(01) national consultant specializing in social and behavioral change (SBC)/ Polio – Guinea Kankan 6 months At United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)

Objective of the activity/mission:

Since the re-emergence of poliovirus variant cases in 2023, Guinea has reported 74 type 2 cases (45 AFP cases, 27 environmental surveillance cases) in 2023 and 10 type 2 cases (5 AFP cases, (environmental surveillance cases) plus 3 type 3 cases in 2024.

In response to the resurgence of this epidemic, the country conducted a vaccination campaign in 5 districts in August 2023 and a national campaign in October 2023 with the nOPV2 vaccine, then three campaigns in 2024 with nOPV2, including a co-administration of nOPV2 and bOPV in 6 districts during the third campaign. In view of the situation, the strategic committee of the rapid response team requested the organization of two national campaigns in the first half of 2025 with co-administration of nOPV2 and bOPV.

To support the efforts and also for better harmonization of interventions at all levels, UNICEF plans to deploy a national consultant in the field of communication for social and behavioral change (SBC) to the Prefectural Directorate of Health of the prefecture of Siguiri.

To support the efforts and also for better harmonization of interventions at all levels, UNICEF plans to deploy a national consultant in the field of communication for social and behavioral change (SBC) to the Prefectural Directorate of Health of the prefecture of Siguiri.

Objective
The National SBC Consultant for the Polio Response will work closely with the SBC Section Supervisor, will have a programmatic link with the Immunization Specialists in Conakry and, finally, will be placed under the direct supervision of the Head of the Zone Office of the Kankan region. The National Consultant will be responsible for ensuring the identification, planning, implementation and monitoring-evaluation of SBC interventions in the Siguiri health district.

Tasks and responsibilities, he (she) will be responsible for:
Under the supervision of the SBC specialist, the “National Consultant e)” will have the roles and responsibilities of:
1. Collaborate with the Prefectural Health Directorate of the Siguiri prefecture and other partners for the finalization and implementation of the communication plan integrating all social and behavior change (SBC) strategies, favorable to vaccination activities.;
2. Support SBC preparation activities (training of teams on management tools, dispatching of communication materials, monitoring of broadcasts of spots on local radios) of the various campaigns planned for the first half of 2025;
3. Write and share with the zone office and the central level, the regular update on the level of preparation and implementation; communication and social mobilization activities within the framework of the various vaccination campaigns;
4. Actively participate in prefectural coordination meetings before, during and after the response;
5. Support advocacy activities, in collaboration with other partners, for the full and effective involvement of Political-Administrative Authorities, civil society organizations (CSOs), community associations, traditional, customary and religious leaders, custodians of social norms in response activities at all levels;
6. Provide support in the implementation of payments to campaign stakeholders at the prefectural level:
a. Support the monitoring of the processing of lists of beneficiaries of Orange Money payments
7. Contribute to the drafting of the daily and general prefectural response report by highlighting good practices in figures and images, lessons learned and recommendations in terms of SBC.

Scope of work:

The national consultant will work in the premises of the DPS of Siguiri according to the duration of his/her assignment, the national consultant will work in close collaboration with the Prefectural Communication Officer and also with all the actors involved in polio eradication activities.
He/she will do an average of 10 days of field mission per month, this duration being longer during campaigns to the detriment of other months.

Deliverables 

Minimum qualifications required:

• Hold a university degree in: Communication for Social and Behavioral Change

• Social sciences

• Communication/Journalism

Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required:

• Have a minimum of 03 years of professional experience in planning, implementing, monitoring and evaluating communication activities for social and behavioral change in favor of vaccination.
• Have experience in developing/popularizing support documents for capacity building of actors (Mosos and other allies) and partners in favor of polio vaccination,
• Have the ability to synthesize, analyze and report on social mobilization and community engagement activities carried out in polio campaigns.
• Have the ability to work in a multicultural environment and establish harmonious and effective working relationships within teams
• Have similar successful experience within the United Nations System, particularly UNICEF, or with international/national organizations is an asset.
• Have a good command of French and a good knowledge of at least 2 local languages ​​(Malinké, Soussou, Poular or a forest language) is desirable
• Have mastery of Windows processing software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint or Publisher);

For each child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF values: care, respect, integrity, trust, accountability and sustainability (CRITAS).

Application Submission

Interested candidates are requested to apply online only on this page and attach the following files:

• A technical proposal
• An all-inclusive financial package offer (including miscellaneous costs such as internet and telephone communication, transport costs and subsistence allowance during the mission in Kankan if the consultant does not reside in this city and during field work)
• A CV indicating the necessary qualifications and any relevant experience;
• Copy of the highest diploma;
• Copy of passport or national identity document.

UNICEF exists to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children, and our workforce must reflect the diversity of these children. The UNICEF family is committed to including everyone, regardless of race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background or any other personal characteristic.

UNICEF provides reasonable accommodations to individual consultants/contractors with disabilities. Examples include accessible software, travel assistance for assignments, and personal escorts. We encourage you to disclose your disability in your application in case you require reasonable accommodation during the selection process and subsequently 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 protection principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore be subject to rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include verification of academic qualifications and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to enable background checks to be conducted.

Remarks :

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and will move on to the next stage of the selection process.

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered as “staff members” within the meaning of the United Nations Staff Regulations and Rules and UNICEF policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to the benefits provided thereunder (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and by the General Conditions for Service Contracts for Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax obligations and for paying any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable legislation.

It is the responsibility of the selected candidate to ensure that the visa (if applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties under the contract are valid for the entire duration of the contract. Selected candidates must confirm that they are fully vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a vaccine approved by the World Health Organization (WHO), which must be done before the start of the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will be working remotely and are not expected to work or travel to UNICEF premises, programme sites or interact directly with the communities UNICEF works with, or travel to perform UNICEF functions during the duration of their consultancy contract.

UNICEF exists to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children, and our workforce must reflect the diversity of these children. The UNICEF family is committed to including everyone, regardless of race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background or any other personal characteristic.

UNICEF provides reasonable accommodations to individual consultants/contractors with disabilities. Examples include accessible software, travel assistance for assignments, and personal escorts. We encourage you to disclose your disability in your application in case you require reasonable accommodation during the selection process and subsequently 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 protection principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore be subject to rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include verification of academic qualifications and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to enable background checks to be conducted.

https://www.unjobnet.org/apply/76234086