Job no: 546970
Contract type: Consultancy
Level: Consultancy
Location: United Republic of Tanzania
Categories: Communication for Development (C4D), Planning, Expanded Programme Immunization, Programme Management
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, safety
On
31 December 2019, WHO was alerted to a cluster of pneumonia patients in
Wuhan City, Hubei Province of China. One week later, on 7 January 2020,
Chinese authorities 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 Africa. The Communication for Development programme is at
the forefront of UNICEF emergency response.
The COVAX Facility,
one of three key pillars of the Access to COVID-19 Tools (ACT)
Accelerator, is a global collaboration co-led by Gavi, the Vaccine
Alliance, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) and
WHO to accelerate the development and manufacture of COVID-19 vaccines
and to guarantee fair and equitable access globally. With over 300
COVID-19 vaccine candidates being monitored in varying stages of
development and 25 vaccines in clinical evaluation, it is possible that a
vaccine candidate may achieve emergency use approval in 2020. In
preparation for this, effective assessment of communities’ and Health
workers’ knowledge, behaviour, attitude and practice for this new
vaccine and the development of evidence-based demand generation
strategies is capital.
Hence, UNICEF Tanzania Office, is seeking
assistance in the form of a consultancy with duration of 8 months (with a
possibility of extension, contingent on availability of funds) to
support in coordination, planning and monitoring of an evidence-based
Demand Generation and Communication Plan. This should include
development of tools and materials for resources and interventions
mapping and monitoring.
Public understanding of the prioritization
of target population, which will initially focus on Front Line Workers
before covering at risk population, then general population over time,
will be key to ensure overall acceptance and utilization of COVID-19
vaccines and reinforce trust in health and immunization services. This
will also support the efforts to counter act the unprecedented abundance
of information and misinformation circulating during the pandemic that
can also impact the public response.
Strategies, both targeting
primary recipients of the Covid-19 vaccine and the general population,
will need to be informed by evidence on how Front-Line Workers and
general population think and feel towards this vaccine introduction,
understand their risk perceptions, decision-making factors and the
barriers and drivers influencing demand for an uptake of COVID-19
vaccine. Evidence should also showcase the levels of trust in health
authorities, vaccine hesitancy and perceptions of COVID-19 to shape
relevant risk communication and community engagement (RCCE) strategies
and plans. The COVID-19 vaccine process will require coordinating
communications across national and subnational levels as well as public
and private sectors, while engaging relevant stakeholders.
MAIN OBJECTIVES, DELIVERABLES AND TIME FRAME
Main objectives:
The following are pre-requisites to the development of demand generation and communication strategies:
- Support
HPS/HPU and PORALG in coordination, planning and monitoring the overall
risk communication and community engagement interventions for vaccine
demand promotion - Support the data collection and analysis
efforts (with clear gender, age and locality segregation) to inform any
update or revision of the national demand promotion plan. - Support the rollout, monitoring and review of the national demand promotion plan already developed per MOH and partners.
- Support
MOH and PORALG to coordinate the advocacy, communication, social
mobilization, and training taskforce to implement the COVID 19 vaccine
introduction and rollout in line with existing LGA structures. - Provide
technical assistance to MOH and PORALG and partners on development of
evidence-based communication messages and material (digital and
non-digital) as guided by global guidelines, community feedback and
lessons learned in implementation of the COVID-19 vaccination demand
generation plan. - Provide support for social listening and rumour management through establishment of community feedback mechanisms.
- Support
capacity building of health workers, CSOs, frontline workers, social
mobilizers on demand generation-linking it with the gains made in RCCE. - Support Monitoring and documentation of lessons learnt from the whole process.
- Currently,
no RCCE mechanisms under the Ministry of Health neither UNICEF Tanzania
has the in-house capacity to perform the above-mentioned planning and
preparatory activities to ensure the successful introduction of COVID-19
vaccine in Tanzania hence the requirement to engage a short-term
technical consultant.
How can you make a difference?
The
overall objective of this consultancy is to ensure that public
acceptance and uptake of COVID-19 vaccines in the country is adequate.
Under
the general guidance of the C4D Manager, the two consultants are
responsible for the coordination of communication technical working
groups to accelerate demand generation approaches and strategies at the
RCCE subcommittee under the Ministry of Health to promote evidence-based
Social and Behaviour Change interventions including social
mobilization, advocacy, community engagement, community empowerment and
monitoring and evaluation as key components of the country programmes in
Tanzania in line with the work plan for COVID-19 Vaccine introduction.
