International SBC Lead Consultant (Health), Lusaka, Zambia, 11 months (231 working days) – 20% remote support and 80% in-country based at MoH/EPI

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, strength.……

The UNICEF Programme of Cooperation with the Government of the Republic of Zambia (GRZ) is designed to address and mitigate the threat of poverty the country’s children face, while responding to the needs with interventions addressing the multiple causative factors.

To find out more about UNICEF’s work in Zambia, please visit https://unicef.sharepoint.com/sites/ZMB/SitePages/About-us(1).aspx 

How can you make a difference? 

The consultant will work under the supervision of Immunization Specialist (P3) and in close collaboration with ZCO SBC Manager to channel UNICEF technical support to MOH, ZNPHI, Polio EOC, and GPEI partners to effectively plan and implement polio SIA campaigns.

Scope of Work:

• Develop costed plan of action on SBC/RCCE for polio OBR, and the updated tools, guidelines, and reporting templates on polio SBC/RCCE programming such as social investigation, community engagement and social listening.
• Develop evidence-based SBC/RCCE messages, tools and materials for misinformation and rumour management response.
• Develop detailed monthly SBC/RCCE reports / updates with a concise snapshot on the achievements, progresses, gaps and challenges, on-going needs, or issues.
• Develop polio SBC/RCCE repository through review and analysis of data, information, and findings from social listening and community feedback mechanisms as part of continued evidence generation and synthesis, and the provision of updates to the ACSM/SBC/RCCE Groups and Committees and other platforms including at subnational level polio EOC.
• Develop detailed plans on SBC supplies requirements, procurement, last-mile distribution, and end-user monitoring at all 10 provinces and 116 districts implementing polio vaccination campaign.

Detailed Terms of Reference can be viewed here:   TOR_Polio SBC International Consultant_2 Jan 2024_Health.pdf

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

Education

Master’s degree in Social science, communication, international studies or a related technical field in C4D/ Risk communication and community engagement.  

Work Experience

1. At least 7 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 SBC strategies, as well as risk communication and communication engagement are essential

1. Proven experience in Public Health Emergencies and Risk Communication interventions planning and coordination in developing country context; and the experience in Zambia would be as asset.
2. Strong communication skills in English (spoken and written).
3. 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 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 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 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. Consultants 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.