International Consultant- Polio Communication for Development Consultant, Mogadishu ( with travel to field ) - 6 Months

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, Information

www.unicef.org/somalia

How can you make a difference?

Scope of work:

Communication for Development (C4D) plays a crucial role in improving child immunization, by fostering understanding of childhood diseases, creating demand for services and acceptance of the vaccines. In recognition of this important role, UNICEF Somalia provides technical support to the Ministry of Health to have effective C4D to support national immunization programmes and disease outbreak campaigns.

Somalia is burdened with the transmission of cVDPV2. The number of cVDPV2 reported in 2021 is one. Date of onset of the most recent cVDPV2 was 12th May 2021. Fourteen (14) cVDPV2 cases were reported in 2020. A total of 310 AFP cases (127 Female and 183 Male) have been reported in 2021. Of these 280 (90%) cases have lab result cases and 30(10%) cases are in the lab for processing. Of the cases with lab results, one cVDPV2 and 279 were negative. The latest cVDPV2 case is linked to the cases in Kenya.

In addition, the introduction of a novel vaccine, nOPV2, requires technical capacity that is currently not available in-country as this is a new vaccine.

As a key partner of the GPEI, UNICEF has the mandate of providing assistance to ensure the evidence-based, fast track and effective C4D response whenever a polio outbreak is confirmed, as well as the support to strengthen routine immunization. The organization relies on highly trained and experienced personnel of staff and consultants to meet this obligation.

The international consultant will support all the three zonal offices to plan and implement polio C4D activities and to a larger extent, routine immunization C4D activities. S/he will focus on the outbreak response and prevention campaigns, finalization of access to inaccessible areas framework and cross-border C4D activities for both polio and RI activities. The prospective consultant will engage with the media landscape and plan effectively to counter media misconceptions and rumours with appropriate messages to the public/communities. S/he is expected to come out with strong human stories and document success stories for future implementations.

Work Assignment Overview

Tasks/Milestone:

Deliverables/Outputs:

Timeline

Develop/update communication for immunization/Polio eradication strategies and plans; and facilitate their implementation and monitoring; and support the C4D team to refine their C4D focus and interventions accordingly.

C4D strategy/plans developed and/or updated and C4D team/MOH supported to improve communication for Polio eradication activities and routine immunization

28th February 2022

Conduct C4D assessment of community risk perception and strategic & social data gaps that need to be addressed, including capacity mapping. Suggest specific strategies, areas and activities be prepositioned should a Polio outbreak occur.

• C4D assessment of high-risk populations and strategic gaps and prepositioned interventions are identified and submitted.
• Specific plans of action to reach high-risk populations developed and submitted

31st March 2022

Support County Health Promotion Officers to develop county and sub-county community engagement plans (ongoing work).

Community engagement plans developed at Country and State levels

March 2022

Plan and implement media engagement activities on child immunization, and coverage of Polio SIA campaign activities

Media engagement activities planned and implemented

Ongoing (consultancy period)

Support production of communication materials to support immunization and/or Polio campaigns; facilitate dissemination of the produced materials

(ongoing over 6 weeks).

Communication materials on immunization produced, translated pre-tested, revised, finalized and distributed in strategic areas/ places

15th March 2022

Develop and implement a training plan for health workers on interpersonal communication (IPC). (Ongoing work).

Health workers are trained in IPC skills and have improved IPC knowledge and skills

Feb and March 2022

Develop/ adapt communication monitoring tools, train community volunteers/ health workers and facilitate monitoring of activities (ongoing work).

• Monitoring tools for C4D activities contextualized and shared to all levels
• Community volunteers/ health workers have improved knowledge and skills on monitoring immunization communication

February 2022

Conduct media landscape analyses and facilitate engagement of media in immunization and Polio activities

• Media landscape analysis conducted, and report submitted to guide media engagement activities
• Media engagement reports shared

Ongoing (consultancy period)

Support advocacy activities to engage political, religious, media and community leaders and other stakeholders

Report on the engagement of political, religious and community leaders n advocacy activities

Ongoing (consultancy period)

Work closely with MOH and ACSM sub-committee members on developing and implementing a social media plan including addressing misinformation, disinformation and vaccine hesitancy

Social media plan developed and implemented

Monthly

Document and share lessons learned and best practices in child immunization interventions and Polio campaigns especially during campaign related activities

At least 4 human interest stories/lessons learned, and best practices documented and shared through the internet and other online platforms with UNICEF and globally

During campaign activities (expected four campaigns)

Submit monthly progress reports (monthly)

Monthly progress reports including monitoring activities submitted

Monthly

Write and submit final consultancy report including analysis of coverage and social data, challenges, gaps, recommendations & best practices

Final consultancy report submitted

31st July

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

• Advanced university degree in Social & Behavioral Sciences, C4D and Public Health. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
• At least 5 years of professional work experience at national and international levels in health communication, immunization/Polio C4D and other relevant programs
• Proven expertise in developing Communication materials, strategies and plans for immunization, new vaccine introduction and SIAs
• Experience working in outbreak response is an asset.
• Ability to work quickly and effectively in a multi-cultural environment.
• Familiarity and/or experience with UNICEF and the UN system is desired
• Excellent facilitation skills, negotiation skills and oral and written communication skills
• High proficiency in English both written and verbal is required
• A repertoire of a wide range of facilitation approaches
• Strong analytical skills

For every Child, you demonstrate…

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

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

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:

UNICEF only considers Higher education qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU), United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net

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.