The consultants are expected to provide technical support to following activities:
Strategic Direction and Coordination:
- Support
RCCE to determine strategic directions for Communication for
Development (advocacy, social mobilization, communication, community
engagement and behaviour change) Technical Working Groups and ensure the
strategies are in line with UNICEF Country Office plans to achieve
COVID-19 vaccine coverage targets. - Make viable recommendations
and decisions on appropriate Communication for Development strategies to
achieve the RCCE’s goals and objectives, and to support UNICEF’s
mission in the country. - Coordinate different fora mainly GAVI
subgroups for demand generation, and country’s community engagement
working groups under RCCE mechanisms - To provide expert advice
and assistance to the RCCE teams by attending task teams including RCCE
core groups – Health Promotion Technical Working (MoH), Immunisation and
Vaccine Pillar and Public Communication Cluster (MoH) which promote
culturally sensitive and tailored Social and Behaviour Change
interventions contributing to ensuring sustainable demand and uptake of
immunization services.
Demand Generation
- Ensure
that RCCE groups are supported to develop plans and activities to
promote acceptance among the general population of the initial ACT/COVAX
prioritization guidance, increase trust in health and immunization
services, and generate demand and uptake for COVID-19 vaccine among
target population (Front-Line workers in a first phase, then at risk
population, and finally general population over time) - Develop,
maintain, and update the RCCE strategy with approaches, plans and
activities geared towards generating demand for COVID-19 vaccine and
other primary health care (PHC) services, as needed. The strategy should
be founded on sound evidence based on studies with clear objectives,
approaches, plans, activities, as well as monitoring and evaluation
mechanisms. - Provide support for social listening and rumour management through establishment of crisis communication
- Provide
support for capacity building of Health Workers, CSOs, Front-Line
workers on demand generation-linking it with the gains made in RCCE - Ensure approaches used are inclusive, consultative, and participatory to carry along all stakeholders.
Promotion of C4D/SBCC/RCCE principles
- Provide advice on appropriate use of Social and Behavioural Change interventions
- Provide
expert advice, coordination and technical support to government
counterparts and other partners in the development and strategic use of
Communication for Development to ensure optimum leverage and impact of
communication activities on programme, policy and advocacy activities. - Collaborate
with the national and subnational Government officials,
community/traditional leaders, other UN bodies, and bilateral agencies
and NGOs in the organization of activities, operational research,
advocacy and exchange of information and ideas supportive of RCCE’s
goals and strategies. - Monitor and evaluate activities based on applied targeted communication research and visits to field/project sites, when needed.
- Disseminate
communication research findings, ensuring exchanges of experience and
new methods to government officials, programme staff, and other UNICEF
partners.
Capacity Building for Sustainability
Oversee
and advise on the development of goals, strategy, approaches, plans as
well as training materials and activities to build up capacity in
participatory and behaviour change communication for personnel involved
in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of Communication for
Development intervention within RCCE strategies for generating demand
for COVID-19 vaccine uptake by communities.
REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
- The
consultant will report to the C4D Manager and work closely with the
Director of Health Promotion Service/Unit in the Ministry of Health, and
Health Specialist in Health Section, UNICEF Tanzania will support with
providing guidance for this assignment. - It is expected that the
consultant prepares an implementation plan with timelines for the
assignment, outlining planned tasks and concrete steps to be undertaken
to accomplish the planned tasks within the scheduled time. - Regular
discussions will be held face-to-face, virtually, the consultant is
expected to stay in touch via telephone, e-mails, and other means such
as Zoom or Skype. - The 1st consultant will be based at Dar es Salaam or Dodoma with regular field visits.
- The 2nd one in Zanzibar with regular field visits within Unguja and Pemba.
- The
consultants will need to present the draft documents as well as the
final report to UNICEF, MOH. At the beginning of the assignment, the
consultants are expected to produce and agree with UNICEF and HPS Unit,
Immunization Unit and PORALG of MOH on work plan schedules for the
assignment period.
EXPECTED DELIVERABLES
| SN | Task | Report, training Material, Workshop etc | % of payment | Estimated # of payment days | Time Frame |
| 1 | Review key documents and prepare and submit an inception report and work plan of consultancy assignment after consultations with HPS and PORALG and key stakeholders |
Inception report with detailed demand generation plans with roles and responsibilities, timeline, and associated budget | 10% | 21 | Jan 22 |
| 2 | Conduct rapid assessment for KAP / Behavioural and Social Drivers (BeSD) on COVID-19 vaccination aimed to reach priority target population (Utilizing any available secondary information) • Coordinate with RCCE |
Rapid surveys /assessment reports
Meeting reports on coordination meetings submitted to ensure RCCE network strengthened. Demand generation and communication plan is in place. |
10% | 21 | Feb to Jul 22 |
| 3 | Develop training materials and conduct all relevant stakeholders’ capacities building in participatory and behaviour change communication area |
Trainings need assessment report
Training plans Training modules Trainings reports |
10% | 21 | Until Aug 22 |
| 4 | Develop and distribute SOPs and communication messages, IEC material for partners and targeted population | SOPs and material dissemination plan implemented. | 10% | 21 | Until mar 22 |
| 5 | Support for social listening and rumour management through feedback and crisis communication mechanisms. | Social listening and rumour tracking mechanisms are functioning. | 10% | 21 | Jan- Aug 22 |
| 6 | Support for national and subnational RCCE teams in implementing community-based approach interventions for Covid vaccine demand promotion. |
Training plan completed and field monitoring report provided. | 10% | 21 | Jan- Aug 22 |
| 7 | Documentation of demand generation process focused on action reviews, lessons learned and positive practices using submitted reports and developed resources and tools. |
Documentation of the process with lessons learnt completed. | 10% | 21 | Jan- Aug 22 |
| 8 | Package and lead production of evidence based appropriate, relevant communication for C4D knowledge sharing, publications and works. |
C4D case studies documented and at least two journal publications produced/issued. | 15% | 21 | Aug 22 |
| 9 | Provide final report on implementation of the demand generation plan. | Final report on coordination, planning and monitoring of COVID-19 vaccine uptake and roll out plan. | 15% | 21 | 30 Au |
However,
as the actual starting date may impact the dates estimated in the TOR,
the exact timeframes and actual delivery dates will be jointly agreed
upon between the consultant and the supervisor upon contract signature.
