International Polio/Communication for Development Consultant at the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF)

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.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: International Polio/Communication for Development Consultant, Nigeria

Job Number: 519008
Location: Nigeria
Work Type: Consultancy

Background/Purpose of Assignment

• Nigeria is Polio free for more than two years, whoever the country is currently affected by wide spreading cVDPV2 outbreak in 8 northern states. with the great strides made by Nigeria in the polio eradication drive, the Government of Nigeria is intensifying its efforts to ensure that the outbreak is contained and gains are sustained and it ultimately receives certification as a polio-free nation.
• As a key partner in the effort to achieve this, UNICEF has the lead role in communicating to families and communities about the importance of taking the oral polio vaccine to prevent polio. 
• Beyond this, there is a push for integrating other child survival issues and messages in the basket of behaviours being promoted by the enlarged partnership working on the Polio Endgame.
• Key additional areas of engagement include full immunization for the child, promoting Ante-natal care as an entry point to proper health-seeking among pregnant women, Hand washing at critical times, management of basis childhood illnesses and delivery by skilled birth attendants.
• UNICEF is currently consolidating its human resource capacity in 8 of the high-risk states of the country where polio were endemic and risk of importation is there and high probability of vaccine derived polio virus. Over 16000 volunteer community mobilizers, volunteer ward supervisors, Polio Survivors, LGA social mobilization supervisors and state social mobilization supervisors have recently been hired to support intensified communications activities in the field.
• The programme has an urgent need to have intensified and sustained social communication technical support with particular focus on ensuring improved coordination and partnership with key community leaders of underserved populations in the very high-risk states. Also there is a need to sustain technical support to state team to help in response and cVDPV outbreak containment. 
• UNICEF hires international consultant; the consultant will mainly be located at State level with frequent trips to all the LGAs to provide technical support on Polio/C4D activities to support outbreak response and lead polio legacy planning and transitioning.

Major Tasks to be Accomplished

• Coordinate with State team on planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of supplementary immunization activities, especially with advocacy and social communication component; and support targeted social mobilization activities while providing direct oversight for third party State Social Mobilization facilitators recruited and deployed by UNICEF and the STOP team members deployed at state level to ensure adequate management of VCM network.
• The incumbent will ensure intensified actions at State, LGA and community levels with a special emphasis on overcoming refusal of vaccination by building public trust in the safety and need for OPV and other antigens and improving their acceptance. Identify constraints, challenges and opportunities for program delivery with State Team and State Social Mobilization Working Group.Â
• Adapt and use appropriate communication models at community level in all high-risk LGAs in State. Monitor all UNICEF funded activities related to advocacy, social mobilization, logistics of polio eradication and supplemental immunization. Establish and maintain coordination with the work of other partners in the assigned State.
• Provide technical guidance in the design, preparation and use of targeted communication materials in appropriate languages for Government frontline health workers/media networks, traditional and religious opinion leaders, village development/community groups and households.
• Support assigned State to manage and sustain partnerships supporting polio eradication and PHC service provision mainly NTLC, religious leaders and other community influencers.
• Support State Governments and State teams to prepare micro plans and make other arrangements to ensure good quality SIAs and other interventions
• Mobilize support for PEI through advocacy, training and awareness building programs targeting a variety of groups to include State Governments, media, public relations networks, and traditional, religious and other s and community networks.  Facilitate State & LGA Social Mobilization Working Group and Committees and ensure holding of the committee meetings before each IPD by using social data for planning.
• Monitor and evaluate implementation activities by regularly analyzing and using social mobilization data, undertaking field visits and other existing study/surveys. On the basis of these to identify problems and propose remedial action, identifying alternative courses of action to accelerate/improve service delivery.
• Contribute implementing national Communication for Development Strategic Framework, Polio legacy and transition planning in action priorities.
• Participate in the preparation of all program reports required by the State. Share information regularly with the Chief & other members of the Communication for Development section and Field Office.
• Undertake other tasks related to communication that might be required by supervisor or Chief, C4D Section to address emerging programmatic needs.

Qualifications or Specialized Knowledge/Experience Required

• Master's Degree in Social Sciences/Public Health/Communication/Statistics or related technical field preferably in Communications and social mobilization. Working experience in Polio and data management or research will be an added advantage.
• At least five (5) years progressively responsible professional work experience at national and particularly international levels in program planning, management, monitoring and evaluation in Immunization Programs.
• Fluency in English, knowledge of another UN working language is desirable. Knowledge of local working language of the duty station an asset.
• Experience in working polio eradication in one of the endemic countries will be an added advantage.

Basic Competencies include:

• Current knowledge of development issues, polio eradication, immunization, legacy strategies as well as programming policies and procedures in international development cooperation.
• Proven ability to conceptualize, innovate, plan and execute ideas, as well as to impart knowledge and teach skills
• Managerial and supervisory skills
• Good analytical, negotiating, communication and advocacy skills
• Computer skills, including internet navigation and various office application
• Demonstration of ability to work in a multi-cultural environment and establish harmonious and effective working relationships both within and outside the organization.

Imporant Information

• Contract duration is 11.5
• Applicants should quote an all inclusive fee.

Application Closing Date
Sunday 20th January, 2019; 23:55:00 GMT+0100 (West Africa Standard Time)

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Note: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.