National Social and Behaviour Consultant (LLIN Mass Distribution Campaign), Freetown, Sierra Leone, 4 months, (Onsite) - open only to Sierra Leoneans

Contract

This is a Consultancy contract. More about Consultancy contracts.

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, health

Please access UNICEF Sierra Leone information here and here

How can you make a difference?

Purpose of Assignment:

Malaria is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in Sierra Leone, with approximately 2.7 million cases of malaria reported annually. The distribution of long-lasting insecticide-treated bed nets (LLINs) remains a core strategy for preventing malaria in the country. The National Malaria Control Program (NMCP), with support from the Global Fund and UNICEF, is planning a mass bed net distribution campaign in 2023. The success of this campaign will rely heavily on effective social and behavior change (SBC) interventions that aim to increase awareness, promote uptake, and encourage the sustained use of LLINs among target populations.

UNICEF in Sierra Leone is providing technical and financial support to the Health Education Programme (HEP) and the National Malaria Control Programme (NMCP) under the Ministry of Health to develop, implement and monitor evidence-based social and behavior change response for the mass bed net distribution campaign in 2023. UNICEF is seeking a National Consultant to support HEP and NMCP, as well as DHMT teams, in the effective planning, coordination, implementation, and monitoring of quality SBC activities to promote the uptake and use of LLINs among targeted populations.

Scope of Work

Under the direct supervision of the SBC Section Chief, the Consultant will support and supervise the development and implementation of SBC activities at district level, to promote the uptake and use of LLINs among targeted populations.

Specifically, the Consultant will perform the following duties and responsibilities:

• Provide technical assistance to DHMT/District Social Mobilizers Coordinators and Malaria Focal for development of communication micro-plans, as well as mapping of hard-to-reach areas, special populations, or hesitant communities for tailored communication and engagement plans.
• Coordinate with DHMTs and partners timely and effective implementation of SBC activities throughout the bed net distribution campaign, including the regular review – and update if required - of the implementation/micro-plan and timelines and monitoring alignment with the approved budget.
• Provide technical assistance in training of DSMCs, partners, and supervisors, frontline health workers and community volunteers on district and chiefdom advocacy and social mobilization strategies and activities and the use of SBC materials and messages.
• Provide strategic support to address refusal, rumours and misinformation, and encourage community leaders and community members participation.
• Ensure that national communication guidelines ate well received and understood at sub-national levels
• Ensure that recruitment of social mobilizers follow pre-establish criteria and guidelines.
• Provide support in development of district media and social media plans and ensure timely distribution of media and other communication inputs, in accordance with communication plan.
• Conduct regular monitoring and evaluation of SBC activities, document lessons learned, and make recommendations for course correction as needed.
• Ensure appropriate collection of monitoring data related to SBC indicators.
• Liaise and coordinate with sub-national partners on timely submission of funds requests and financial and technical reporting.

Please access full JD here VA ToR - Two SBC LLIN Field Consultants.pdf

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

• A first university degree in SBC/Communication for Development, Communication, Media, Public Health, or related field.
• A minimum of three years of relevant professional experience in SBC programme planning and management at the national and/or sub-national level, with a focus on health.
• At least 3 years relevant experience in public health education programme/campaigns, and community engagement project management.
• Experience in field monitoring, data collection and reporting tools is an asset.
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
• Ability to write clear and concise reports in English.
• Computer literacy.
• Fluency in English is required.
• Experience working with UN system agency or organization is an asset.
• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency is considered an asset.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of a local language is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

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

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

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:

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.