PERFORMANCE INIDICATORS FOR EVALUATION OF RESULTS
The
performance of work will be evaluated based on the following
indicators: Completion of tasks specified in TOR,Compliance with the
established deadlines for submission of deliverables, Quality of work,
Demonstration of high standards in cooperation and communication with
UNICEF and counterparts
PAYMENT SCHEDULE
All
payments, without exception, will be made upon certification from the
supervisor of the contract, of the satisfactory and quality completion
of deliverables and upon receipt of the respective and approved invoice
as per table above indicating estimated deliverables timelines. Payments
are linked directly to the deliverables and the days indicated are only
for planning purposes.
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will need to have the following..
Education Level: Advanced
university degree from a recognized academic institution in one or more
of the following areas is preferred in social science, communication,
international studies, or a related technical field in UNICEF C4D areas
or first university degree combined with relevant professional work
experience and understanding of relevant functions may be considered in
lieu of advanced university degree.
Work experience:
Minimum six years progressively responsible experience in
humanitarian/development programme coordination, planning and
monitoring, emergency preparedness, complex emergency/multi-hazard
disasters, community engagement and accountability to affected
population work with UN, civil society and/or NGO.
Work experience
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.
Technical skills and knowledge:
Product
knowledge on social behaviour change, social mobilization, community
engagement and understanding of the principles of communication for
development, knowledge and experience with collecting data and designing
evidence-based C4D strategies, as well as risk communication and
communication engagement are essential.
Languages:
Written and spoken fluency in English and swahili are required.
ADMINISTRATIVE ISSUES
- UNICEF
will regularly communicate with the specialist and provide feedback and
guidance and necessary support so to achieve objectives of the work, as
well as remain aware of any upcoming issues related to the performance
and quality of work. - As per policy on consultants and individual
contractors, the individual will be expected to complete a list of
mandatory training and other relevant policies for their information and
acknowledgment prior to the official contract being issued. - The
assignment requires the consultant when in Tanzania, to actively engage
with partners as well as the focal person in Ministry of Health (EPI),
City Councils and NGOs. - The consultant will need to present the
draft documents as well as the final report to UNICEF and EPI, MOH. At
the beginning of the assignment, the consultant is expected to produce
and agree with UNICEF and EPI, MOH on work plan schedules for the
assignment period. - The consultants will work from the HPS, HPU
and UNICEF Tanzania Country Office premises, keeping COVID-19 safety and
preventative measures in mind. If the footprint plan does not allow
working from UNICEF premises, the consultant will work from home. - The consultant will use a personal computer and phone to carry out the work.
- Copy right of all deliverables belong to UNICEF.
MEDICAL EVACUATION COVERAGE.
- The consultant will be required to submit the proof of medical/Health Insurance with medical evacuation coverage.
LOCATION AND LOGISTICS
- The
consultants will be based Dar Es Salam (or Dodoma if needed) and in
Zanzibar and working from HPS/HPU Office premises until such a time when
COVID travel restrictions are relaxed to allow in-country/field travel.
EVALUATION PROCESS AND METHODS
- Proposals will be both technically and financially evaluated.
DURATION OF THE CONSULTANCY
- This consultancy covers a period of 168 days.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Interested consultants should provide the following:
- Brief
technical proposal (no longer than five pages) demonstrating the
consultant’s understanding of the assignment and approach/methodology to
the assignment - Financial proposal including a breakdown of
their all-inclusive fees (including professional fees, travel, living
cost, and other costs).
For every Child, you demonstrate…
UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA)
The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…
Builds
and maintains partnerships, demonstrates self-awareness and ethical
awareness, innovates, and embraces change, drive to achieve results for
impact, manages ambiguity and complexity, thinks, and acts
strategically, work Collaboratively with others.
To view our competency framework, please click the link below.
https://www.unicef.org/careers/media/1041/file/UNICEF%27s_Competency_Framework.pdf
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 deadline for submitting the application is 26 December 2021.
