Social and Behavior Change (SBC) National Consultant for Polio Outbreak Response (6 positions) (1) Dar es Salaam, (2) Geita, (3) Kagera, (4) Lindi, (5) Tabora and, (6) Mara, (For 126 Days).

To support the 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, an advocate. 

Malawi detected poliovirus type 1 on February 17 being the first wild polio case the country has seen in over three decades. As 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 the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), WHO and UNICEF is conducting multiple rounds of targeted polio campaigns nationwide. The two rounds of the Polio Supplementary Immunization Activity (SIAs) campaign were conducted in March and May 2022. The third and fourth rounds are planned to be conducted between August and October 2022.

As per the global Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) of GPEI, UNICEF is accountable for supporting the government in the areas of SBC/ACSM. This ToR has been prepared to hire six emergency SBC national consultants for immediate deployment to support the Ministry of Health (MoH) to implement the polio SIAs. The Consultant will be based in MoH and PO-RALG and provide SBC technical support to the campaign in the assigned region(s).

How can you make a difference? 

The contractor will support the 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.

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

1. Provide technical support to MOH subnational level team in the planning and implementation of the national operational plan for polio response as per global guidelines and SOPs in consultation with key stakeholders

2. Strengthen subnational SBC capacity per defined geographic prioritization to engage in polio response in line with GPEI response plan guideline

3. Employ polio communication M&E standards and systems including the use of social data in cooperation with the relevant stakeholders.

KEY TASKS, DELIVERABLES AND TIME FRAME   

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

1. Support mapping of communication platforms and networks at the subnational level (Region, Councils/districts that have failed the LQAs)

2. Support review, pre-testing, adaptation and contextualization of IEC products to reach various target populations/ audiences, based on a careful assessment of the community’s knowledge, practices and behaviors and ensure that an effective distribution plan is in place

3. Facilitate ACSM micro-planning in targeted Regions/districts working closely with MOH and key stakeholders

4. Support coordination of the ongoing implementation of ACSM activities at sub-national levels

5. Providing technical support in conducting community engagement, social mobilization and advocacy activities to support the planned SIA rounds in line 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 that 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 the campaign; document human interest stories and good practices

8. Support the assigned Region(s) to undertake the prescribed SIA preparedness activities and ensure timely reporting through the prescribed M&E platforms (Google Dashboard and ODK reporting system) before and during the SIA campaign.

9. Support the RHMT/CHMT to conduct effective PHC meetings and other relevant community engagement and mobilization events

Deliverables
The consultant will ensure the timely attainment of the following deliverables:

1. Mapping and assessment of communication platforms in the region/council
2. Mapping matrix of Regional/Council level leaders/influencers active (or with potential) for community engagement and mobilization with contacts
3. Package of region/council-specific communication materials developed/adapted for the region.
4. Progress updates from coordination platforms /reports
5. Implementation progress updates on SIA
6. Training and Field trip reports
7. Weekly community outreach updates and reports

DELIVERABLES, TIME FRAME AND PAYMENT SCHEDULE

PAYMENT SCHEDULE.
Payments will be made upon submission and acceptance of the specified deliverables in the table above under section TASKS, DELIVERABLE AND TIME FRAME. UNICEF reserves the right to withhold all or portion of payment if performance is unsatisfactory, if work/output is incomplete, not delivered or for failure to meet deadlines. 

FINANCIAL PROPOSAL
Financial proposal should include all costs i.e travel cost, accommodation, fees and etc

ASSESSMENT / SELECTION PROCESS AND METHODS

The selection process will follow the normal SOP for individual consultancy

• The weight allocated between technical and financial proposal is 75/25 (technical/ financial).
• Minimum technical assessment points are 50 points (50% of 75 points).
• The following technical assessment criteria and points can be used for analyzing the proposals.

MEDICAL EVACUATION COVERAGE.
The consultant will be required to submit the proof of medical/Health Insurance with medical evacuation coverage.

LOGISTIC AND LOCATION
The consultancy has 90 travel days, and the consultant will be responsible for his/her travel costs while implementing the project.

DURATION AND LOCATION OF THE CONSULTANCY
This consultancy covers a period of 4.5 months (126 Days). The six required consultants will be based in (1) Dar es Salaam, (2) Geita, (3) Kagera, (4) Lindi, (5) Tabora and, (6) Mara.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have to meet the following qualifications… 

1. At least 5 years of relevant experience and product knowledge on social behavior 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
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.

For every Child, you demonstrate… 

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability and Sustainablity (CRITAS).   

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 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.