Consultancy - Technical Support for Documentation and Information Management to the... Tender

Procurement Summary

Country : Panama

Summary : Consultancy - Technical Support for Documentation and Information Management to the Zika Project

Deadline : 16 Jun 2019

Other Information

Notice Type : Tender

TOT Ref.No.: 33703492

Document Ref. No. :

Competition : ICB

Financier : United Nations Secretariat

Purchaser Ownership : -

Tender Value : Refer Document

Purchaser's Detail

Purchaser : UNITED NATIONS CHILDREN'S FUND
Calle Alberto Oriol Tejada Edif. 102 - Planta baja Tel: +507 301 7360 Fax: +507 301 7370
Panama
Email :unicefpanama@unicef.org
URL :http://www.unicef.org/

Tender Details

Tenders are invited for Consultancy - Technical Support for Documentation and Information Management to the Zika Project, LACRO, Panama City.

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, protection



BACKGROUND:



The last report with PAHO official cumulated figures dates 4th January 2018. In 2017, Zika cases declined, and since then incidence in LAC remained uncertain due to considerable variation in surveillance and the lack of a comprehensive collection of data from affected countries.



The scarcity of tests and protocols to perform well designed screening procedures and diagnostics probably explain underreporting both with regards to Zika virus infection and children born with CSZ.



Some findings suggest that the ZIKV epidemic is over within LAC, with incidence projected to be low in most cities in the region in 2018 mostly due to populations with high levels of herd immunity.



Nevertheless, ZIKA Virus spread continued in 2018 in LAC Region, having moved from an epidemic to an endemic status. Furthermore, the risk of ZIKV congenital syndrome (of which microcephaly is only the most evident and known manifestation), continue to be present. There is still a challenge in detection for a several reasons: only 1 of 5 cases are symptomatic, there is a low risk perception among population, low access to screening and testing services, low capacity of services to diagnosis and weak services of early monitoring of child development.



In terms of other disabilities caused by ZIKV, recent research shows that the number of children affected by CZS is probably much higher than currently estimated due to gross under-reporting of manifestations of the CZS. In addition, there is a high incidence of other disabilities conservatively estimated to affect 10 per cent of all infected pregnant women. The under-reporting of microcephaly implies that the cumulated estimate of over 3, 617 cases of microcephaly (January 2018) represents only the tip of the iceberg.


For the period 2018-2019 and with USAID funding, UNICEF is implementing the Zika Response in 8 LAC countries: Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Nicaragua, Peru and Paraguay. The Regional Office (LACRO) provides overall guidance, technical support, oversight and coordination to the UNICEF Zika response programs in the above-mentioned countries.


UNICEF Zika Response is based in two components: a prevention strategy against Zika and other arboviruses and a care and support component working with families affected by the Congenital Zika Syndrome.


The Prevention component is implemented through Communication for Development (C4D) Strategies used to influence individual and social behavior change while promoting the adoption of prevention behaviors among at-risk populations through actions targeting multiple levels of their environment: individual, interpersonal, community, institutional and national/policy levels. This UNICEF C4D approach involves an evidence-based process that utilizes a mix of communication tools, channels and approaches to facilitate participation and engagement with children, adolescents, families, communities, and networks for positive social and behavior change.


The Care and Support component is based in previous and extended experience in the fields of Child Development and Disabilities. This component is reflected in the Essential Components Framework (ECF), based on multiple technical sources, including related Zika response recommendations of the CDC and WHO, documented evidence, and field-based experiences gained internationally and in project countries.


A two-prong approach is utilized: (1) the identification and addressing of the more immediate C & S actions for young children affected by the conditions of the Congenital Zika Syndrome (CZS) and their families and (2) building-on designed strategies to advance family-focused and sustainable approaches considered essential to mitigate the impact of the conditions of CZS and other developmental disabilities and to promote the child-s development and inclusion for those children identified.


