral sciences or Public health with emphasis on social behavioural change
• Good Knowledge and experience in Polio Outbreak response SOP implementation and any other vaccination campaign is required. Similar experience in supporting C4D strategies for COVID-19 vaccines would be very useful.
• Five years’ work experience including solid and progressively 3 years responsible work experience in vaccination campaign and routine immunization.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Proven ability to setting priorities and planning, coordinating and monitoring its own work plan
• Ability to express clearly and concisely ideas and concepts in written and oral form is required.
• Fluent in English.

Fully proficient computer skills including use of relevant software and other applications

Time frame

Six (6) months

General Conditions: Procedures and Logistics

An initial contract will be for a six-month period and extension is possible subject to availability of funding and the evolution of the Polio and COVID-19 situation in the country. It is an office-based assignment with field visits in The Gambia. The consultant will be provided an office space in UNICEF Country Office in The Gambia.

Ethical considerations

Results of children’s and adolescents’ consultations will be sufficiently substantiated and will be used in an ethical manner. All study products, including data and reports, developed in the course of this consultancy are the intellectual property of UNICEF. The International consultant may not share these products without the express permission of and acknowledgement of UNICEF.

Consultancy fee / application

The consultancy fee shall follow the “best value for money” principle, i.e., achieving the desired outcome at the lowest possible fee. Applying candidates must submit their financial proposal during the bidding process in US Dollars.

How to apply

UNICEF accepts applications from individual contractors. The Selection Committee will review applications and make a final decision of a successful application based on a review of the quality of the Technical Proposal (40%), the Financial Proposal (30%) and the interview (30%)

All applications should contain the following documents:

1. Technical Proposal, which would include at least:

• Statement of how to address the issues
• Consultant’s profile/portfolio
• Proposed timeframes (days/weeks)
• Names and contact details of reference persons
• List of publications or analytical reports (if applicable)
• Any other additional information to support the application (optional).

2. Financial Proposal:

• Detailed budget breakdown (in US Dollars).

Please send your application through the online platform accessible through this link: http://jobs.unicef.org/

For further details contact Momat Jallow mjallow@unicef.org and Touty Adelaide Diagne tadiagne@unicef.org

UNICEF Recourse in case of unsatisfactory performance

UNICEF reserves the right to withhold all or a portion of payment if performance is unsatisfactory, if work/output is incomplete or not delivered or for failure to meet deadlines.

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.

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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.