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Background and justificationDespite a considerable investment in vaccine supply and delivery in the past decades, many children still miss out on basic childhood vaccines. Alongside with supply and availability of immunization services, caregivers’ demand for vaccination, trust in vaccines and immunization and vaccine hesitancy directly impact immunization programmes performance and the degree to which a population is protected against vaccine-preventable diseases.
To better understand the various factors leading to decreasing immunization rates and to address various factors negatively impacting on demand for immunization, UNICEF Europe and Central Asia Regional Office (ECARO) is initiating a series of interventions, including: conducting a landscape analysis of social media and immunization in ECA region; developing, implementing and assessing social media immunization campaigns; developing social listening and digital engagement tools; designing, testing and documenting behavioural insights approaches to strengthen demand for immunization; developing a monitoring and evaluation framework to measure changes in the quality of interaction between health care providers and caregivers; training of national trainers on interpersonal communication for immunization. ECARO will also provide technical assistance, support and guidance to UNICEF Country Offices in conducting immunization-related research, development of behaviour and social change strategies and outbreak preparedness and response strategies.
The purpose of this assignment is to support UNICEF ECARO with the conceptualization, design, review and documentation of various immunization-related interventions implemented in the Regional Office and in country offices.
Purpose description of the assignmentThe individual contractor is expected to support the Communication for Development section by:
Collecting and submitting relevant sets of documents (reports, policies, programmes, communication materials etc.) on:
Behavioural, institutional and service delivery bottlenecks, to support identification and development of behavioural insights approaches to strengthen demand for immunization (by 28 February 2020). National and sub-national policies, programmes and budgets, to support the mapping of institutional capacity needs and entry points for mainstreaming demand promotion / social and behaviour change (SBC) in national immunization policies, programmes and budgets (by 10 March 2020). Tools and approaches to measure quality of health care provider – caregiver interactions, at individual; health facility; community level (15 May 2020).Reviewing and providing inputs to a series of desk review and data collection methodologies and tools, as follows:
Inception report, methodologies and approaches for desk review and development of behaviour insights solutions to strengthen demand for immunization (by 15 March 2020). Methodology and tools for pretesting on behavioural insights solutions to strengthen demand for immunization (by 15 June 2020). Methodology and data collection tools to pre-test tools to measure changes in the quality of service provider – caregiver interaction (by 25 July 2020).Reviewing and providing inputs to:
Assessment report on the impact of social media, including anti-immunization movements on social media on caregivers’ attitudes, beliefs, trust, immunization intention and uptake (by 25 March 2020). Desk review (synthesis) report on documented effective approaches, tools and campaigns to promote immunization, address vaccine hesitancy and anti-immunization narrative on social media (by 15 April 2020). Assessment report on social media platforms, messages and networks related to immunization in ECA region (by 25 April 2020). Social listening and social media engagement toolkit (by 15 May 2020; 15 November 2020). Report and option papers to strengthen demand for immunization in national immunization policies, programmes and budgets (10 June; 30 June; 20 August 2020); Report on pre-testing tools to measure changes in the quality of service provider – caregiver interaction (by 25 August 2020). Pre-testing reports of behaviour insights interventions and recommendations for solutions implementation at a larger scale, along with proposed methodology and approaches to measure results/effectiveness of proposed solutions (15 September; 15 October 2020). Communication and information materials developed at regional and country levels. Supporting the Regional Office in organizing and conducting two regional Trainings of Trainers on interpersonal communication for immunization (March-June 2020). Supporting country offices in organising and implementing relevant activities at country level (as part of regional initiatives). Supporting UNICEF country offices on developing country specific Technical Assistance packages to government and partners to improve demand promotion planning, implementation and monitoring (by 15 November 2020). Conducting literature and desk reviews on factors influencing demand-side barriers and enablers to increase community acceptance of and demand for immunisation (as required). Documenting relevant interventions, good/promising practices (at least 5 case studies: 2 stories by 15 November 2020; 3 stories by 15 January 2021). Actively participating in relevant meetings and providing assistance with follow-up action, whenever relevant. Liaising with country offices and contractors, when needed, to identify and address needs and facilitate adequate planning and implementation of activities. Contributing to preparation of donor reports.The timeline/deadline mentioned above are tentative. As the above assignments are closely linked to four institutional contracts, which will be initiated starting February-March 2020, the exact deliverables and the deadlines for this consultancy will be revised and finalised based on the final timelines under the institutional contracts.
A monthly work plan will be developed and submitted ahead of each month, identifying the key deliverables and timelines.
DeliverablesThe consultant will produce and submit a monthly activity report at the end of each month, describing key results achieved and activities implemented, based on monthly work plans.
Performance indicators 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 deliverables. Demonstration of high standards of work. Qualification requirements A post-graduate degree in social sciences, preferably on social and behaviour change, communication for development, social psychology. At least 3 years of experience in supporting and/or managing programmes and projects (programme/project management). Previous experience in the area of immunization. Previous experience and expertise in working on communication for behaviour and social change on issues related to immunization is preferred. Strong planning and organization skills. Demonstrated ability to produce high quality results in a timely manner. Previous experience in working in Europe and Central Asia region. Excellent command of English. Proven familiarity and experience working with the UN (ideally with UNICEF) is preferred. ApplicationsInterested companies/institutions should submit:
A CVs and/or Personal history form (downloadable from http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/P11.doc). Alternatively, if a candidate profile in the UNICEF e-Recruitment System is available, you may download it and submit it as part of application. A financial offer, with a monthly rate in USD. Evidence of similar relevant work experience.Please note that consultants based in Geneva, Switzerland are subject to Swiss Law. As such, they must write to the tax authorities to register as tax payers and complete an annual tax return. Moreover, they must register with a recognised Swiss health insurance company. For further information, please read the guidelines here.
The candidates will be evaluated against the following criteria:
The institutions which receive a minimum of 70 points will be considered further.
ResponsibilitiesUNICEF’s responsibilities include timely provision of all required information, guidance and feedback on all deliverables. The consultant is expected to produce products as per defined tasks and deliverables and revise them based on feedback to be provided by UNICEF.
Reporting requirementsThe consultant will be supervised by and report to the Regional C4D Specialist.
Administrative issuesThis consultancy is based in Geneva, Switzerland and may involve some travel countries of in ECA region. All travel expenses will be paid by UNICEF. The consultant will travel by the most direct and economical route in economy class. UNICEF will pay the daily subsistence allowance as per UN-approved rate. The consultant must be fit to travel, be in a possession of the valid UN BSafe certificate, obligatory inoculation(s) and have a valid own travel/medical insurance and an immunization/vaccination card.
UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities.
Payment mechanismPayment will be made monthly based on submission of monthly invoices by the consultant based on completion of key monthly deliverables.
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. 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.
View our competency framework at
http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/UNICEF_Competencies.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.
This vacancy is archived.