VAC-11955 Provincial Communication Officer

The polio eradication programme is operating in polio high risk areas. Access to communities at risk is essential for the program to contain the polio virus transmission through increasing the community collective immunity. Polio outreach workers recruited from the local communities are deployed to address vaccine uptake issues and mobilize their communities. Due to the need to cover all the polio high-risk areas, including the most remote ones, Our client staff members are unable to carry out such tasks. Under this contract, supervision and facilitation of community engagement activities is conducted through district officers. 

·       On behalf of the PEMT/REMT, manage the planning, implementation and monitoring of Social Mobilization and Communication activities in the province, coordinating with key partners especially WHO, religious/opinion leaders, Influencers, NGOs, CBOs, Youth forum, Women Groups, etc.

·Implement the advocacy component of the programme at provincial level with the Provincial Governor, line departments of government and relevant partners.

·Provide technical oversight to DCOs in LPDs to ensure evidence based monthly communication plans are developed and implemented at district and cluster levels

·Disseminate monthly messages and talking points at monthly district planning meetings and trainings, based on province specificities and aligned with central guidance

·Facilitate the recruitment of DCOs in the province, in coordination with PEMT/DoPH and major partners in the district.

·Ensure overall lead and supervision of DCOs, review their performance during field monitoring (district and cluster plans, monitoring of campaign-based SMs, support to RI, data maintenance, training sessions for CCS, etc.)

·Coordinate with the regional trainer for all ICN personnel trainings in the province, as per training needs assessment, and train DCOs

·Facilitate the timely payments of performing ICN staff

·Prepare financial reports of funds utilization at the provincial level

·Through PEMT/REMT, verify funds expenditure for DCOs and campaign-based SMs

·Document key communication interventions, initiatives, progress made in the high risk districts, barriers faced, continuing challenges, solutions explored and action taken to overcome the challenges

·Coordinate pre-campaign engagement acitvities

·Collect social data for confirmed Polio cases in the province

·Retrieve copies of all districts RI micro plans from NGO/DEMT in charge and ensure all low performing areas and access compromised areas are planned for coverage

·Conduct at least 6 RI sessions monitoring monthly and provide feedback to PEMT/DoPH using applicable format

·Work in collaboration with the Polio Eradication Initiative Coordinator, Assistant Regional Polio Officer, Provincial Polio Officer, Provincial EPI Management Team and Provincial Health Director to ensure the that the accountability framework for vaccine management is in place and that cold chain capacities are adequate:

Before campaign to monitor and report on:

·District teams are trained on the basics of type 2 vaccine management

·Cold chain inventories are conducted and shared it with the regional level.

·The consumables, management tools and vaccines are delivered on time to districts.

During campaign:

·Feedbacks on vaccine management during evening meetings received and corrective actions are followed-up.

·Daily field visits to ensure compliance with good practices are conducted and capacities are strengthened

·The use of vaccine and proper vaccine management is monitored on the online dashboard

·Vaccine availability is monitored at district level daily and stock outs are solved as soon as possible

·The Daily Summary Sheet and the Vaccine Vials Tracking Form are filled daily with figures from district level

After campaign to monitor and report on:

·The final Daily Summary Sheets, the Vaccine Vials Tracking Form and the Form A are filled on the paper-based system and ODK (for Form A) within 7 days after completion of campaign

·Destruction is completed within 10 days after completion of campaign and destruction report is filled and transmitted to national level.

·All usable vials are returned at regional level in cold chain.

Deliverables

1-A data-based provincial communication plan is developed each month based on information retrieved form the LPDs, and fully implemented

2-Data-based communication plans are developed and fully implemented in all LPDs and clusters of all LPDs

3-DCOs are led, supervised and monitored to deliver high performance.

4-A monthly programme report with focus on Social Mobilization/Communication activities, paying close attention to issues, actions taken, results and way forward is shared with PEMT/REMT (includes IEC materials distribution and utilization)

5-Comprehensive monitoring reports of SIA rounds by districts and against agreed indicators are sent to relevant officers (EOC/NEPI, our client Polio M&E Specialist)

6-Performing ICN members are paid on time

7-The programme expenditures are well managed and monthly detailed reports provided

8-All ICN in the province are trained with appropriate curriculum and monthly training reports are provided

9-During campaign provide activity reports that include information on Logistics & Vaccine Management

10-Social data is collected for confirmed polio cases, in collaboration with major partners (WHO and Government).

11-A report on all RI sessions monitored within the Province is provided each month to PEMT/REMT

12-Stories of interest and good practice are shared at least once a quarter or as they are available.

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▪University degree in social science, political science, medical science, public health, midwifery, or nursing. Experience in the Polio programme is given priority.

▪At least three years’ experience in relevant fields

▪Experience in health promotion is a plus.

▪Ability to travel to health facilities in the districts and villages for monitoring and support as required.

▪Fluent in the local languages of the area

▪Fluency in the English language is desirable.

▪Good computer skills including MS Office and use of internet.