Risk Communications and Community Engagement (RCCE) Program Consultant Tuvalu

UNICEF Pacific is looking to hire a suitable consultant to rovide technical and operational support to the Tuvalu Ministry of Health to assist with Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) activities related to COVID-19 Vaccine rollout, outbreak preparedness and response as well as routine immunization. Please refer to the detailed advert for more information.

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, a vision 

Tuvalu is the world’s fourth smallest country, covering an area of 26 square kilometers and spread across three reef islands and six coral atolls in the Pacific Ocean, situated west of the International Date line.

As per 2019 World Bank estimates, the population of Tuvalu is 11,655 people, with 0.81% population growth in 2020. Funafuti is Tuvalu’s capital city and most populous atoll where approximately 60% of Tuvalu’s population resides. The remaining 40% inhabit the outer islands of Nanumea, Nanumaga, Niutao, Nui, Vaitupu, Nukufetau, Nukulaelae and Niulakita.

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Tuvalu has maintained COVID-19 free status by enforcing measures such as border closures and putting in place strict protocols. Tuvalu’s COVID-19 vaccination campaign began in April 2021 with an aim to vaccinate 100% of the eligible population (18 and over) with AstraZeneca. Although initial uptake was slow, as of February 2022, 88% of the adult population has now been fully vaccinated.

The Health Promotion Unit (HPU) and Ministry of Health, Social Welfare and Gender Affairs (MHSWGA) have provided support to sustain the Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) vaccine demand creation activities in Tuvalu, although multiple challenges remain. These include the HPU’s capacity to sustain the momentum for the 2nd and booster doses of the COVID-19 vaccine and introduce adolescent vaccination among harsh geographical terrain, and declining routine immunization rates.

Routine childhood immunization coverage was above 90% in 2019 (JRF). However, with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a decrease in coverage in 2020 (JRF). As the response to COVID-19 remains a high priority, routine immunization coverage may continue to decline unless sustained efforts are made to strengthen immunization efforts by putting measures in place to support the HPU through capacity development, advocacy initiatives and engaging communities. It is also important to ensure that communities are prepared for any future COVID-19 outbreaks.

The RCCE Program Officer will provide technical and operational support to the Tuvalu Ministry of Health to assist with Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) activities related to COVID-19 Vaccine rollout, outbreak preparedness and response as well as routine immunization. They will participate in the RCCE task force in Tuvalu and support national and sub-national coordination. Through communication and engagement, as well as the empowerment and participation of stakeholders, communities, children, civil society partners, and other government counterparts, they will promote measurable behavioral and social change/mobilization. This subsequently contributes to the achievement of sustainable and concrete results in improving children’s rights, survival, and wellbeing in Tuvalu.

How can you make a difference?

•Provide technical Social & Behaviour Change (SBC)/RCCE support to the Tuvalu Ministry of Health for COVID-19 vaccine rollout and outbreak preparedness and response in the event of COVID-19 transmission.
• Provide technical SBC/RCCE support to the Tuvalu Ministry of Health for demand creation activities relevant to routine immunization.
• Support national and sub-national level coordination via the RCCE working group platform.
• Support rapid formative research (data collection and analysis) to inform COVID-19 RCCE and routine immunization activities.
• Support materials development, pre-testing and rollout as needed to support Tuvalu COVID-19 vaccination rollout, routine immunization and COVID-19 outbreak preparedness/response activities.
• Support monitoring and reporting of ongoing implementation of COVID-19 and routine immunization SBC activities.
• Provide guidance and support to national task forces and partners in Tuvalu if necessary.
• Any other SBC or emergent need required by the Ministry of Health during the term of support.

Supervisor: Chief of Social & Behaviour Change

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

• High School Diploma
• Certificate in Communications, Social Sciences, Programme Management or another related field
• A minimum of 2-3 years’ experience in SBC and emergencies with either the UN and/or NGOs in Emergency or Early Recovery and reconstruction settings.
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities within specified timeframes
• Strong visual communication abilities, including the ability to communicate complex ideas simply.
• Strong commitment to raising the profile of issues affecting children and their families in communities affected by poverty and exclusion.
• Fluency in Tuvaluan and English (verbal and written).

Application Requirements: All applications must include

• Cover letter
• CV
• proof of educational qualifications and relevant certificates at time of application 

Applications can be submitted on the UNICEF portal via the following email address: www.unicef.org/careers/ (Search Job#548842) or via the following email address pacificvacancies@unicef.org

Detailed Terms of References is as follows:  Terms of Reference_SBC Consultant (COVID-19)_Tuvalu .pdf

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

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:

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

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.