Innovation Consultant, Health Emergencies /Zika Tender - 19281573

Procurement Summary

Country: Panama

Summary: Innovation Consultant, Health Emergencies /Zika

Deadline: 08 Jan 2018

Posting Date: 21 Dec 2017

Other Information

Notice Type: Tender

TOT Ref.No.: 19281573

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Competition: ICB

Financier: United Nations Secretariat

Purchaser Ownership: -

Tender Value: Refer Document

CPV Classification

79600000 - Recruitment services

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Tender Details

Tenders are invited for Innovation Consultant, Health Emergencies /Zika.
BACKGROUND
The last few years presented new and continuing challenges in global public health. The recent outbreaks of Zika, cholera, yellow fever and others are reminders of the importance of surveillance, preparedness, and a well-coordinated response to public health emergencies in the world, including to avoid losing important gains in the health of children and women acquired along several decades.
Latin American and the Caribbean (LAC) is the most ZIKV- affected region in the world. While many countries have reported a decrease in new cases and the region is going through the transition from epidemic to endemic, the number of infections and the number of new-borns with CZS continues to rise, with pregnant women and women of childbearing age remaining highest-risk groups. Regarding the humanitarian impact of the epidemic specifically on children and their families, the consequences include a wide range of negative outcomes at the psychological, social and economic level. Pregnant women with ZIKV face a high level of uncertainty, stress and fear, as it is not yet clear what risk factors increase the likelihood of having a baby with CZS. Once a baby is born with CZS, families potentially face other problems such as rejection from parents, relatives and neighbours, mostly related to stigma and in some cases mothers and their child affected are abandoned. In terms of economic impacts, mothers usually become full time caregivers, leaving their jobs in most cases and negatively impacting the financial status of the family.
UNICEF in Latin America and the Caribbean region is implementing a regional ZIKV response plan, with interventions in 8 priority countries funded at present through September 2019. The goal of the response is to enhance UNICEF’s contribution to the prevention of the spread of ZIKV in highly vulnerable groups (in particular pregnant women) and the mitigation of its impact on children and their families. UNICEF is working in support to nationally led efforts, and in close collaboration with PAHO/WHO as UN leader in the response, and other relevant stakeholders, with a focus on its comparative advantage and mandate, to:
1. Prevent transmission of ZIKV through:
· Personal protection (in particular for pregnant women, Pregnant and Lactating Women (PLW) and adolescent girls of childbearing age) through community engagement and Communication for Development (C4D) activities that will support behaviour adaptation to prevent the spread of the virus.
· Vector control (reducing breeding sites/vector density) and C4D activities through national capacity development of government institutions and NGO partners
2. Provide non-clinical care and support to families affected by ZIKV, including multi-disciplinary management of Congenital Zika Syndrome and other malformations.
In addition to Zika, the region is faced with many health emergencies, evidenced by the recent Cholera, Dengue, Chikungunya, Yellow Fever and other epidemics affecting several countries in LAC.
One of the key implementation strategies for achieving results for zika and other health emergencies is innovation, which aims at ensuring that strategies and activities are designed, implemented and monitored in line with the LAC-RO Innovation Strategy, to support programmatic interventions and contribute to evidence-based advocacy.
PURPOSE
Under the supervision of the LACRO Health Emergencies and Zika Specialist (HES), and in close collaboration with the Regional innovation focal point, the consultant will be responsible for developing, implementing and monitoring an innovation strategy for ZIKA and other public health emergencies in the region, contributing to and in line with the LACRO overall Innovation Strategy and within the Regional Plan Outcome area “survive and thrive”. Furthermore, theIndividual Contractorwill provide technical assistance to UNICEF country offices, with priority for the 8 COs implementing Zika programmes, in applying innovation strategies and approaches effectively, in line with the LACRO Innovation Strategy, and according to UNICEF strategies for zika epidemic prevention and care and support, including the provision of technical guidance for the implementation of the ZIKV regional U-Report initiative.
