UNICEF Communication for Development Consultant to Support Communication and demand generation for the COVID-19 Vaccine (COVAX) Introduction Jobs in Uganda

The Communication Challenge: It is always a challenge to introduce a new vaccine, the process can have a significant impact – both positive and negative.

The country’s health system, the general public and the new target populations e.g. front-line workers/health workers must be well prepared to ensure the desired acceptance and uptake of the vaccine.

In Uganda, the COVID-19 pandemic exposed several systemic challenges in the health service delivery system, continuity of healthcare and the demand and utilisation of routine health services both at facility and household levels

The introduction of the new vaccine for COVID-19 will come with similar challenges but it is key to the successful reduction of transmission and containment of the pandemic.

There is also the need to respond to the recurring challenge of rumours, misinformation and disinformation about vaccines at all levels and in this regard, the COVAX vaccine. Considering the age groups prioritized in a phased approach and possible adverse events in this new vaccine, it requires Innovative communication approaches.

Therefore, it is important to prepare the country to respond to any reports of adverse effects that might occur during or after the vaccination and develop plans on how to prepare for and mitigate any resulting crises of confidence.

Role of the Communication and Demand Generation component:

The Communication and Demand Generation component will focus on ensuring acceptance and uptake of COVID-19 vaccination and will need to adopt an integrated approach to:

• Inform and educate the public and key target groups on the vaccine

• Listen to and understand target populations views and concerns

• Generate behavioral and social data on the drivers of uptake and to design targeted multi-media/channel communication strategies in response

• Build a supportive and transparent information and communication environment at all levels

• Ensure timely response to misinformation and disinformation through social listening – using on-line and offline mechanisms and assessments that inform digital engagement initiatives;

• Build trust and acceptance of the vaccines through engagement of communities by civil society organizations/community leaders and gatekeepers/influential person(s) and /or groups, particularly for vulnerable target populations;

• Provide health workers with the requisite knowledge about COVID-19 vaccines as first adopters, trusted influencers and vaccinators, giving them the skills and tools to communicate effectively and persuasively with target populations and communities.

Justification: With the complexities around communicating the introduction of a new vaccine as well as taking into account the current COVID-19 pandemic and its effect on immunisation and vaccines, additional technical support in communication and demand generation is therefore requested to support the preparation process to create a framework for implementation and realisation of the outlined objectives.

Key Tasks

In close co-ordination with the UNICEF C4D unit and EPI Specialist and MoH HPE & SC department & UNEPI division, the consultant will undertake the following tasks:

Develop an inception report and work plan

Coordination and technical support to the Ministry of Health:

Provide technical assistance at the National and District level to ensure effective planning and preparedness of the awareness creation and demand generation components.

Mapping of all key stakeholders at all

levels from community through to national –reflecting champions or sceptics and how they might be engaged

Work closely with the MOH and the respective national level coordination mechanisms/structures/ committees to ensure that the Communication and Demand Generation component is integrated with other COVID-19 response structures e.g., Education, Child Protection

Data Collection and Analysis

Develop a framework and checklist that will guide evidence generation and improvement of data collection on behavioural change and communication related interventions including:
Coordination of social media listening and rumor management efforts with ACSM & RCSM subcommittees and relevant stakeholders
Roll out of the Behavioural & Social Drivers (BeSD) survey and support the data analysis
Assess existing capacities for evidence generation and feedback mechanism at MoH (Call Centre, FamilyConnect, mTRAC, CHWR) and within UNICEF (U-Report)

Work closely with MOH PRO team to develop and implement a social media plan for COVID-19 vaccine introduction including tackling misinformation, disinformation and vaccine hesitancy

COVID-19 vaccine (COVAX) introduction and Risk Communication Plan

Develop a consolidated framework for the Communication and Demand Generation component which is based on and will contribute to the MoH COVID-19 Vaccine Deployment Preparedness Plan for Uganda

Design a demand plan (includes advocacy, communications, social media, social mobilisation, risk and safety comms, community engagement, and training) to generate confidence, acceptance and demand for COVID-19 vaccines

Refine and finalise the Risk Communication Preparedness Plan for COVAX plus coordination and monitoring of the planned communication activities at different levels

Develop and finalise a Crisis Communications Preparedness and Response Plan

Development, pre-testing, translation and finalisation of IEC/multi-media materials

Develop and/or adapt existing key messages and materials for public communication and advocacy, in alignment with demand plan and to ensure that different groups of the public are all well informed

Submit final consultancy report with best practices, recommendations, gaps & challenges

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

The selected Consultant should have:

Education:

University degree in Health Education and Promotion, Communication, Social Sciences, Behavioral Health Sciences, Public Health or another related field. A Masters’ degree in Health Promotion or, Public Health or Health Communication or Community Health or another related field is an added advantage.

Work Experience:

A minimum of 5 years’ experience in Communication for Behaviour and Social Change

Proven expertise in developing Communication materials, strategies and plans for immunisation, new vaccine introduction and SIAs

Competencies:

Excellent facilitation skills, negotiation skills and oral and written communication skills;

A repertoire of a wide range of facilitation approaches

Strong analytical skills

Knowledge of the Uganda context is an added advantage.

Language

Fluency in English.

How to Apply

For more information and job application details, see; UNICEF Communication for Development Consultant to Support Communication and demand generation for the COVID-19 Vaccine (COVAX) Introduction Jobs in Uganda

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