C4D National Consultants (COVAX Vaccine Introduction) – Three (3 positions), Kismayo, Jowhar, Baidoa (Somali nationals only)
Contract type: Consultancy
Level: Consultancy
Location: Somalia
Categories: Health
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
Justification/purpose of assignment
As a key partner in the efforts to introduce a new vaccine to reduce morbidity and mortality from COVID-19, UNICEF will take the lead role in communicating to families and communities about the importance of COVID-19 vaccination, especially among priority and high-risk groups to ensure demand for and acceptance of the vaccine and reduce vaccine hesitancy. To enable the successful introduction of COVID-19 vaccination among priority and high-risk populations (e.g. health care workers and other key personnel, elderly adults and adults with co-morbidities) and to decrease mortality and community spread of the infections, there is an urgent need for four (4) C4D National Consultants to provide quality technical support to Ministries of Health (MoHs).
Specific tasks/objectives
Support to strategy design and development of C4D interventions
- Provide technical support for the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the National Deployment and Vaccination Plan (NDVP) focusing on vaccine acceptance and uptake.
- Assess/synthesize qualitative and quantitative information/data to inform the social and behavior change component of the emergency COVID-19 introduction.
- Prepare or provide quality assurance on public information and materials and related documentations for C4D strategies and plans
- Collaborate/consult with a wide range of partners and stakeholders to ensure synergy, integration, coherence, and harmonization of C4D activities and messages across partners.
Implementation of C4D activities
- Identify, build and maintain partnerships through networking and proactive collaboration with strategic partners, e.g. academia, social networks, celebrities, journalists, media, all sectors/levels of society and critical audience to reinforce cooperation and/or pursue opportunities for C4D advocacy to increase community confidence and acceptance of COVAX vaccine.
- Coordinate the implementation of high quality and innovative community and public engagement and participation through integrated C4D approaches aimed at mobilizing and garnering household, community and public support and acceptance of COVID-19 vaccination, along with the adoption of critical lifesaving, care and protective practices (e.g. mask wearing, hand washing, physical distancing).
- Provide technical inputs and quality control in the development, testing, production, distribution and dissemination of appropriate information, education and communication materials for maximum audience reach and impact in consultation and collaboration with internal and external partners.
- Carry out presentations/advocacy activities with/for a wide range of constituents, stakeholders, partners and communities to encourage/promote engagement and dialogue, inclusion, and participation in C4D activities.
- Collaborate with Government and other partners to harmonize, link and/or coordinate messaging and use of multiple media and communication platforms to enhance C4D outreach.
- Support the country office and field office health and EPI teams to monitor the C4D component of the NDVP, manage and report on vaccine rumors, hesitancy and refusals, as well as promote cross-border surveillance and response activities.
- Monitor/track the use of resources as planned and verify compliance with organizational guidelines, rules and regulations and standards of ethics and transparency.
Innovation, Knowledge Management and Capacity Building
- Institutionalize/share best practices and knowledge learned with Government and other local partners and stakeholders to build capacity.
- Organize/implement capacity building initiatives to enhance the competencies of clients/stakeholders/partners (Government and non-government) in support of demand generation for COVAX introduction.
Supervisor/overall responsibility
- Health Managers/Specialist of UNICEF Somalia Field Offices.
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
- A first level university degree in Social & Behavioral Sciences, C4D, Journalism & Mass Communication, Public Health and Health Education with emphasis on participatory communication, communication planning, social mobilization, participatory research, training and impact evaluation of communication interventions.
- 2 years of progressively responsible and relevant professional work experience in the planning and management of social mobilization and communication initiatives, with practical experience in working in the Somali context. Fluency in Somali and English is required.
Competencies of Successful Candidate
- Knowledge of current developments in the fields of communication, motivational psychology, adult learning theory, local media, community organization and participation.
- Proven skills in communication (e.g. focus group discussions), networking, advocacy and negotiations.
- Ability to organize and implement training, including development of curricula and methodologies.
- Ability to express clearly and concisely ideas and concepts in written and oral form.
- Computer skills, including internet navigation, and various office applications.
- Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency is considered an asset.
- Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of the local language is required.
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…
Functional competencies:
- Builds and maintains partnerships
- Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness
- Drive to achieve results for impact
- Innovates and embraces changes
- Manages ambiguity and complexity
- Thinks and acts strategically
- Works collaboratively with others
- Nurtures, leads and manages people
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.
Advertised: E. Africa Standard Time
Deadline: E. Africa Standard Time