VAC-9117 Polio Technical Facilitator

Background:

AfghanistanandPakistanaretheworld'sremainingpolio-endemic countriesIn2022,asofNovember30, Afghanistan reported 02 WPV1 reported in Kunar and Paktika provinces and 13 environmental cases in EasternRegion,KunarandNangarharprovinces.Theseresultsconfirmtheneedforcontinuescommunity engagement efforts, especially engagement of influencers with a particular focus on previously inaccessible areas, high-risk districts, and areas where children are still missed mainly those refusing uptakeofvaccineduetomanyaspectssuchaslowawareness,misconception,operationalchallengesetc., and proper management ofvaccines and cold chain systems.

To address the issue, UNICEF is planning to recruit Polio Programme Extenders for its offices in all the regionsThe extender will closely work with polio team including extenders, Provincial Communication Officers (PCOs) and District Communication Officers (DCOs) and under the general guidance of UNICEF Regions Polioteam leaders, theincumbents willberesponsible formapping influencers such asreligion- based opponents and allies, identifying effective means and products of communication, liaising with religious and opinion groups, andmonitoring oftrends inpublic trustinpolio vaccines, and vaccine/cold chainmanagement. ThePolioProgrammeExtenderwillworkcloselywithCommunicationandM&Eteam to monitor polio-misinformation, rumors, and online and on the ground anti-polio vaccine propaganda. The incumbents will also oversee the training of influencers, agents on change on polio, polio vaccines and the need for routine immunization.

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•Map out, maintain and update list of vaccine pro-religious leaders and other community influencers and those opposing polio vaccines and routine vaccination.

•Categorize and find out reason of refusal,especially thosewithreligious misperceptions given geographical areas, target groups and their influences.

•Conducttrainingneedassessmentand training of key influencers including religious leaders, and members ofthe IAGonpoliomisinformationandways to encounter it.

•Work closely withthe communication team and programme extenders to assist and test audience-specific messages aimed at responding to reason of refusals such as religion- based misperceptions and distrust in polio vaccines.

•Support regional teams and stakeholders in the preparation of capacity-building materials and key messages to address misperceptions on polio.

•In coordination with PEI partners, liaise with the Directorate of Hajj and Religious Affairs and other line departmentstoplanactivitiestoo.

DELIVERABLE(s)

•Community engagement and social mobilization plan and mapping ofinfluencesdeveloped.

•Coordination and collaboration with partners and institutions established.

•Misinformation management taskforce activated.

•Training need assessment conducted, and key influencers trained.

•Details of polio vaccine refusals including the cause of refusal, geographical location, target groups and their influencers developed.

•Influencer's engagement strategy is developed, and strategy implementationreportisprepared andsharedwiththesupervisorand programme team on a quarterly basis.

•Training package and communication materials developmentassisted.

•Female madrasa members involved led in polio eradication efforts.  

•supportivesupervisionsessionsfor theFMVsorotherpoliopersonnel in the field provided.

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Education:

·       Bachelor degree completed combined with at least 5 years of work experience. An university degree in social science, sharia/Law, behavior communication, public health, social sciences, development planning, communication or other relevant field is highly desirable.

Work experience

·At least five years of experience working with communities, public or community health, communication or relevant field. Polio program or EPI program management will be an asset.

·Previous supervisory/project management experience is mandatory

·Capacity to analyze and integrate complex quantitative and qualitative data to provide guidance and contribute improving the performance.

·Candidates must live in the respective province where the position is announced. 

·Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

Language

Writing and speaking and fluency in locale language, Dari and Pashto. Knowledge of English is an asset.

Competencies and other skills

·Ability to travel to the remote locations within the province. 

·Good knowledge of computer management and applications

·Good communication and conflict management skills