UNICEF also focused on promoting a sustainable, multi sector and holistic approach which aims at addressing the multiple, long-term impacts of the Congenital Zika Syndrome and/or other congenital malformations, as part of an integrated plan to promote development, protection and inclusion of affected children and their families. This effort builds on the combination of emerging multiple frameworks, including more specific regional and country level health, ECD, social protection frameworks, policies and programs. The Zika Response has provided an opportunity to work specifically in combating stigma and discrimination against newborns and young children with CZS, but also more broadly with any disability.


Coordination and joint efforts with key partners will continue in 2019, at regional and country levels, for both prevention and child care and family support (C & S) components.


The 2019 period represents a critical moment for strengthening and completing the final stages of the USAID funded Zika Response in the selected priority countries and on a regional level. To meet requirements for supporting the final stage of the USAID funded UNICEF Zika response, UNICEF LACRO proposes to contract the services of a junior professional with experiences in the field of health (preferably with UNICEF experiences in the LAC region), to assist the UNICEF LACRO team for the implementation of the final stage of USAID.


PURPOSE:


Under the supervision of the UNICEF LACRO Regional Health Advisor in coordination with the Regional Emergency Specialist (ZIKA coordinator), the consultant will provide support in the areas of documentation, information management, reporting and support to the coordination activities to facilitate the completion of activities at regional level and the achievement of a successful exit of the project. The consultant may also provide support to the health section in the above-mentioned areas according to specific requests.


EXPECTED RESULTS (measurable results):

1. Based on regional and country level materials and resources produced for the implementation of the Zika Response, the consultant will provide support in the compilation of such documents to facilitate a final presentation of all materials.

2. Along the duration of the contract, the consultant will provide support in all the information management tasks related to the project as per Zika coordinator´s request.

3. The consultant will provide support to the M&E activities defined by the Zika coordinator and M&E Section in LACRO.

4. Provide support in all the activities related to the finalization of the project, in particular the elaboration of all the final reports.

5. Support Health section in specific activities regarding the same areas defined above.



How can you make a difference?



MAIN RESPONSABILITES AND TASKS

1. A stocktaking report of all documents produced regarding UNICEF Zika Response in LAC

2. A revision of the main documents produced during the Zika response in LAC

3. Periodical reports regarding Zika activities both at country and regional level involving UNICEF and partners

4. Updates on the process of reviewing the M&E framework

5. Provide inputs for the final Zika report



KEY QUALIFICATIONS, TECHNICAL BACKGROUND, AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:



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



Education:

University degree in health, medicine, social sciences, public health, and/or other related fields.



Work Experience:

§ 2.5 years or more of relevant professional work experience in fields related to health,

§ Experience working in developing countries (preferably in the LAC region), with an in-depth understanding of health and related fields in the LAC region.

§ Country and/or regional programme experiences with UNICEF or similar organizations (preferably in the LAC region).

§ Networking experience with international organizations, universities, NGOs and other, non-traditional knowledge centers.



Languages:

§ Fluency in English and Spanish. Fluency in Portuguese and/or French is an asset.



Other skills and Attributes:

§ Capacity to work in stressful conditions.

§ Willingness to travel through the LAC-region

§ Flexibility and adaptability to shifting conditions and work demands.

§ Capacity to communicate effectively and work collaboratively with RO and CO colleagues and external partners.

§ High level of Integrity and commitment to UNICEF's mission and professional values.



MANAGEMENT ARRANGEMENTS


This consultancy will be managed by the Regional Health Emergency Specialist (ZIKA coordinator)





INDIVIDUAL CONTRACTOR-S WORKPLACE:



Duty Station: Panama City, UNICEF LACRO





Travel (if applicable)

Travel will be covered by UNICEF as per policy.

§ Travel costs will be estimated and added to the contract once they are determined based on UNICEF Financial Rules and Regulations.

§ For agreed country visits, the contractor/consultant will be responsible in administering their own travel. UNICEF will reimburse travel related expenses based on actual costs or on the below criteria whichever is lower and upon presentation of receipts.

§ Any travel involved should be budgeted according to UN Travel Standards as a ceiling.

§ Travel: http://www.un.org/ga/search/view_doc.asp?sym

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