ThaiNGO

Background

This consultancy is looking for professionals for the roster in Polio/Immunization C4D. The consultant is expected to provide C4D technical assistance to EAP COs in support of routine child immunization and in cases of polio outbreaks. However, the purpose of this consultancy announcement is for external candidates outside of UNICEF. It invites suitable C4D/ communication consultants at P3/P4 level for inclusion in EAPRO’s Roster for Immunization / Polio C4D Consultants. This is not a regular vacancy announcement but rather a campaign to attract C4D / communication experts who are interested in short term (3 to 6 months) immunization and / or polio assignments with UNICEF in EAP countries.

Communication for development (C4D) plays a crucial role in improving child immunization, by fostering understanding of childhood diseases, creating demand for services and acceptance of the vaccines. In recognition of this important role, UNICEF assists several countries to have effective C4D to support national immunization programmes and also disease outbreak campaigns.

UNICEF Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (EAPRO) is covering 27 countries and areas in Asia and Pacific, some of which have been recently experiencing resurgence of traditional, vaccine-preventable childhood diseases. This included resurgence in 2015 of polio outbreaks in Lao PDR and Myanmar; measles in Lao PDR, Mongolia and Philippines; as well as Diphtheria and Pertussis in Lao PDR and Indonesia. Many of these outbreaks are affecting the high risk groups i.e. ethnic minority populations, urban populations and populations living in slum areas, migrants, etc... This is mainly because of immunity gaps and accumulation of susceptible children in these underserved communities. Disparities and immunization inequalities have been identified as one of the main issues facing the immunization programmes in many EAP countries. One of the underlying causes is often the lack of evidence-based communication interventions to address the demand side barriers in certain ethnic groups or other high risk populations.

The 2015 polio outbreaks in Lao and Myanmar raised particular concerns, because they were caused by circulating Vaccine-Derived Polio Virus (cVDPV), although the EAP region was declared polio-free since 2000. Other countries in the region have been considered at risk of re-emergence or importation of the polioviruses due to the existence of pockets of unimmunized/under-immunized children.

Following the OPV2 cessation in April 2016, population immunity against type2 polio virus and especially intestinal immunity will decline which will increase the risk of an outbreak if exposure to a type 2 poliovirus occurs.

There is a high probability that at least one cVDPV2 and possibly multiple other VDPV2s will emerge within 12 months of the global switch from the use of tOPV to bOPV

As a key partner of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), UNICEF has the mandate of providing assistance to ensure a fast and effective C4D response whenever a polio outbreak is confirmed, as well as the support to strengthen routine immunization. The organization relies on highly trained and experienced personnel of staff and consultants to meet this obligation. 

It is against the above premise, that UNICEF EAPRO is developing a pre-screened roster of immunization / polio C4D individual consultants, who are willing and will be available for immediate deployment during polio outbreaks in any of the EAP countries. The roster will also be used when C4D services are needed for routine immunization.

 Work Assignment:

The selected immunization/ polio C4D consultant in the roster will; 

1. Lead the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of an evidence-based C4D strategy;
2. Facilitate community engagement, social mobilization and specific behaviour change interventions.
3. Undertake communication assessments and rapid social-behavioural research and evidence building, especially in high risk and hard-to-reach communities;
4. Develop and tailor health information products for various target populations/audiences, based on community knowledge, practices, and behaviours;
5. Facilitate the designing and implementation of specific plans of actions for immunization and/ or polio eradication to reach special groups;
6. Organize Training of health workers, especially in inter-personal communication (IPC);
7. Conduct media landscape analyses and facilitate engagement of media in immunization and polio activities;
8. Support advocacy activities to engage political, religious, and community leaders and other stakeholders;

 The immunization/ polio C4D consultants will be expected to be;

1. Deployed once there is a need and request from a country office; and having ability to join on a 2-4 weeks’ notice.
2. Deployed to countries in the UNICEF EAP region, at national or sub-national levels as needed.

Work Schedule and Deliverables: 

1. The exact period, type, deliverables, accountabilities and mode of payment of each routine immunization or polio C4D assignment will be determined by a set of specific Terms of Reference (ToR) before the deployment. The overall work schedule is as follows:
2. Tasks and Expected Outputs

Estimated Duration of Contract:   

1^stNovember 2016 to 30 April 2017, however hiring unit/office will confirm the actual assignment date.  

End Product(s):   Specify final outputs.

1. C4D Assessment /social investigation report/s identifying technical gaps; enablers and barriers to immunization services especially in high risk areas.
2. National C4D Strategy document/s.
3. Specific plans of actions to reach high risk populations/
4. Monthly progress reports including monitoring activities
5. Reports on health worker training (on IPC)
6. Monitoring tools for C4D activities
7. Final assignment reports 

Official Travel Involved:

• Travel for home countries to their assignment countries/ duty stations.
• The RO-based consultants will travel to COs, and to the field (if needed be).
• Those at CO level will be traveling to the field to conduct research, provide technical assistance and monitor progress during campaigns. 

Qualifications or Specialized Knowledge/Experience Required: 

• Advanced university degree in Social & Behavioral Sciences, C4D, Journalism & Mass Communication, and Public Health. A first level university degree in combination with 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 C4D and other relevant programs.
• Ability to work quickly and effectively in a multi-cultural environment.
• Familiarity and/or experience with UNICEF and the UN system is desired.

• High proficiency in English both written and verbal is required.

• Speaking the language of country of assignment is an asset. 

Interested candidates are requested to submit the CV or P-11, areas of gender expertise, full contact information, availability, and proposed daily professional fee in USD by 20 October 2016 to http://jobs.unicef.org/cw/en-us/#/job/499602?lApplicationSubSourceID?lApplicationSubSourceID

----------------- Only short listed candidates will be notified. -----------------