Three National Consultants for Social Mobilization on Polio (nOPV2), in Provinces, Rwanda ( Based in District office) - For Rwandan Nationals Only

Contract

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For every child, Health

To learn more about UNICEF work in Rwanda, please visit the country website https://unicef.sharepoint.com/sites/RWA/ or watch this video about UNICEF work in Rwanda: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7B91m5Yzoc

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Background:

On 25th August 2020, the Africa Regional Certification Commission for Polio Eradication (ARCC) certified the WHO African Region as Wild Polio Virus (WPV) free, including Rwanda, despite having sustained a polio-free status from 2005 until a reported case in 2019. The Government of the Republic of Rwanda, through the Ministry of Health, aims to attain universal health coverage where all Rwandans have access to essential health services, including vaccines for children, without suffering financial hardship. Although the African region is WPV-free, the threat of Polio remains high due to the circulating Vaccine-Derived Poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) and its importation into Rwanda through the porous border with Burundi, Uganda and DR Congo. Therefore, it is crucial to continue implementing strategies to maintain the polio-free status in line with the Polio End Game strategy, considering the threat of the importation of cVDPV2, which still remains rife. Social and behaviour change communication (SBCC) is a critical component of the polio outbreak response, which aims to inform caregivers and communities about polio risks and vaccination campaigns to ensure their support and acceptance of the vaccination for every eligible child.

To achieve this, social and behaviour change employs a strategic mix of communication methods, tactics, channels, and approaches, including the engagement of parents/caregivers, health workers, community volunteers, traditional and social media, community and religious leaders, non-governmental partners, and other stakeholders.

Purpose of Activity/Assignment:

There have been recent polio outbreaks in the region, including one in Burundi that borders Rwanda, which is concerning as it was caused by cVDPV2. The Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) has agreed to introduce a new vaccine, the Novel Oral Polio Vaccine of Type 2 (nOPV2), which is an improved and more stable vaccine that can more effectively interrupt cVDPV2. Since it's a novel vaccine, it has to be introduced under the Emergency Use Listing (EUL) of WHO, which requires specific requirements and capacities, including the development of an Advocacy Communication and Social Mobilization (ACSM) strategy before introducing the new nOPV2 vaccine.

As a key partner of the GPEI, UNICEF has the mandate to ensure an evidence-based, fast-track, and effective SBC response whenever a Polio (cVDVP2) outbreak is confirmed, as well as supporting routine immunization. According to the GPEI checklist for the introduction of nOPV2, UNICEF is responsible for technical assistance for the preparedness of ACSM and VM.

To successfully accomplish this responsibility, UNICEF relies on highly trained and experienced staff and consultants. Therefore, UNICEF's Country Office in Rwanda is seeking experienced national social, and behavior change officers/consultants to support the Rwanda SBC team and the Ministry of Health for Polio Outbreak Preparedness and Response (OPR) and the nOPV2 introduction.

UNICEF Rwanda needs to hire three Polio SBC individual consultants at the middle level who are willing and available for immediate deployment in difference Provinces

Key Tasks:

The objective of this consultancy is to provide technical support for Polio Outbreak Preparedness and Response and nOPV2 introduction, with close collaboration with relevant teams at UNICEF-RCO, including SBC within Health and Nutrition Section, Rwanda Health Communication Center (RHCC), EPI, and Polio departments within Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC) at the Ministry of Health.

As part of this objective, the consultant will undertake the following tasks:

• Lead the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of an evidence-based SBC strategies for nOPV2 introduction.
• Facilitate community engagement, social mobilization and specific behaviour change interventions at decentralized level.
• Undertake communication assessments and rapid social-behavioural research and evidence building, especially in high risk and hard-to-reach communities.
• Develop / adapt and tailor health messages and information products for various target populations/audiences, based on community knowledge, practices, and behaviours.
• Facilitate the designing and implementation of specific plans of actions for immunization and/ or Polio eradication to reach special groups.
• Organize Training of health workers, especially in inter-personal communication (IPC) for social and behavioural change in underserved and hard-to-reach communities who are at high risk of vaccine preventable diseases.
• Work with external communication colleagues and digital/ social media experts to support mapping of rumours and misinformation for their effective management.
• Conduct media landscape analyses and facilitate engagement of media in immunization and Polio activities.
• Support advocacy activities to engage political, religious, and community leaders and other stakeholders.
• Work closely with MOH PRO team and ACSM/RCSM sub-committee members on the developing and implementing a social media plan including addressing misinformation, disinformation and vaccine hesitancy

