Home-based consultancy: Development of regional immunization advocacy and communication strategy (110 days)

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.

And we never give up.

For every child, results

Background & Rationale

Europe and Central Asia region achieved good progress in preventing life-threatening infectious diseases over recent decades. Parts of the Region have some of the highest rates of routine immunization coverage in the world, and regional coverage reached 95 per cent for DTP3 and 96 per cent for the first dose of MMR vaccine in 2019.

There are, however, significant inequities among and within countries. DTP3 coverage is below the minimum target of 95 per cent in one third of the region’s countries, falling to below 90 per cent in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Romania, and Ukraine. Almost one third of countries have sub-national coverage for DTP3 that is below 80 per cent. There is a similar picture for the first dose of measles vaccine, with coverage below the regional target in 41 per cent of countries, and some countries having national MCV1 vaccination rates below 90 per cent. Montenegro is one of the countries with the lowest MMR1 coverage globally – at just 42 per cent.

There are also significant equity gaps within countries by geographical area, income, location (urban or rural), and particularly among marginalized populations, such as Roma communities. In Serbia, for example, only 13 per cent of Roma children aged 18-29 months are fully immunized, compared to 71 per cent of non-Roma children, while in Bosnia and Herzegovina only 4 per cent of Roma children have received all recommended vaccines, versus 68 per cent of non-Roma children.

If even a small percentage of children miss out on routine vaccinations each year, the cumulative impact could be enormous, leaving millions of people in the Region susceptible to vaccine-preventable diseases over time. To put it simply: large pockets of susceptible individuals can lead to large outbreaks of disease. From 2017 to 2019, for example, the Region experienced its worst measles outbreaks in over a decade, affecting nearly every country and peaking at over 100,000 cases in 2019. Such outbreaks demonstrate that progress in the Region has been uneven and too fragile to protect everyone.

The COVID-19 pandemic has also had a dramatic impact on immunization programmes in the Region, with five countries suspending immunization services entirely during lockdown. Although every country has resumed immunization since May 2020, immunization rates are thought to be 3-27 per cent lower than they were before the Region was hit by COVID-19 and 90 percent of countries  registered decrease in immunization coverage with main antigens  comparing with pre- COVID period.

In this context it is very important to strengthen advocacy and communication for routine immunization in the region. Therefore, UNICEF ECARO is looking for a consultant to develop regional immunization advocacy and communication strategy.

In 2020, UNICEF confirmed four multi-year Global Advocacy Priorities (GAPs) for 5 years - through to the end of the next Strategic Plan in 2025.  For the global advocacy strategy to be a success, we will need to leverage the full strength of our organization behind specific change agendas and clear calls to action and identify strategic advocacy opportunities at the national, regional and global levels – working together to capitalize on these opportunities to advance advocacy goals.

In 2021, ECA will be focusing on key advocacy priorities for the region, in close collaboration with the Global Advocacy Priority teams. One of these priorities is ‘to build a global movement for vaccine availability, affordability and equity, a s a contribution to strengthening primary health care’.  Over the next year ECA will finalize a regional advocacy strategy in partnership with Country Offices and some National Committees.

How can you make a difference?

Purpose of this consultancy

The overall purpose is to support the UNICEF ECARO health section for the development of and implementation of a regional immunization advocacy and communications strategy for routine vaccination.

The incumbent will report to the Regional Immunization Specialist and routinely liaise with the Regional Communication, C4D and Health Advisors, as well as the wider C4D and Communications teams at RO and in Country Offices. The work also may involve interaction with relevant NatComs.

Scope of work and specific tasks

Under the supervision of the Regional Immunization Specialist and the Regional Chief of Communication, the consultant is expected to undertake the following tasks:

1. Develop and implement an immunization advocacy and communication strategy, including objectives, target audiences, messages and specific actions:

• Based on the bottleneck analysis of immunization coverage (supply and demand), and equity gaps define the advocacy objectives.
• Conduct a stakeholders and power analysis to identify advocacy targets and appropriate decision-making level to tackle the issue.

2. In collaboration with Communication and C4D teams, COs and relevant NatComs, develop and lead the implementation of a regional Immunization communications campaign aimed to start in 2021 and will continue in 2022, aligned with the regional advocacy and communication strategy.

• Develop campaign concept, objectives, & define target audiences, With the target audiences in mind, develop advocacy and communication resources, assets and content (e.g. key messages; advocacy briefings; content for the UNICEF website and social media) required to deliver the strategy, using the most reliable, relevant and current information
• Support the development of regional campaign materials/assets, tactics and infographics that can complement country office materials, liaising with relevant designers or production houses.
• Prepare a campaign plan, including calendar, and suggest innovative ways to ensure messaging remains relevant when specific peaks of interest might arise from media, social media trends and unexpected events, for example using digital insights and analytics.

3. Provide ongoing support to COs with adapting regional assets and developing national campaign plans based on the regional campaign toolkit

Support effective monitoring and evaluation of the strategy, ensuring it is delivering clear results.

Contractual arrangements:

• Duration: the consultant will be expected to work for 110 between mid- AUgust 2021 and end April 2022.
• Duty station: the consultant will work remotely.
• Payment: The consultant will be paid upon timely and satisfactorily submission of deliverables as per the table above. 

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

• Advanced university degree, ideally in Public Health Communication or a related field.

Experience:        

• Minimum of 10 years of progressive, professional work experience, with a focus on advocacy and campaign strategy development preferably on a global and national level.
• Specific experience on child health and immunization is an asset.
• Experience in developing clear theories of change, with specific, measurable and timebound objectives and performance indicators.
• Experience in strategic public engagement activity, based on an understanding of the target audience.
• Strong track record in writing engaging campaign narratives and delivering creative campaign tactics and products.
• Demonstrated experience in design and management of projects, including monitoring of results.
• Experience in operating independently and in providing expert advice and support on advocacy and campaigns.
• Experience working for an advocacy or campaigning organization e.g. international or national NGO, UN or other multilateral organization. Knowledge of the United Nations system or other international organizations are an asset.
• Knowledge of international development, humanitarian issues and children’s rights.

Skills and attributes:

• Demonstrated strong communication, presentation and writing skills are essential – a clear, concise, compelling writing style, which is adaptable for difference audiences, including mainstream public.
• Strategic thinking and critical analysis.
• Commitment and drive, with a clear focus on results.
• Ability to juggle competing priorities under pressure, whilst maintaining attention to detail and meeting deadlines.
• Creative and innovative
• Proven ability to manage relationships with UNICEF programmes and partners,
• Working experience in ECA region – an asset

Languages:

• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of other languages relevant to the region is an added advantage.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

Click here to learn more about UNICEF’s values and competencies.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

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 safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

To apply: 

Applicants are invited to:

• Complete their UNICEF profile;
• Attach a CV and Cover Letter;
• Indicate a daily fee in USD. Applications without fees will not be accepted.

Remarks:

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

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