Polio and Routine Immunization, Social Mobilisation Consultant at UNICEF

Job ID: 543573
Contract Type: Consultancy
Level: Consultancy
Categories: Communication for Development (C4D)

Purpose of Activity / Assignment

• The purpose of this consultancy is to ensure effective coordination of the communication efforts, as part of the preparedness, implementation and monitoring of polio and routine immunization, particularly in the southern states of Nigeria.
• In 2020, Nigeria was declared Wild Polio Virus (WPV) free for having gone without any WPV case for over four years. However, Nigeria is still experiencing outbreaks of cVDPV2 (circulating vaccine derived polio virus type 2) due low routine immunization coverage, which is further complicated by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
• Nigeria first experienced a major cVDPV2 outbreak in 2018 when the country had 34 AFP (Acute Flaccid Paralysis) cases of cVDPV2 in the northern states.
• Although the number of cVDPV2 cases from AFP decreased to 18 in 2019, the outbreak spread to more states, including some southern states which were not considered as polio high-risk. 
• Starting from Kwara state in 2018, cVDPV2 inched its way southbound, recording cases in Kwara, Kogi, Ogun, Osun, and Oyo in 2019, and venturing further to Anambra, Delta, Bayelsa and Abia in 2021. Since most of the polio efforts and human resources were concentrated in the North, Southern states had much difficulty battling the outbreaks and coordinating organized campaigns for polio.
• In 2020 the number of AFP cases due to cVDPV2 was eight and so far in 2021, the AFP cases are 49. The eradication success is fragile because immunization coverage is still low.
• The spread of the cVDPV2 in the country is driven by low population immunity due to low routine immunization coverage. With an estimated 4.3 million unimmunised children in 2018, Nigeria has the highest number of unimmunised children globally with 33 per cent routine immunisation coverage (2016 MICS/NICS).
• Thanks to innovative strategies to strengthen routine immunization through the National Emergency Routine Immunization Coordination Centre (NERICC) framework, there was an increase in routine immunization coverage: 50 per cent (NDHS, 2018) and 57 per cent (SMART Survey, 2018). Still, routine immunization performance in Nigeria has remained sub-optimal for over ten years according to the national demographic health surveys (NDHS) of 2003, 2008, 2013 and 2018, which puts the national Penta3 coverage at 21 per cent, 35 per cent, 49 per cent and 50 per cent, respectively.
• The national immunization coverage surveys conducted in 2007, 2011 and 2016 also showed that the country’s reported Penta3 coverage rates of 28 per cent, 37 per cent and 33 per cent respectively, far below the acceptable target coverage of 80 per cent.
• Against this backdrop, UNICEF is looking for Social and Behavioural Change (SBC) consultants that will be focusing on supporting the southern states, specifically Port Harcourt and Lagos, in its outbreak response and campaigns and strengthening routine immunization. Under the supervision of UNICEF C4D manager/specialist in Abuja in coordination with specialists and in the field offices, they will provide technical support to UNICEF and the subnational governments to plan, implement, monitor and document high quality social mobilization and community engagement in support of polio and non-polio SIAs and routine immunization strengthening activities.

Scope of Work
The specific objectives of the consultancy are to:

• Conduct mapping of social mobilization potentials in the southern states which might include current government initiatives such as ward development committees, social mobilization committees, as well as non-government institutions such as local civil society and faith-based organizations that can be leveraged as social mobilization network in the south.
• Develop strategy and implementation plan on how to leverage, organize the social mobilization potential network in the southern states in collaboration with UNICEF, the National EOC and the state governments.
• Collect data from the state and analyze data for specific trends/patterns of non-compliance, poor coverage, dropouts, left-outs etc., and undertake coordinated action to facilitate the process of reaching such communities/households.
• Support the states through UNICEF Field Office to develop and implement evidence-based demand generation initiatives for routine immunization and polio SIAs. 
• To support planning, implementation and monitoring of social mobilization strategy in the southern states in close collaboration with the state PHCDAs, especially with state health educators and UNICEF field offices in the southern part of Nigeria.
• Support the development and dissemination of culturally sensitive communication messages and materials.
• Advocate with State/LGA/Ward policy makers, religious and traditional leadership for support for the implementation of polio campaign activities and routine immunization.
• Facilitate training of various stakeholders in social mobilization activities, including interpersonal communications.
• Support any emergency non-polio SIAs, such as COVID-19, as required by the organization.

Minimum Required

• At least three (3) years progressively responsible professional work experience with national and international humanitarian organisations in programme planning, management, monitoring and evaluation of programmes.
• Experience in social mobilization, advocacy and communication in health-related programmes, training/capacity building, team leading and team building.

Desirable:

• Proven ability to conceptualize, innovate, plan and execute ideas, as well as to impart knowledge and teach skills
• Strong analytical (including data), negotiating, communication, and advocacy skills
• Computer skills, including internet navigation and various office applications
• Demonstrated ability to work in a multi-cultural environment and establish harmonious and effective working relationships both within and outside the organization
• Working experience in UN or other international development organization.
• Familiarity with emergency responses.