Work Assignment Overview

Tasks/Milestone:

1. Ensure the implementation of the planned SBC activities for Polio (nOPV2).
2. Active participation in bi-weekly national Polio (nOPV2)/EPI districts technical working group meeting and other forums and ensure to represent government and UNICEF aspects to the forum.
3. Ensure all Polio (nOPV2)/EPI community engagement activities will take place in field as planned.
4. Closely work with all districts SBC team to plan and conduct evidence-based community engagement activities for Polio (nOPV2) /EPI.
5. Coordinate the design and dissemination of messages and IEC materials at district/decentralized level in collaboration with MoH at central level for polio vaccine uptake campaign
6. Review, adapt and maintain regular social listening and rumor tracking mechanism to inform polio vaccine uptake interventions at decentralized level
7. Closely work with RHCC team and EPI division team at MoH for implementation of necessary communication activities nOPV2 Communication and other campaigns for health
8. Support MoH to organize training of health frontline workers engaged in vaccine (including community health), especially in interpersonal communication (IPC) for social and behavioral change at decentralized level
9. Support advocacy activities to engage political, religious, and community leaders and other stakeholders
10. Support RHCC with other RBC divisions requests related to SBC ‘interventions and events/campaigns at decentralized level.
11. Support EPI with other RBC divisions requests related to SBC ‘interventions and events/campaigns at decentralized level
12. Support EPI division with coordination of Technical Working Groups at decentralized level
13. Ensure appropriate reporting to EPI division, UNICEF and other relevant partners
14. Document and share lessons learned and best practices in child immunization interventions and polio campaigns
15. Submit monthly progress reports
16. Final and approved consultancy report with best practices, recommendations, gaps and challenges including all deliverables.

Deliverables/Outputs:

Payment 1: 17%

• Inception report and comprehensive action plan endorsed by RHCC and UNICEF.
• Report on meetings and outcome in the monthly report

Payment 2: 17%

• All communication assets agreed by EPI-MoH, UNICEF and RCCE partners at decentralized level are developed in a participatory manner and endorsed by RCCE and UNICEF.
• Report on meetings and outcome in the monthly report

Payment 3: 17%

• Report with training plan, module and report submitted to and endorsed by RBC-MoH and UNICEF.
• Working closely with specific and strategic groups (Media, Civil Society etc.) to advance Health Sector messaging and disseminate health messages.
• Report on meetings and outcome in the monthly report

Payment 4: 17%

• Representing EPI, RHCC and UNICEF to other TWGs meeting with scope of activities relevant to mandates of RHCC and/or UNICEF at decentralized level
• Produce progress report on regular basis and as requested by EPI, RHCC and UNICEF (Inception report and final consultancy report endorsed by EPI, RHCC and UNICEF

Payment 5: 17%

• At least 2 human interest stories/lessons learned, and best practices documented and shared through internet and other online platforms with UNICEF and MoH
• Monthly progress reports including monitoring activities submitted

Payment 6: 15%

• Final/approved report on assignment completion

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

• Master’s degree in social & Behavioural Sciences, SBC, Journalism & Mass Communication, and Public Health. A first level university degree in combination with 5 years of 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 SBC and other relevant programs
• Proven expertise in developing Communication materials, strategies and plans for immunization, new vaccine introduction and supplementary immunization campaigns/activities (SIAs).
• Knowledge of Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) and polio is an added advantage
• Knowledge and skills in risk communication and community engagement.
• Excellent facilitation skills, negotiation skills and oral and written communication skills
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or 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 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:

Individuals engaged under a consultancy 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. Consultants 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.