UNICEF Consultancy Social Science Data Manager Jobs in South Sudan

UNICEF Consultancy Social Science Data Manager Jobs in South Sudan

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,

Terms of Reference

Title Social Science Data Manager – Ebola Viral Disease

Type of Contract Consultant

Supervision Chief, Communication for Development/C4D Ebola Coordinator

Location South Sudan – Juba, with a frequent travel to UNICEF field offices with at risk/affected counties

Duration Six (6) months

Start Date Immediate

Background/Rationale for the Assignment

Following the continuously Ebola outbreak in DRC and the significant risk of cross-border spread to neighboring countries, WHO prioritized 9 countries for Ebola preparedness and response in line with their proximity to the outbreak epicenter and health system capacity to cope with EVD. South Sudan, along with Rwanda, Uganda and Burundi, is categorized as the priority one.

The continuous risk of EVD spread from DR Congo has emphasized due to the fact that South Sudan has reported three indigenous outbreaks in the past.

The outbreaks occurred in 1976, 1979, and 2005 and all the outbreaks occurred in the Western Equatoria state hub. The first two outbreaks occurred in Nzara and Maridi while the third outbreak occurred in Yambio alongside with a measles outbreak.

These trends therefore suggest that even without the risk of EVD spread from the current outbreak in DR Congo, South Sudan harbors the reservoirs for EVD since the Greater Equatoria region shares the same ecological features with endemic locations in DR Congo.

As part of the prepared response, UNICEF is working in close coordination with Ministry of Health, WHO and other partners and actively engaged in the EVD preparedness contingency planning that aims to ensure alignment of preparedness and to be continued for readiness actions in the coming months.

UNICEF's C4D role as lead agency for risk communication includes:

i) coordination;

ii) capacity reinforcement and guidance;

iii) facilitation of assessments;

iv) production, pre-positioning and broadcast of mass media messages to raise public awareness and overcome resistance;

v) outreach to and training of opinion leaders, military personnel, journalists, community-based workers and other field-level partners; and

vi) door-to-door campaigning and interpersonal communication to deliver focused messages to households and service providers.

In addition, UNICEF through the established Risk Communication Task Force at the national level will continue to provide support to the Ministry of Health at national and state level to ensure effective coordination.

Due to the key role UNICEF plays in coordinating Ebola Preparedness Response on Risk Communication, Social Mobilization and Community Engagement across the country with more focus on high risk states, UNICEF (C4D) is seeking to deploy a Social Science Research Expert/Anthropologist with solid expertise in data collection and analysis of prevailing socio-cultural practices.

Purpose & Expected Results

Under the guidance of the Communication for Development (C4D) Chief, and in close coordination with the UNICEF C4D Ebola Coordinator working on Risk Communication, Social Mobilization and Community Engagement, the Social Science Data Manager is responsible for the establishment of a responsive ‘near real time’ mechanism in South Sudan to track and analyze Ebola-related rumors, perceptions, and community opinions, for informing the design and implementation of effective socio-behavioral interventions that build, maintain, or restore community trust and confidence in EVD prevention and containment measures
Data collection and analysis of prevailing socio-cultural practices

Analyze the source of the growing resistance to the EVD preparedness response to understand what is driving it and make concrete evidence-based recommendations on how to reverse it, including new strategies that may be needed.
Proactively address prevailing community concerns, including rumors that have a negative impact on the response strategies and propose strategies on how to address concerns/rumours and use community feedback to improve response strategies.

Reporting and feedback to response teams
Develop weekly briefs for action for risk communication, social mobilization and community engagement working group based on rapid analysis on topics mentioned above and other concerns that emerge as the response situation evolves. Participate in meetings of the RCSMCE TWGs.

Coordination of social science information with response pillars

Engage with relevant TWG stakeholders on a weekly basis and provide consolidated guidance to Risk Communication and Community Engagement teams and the broader Ebola coordination teams.

Provide evidence-based recommendations to facilitate the integration of sociocultural and other contextual issues within the risk communication, social mobilization and community engagement activities being implemented among religious and traditional groups, political leaders; youths, women and civil society groups and Ebola survivors among others in order to strengthen rapport and trust.

Suggested Data Collection/Research Approach

Compile and analyze existing socio-anthropological and communication data, including information generated by social scientists already deployed and results from KAP surveys and others. Organize, guide and suggest/tailor tools for data collection by other social scientist deployed by UNICEF in the areas of concern. Provide inputs to the design of upcoming surveys to be conducted by C4D teams, as well as for implementation reporting forms and templates.

Qualifications and Competencies

Advanced university degree in statistics, behavioural and/or social sciences (cultural or medical anthropology, sociology, behavioural science, etc.)

Understanding of current developments in the field of Risk Communication, Social Mobilization and Community Engagement as used in Disease Outbreak Response, including how strategic communication is used to address behaviours and social science dimensions towards stopping the outbreak is needed.

At least 8 years of applied research experience, including experience in developing country context, preferably in Africa.

At least 2-year experience of work in public health emergency contexts.

Knowledge of and experience in research that takes into account social, political and economic environment of East, West and Central Africa;

Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of Arabic or local languages is an asset.

Deliverables (SMART)

Deadline

Establish a national centralized RCSMCE data management system centralized in Juba in discussion with all stake holders that is responsive ‘near real time’ to track and analyze Ebola-related rumors, perceptions, and community opinions End January 2020
Develop bi-weekly data analytical report for the EVD states Jan – June 2020

Participate in weekly technical working group, national task force and other EVD stakeholders meeting and share the knowledge gathered from social science research (4 meetings in a month) Jan – June 2020

Train UNICEF C4D officers on data management – 2 workshops Feb and March 2020

Conduct 4 capacity building workshops for partners NGO/ programme staff on data collection, analysis and IM requirements in Juba, Yambio, Torit and Yei Monthly (Feb – June 2020)

Develop 2 visual analysis and info-graphs using the data extracted from the field monitoring system & the centralized database or any other related data source every month Jan – June

Conduct 1 programmatic visit very month to support data management in Juba, Yambio, Torit and Yei Monthly (Jan – June 2020)

Estimated Duration of the Contract
Six (6) months

Duty Station and Official Travel
South Sudan – Juba, with a frequent travel to UNICEF field offices with at risk/affected counties


Estimated Cost of the Consultancy
Detailed financial proposal should be submitted by the applicant based in the TOR.

Payment Schedule
Monthly basis on submission of monthly invoice
UNICEF Supervisor
Chief, Communication for Development

Travel Clause

All UNICEF rules and regulations related to travel of Consultants/ Individual Contractors apply.

All travels shall be undertaken only upon the prior written approval by UNICEF.

The eligible maximum amount for travel is specified in the contract.

The consultant is responsible for his/her for travel arrangements. The most economic and direct route is authorized.

Travel costs will be reimbursed after the completion of mission. UNICEF will pay the applicable DSA rate and other travel related expenses upon submission of the invoice together with the supporting documentation.

Nature of Penalty Clause in Contract
If the final reports and documents are not submitted according to the deliverables stated in this TOR, the payments will be withheld.

UNICEF reserves the right to withhold all or a portion of payment if performance is unsatisfactory, if work/outputs is incomplete, not delivered or for failure to meet deadlines (fees reduced due to late submission: 20 days - 10%; 1 month -20%; 2 months -30%; more 2 months – payment withhold).



For more information and to apply see;

UNICEF Consultancy Social Science Data Manager Jobs in South Sudan