International Consultant to Develop Risk Communication Strategy For The Human Papillomavirus Vaccine Launch

Area of expertise:

Risk communication and community engagement (RCCE) or Information, education, and communication (IEC) in public health specialist.

Purpose of consultancy:

Support to the Ministry of Health of Angola to develop the risk communication strategy for the human papillomavirus Vaccine introduction.

Background

The mission of the World Health Organization’s Health Emergencies Programme (WHE) is to build the capacity of Member States to manage health emergency risks and to lead and coordinate the international health response when national capacities are overwhelmed, to contain outbreaks and to provide adequate relief and recovery to affected populations.

Risk communication is a cross-cutting program that contributes to the organization’s support to governments in responding to emergencies, enabling those most at risk to understand and adopt protective behaviors during a crisis, facilitate enhanced surveillance, reduce confusion, and minimize miscommunication and rumors.

The consultant will report directly to the Emergency Cluster Lead under the overall guidance of the WHO Representative. S/he will work closely with the External Relations and Immunization clusters and collaborate with relevant technical officers and the Risk Communication teams in the respective Regional Office (RO) and WHO/HQ. S/he has first-line responsibility to support the National Department of Surveillance and Health Promotion Department in promoting effective risk communication strategies to promote human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination launch and coverage among risk group people. S/he will engage with all levels of the organization, will liaise with the National Director of Public Health and the National Coordinator of Health Promotion as well as with relevant stakeholders, target audiences, and official representatives from the national authorities to obtain information and, as necessary, provide advice on risk communication initiatives for the referred vaccine launch in the country.

4. Deliverables

a. Develop a risk communication strategy, including a respective chronogram for the launch of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine in the country.

b. Identity in collaboration with relevant stakeholders, reasons that may disrupt the successful launch of the campaign among people considered at risk and support the identify pertinent information, education and communication materials in languages and formats quickly to use by provincial stakeholders and the public.

c. Identify and develop critical community-centred approach initiatives to sensitize, mobilize and educate the population about vaccination.

d. Mapping risk communication stakeholders to be engaged for the launch of the vaccination campaign.

e. Perform any other incident-specific related duties as the functional supervisor requires.

f. Developed a strategy for the for human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine launch in the country with closer participation of the WHO Team, key partners such as DNPS, UNICEF and the Risk communication and community engagement (RCEE) Network in the country,

g. Identified in close collaboration with relevant stakeholders, the reasons that may disrupt the successful launch of the campaign among people considered at risk and described pertinent information, education and communication materials in languages and formats quickly to be used by provincial stakeholders and the public.

h. Developed a guide orientation with a specific chorogram to successfully support the launch of the vaccine and cover risk populations and risk groups, as defined by WHO.

Qualifications, experience, skills, and language education qualifications:

Education: Master’s degree in Anthropology, Sociology, journalism, communications, international relations, political or social science, or related field. A first university degree combined with more than 7 years of experience in the field can be considered.

Desirable: Training or specialization in Risk communication and community engagement (RCCE) or Information, education, and communication (IEC) in public health.

Experience:

Essential: Five years’ experience managing and promoting social programs and communication, working with national/international organizations involved in Risk Communication, health promotion, public health, or development

Desirable: Experience working in Risk communication and community engagement (RCCE), education and communication (IEC) in public health, as well as in developing communication strategy and plans for vaccination campaigns, for HPV vaccinate campaign and launch. Previously experience working with DNSP and other key partners is an key asset.

Skills/Knowledge:

Essential:

a. Commitment to WHO’s values and objectives.

b. Ability to work flexibly within short deadlines in a changing environment with competing priorities Share a results-oriented work ethic.

c. Fostering integration and teamwork.

d. Ability to Create an empowering and motivating environment Ability to communicate with respect, tact, and diplomacy.

e. Thorough knowledge of the principles, techniques, and practices of online dissemination of information via social media mechanisms and the web.

f. Thorough understanding of the impact of communications on an organization’s reputation, image, and success, as well as the web and social media's role in this regard.

g. Fluency in using Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint

Languages and level required (Basic/Intermediate/Expert):

Essential:

Expert knowledge of Portuguese speaking, writing, and editing skills,

Intermediate knowledge of English or French

Location

On site: Luanda-Angola

Travel

The consultant is expected to travel.

Remuneration and budget (travel costs are excluded):

Bande level B (USD 7,000 - 8,480)

Expected duration of contract:

2 months