Social and Behavior change (SBC) National Consultant for Polio Outbreak Response

To support implementation of the Advocacy, Communication, Social Mobilization (ACSM) and SBC M&E activities, including capacity building of partners to facilitate effective polio outbreak response interventions in Tanzania.

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, Health

Background

Malawi detected polio virus type 1 on February 17 being the first wild polio case the country has seen in over three decades. Confirmed by WHO, the Malawian government called the outbreak a public health emergency. Against this backdrop, the Government of the Republic of Tanzania supported by Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), WHO and UNICEF will conduct multiple rounds of targeted polio campaigns nationwide. The two rounds of polio Supplementary Immunization Activity (SIAs) campaign will be as follows: Round 1 – 21 March 2022 and Round 2 - 18 April 2022.  

As per the global Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) of GPEI, UNICEF is accountable for supporting the government in the areas of SBC/ACSM. The ToR has been prepared to hire an emergency SBC national consultant for immediate deployment in the UNICEF Tanzania country office to support the Ministry of Health (MoH) to implement the polio SIAs. The Consultant will be based in MoH and provide SBC technical support to the campaign as guided by the International Consultant.

Objectives, Purpose and Expected results

Under the direct supervision of the C4D Specialist, Office of the Deputy Representative, the contractor will:

1. Provide technical support to MOH in the planning and implementation of the national operational plan for polio response as per global guideline and SOPs in consultation with key stakeholders
2. Strengthen subnational SBC capacity per defined geographic prioritization to engage in polio response in line with GEPI response plan guideline 
3. Employ polio communication M&E standards and systems including use of social data in cooperation with the relevant stakeholders.

How can you make a difference?

Description of the assignment

Working closely with the international SBC expert and UNICEF Health and SBC team:

1. Support assessment of communication platforms and networks at subnational level/province/district
2. Support review, pre-testing and dissemination of IEC products tailored for various target populations/ audiences, based on careful assessment of community’s knowledge, practices and behaviors and ensure that an effective distribution plan is in place
3. Facilitate ACSM micro-planning in targeted provinces/districts and provinces working closely with MOH and key stakeholders 
4. Support coordination of ongoing implementation of ACSM activities at subnational levels
5. Providing technical support in conducting community engagement, social mobilization and advocacy activities to support the planned SIA rounds inline with the Polio response plan
6. Facilitate ACSM training for provincial and district health promotion and other relevant staff in line with the UNICEF global training standards for Polio response  
7. Ensure monitoring and reporting of ACSM activities are carried out in line with the M&E standards and systems and use of social data, including a focus on reporting on missed children and refusal children recorded during campaign; document human interest stories and good practices.

Deliverables

The consultant will ensure timely attainment of the following deliverables:

1. Mapping and assessment of communication platforms  
2. Job aid and IEC materials developed/adapted 
3. Mapping matrix with contacts  
4. Package of reviewed IEC materials  
5. Micro plans with ACSM and monitoring components
6. Progress updates from coordination platforms /reports
7. Implementation progress updates
8. Training and Field trip reports 
9. Weekly community out reach updates and reports  

Reporting Requirement

The consultant will directly report to the SBC Specialist. The reports and deliverables will be jointly reviewed by UNICEF, Ministry of Health- HPS and International Polio SBC Expert 

Location and Duration

The consultant will be based in Dodoma (50% in Mbeya, Njombe, Ruvuma and Songwe)

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

The consultant is expected to meet a minimum of the following qualifications:

1. At least 10 years’ relevant experience and product knowledge on social behaviours change, social mobilization, risk communication and community engagement.
2. Knowledge 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
3. Proven experience in Public Health Emergencies and Risk Communication interventions planning and coordination in developing country context; and the experience in Tanzania would be as asset.
4. Strong communication skills in English and Kiswahili spoken and written 
5. Proven ability to work effectively in cross-cultural and multi-cultural settings and teams, and to deliver high-quality results within expected time frames.
6. Fluency in written and spoken English and Swahili.

Evaluation, Process and Methods 

Proposals will be both technically and financially evaluated. The technical part will carry a weight of 75%, in which the consultant will put clear his/her technical approach to ensure quality attainment of each deliverable and the consultancy in totality. The financial part will carry 25% showing proposed budget breakdown of consultancy cost for each deliverable and eventual total consultancy cost. This will make a total of 100%.  

The Financial Proposal should include all costs of this assignment including fee, travel costs, accommodation as UNICEF will not pay any of these costs .

Project Management 

The consultant will be responsible for his/her travel costs while implementing the project.

Policy both parties should be aware of ;

Travel Days: 90 days the cost of travel should be included in the financial proposal 

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.