International Consultant Risk communication and community engagement response for COVID-19 pandemic and epidemiological risks

Contract

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1. Background

The COVID-19 pandemic is the defining global health crisis of our time. It is also a human, economic and social crisis. Countries around the world are being challenged by increasing demand for health care of people with COVID-19, compounded by fear, stigma, misinformation and limitations on movement that disrupt the delivery of essential services.

Maintaining population trust in the capacity of the public health system to safely meet essential needs and to control infection risk in various settings is key to ensuring appropriate care-seeking behaviour and adherence to public health advice. Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) is an essential component of health emergency preparedness and response. Regular and proactive communication with the public and at-risk populations can help to avoid situations where the virus is more likely to spread, as well as to reduce stigma, build trust and increase social support and access to basic needs for affected people and their families.

While further evidence is needed about the main vectors for virus transmission in Montenegro, fatigue about the RCCE messaging and loss of trust in public institutions is a widespread phenomenon in many countries that is driving non-adherence to measures. This may also lead to negative attitudes vis-à-vis the new COVID-19 vaccine that could hinder vaccine uptake. When it comes to routine immunization, there are declining immunization rates globally, which were further adversely affected by COVID-19. In Montenegro, according to media reports, immunization coverage rates decreased further during 2020 in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, to below 20% for the first dose of measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine (MMR1) at national level and approximately 10% in the capital city. Urgent actions are required to ensure that the low immunization rates do not plummet due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Therefore, focus in the support to national authorities will be on understanding behaviours that lead to non-adherence of preventive measures and vaccine hesitancy. Public opinion surveys need to be conducted on a regular basis to measure inhabitants’ attitudes and practices in the light of the persisting epidemic, which is resulting, across the globe, in fatigue with respect to adherence with the recommended measures.

Another challenge is that the COVID-19 outbreak and response has been accompanied by an “infodemic”: an overabundance of information from various sources — some accurate and some not — that makes it hard for people to decide which is a trustworthy source of information. The fight against disinformation is a joint effort involving all stakeholders encouraging them to promote authoritative sources of information, as well as demote content that is fact-checked as false or misleading.

All response activities should be conducted in a participatory, community-based way that are informed and continually optimized according to community feedback to detect and respond to concerns, rumors and misinformation. Changes in the response interventions should be developed based on population’s perspective of the public health measures. Responsive, empathic, transparent and consistent messaging in local languages through trusted channels of communication, using community-based networks and key influencers and building capacity of local entities is essential to establish authority and trust.

Given the volatile situation and the increasing number of cases, there is a need to strengthen effective planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the COVID-19 RCCE Strategy. This requires continued awareness raising activities, strengthening of national capacities for RCCE, engagement with the most vulnerable populations and research on public perceptions and behaviours.

2. Purpose

The purpose of this consultancy is to provide support for design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of risk communication and community engagement activities regarding the COVID-19 and immunization, including strengthening of national capacities to effectively communicate about preventive measures, counter vaccine-hesitancy, help protect public health in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and prevent the outbreak of other vaccine-preventable childhood diseases.

3. Activities and Tasks

Under the direct supervision of the UNICEF Communication for Development Officer, the consultant will carry out the following tasks:

1. Support in conducting perception surveys of current risks and perceived risks, as well as to understand the target audience, their knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and practices; planning and response, and monitoring of public sentiment and behaviours and the effectiveness of the communication activities;
2. Ensure high quality of key RCCE and immunization messages – prepare and pre-test messages through a participatory process, specifically targeting key stakeholders and at-risk groups, control accuracy, correctness and effectiveness of the messages. Risk communication and community engagement response measures must be tailored to the local context, language, sociocultural dynamics, etc., and may include communication guidance, press releases, talking points, social media messages, infographics, videos and animations, etc.;
3. Support in mapping target groups and preferred communication tools/channels that are available and deemed most effective to promote awareness and equip people with necessary information to protect themselves and their children;
4. Provide technical support to development of targeted risk communication and preventive messages, information, education and communication (IEC) materials on COVID-19 and immunization, based on the existing global and regional resources and materials;
5. Plan the effective and timely dissemination of messages and materials through existing institutional settings, networks, traditional and digital media, etc.;
6. Provide technical support in adjusting/updating of the National Risk communication strategy, as required;
7. Support the Government in establishing, planning, coordination and monitoring arrangements for risk communication during and after COVID-19 (development and adoption of SOPs for crisis communication, guidelines, protocols, etc.), as required;
8. Support in organization and implementation of required capacity building/trainings of national partners in the area of public relations/risk communication and community engagement;
9. Support strengthening of partnerships at national and sub-national level for active engagement of national and local officials, health experts, scientists and academia, celebrities/influencers, civil society organizations, community groups and other partners in promotion of COVID-19 and immunization communication messages;

10. Support in designing, implementation and monitoring two-way listening and rumor monitoring systems, such as engaging with key influencers in target communities as well as partner focal points to obtain rumors, concerns, questions and other relevant feedback on an ongoing basis, mass and social media monitoring, etc.

