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Background/Rationale for the Assignment :
Since independence of the Republic of South Sudan in 2011, inter communal violence (ICVs) and protracted conflict of 2013 has left a very fragile health system unable to address the growing and diverse health needs of the population, including that of women and children. This is mainly fueled by limited infrastructure which rendered the few and interspersed health facilities inaccessible to most of the population, including nearly 2 million internally displaced persons (IDPs). This situation is exacerbated during the six-month rainy season and a severe lack of human resources for health (qualified health care workers). Thus, the country has not been able to meet maternal, newborn and child health (MNCH) care needs, including those related to immunization.
Nationally, according to administrative data, routine immunization coverage is low, with only 45 percent of children aged under 1 received Penta 3 vaccines (January to December 2019). The low level of immunity resulted into persistent Measles and cVDPV2 outbreaks in the country. The annualized Penta 3 coverage as of August 2020 was at 57%. This was mainly attributed to COVID 19 pandemic which left most of the activities that would have otherwise enhanced vaccination such as recruitment, training of vaccinators and review meetings which were not done.
When WHO was alerted about clusters of widespread pneumonia like symptoms in Wuhan City, Hubei Province of China on 31st December 2019, Chinese authorities immediately commenced investigations and confirmed that they had identified a novel (new) coronavirus as the cause of the pneumonia. To date the corona virus (COVID-19) has spread to over 150 countries, including over 10 in East and southern African countries.
The Government of the Republic of South Sudan in collaboration with the regional office and donors including Gavi and World bank plan to support introduction of COVID 19 vaccines in the Republic of South Sudan prioritizing front line health workers and senior members (old age groups) of the community and other high-risk groups then later community at large.
The Communication for Development section is at the forefront in preparation to the introduction of COVID 19 vaccines hence would like to recruit a National Consultant to support the introduction of this new vaccine in South Sudan with focus on special population groups targeted for the phased administration of the vaccine to the targeted groups in South Sudan.
Purpose & Expected Results :
The overall objective of this consultancy is to ensure that public acceptance, demand and uptake of COVID-19 vaccines in the country is adequate. As part of its commitment to enhance quality of program utilization, UNICEF C4D section seeks to further scale up people centered behavior and social change strategy to shape positive social norms, increase demand for social services, enhance service utilization and accountability by building strong dialogue, partnership and confidence with the communities.In this regard the consultant is expected. In the South Sudan context, as the vaccine roll out will be done in phased way focusing on specific population segments, differential strategies will be designed.
Some key tasks for this assignment will be :
- To support development of the communication strategy and its phased roll out including monitoring ;
- To successfully promote and sustain the desired behaviour based on evidence for specific population groups targeted for the vaccination ;
- To conduct an initial assessment and analysis for key demand-related drivers including risk perception and vaccine hesitancy ;
- To support coordination with national and sub-national stakeholders, including government, implementing partners
- To document demand generation interventions and establish a social listening and rumour management platform to inform crisis communication activities.
Qualifications and Competencies :
- Advance degree in Social Science, Communication, Community Health, Communication for Development ;
- At least five years’ work experience in C4D or Communication or public health/emergencies ;
- Experience in public health, emergency preparedness and response ;
- Previous experience in humanitarian, particularly disease outbreak response ;
- Fluency in English, knowledge of local language is desirable.
Deliverables : The duration of the consultancy is for six months starting March 2021. However, the contract can be extended depending on the programme needs and availability of funds.
Duration :
- Design a demand plan (including advocacy, communications, social mobilization, risk and safety communications, community engagement, and training) to generate confidence, acceptance and demand for COVID-19 vaccines 1 month 15th March -15th April, 2021 ;
- Development of community mobilization training curriculum/modules for training community mobilizers and their supervisors :
- Develop training plan for training community mobilizers on how to mobilize community for COVID 19 vaccines ;
- Conduct and supervise training of community mobilizers develop an overall demand generation plan.
- 4 months 15th March -15th July, 2021 ;
- Support setting up/ meetings related to COVID 19 vaccines advocacy communication and social; mobilization committee to include a crisis communications preparedness planning
a. Establish/rejuvenate/integrate RCCE for COVID 19 vaccines :
- Developed/review TOR of the existing coordination committee/mechanism at the MOH to include COVID 19 vaccines ;
- Review membership of the RCCE to ensure all relevant partners/stakeholders are included and oriented on COVAX issues ;
- Regularly attend all coordination committee meetings representing UNICEF C4D to provide technical supports and directives 6 months 15th March-15th Sept. 2021.
Support setting up of data collection systems, including 1) rumor management social listening, media 2) assessing behavioral and social data :
- Develop robust communication related data collection tools including behavioral and social data ;
- Train data collectors to ensure the data collection tools can collect all the relevant data ;
- Support lead points on running of robust data base with automated dashboard for archiving and analyzing all the communication related data to ensure real time synthesized information is available all time for informed decision making 6 months 15th March-15th Sept, 2021.
Develop key messages and materials for public communications and advocacy, in alignment with demand plan :
- In close collaboration with the Director for health education and EPI/ RCCE committee, develop key messages on demand generation of COVID 19 vaccines ;
- Develop classified radio jingles with key message in 10 different languages on COVID 19 Vaccines ;
- Disseminate radio Jingles to the 10 states for broadcasting through the local radio stations ;
- In collaboration with the state C4D officers, monitor and document airing radio jingles, radio talk shows in all local languages 6 months 15th March-15th Sept, 2021.
- Build alliances/partnerships with religious groups, traditional leaders, teachers and other organized groups in the community to orient them on COVAX acceptance/ response and solicit their involvement in its implementation. 4 months 15th April-15th Jul, 2021 ;
- Provide support for community surveillance and rumor tracking 5 months 15th April-15th Sept, 2021 ;
- Contribute to UNICEF reporting, in accordance with UNICEF’s CCC based Humanitarian Performance Monitoring criteria, allowing visibility of UNICEF results achieved and needs. 5 months 15th April 15th Sept, 2021
All Applications must be submitted with detailed technical and Financial Offer.
Estimated Duration of the Contract
Six months
Duty Station and Official Travel
South Sudan – Juba, with a frequent travel to UNICEF field offices and risk/affected counties
Estimated Cost of the Consultancy
Payment Schedule :
Monthly basis on submission of monthly invoice
UNICEF Supervisor
Travel Clause :
- All UNICEF rules and regulations related to travel of Consultants/ Individual Contractors apply ;
- All travels shall be undertaken only upon the prior written approval by UNICEF ;
- The eligible maximum amount for travel is specified in the contract ;
- The consultant is responsible for his/her for travel arrangements. The most economic and direct route is authorized ;
- Travel costs will be reimbursed after the completion of mission. UNICEF will pay the applicable DSA rate and other travel related expenses upon submission of the invoice together with the supporting documentation.
Nature of Penalty Clause in Contract.
If the final reports and documents are not submitted according to the deliverables stated in this TOR, the payments will be withheld. UNICEF reserves the right to withhold all or a portion of payment if performance is unsatisfactory, if work/outputs is incomplete, not delivered or for failure to meet deadlines (fees reduced due to late submission: 20 days – 10%; 1 month -20%; 2 months -30%; more 2 months – payment withhold). All materials developed will remain the copyright of UNICEF and UNICEF will be free to adapt and modify them in the future.
For every Child, you demonstrate…
UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.
The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…
[insert competencies]
To view our competency framework, please visit here.
Click here to learn more about UNICEF’s values and competencies.
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.