Batch Recruitment: 2 x national Consultant for Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) in support of COVID-19 Vaccination and Routine Immunization (RI) Demand Generation Ebolowa, Cameroon. 

Job no: 560120
Contract type: Consultant
Duty Station: Yaounde
Level: Consultancy
Location: Cameroon
Categories: Communication

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

UNICEF has been working in Cameroon since 1975 to allow women and children to fully realize their rights to development without restriction, as enshrined in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. UNICEF provides financial and technical support to Cameroon across seven areas to fully realize the rights of women and children. These areas include Health, HIV/AIDS, Water-sanitation-Hygiene, nutrition, education, child protection, and social inclusion. UNICEF focuses mainly on children and the most vulnerable and excluded families. Cameroon’s 2020 population is estimated at 26,545,863 people according to UN data. The population is young and generates strong socioeconomic demand. In rural areas, limited access to basic social services and the effects of climate change lead to household impoverishment and severe child deprivations. The task is immense but not insurmountable; it requires the energy of all stakeholders in Cameroon and outside of Cameroon: also, women, men, youth and children, government, technical and financial partners, donors, civil society, the private sector, parliamentarians, and communities. Everyone is invited to participate in the struggle to meet the challenges ahead. Together, we will act for Cameroon, a country that summarizes the challenges and hopes of Africa.

To learn more about UNICEF Cameroon, use the below link 

https://unicef.sharepoint.com/sites/CMR/SitePages/AboutUs.aspx

How can you make a difference? 

To ensure coordination and technical support for the implementation of preparedness activities for the Marburg Virus Disease outbreak in the South and Centre regions. Both National SBC Consultants were recruited to support the coordination and implementation of MVD outbreak preparedness activities in the South and Centre regions.  The incumbents of each position will provide technical support for the coordinated design and implementation of a UNICEF-supported SBC/RCCE strategy for the improvement of MVD outbreak preparedness in both regions.  Special emphasis would also be laid on shaping communication through ordinary and social media, broadcasting preventive measures in schools, educational institutions, and places of worship.

Task and Responsibility

1. Support to Strategy Design of SBC/RCCE preparedness activities

• Research and participate in conducting comprehensive SBC situation analysis of social, communication, cultural, economic, and political issues in the Duty station. Collect and compile qualitative and quantitative information and data to support the establishment of comprehensive and evidence-based orientation for reviewing and implementing components of COVID-19 response/vaccine rollout RCCE pillars and RI demand generation as per agreed standards and benchmarks.
• Assist the local government in running the RCCE pillar and routine immunization-related meetings and provide technical expertise in SBC by promoting pro-equity, gender transformative, people-centered, and evidence-based tailored strategies to encourage demand and uptake of essential health services, including vaccination while maintaining public trust in health systems and vaccines.
• Collect, compile, draft, and/or organize materials and related documentation for evidence-based achievements/results for COVID-19 vaccine rollout, routine immunization, and strengthening primary health care and community-based systems.
• Document, monitor and assess the impact of SBC strategies and activities and provide data and feedback to monitor the progress of SBC for Routine immunization and COVD vaccine rollout weekly. The report must include rumors/ response(s). Challenges/ solutions, gaps, recent activities, and requests for support.

2. Support the implementation of SBC/RCCE preparedness activities

• Collaborate with a partner to provide operational and technical support to strategies in the areas of participatory communication, RCCE, Social and behavior change, and appropriate materials and media to reach the target audience.
• Provide technical, administrative, and logistical support in coordination with UNICEF’s relevant sections and implementing partners, to (1) Reach the target population with culturally appropriate and gender-sensitive messages to reduce health risks concerning both physical and behavioral aspects, (2) Develop capacities for RCCE, Social and behavioral change/promotion and community outreach mobilization among local partners and stakeholders to address issues of routine/COVID-19 vaccination hesitancy, (3) Develop, pre-test, edit, and produce culturally relevant communication materials meeting requirements and quality standards.
• Manage with actors at the community level to identify rumors, assess information needs, coordinate and map out priority gaps and identify key SBC RCCE/COVID, routine immunization, and, primary health care and community-based systems strengthen interventions involving most at-risk groups, social mobilizers and creation of resources and platforms.

3. Advocacy, networking, and partnership building

• Work with UNICEF sectoral partners at the local level to incorporate and integrate their normative guidance and activities into the RCCE efforts, as well as with other sectors.
• Develop and improve a strong partnership with community groups, local authorities, and civil society to promote participation in positive social and behavioral change activities related to RI demand generation and COVID-19 vaccine rollout.
• Collaborate with internal/regional communication partners to harmonize, link, and/or coordinate messaging to enhance SBC outreach and contribution to programmatic outcomes related to RI demand generation and COVID-19 vaccine rollout.

4. Innovation, knowledge management, and capacity building

• Support the organization, and administration and implement capacity-building initiatives to enhance the competencies of social mobilizers and other key actors/influencers. Develop materials for training activities, and revise and update them as necessary.
• Institutionalize/share best practices and knowledge learned/products with global/local partners and stakeholders to build the capacity of practitioners/users and disseminate products to key audiences including partners and donors.

5. Research, Monitoring, and Evaluation

• Based on the results of monitoring and evaluation efforts, guide the revisions of the communication strategy and messages through participatory micro-planning with government officials, programme staff, and other UNICEF partners.
• Analyze and evaluate data to ensure compliance and achievement of objectives and recommend corrective action, when necessary, to meet programme/project objectives.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have

• Bachelor`s degree in Social and behavioral science, sociology, anthropology, psychology, education, communication, public relations, or another related social science field is required
• A minimum of 2 years of professional experience in areas of social development program planning, communications, and public advocacy and/or related areas at the national and/or regional level is required.
• Fluency in French and English is required. Knowledge of Pidgin English and/or Fulfulde is an asset

Note: Candidates should ensure to:

• Attached a cover letter – highlighting their suitability and experience for the job
• CV or P11 form
•  Indicate their ability, availability, and rate (monthly) expressed in US$  to undertake the terms of reference. 

For every Child, you demonstrate 

UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS). 

To view our competency framework, please visit  here.  

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

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. 

Advertised: 10 Mar 2023 W. Central Africa Standard Time
Deadline: 25 Mar 2023 W. Central Africa Standard Time