National Individual Consultancy for Conducting Knowledge Attitude and Practice Study on Vaccine Hesitancy in Suriname

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, Knowledge

How can you make a difference?

This national consultancy is to conduct a KAP Study in the age group of 15 years and older in the country in all districts Under the overall supervision of the Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist with the support of the Health consultant. The to be recruited 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

Background

Since the start of the pandemic countries all over the world including Suriname have been experiencing COVID-19 waves, during these waves increasing cases and deaths are of great concern to the government and its partners. In the absence of definitive therapeutic options for the management and control of this disease, vaccination as a primary prevention measure is the best option for controlling the disease and save lives through reduction of severe cases and deaths. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought the importance of resilient health systems back in focus and exposed weaknesses in health system. The vaccine roll out started in February 2021 in Suriname and since then various COVID-19 vaccines have been available. To date Suriname has reached 41% of the target population being fully vaccinated and partially vaccinated 45% (https://covid-19.sr).

Like many governments, Suriname has also decided to soften the stern measures for COVID-19 prevention aimed at reviving the economy and anticipating on increased population immunity with time. However, after initial strong uptake of the Covid-19 vaccine, Suriname has been experiencing limited vaccine uptake, delays in vaccination and vaccine hesitancy, despite the availability of a wide variety of Covid-19 vaccines.

In this regard the Ministry of Health underscores the importance to understand vaccination-related behavior, and with support from UNICEF it is initiating a study on vaccine hesitancy which seeks to explore and understand the population's perception regarding COVID-19 vaccination, and gain insight into the profile of unvaccinated persons. To gain understanding and insight in why vaccine hesitancy exists, the study should also identify factors associated with vaccine hesitancy among the young people and adults (18-49 years old) and identify strategies for improving vaccination coverage. It is also important to seek out the views of parents/care givers concerning the vaccination of their children. All these insights can inform approaches and strategies to effectively address vaccine hesitancy and increase the vaccine uptake at the community and local levels.

The main objective of the current study is to get 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 and intends to seek populations’ perspectives of the COVID-19 vaccine and vaccines in general for children under 5, adolescents and adults. 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 and implement this study.

Scope of Work

Under the overall supervision of the Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist, the consultant will:

- Develop a detailed workplan including timeline outlining activities to achieve the research objective - Develop and conduct research to determine the factors influencing COVID-19 vaccine uptake among the eligible population. - Include in the research, the perceptions of parents/caregivers concerning the vaccination of their children - Develop key recommendations for addressing vaccine hesitancy and increasing vaccine uptake at local levels

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

• 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 5 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 organisational, and presentation skills

Desirable: - Previous work experience with the United Nations System. - Experiential knowledge of Suriname’s sub-regional contexts.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

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

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

Please access the complete ToR here: Terms of Reference KAP Vac hesitancy.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:

Each candidate is expected to submit 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.