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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 Azerbaijan maintained high national immunization coverage rates until 2019. At sub-national level some districts had lower coverage which was explained by piloting of the healthcare reforms in these areas, although it did not significantly affect national averages. However, since 2020, Azerbaijan has faced backsliding in immunization coverage, particularly for DTP3 vaccine – from 2019 to 2022 there was an 11 percentage point drop. In 2022, 81% districts reported MCV1 coverage above 90% and only 44% districts reported DTP3 coverage above 95% demonstrating significant variation in coverage across districts and related inequities. There were 281 measles cases reported in 2019, while in 2023 country faced measles outbreak with over 13,000 cases officially report for that year. UNICEF is committed to support government in strengthening delivery of immunization programme both through reinforcement of routine immunization services to address backsliding in vaccine coverage, and outbreak response activities addressing situation with measles. As part of this effort, UNICEF requires the expertise of a Social and Behavior Change (SBC) Consultant to conduct community sessions with parents/caregivers on immunization and to support the development of information, education and communication materials and assets on immunization.
How can you make a difference? Purpose of Activity/Assignment: To provide technical support for UNICEF Azerbaijan Country Office in increasing awareness and understanding of the importance of immunization among parents and caregivers in priority regions with low vaccine coverage (Nakhchivan, Mingachevir, Yevlakh and Gobustan), ultimately leading to improved immunization coverage rates. Additionally, the consultant will contribute to the development of Information, education and communication (IEC) assets tailored to the local context. Scope of Work: The assignment envisions travelling to high priority regions and facilitation of community level SBC sessions for parents/caregivers and community leaders. The consultant will be working under supervision of Health and Nutrition specialist in close collaboration with Health team of Country Office. This assignment implies work in regions with frequent travel.
Tasks/Milestone:
Deliverables/Outputs:
Timeline:
Develop SBC session plans and materials for engaging parents/caregivers and community members on immunization
Target is 5,000 parents/caregivers
SBC session plan and materials prepared in line with UNICEF programming documents and strategies, and preliminary results of Coverage Equity Analysis
10 days until 15 May 2024
Delivering SCB sessions in communities for parents/caregivers and community leaders in Nakhchivan
Facilitate SBC sessions with parents/caregivers of under-vaccinated or zero-dose children covering 6 districts of Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic (Shahbuz, Ordubad, Julfa, Babak, Sadarak, Kangarli). Submit session reports of community sessions conducted, including attendance records and participant feedback.
7 days until 31 May 2024
Develop information, education and communication materials and assets on routine immunization that will support health workers
IEC materials (e.g., posters, brochures, videos on immunization) developed, pre-tested and cleared with relevant stakeholders.
15 days until 15 June 2024
Delivering SCB sessions in communities for parents/caregivers and community leaders in Gobustan (1 day), Mingachevir (3 days) and Yevlakh (2 days)
Facilitate SBC sessions with parents/caregivers of under-vaccinated or zero-dose children covering 6 districts of Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic (Shahbuz, Ordubad, Julfa, Babak, Sadarak, Kangarli).
Submit session reports of community sessions conducted, including attendance records and participant feedback.
6 days until 30 June
Support design and piloting of sms reminder system
Support coordination of the initiative, design of sms reminders system, its piloting and assessment of outcomes
20 days until 30 August
Development of final consultancy report with all deliverables and data required for donor report
Final report submitted
10 days until 30 September
Travel Local (please include travel plan)
1 flight to Nakhchivan with reduced terminals
DSA (if applicable)
6 nights stay in Nakhchivan
2 nights stay in Mingachevir
2 nights stay in Yevlakh
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
Advanced degree in social sciences, communication, public health, or related field. Demonstrated experience in conducting community-based interventions and facilitating group sessions, particularly in the context of health promotion or behaviour change. Knowledge of immunization issues and experience working in the field of maternal and child health. Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage diverse audiences. Fluency in Azerbaijani language Strong understanding of human rights, international development, or humanitarian response. Previous experience of work with UNICEF and/or WHO, and knowledge of UNICEF programmes and its goals a plusFor every Child, you demonstrate…
UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS).
To view our competency framework, please visit here.
UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.
UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment.
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 selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.
This vacancy is archived.