11. Provide support to ensure effective communication coordination mechanisms among relevant stakeholders - government departments, civil society organizations and UN agencies to synergize efforts, track, mitigate and respond to misinformation and share correct information and advice with the various target groups.

12. Key Deliverables and Timeframe

Under the direct supervision of UNICEF Montenegro Communication for Development Officer, the Consultant will be engaged for a total of 7 and a half months, for the period: mid-May 2021 until 31 December 2021. The consultant is expected to produce the deliverables listed below by the end of assignment.

1. Perception surveys about COVID-19 situation and related to vaccines in Montenegro conducted – throughout the assignment, last survey to be conducted by mid December 2021;
2. Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices survey on immunization conducted – by mid June 2021;
3. Risk communication and community engagement Action plan developed – by the end of May 2021;
4. Key response risk communication messages finalized, communication materials are produced targeting different audience groups and are effectively disseminated through various communication channels – throughout the assignment;
5. In response to COVID-19 situation, inform update/revision of national risk communication strategy – throughout the assignment, whenever required;
6. National SOPs, guidelines and protocols for risk communication developed and adopted, as required – throughout the assignment, whenever required;
7. Training of national counterparts on risk communication and community engagement is completed – by the end of June 2021;
8. Partnerships of various partners at national and local levels in promotion of COVID-19 and immunization communication messages strengthened – throughout the assignment;

9. Final report – by mid-January 2022.

10. Management and Organisation

Management: The Contractor will be supervised by the UNICEF Montenegro Communication for Development Officer.

Organization: International individual consultancy is required for this consultancy.

Schedule: This assignment will commence by mid of May 2021 on a full-time basis until the end of December 2021.

Payment schedule: Payment will be on a monthly schedule, upon submission of monthly progress report and signed invoice. The report should be submitted to UNICEF supervisor and cover reflection of the expertise and services provided, as well as advancements and challenges observed.

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

6. Qualifications and requirements:

The consultant is expected to have the following qualifications to complete the task:

Education

• Advanced university degree in one of the following areas: communication/social sciences/arts/humanities, public health, or any related technical field;

Experience

• At least 10 (ten) years of field experience in (a) communication; (b) community engagement; (c) social science (d) journalism/media communication; (f) public health;
• Previous experience in supporting trainings to build national capacities;
• Experience in development, planning, implementation and monitoring of communication response plans, including emergency communication plans;
• Previous work experience with UNICEF is an asset.

Language

• Excellent command of both English and local language; verbal and written.
• Demonstrated coordination and leadership capacity;
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills;
• Ability to work under stress and tight timeline;
• Demonstrated tact and high sense of responsibility and discretion;
• Demonstrates integrity and high ethical standards;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

7. Application Procedure:

• To apply for a vacant position, please submit CV, cover letter and P-11 form;
• The candidates are requested to submit a financial offer as a separate document consisting of breakdown of the applicable costs for the whole period.

8. Selection Method

All applicants will be screened against qualifications and requirements set above. Candidates fully meeting all the requirements will be further evaluated based on the criteria below.

The proposal will be evaluated against the following criteria:

A) Technical criteria – Interview evaluation process / Maximum points: 70

1. Technical Criteria - Interview – 70 % of total evaluation– max. 70 points

• Education: 20 points

• Previous experience: 25 points

• Technical questions at the interview: 25 points

Only candidates who obtained at least 70% of points from the technical part (who will score at least 49 points) will be qualified for considering for financial proposal evaluation

B) Financial criteria – evaluation of financial proposal - Maximum points: 30

The applicants are requested to submit their financial proposal consisting of professional fee only for the services to be provided.

• Financial scores will be calculated using the formula [lowest offer / financial offer of the candidate x 30].

9. Remarks****:

Upon conducting the recruitment process and prior the signing of the contract, the consultant will be required to complete the following online courses**. All certificates should be presented as part of the contract.**

All consultants and individual contractors, even those working from home, must complete the following online courses prior to signature of contract. All certificates should be presented as part of the contract. ​

• Ethics and Integrity at UNICEF
• Prevention of Sexual Harassment and Abuse of Authority
• Sexual Exploitation Abuse (PSEA)

Consultants and Individual Contractors must complete the following course before commencement of any travel on behalf of UNICEF.

• BSAFE security training

Any consultant or individual contractor who is issued a UNICEF email address must complete the following courses no later than 30 days after signature of contract.

• Fraud Awareness
• Information Awareness Security Course

The courses can be found on the following link: UNICEF Mandatory Training/Learning Classes. Course completion certificates should be shared and retained with the human resources unit of the hiring office.

10. Budget and Remuneration

Payment schedule

The payments will be made upon successful completion of the deliverables and submission of invoices on a monthly basis.

Recourse

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

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

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities to apply.

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.

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