VAC-11444 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, our client is planning to recruit Polio Programme Extenders for its offices in all the regions The extender will closely work with polio team including extenders, Provincial Communication Officers (PCOs) and District Communication Officers (DCOs) and under the general guidance of our client Regions Polio team leaders, the incumbents will be responsible for mapping influencers such as religion- based opponents and allies, identifying effective means and products of communication, liaising with religious and opinion groups, and monitoring of trends in public trust in polio vaccines, and vaccine/cold chain management. The Polio Programme Extender will work closely with Communication and M&E team 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.

·

•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