The objectives of the consultancy are:

• Provide technical and operational expertise in social and behavioral change to the decentralized structures of the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) in the design, execution, monitoring and evaluation of CSC interventions aimed at strengthening demand and use of vaccination services.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of social and behavioral change strategies aimed at promoting polio vaccination, by identifying priority needs, opportunities for innovation and effective approaches.
• Support advocacy, networking and the creation of partnerships in favor of vaccination.
• Strengthen coordination and collaboration with EPI partners, local actors and relevant stakeholders, to maximize the impact of vaccination interventions and ensure a holistic and integrated approach.
• Contribute to evaluation and operational research related to the demand for vaccination, with a view to identifying best practices, evaluating the impact of interventions and making recommendations for continuous improvement of the program.
• Strengthen the capacities of consultants and partners in SBC;
• Contribute to the quality of reporting of communication activities.

III. Responsibilities/Methodology

The Consultant will provide technical and operational support for the planning, implementation and monitoring and evaluation of evidence-based CSC strategies contributing to improving the demand for immunization services with a particular emphasis on polio vaccination. . He/She will ensure the full participation of government partners, communities and civil society in order to obtain concrete and sustainable results that will help increase the immunity of children and protect them against vaccine-preventable diseases.

Specifically, the Consultant must:

1. Support the design and implementation of the Social and Behavioral Change (SBC) strategy/activities aimed at strengthening demand and use of vaccination services.

• Conduct research and/or participate in carrying out a comprehensive situation analysis on social and behavioral change for vaccination. Collect and synthesize qualitative and quantitative information and data to support the generation of comprehensive and factual information for the development and planning of SCC strategies for immunization.
• Provide technical support to (i) the implementation of strategies to reduce the number of zero-dose children (ii) the organization of vaccination campaigns against polio and yellow fever (iii) the organization of monitoring campaigns measles; (iv) Introduction of Rota and PCV, (v) introduction of the anti-malaria vaccine and (vi) the development of the new National Vaccination Strategy, (vi) the plan for the introduction of the COVID 19 vaccine into the EPI of routine as well as (vii) the strategic plan for social and behavioral change in favor of vaccination.
• Support the technical structures of the Ministry of Public Health and the CSC section of UNICEF in the design, execution, monitoring and evaluation of Social and Behavioral Change (SBC) interventions aimed at strengthening demand and use of vaccination services.
• In collaboration with the EPI and its partners, organize formative research, development, pre-testing and production of culturally relevant communication materials to ensure an increase in demand and use of vaccination services.
• Monitor and evaluate the impact of CSC strategies and activities to achieve measurable behavioral and social changes that will improve the rights and well-being of children.

2. Advocacy, networking and partnership building

• Contribute to advocacy efforts and strengthen partnerships with various social groups, particularly women’s and youth associations, to guide them on effective communication approaches and techniques towards achieving the objectives of the EPI.
• Establish and maintain partnerships through networking and proactive collaboration with established national and international civil society organizations, community groups, leaders and other essential community and civil society partners to strengthen collaboration and to further promote the mission and objectives of UNICEF regarding children’s rights.
• Collaborate with CSC partners to align and coordinate messaging to improve CSC contribution to programmatic outcomes.

3. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

• Institutionalize/share good practices and lessons learned with partners and stakeholders to build capacity and disseminate products to key audiences, including partners and donors.
• Support the development and implementation of capacity building initiatives, including partnerships with training and educational institutions to strengthen the skills of stakeholders/partners across all program sectors in relation to planning, implementation and evaluation of CCS in support of programs/projects.
• Develop training materials for training activities, review and update them as necessary.

A travel plan will be developed based on the need for risk communication/communication support. In addition, the Consultant will submit activity reports to the supervisors based on the initially validated work plans and deliverables.

IV. Expected results

V. Academic training/Experience/Expertise/Skills

 Academic degree required

Master’s degree in social and behavioral sciences, sociology, anthropology, psychology, education, communications, public relations or any other related field of social sciences is required.

2. Professional experience required

 A minimum of 5 years of professional experience in social development program planning, communication and public advocacy and/or related fields is required. CSC/C4D experience in vaccination is an asset.

3. LANGUAGES

Perfect command of French. Good knowledge of English is an asset.

4. Required Skills

The fundamental values ​​at UNICEF are: Kindness; the respect ; Integrity; trust ; responsibility and sustainability.

 Functional skills required for the position

• Establish and maintain partnerships.
• Cultivate self-awareness and demonstrate a sense of ethics.
• Focus on achieving tangible results.
• Innovate and embrace change.
• Managing ambiguity and complexity.
• Think and act strategically.
• Work collaboratively.

VI. Working conditions

 Remotely            X In the office

The consultant must have the computer equipment necessary for the consultation

VII. Supervision

Under the supervision of the Social Change and Behavior section head, the International CSC Immunization Consultant will provide technical and operational support for the planning, implementation and monitoring and evaluation of CSC strategies based on evidence contributing to the improvement of demand for vaccination services. He/she will work in close collaboration with the N’Djamena Immunization team.

VIII. Submission of technical and financial offers

Applicants will be invited to submit their applications online:

1. Recently updated CV 
2. The financial offer must be an all-inclusive remuneration offer (fees, etc.).
3. A technical offer clearly indicating the methodology  

For more details, please consult the  TOR INTERNATIONAL CONSULTANT SBC IMMUNIZATION.pdf

Applicants are invited to submit their financial offers in USD following the Financial Proposal.xlsx template

The selection criteria for candidates will be based on qualifications, skills, expertise and experience in the required field, and the quality of the technical and financial offer.

Each file will be evaluated first on its technical merits, then on its cost. (Provide a weighting of 75 [technical score] / 25 [financial score; the maximum points being awarded to the lowest financial offer of the qualified technical offers, the other offers receiving a score inversely proportional to the lowest financial offer low]). The best bid combining the 2 scores will be accepted.