UNICEF recruits 01 International Consultancy C4D Specialist
International Consultancy C4D Specialist – Ebola Viral Disease (Roving in Ebola High Risk Locations )
Job Number: 525881 | Vacancy Link
Locations: Africa: South Sudan
Work Type : Consultancy
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Terms of Reference
Title – Consultant Ebola Viral Disease
Type of Contract Consultant
Supervision Chief, Communication for Development
Location South Sudan – Roving in Ebola High Risk Locations
Duration The duration of the consultancy is for 11 months starting 1st September 2019 to 1st August 2020, however can be extended depending on the status of the EVD response decided by the National Task Force and UNICEF CO
Start Date Immediate
Reporting to Chief, Communication for Development
Background/Rationale for the Assignment
Following the continuously Ebola outbreak in DRC and the significant risk of cross-border spread to neighboring countries, WHO prioritized 9 countries for Ebola preparedness and response in line with their proximity to the outbreak epicenter and health system capacity to cope with EVD. South Sudan, along with Rwanda, Uganda and Burundi, is categorized as the priority one.
The continuous risk of EVD spread from DR Congo is emphasized due to the fact that South Sudan has reported three indigenous outbreaks in the past. The outbreaks occurred in 1976, 1979, and 2005 and all the outbreaks occurred in the Western Equatoria state hub. The first two outbreaks occurred in Nzara and Maridi while the third outbreak occurred in Yambio alongside with a measles outbreak. These trends therefore suggest that even without the risk of EVD spread from the current outbreak in DR Congo, South Sudan harbors the reservoirs for EVD since the Greater Equatoria region shares the same ecological features with endemic locations in DR Congo.
As part of the prepared response, UNICEF is working in close coordination with Ministry of Health, WHO and other partners and is actively engaged in the EVD preparedness contingency planning that aims to ensure alignment of preparedness and to be continued for readiness actions in the coming months. UNICEF’s C4D role as lead agency for risk communication includes: i) coordination; ii) capacity reinforcement and guidance; iii) facilitation of assessments; iv) production, pre-positioning and broadcast of mass media messages to raise public awareness and overcome resistance; v) outreach to and training of opinion leaders, military personnel, journalists, community-based workers and other field-level partners; and vi) door-to-door campaigning and interpersonal communication to deliver focused messages to households and service providers. In addition, UNICEF through the established Risk Communication Task Force at the national level will continue to provide support to the Ministry of Health at national and state level to ensure effective coordination.
Hence UNICEF intends to hire a Communication for Development Specialist (Consultant) for the next eleven months starting from September 2019 to continue support at national/state level coordination, planning and implementation and monitoring of risk communication and community engagement activities in the Ebola high risk counties in South Sudan
Purpose & Expected Results
The purpose of hiring a consultant is to continue strengthening the capacities of the national/state Ebola task force team to plan, implement, monitor the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) preparedness and response plans for the current high-risk counties and provide timely report.
Deliverables
Duration
(Estimated # of Days) Deadline
1. Provide technical support to the planning and implementation of rapid community engagement and risk communication strategy, working with key UNICEF staff and partners for Ebola response, the Ministry of Health, and government health structures
2. Reviewing and facilitating pre-test the design of existing communication materials and activities and make recommendations for any necessary adjustments.
3. Developing a dissemination plan for Ebola response communication materials, monitor and follow up the appropriate and timely dissemination to end users.
4. Provide timely and comprehensive update of Ebola response communication activities by reviewing progress and identifying constraints through field visits, consultation with government counterparts, partners and community members, C4D team and UNICEF program staff.
5. Provide training and mentoring to strengthen the capacity of key MOH staff and partners for Ebola response.
6. Assist in building alliances/partnerships with religious groups, traditional leaders, teachers and other organized groups in the community to orient them on Ebola response and solicit their involvement in its implementation.
7. Develop/ maintain partnerships including implementing partners at sub-national level UN agencies, INGOs and other relevant organizations implementing Risk Communication and community engagement interventions of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) Preparedness Plan. Participate in key internal and external coordination mechanisms provide updates
8. Prepare, analyze reports, case studies and recommendations related to the activities and tasks described above.
9. Provide support for community surveillance and rumor tracking
10. Based on findings of Ebola formative research, update the risk communications strategy
11. Support humanitarian partners and stakeholders to systematic share information on Ebola situation and agencies’ implementation activities and, analyze existing data, identify remaining gaps and support the collective definition on how to overcome them.
• Collaborate with the design and roll-out of monitoring plans to follow up the implementation of the Ebola response, incorporating required changes into activities, with special attention to special needs of women, children and people with disabilities, as well as other cross cutting areas.
12. Contribute to UNICEF reporting, in accordance with UNICEF’s CCC based Humanitarian Performance Monitoring criteria, allowing visibility of UNICEF results achieved and needs.
Qualifications and Competencies
• An advanced university degree in one of the following fields is required: social and behavioral science, sociology, anthropology, psychology, education, communication, public relations or another relevant technical field
A minimum of five years of professional experience in one or more of the following areas is required: social development programme planning, communication for development, public advocacy or another related are
• Previous experience in humanitarian, particularly Ebola disease outbreak response
• Fluency in English, knowledge of Arabic is an added advantage
Payment Schedule
Monthly basis on submission of satisfactory deliverables and invoice
Cost estimates
All applications must have a detailed financial proposal
Travel Clause
• All UNICEF rules and regulations related to travel of Consultants/ Individual Contractors apply.
• All travels shall be undertaken only upon the prior written approval by UNICEF.
• The eligible maximum amount for travel is specified in the contract.
• The consultant is responsible for his/her for travel arrangements. The most economic and direct route is authorized.
• Travel costs will be reimbursed after the completion of mission. UNICEF will pay the applicable DSA rate and other travel related expenses upon submission of the invoice together with the supporting documentation.
Nature of Penalty Clause in Contract
If the final reports and documents are not submitted according to the deliverables stated in this TOR, the payments will be withheld. UNICEF reserves the right to withhold all or a portion of payment if performance is unsatisfactory, if work/outputs is incomplete, not delivered or for failure to meet deadlines (fees reduced due to late submission: 20 days – 10%; 1 month -20%; 2 months -30%; more 2 months – payment withhold). All materials developed will remain the copyright of UNICEF and UNICEF will be free to adapt and modify them in the future.
For every Child, you demonstrate…
UNICEF’s core values of Commitment, Diversity and Integrity and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.
The competencies required for this post are….
View our competency framework at http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/UNICEF_Competencies.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, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.
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.
Closing Date Fri Sep 06 2019 21:55:00 GMT+0100 (Afr. centrale Ouest)