UNICEF Zimbabwe is inviting applications for a Field Social Behavior Change Polio consultant (Open to nationals of Zimbabwe only)

Consultant Medical & Health Programme & Policy

Contract

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How can you make a difference?

UNICEF Zimbabwe is inviting applications for a Field Social Behavior Change Polio consultant for Emergency Response. The overall objective of this consultancy is to ensure that acceptance and uptake of polio vaccines by target groups is adequate. In this regard the consultant is expected to contribute to understanding key drivers of immunization demand among caregivers and the general population, to successfully promote and sustain the desired behaviour based on evidence. In addition, support the development, implementtaion, monitoring and reporting of communication plans, social mobilization, community engagement, and establishment of a social listening and rumour management platform interventions at subnational level.

BACKGROUND

Zimbabwe has been polio free since 2005, however with the recent outbreak of Wild Polio Virus 1 (WPV1) reported in Malawi and Mozambique, the country is at high-risk for poliovirus transmission in case of importation given the very strong historical, socio-cultural, and economic linkages between Zimbabwe , Mozambique and Malawi . As an immediate response there is an ongoing multi-country polio response campaign targeting children under five and Zimbabwe will be participating during the round 3 and round 4 campaigns targeting children under five.

The Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) has convened a National Polio Preparedness and Response Committee where UNICEF and WHO are members under the Polio Technical Team. UNICEF is fully supporting all aspects of the response including development of the masterplan, communication, monitoring and vaccine procurement.UNICEF is providing technical guidance and support to the MoHCC Health Promotion Unit (HPU) and the Zimababwe Expanded Program on Immunization (ZEPI) in developing a national polio advocacy communication and social mobilization(ACSM) response plan and communication materials to support advocacy and social mobilization activities to mobilize and engage parents and caregivers, health workers and volunteers, local leaders, partners, and other stakeholders.Under the leadership and direct supervision of the MoHCC Health Promtion Manager and the UNICEF SBC Manager, the SBC consultant for Polio Emergency Response will provide technical support to the MoHCC in responding to the polio emergency interventions at subnational level.

ASSIGNMENTS

Under the direct supervision of MOHCC Health Promotion Manager and technical guidance of the UNICEF SBC Manager, the field based consultant is responsible for supporting the development and implementation of tailored subnational polio communication response plans for round 3 and 4 and ensuring adaptation and translation of communication materials to support advocacy communication and social mobilization activities including community feedback and monitoring and evaluation of the campaign including any other duties related to the tasks

Major tasks and deliverables:

Tasks/Milestone:****Deliverables/Outputs:****Indicative of TimelinesSubmit inception report and work plan of consultancy assignment after consultations with MoHCC, UNICEF, and key stakeholdersInception report (5%)Week 1

(7 days)Form/strengthen the subnational polio outbreak response communication task force - functional task force with proper Minutes of the meetings and action pointsOperational polio outbreak response communication task force (5%)Week 2- 3

(14 days)Identify and form subnational partnerships for social mobilization activities at subnational levelMap with social mobilization possible partners at different levels

Formed partnership with partners and ToR (5%)Week 4

(7 days)

1. Develop the subnational communication outbreak response plan after each vaccination round, ensuring

• Using IM data, social data to guide development of the communication response activities
• Revising key messages to respond to vaccine resistances and refusals
• Proper audience Segmenting
• Provide analysis, insights from evidence, and recommendations to inform possible refinements in the communication response plan

Subnational communication outbreak response plan including audience groups and messages

M& E plan and results framework

District action microplans

Stakeholder mapping (25%)Week 5-8

(28 days)

Develop special plans focusing on vulnerable/at risk populationsDistrict microplans for for high risk populations (5%)Week 9

(7 days)Coordinate translation and pretesting of new and/or update existing communication materials, as neededDeveloped/revised communication materials with report showing changes done from round to round (5%)Week 10

(7 days)1. Provide technical inputs and guidance on the subnational planning and implementation of the polio outbreak communication response for round 3 and 4 ( capacity building of social mobilisers, community engagement, community feedback and social mobilization interventions)

• Act as the polio SBC focal point at subnational level
• Work closely with MoHCC and partners to manage the polio SBC response at subnational level

Report with status of communication response implementation, deviations and justification

Training/ orientation reports

Monthly reports (20%)Week 11-12

(14 days)

Closely follow up and monitor field activities and interventions

• Note any deviations to planned activities and providing justifications for these deviations

Weekly sitrep

Monthly reports (5%)Week 13

(7 days)

Analyze social data and develop regular updates on reasons for missed children and refusals, with comparisons from round to roundExcel databse on addressing rumors

Regular updated analysis of social data (5%)Week 14

(7 day)Monitor, evaluate and assess the communication response and activities- Pre and post communication assessment - Rapid coverage assessment social investigations (ODK) - Inputs to polio weekly situational reports - Round 3 and Round 4 report (10%)

Week 15-16

( 14 days)

Provide final report on implementation of the ACSM plan- Final Report on social mobilization activities (10%)

Week 17

(7 days)

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

Education:

A Bachelors’ Degree in Social Science, Communication and Media Studies, Public Health or related field

Experience:

Minimum six years progressively responsible experience in humanitarian/development contexts, Human Centred Design , emergency preparedness, complex emergency/multi-hazard disasters, community engagement and accountability to affected population work with UN, civil society and/or NGO, including programme management and/or coordination in major emergency response relevant to the cluster or other related area is required

Work experience in Zimbabwe in managing large-scale projects, working with governments, working in resource-limited settings, monitoring and evaluating supply chains, and risk management, mitigation will be an asset.

Knowledge on social science evidence generation for social behavior change, Human Centered Designs (HCD), social mobilization, community engagement and understanding of the principles of SBC, knowledge and experience with collecting data and designing evidence based SBC strategies, as well as risk communication and communication engagement are essential.

Languages:

Written and spoken fluency in English required and knowledge of main local languages (Shona and Ndebele) is an added advantage.

For more information on this consultancy kindly refer to the attached terms of reference; ToR SBC Polio.pdf

If interested and available to undertake the individual consultancy, please submit your application online and attach the required documents including a technical proposal

The technical proposal should articulate an understanding of the TOR and include the proposed Tasks/Milestones, Deliverables/Outputs, Timeline and level of effort by deliverable. The similar table provided in the TOR is indicative. Applicants may use the indicative table as a guide or deviate as per the proposed approach and/or days proposed per deliverable.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

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

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

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 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. The candidate may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including 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.

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Added 1 year ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: unicef.org