The consultant will develop, implement and monitor strategies to ensure the best use of innovation tools and approaches -including U report-, and support Country Offices in the development of their innovation strategies for Zika and other health emergencies as an integral part of their program development, planning and implementation. The Individual Contractor will ensure coordination with relevant programme teams in LACRO and in relevant COs, as well as, under the supervision of the Health Emergencies and Zika Specialist (HES) and in close collaboration with the Innovation focal point, with partners at regional level and the UNICEF Global Innovation team.
MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS
The Innovation consultant, Health Emergencies /Zika will be responsible for:
- Map innovation tools in health, using Global Innovation Center tools and strategies, as well as their use in the region
- Develop, implement and monitor a regional innovation strategy for Public Health Emergencies (PHE) /Zika, to include, among others, U-Report (taking into consideration CO and Global platform) and other mass communication/youth engagement tools (e.g. Internet of Good Things) within the context of the “survive and thrive” outcome of the LAC Regional Plan and to contribute to the overall LACRO Innovation strategy.
- Technical assistance to COs (in particular eight priority UNICEF country offices with Zika response plan) in their development, implementation, monitoring and fundraising for innovation strategies to contribute to their zika and other public health emergencies objectives. This should include capacity building of partners and national governments in the tools
- Provide technical support to COs with own U-Report platform for Zika, health emergency preparedness and response and other health programmes (HIV, adolescent health, etc). Share Zika toolkits with U-Report platforms to global UNICEF communities
- Develop communication materials and youth engagement tools to support C4D programmes to reach beneficiary groups (including service providers) and products for Zikv and other health emergencies (regional campaigns).
- Develop mass communication materials for public advocacy and products for Zikv and other health emergencies to support LACRO Advocacy Strategy in relation to Zikv and public health emergencies,
- ZIKV messages, risk perceptions surveys, mini-KAP surveys and other type of content developed in collaboration with ZIKV colleagues, partners and UNICEF COs and launched via U-Report and other mass communications channels to reach beneficiaries
- Monitoring and evaluation of communication strategies and plans for Zikv and other health emergencies, including social listening monitoring and other related means
- Recruit and manage UNV Online (or other relevant) volunteers to support U-Partner Zika/health emergency activity on U-Report Global
- Coordination with relevant programme teams in LACRO, specially with communication and innovation focal point, as well as with the Global Innovation Center
- Contribute to the development of the Regional Zikv reports and other health emergency reporting requirements
-Contribute to the development and delivery of communication materials for fundraising and/or other relevant purposes, for ZIKV, health emergencies and Innovation including case studies, presentations and video material
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCIES
Education:
· University degree in any of the following: Social Science, Communication studies, Marketing, Social and digital media, public relations, journalism and related fields.
Experience:
· A minimum of 5 years of professional experience in areas of communications and technology development, use of innovative tools for communication, preferably implemented in a developing country.
· At least 2yrs of progressive experience in partnership development, youth engagement and youth outreach, particularly using social media and digital media.
· Relevant experience in related areas in a UN system agency or organization is an asset.
· Experience in supporting and coordinating project activities across a large organization and with other international organizations.
· Proven ability to conceptualize, plan and execute ideas as well as to transfer knowledge and skills.
· Previous working experience with U-Report and/or Rapid Pro.
It is highly recommended to have the following experience:
• Prior working experience with UNICEF as an asset
• Experience with a high-level communications campaign across multiple mediums, with national brand recognition;
• Experience giving user-based feedback to the development of software applications;
• Understanding of community-based channels of influence, community-based communication and development
• Experience working with community based organizations;
• Experience with monitoring and evaluation of projects with multi partner engagement.
Language Requirements:
· Fluency in Spanish and English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language or a local language is an asset.
Other skills and Attributes:
· Capacity to work in stressful conditions.
· Willingness to travel extensively through the LAC region (around 40% of the time).
· 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.
· Anal

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