Background and Justification:

Although the last indigenous case of WPV was confirmed in December 2001, the country had WPV importations between in 2004, 2008, and 2013. In 2013, the WPV1 case was confirmed in August 2013, as part of the Horn of Africa polio outbreak which began in Somalia. Ten WPV cases were confirmed in 2013 and 2014, all from Dollo Zone (Somali Region). Based on the declared HoA cVDPV2 outbreak, in 2018, Ethiopia implemented outbreak response activities as part of the HoA wide response. 5 zones in the Somali region have been identified and more than 516,000 U5 children were targeted with mOPV2 vaccines for 2 rounds in July and August. In May and July 2019, 2 cases of cVDPV type-2 have been confirmed in the Somali region of Ethiopia; one vaccination campaign has been implemented using mOPV targeting all U5 years children in 2 zones of the Somali region. Additional 2 rounds of mOPV2 vaccination campaigns were

The objective of this consultancy is to technically support the introduction of new vaccine nOPV2 and to ensure that social mobilization and other communication activities and interventions are effectively planned developed, implemented, and monitored to ensure interruption of the virus transmission is achieved as per the GPEI guidelines on cVDP2 outbreak/risk response. Social/behavioral communication is a key and important component in the preparedness and response effort to prevent and contain the spread of the vDPV2 outbreaks. UNICEF is playing a leading role in the social and behavioral change communication aspect of the preparedness, prevention, and response, and FMOH and EPHI are depending on UNICEF’s support to provide substantial and comprehensive assistance in this aspect in regions.

Facilitation of this recruitment through UNICEF, as a GPEI member, is ensuring and confirming that UNICEF is committed to this partnership and to its mandate and responsibilities

Summary

Purpose: Support EPHI, MOH and RHBs in planning, implementation, and monitoring of vDPV2 immunization related to C4D activities & interventions

Location: One each in following regions – (Addis Ababa, Afar, Amhara, B/Gumuz, Gambella, SNNP, Oromia, Sidama, Tigray and Somali)

Duration Three months (Tentatively September, October, and November 2021)

No. of consultant  One for each region (Addis Ababa, , B/Gumuz, Gambella, Sidama, Tigray and Somali)

Start Date & end date  90 days from the date of Joining

Reporting to UNICEF Polio country focal person

Purpose

To support EPHI Regional Offices and RHBs in planning, implementation, and monitoring of CVDPV2 outbreak response-related C4D activities and interventions aiming at strengthening of preparedness and responses for Polio outbreaks in the regions. UNICEF is committed to providing technical and advisory support in the area C4D, risk communication, and behavior change communication, and social mobilization.

Specific Tasks

• Provide technical support to Regional offices of EPHI and RHB, on the C4D component, in conducting investigations for any reported case of VDPV as required to inform Social and Behavior Change Communication (SBCC) strategy and interventions
• Support social mobilization and community awareness strategical planning at the regional level for the introduction of new vaccine nOPV2.
• At the regional level coordinate with the government and media agencies on regular public opinion monitoring and social listening particularly on rumors, fake news, media coverage on AEFI cases and misinformation around nOPV2 and broader immunization
• Participate in the regional outbreak investigation teams/missions where required
• Support coordination of Polio -specific C4D preparedness & response activities in the region.
• Support the development and endorsement of SBCC strategies and activities for Polio outbreak response
• Train Regional and sub-regional relevant personnel on Social/BCC of different emergencies including risk communication interventions.
• Strategically plan to ensure a minimum 90 percent of community awareness using social mobilization and community awareness activities before and during the campaign at the regional and sub-regional level.
• Participate in coordination & technical meetings in FMOH & EPHI I the Region.
• Facilitate and participate in monitoring and evaluation activities of Polio outbreak responses and interventions in the Region.
• Support Mobile population mapping (nomadic, pastoralist and other mobile population) with Geo-coordinates and good quality pictures of nomadic sites with Geo-Coordinates in their regions.
• Participate in the Polio EOCs and other coordination Regional and sub-regional forums where required.
• Analyze and interpret the C4D activities outcomes from IMD for each SIAs and strategically plan at the regional and sub-regional level.
• Additional support as per the need of the polio outbreak response in the country.

Expected Deliverables and Time frame

• Deliverables Deadline
• Report on Messages developed and/or revised for printing/ mass media  Monthly
• Technical reports on assessments conducted  Per assessment
• Monthly performance report on the progress of implementation, challenges, and opportunities Monthly
• Report on training and capacity building activities carried out  After each SIAs.
• Document and Sharing of human-interest stories and photos Monthly

Reporting

The consultant will be directly recruited by a third-party HR contractor and will report to the ECO Polio focal person at the health section and in close technical collaboration with the C4D specialist at the health section- ECO.

Payment Modality and Schedule

The fees for this contract shall be paid on monthly basis based on the submission of monthly reports against the deliverables indicated above.

Expected background and Experience

The consultant must meet the following criteria

• University degree in social science, public health, communication for development / Social and behavioral change communication or relevant field;
• Minimum of 2 years of relevant health SBBCC experiences, working in Ethiopia’s health sector or related sectors
•  Experience in emergency settings and contexts
• In-depth understanding of Ethiopian communities and key district actors
• Capacity in the design, planning, monitoring, evaluation, mentoring, training and skills-transfer of participatory governance in particular in SBCC()
• Excellent communication skills with fluent English, Amharic Afan Oromo (in Oromia) language skills; proven ability to work effectively with government and multi-stakeholders.
• Experience in generating evidence and in the documentation of best practices.

Suitable candidate:

• Excellent facilitation, organizational and analytical skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Ability to write in a clear and concise manner and to present information in Word and PowerPoint formats.
• Ability to manage and analyze basic data in Excel and produce charts/graphs. Basic familiarity with WHO, UNICEF, and bilateral agency work in support of vaccination programs and implementation and their practices and procedures.
• Strong interpersonal skills, and work effectively with people at all levels;

Desirable: Previous experience working with, or within UN organizations.  Familiarity or experience with Polio eradication efforts is advantageous.

The consultant will be based at regional capitals with the location as decided by the UNICEF country/regional office.

The consultant will use his/her own materials, i.e. computer/laptop, phone, etc.

For the duty travel, the consultant will be provided a rented car by ABH partners PLC and also DSA as per the guideline.

The consultant will be paid monthly by the HR firm upon completion of deliverables as indicated in this TOR and submission of the monthly progress report.

Policy both parties should be aware of:

• ABH will manage all the administrative issues and aspects based on HR’s policies and procedures.
• All remuneration must be within the contract agreement through the ABH
• No contract may commence unless the contract is signed by both ABH and the consultant.
• Consultants will not have supervisory responsibilities or authority on the UNICEF budget.