International Consultancy Communication for Development Specialist (Routine Immunization)... Tender

UNITED NATION CHILDREN'S FUND has floated a tender for International Consultancy Communication for Development Specialist (Routine Immunization) Freetown. The project location is Sierra Leone and the tender is closing on 31 Mar 2019. The tender notice number is , while the TOT Ref Number is 31683143. Bidders can have further information about the Tender and can request the complete Tender document by Registering on the site.

Expired Tender

Procurement Summary

Country : Sierra Leone

Summary : International Consultancy Communication for Development Specialist (Routine Immunization) Freetown

Deadline : 31 Mar 2019

Other Information

Notice Type : Tender

TOT Ref.No.: 31683143

Document Ref. No. :

Competition : ICB

Financier : United Nations Secretariat

Purchaser Ownership : -

Tender Value : Refer Document

Purchaser's Detail

Purchaser : UNITED NATION CHILDREN'S FUND
Medical Stores Compound Jomo Kenyatta Road New England Freetown, Country code 232 City code 22 Tel: 234.996 (IDD Line) Facsimile: 235.059
Sierra Leone
Email :freetown@unicef.org
URL :www.unicef.org

Tender Details

Tenders are invited for Sierra Leone: International Consultancy Communication for Development Specialist (Routine Immunization) Freetown, Sierra Leone - 45 days.

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.

UNICEF Sierra Leone is looking for an International Consultant- Communication for Development Specialist(Routine Immunization)

Purpose of Activity/Assignment:

Background

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is transmitted through sexual activity and causes cervical cancer which is one of the most common cancers affecting women. About 569, 847 new cervical cancers were diagnosed globally in 2018 and 311, 365 deaths due to cervical cancer occurred. Cervical cancer is the second most common female cancer deaths in women aged 15 – 44 years in the world. Most of these deaths occur in middle and low income countries. World Health Organization recommends vaccinating girls 9 to 14 years old against HPV as the most safe and effective way to protect them from developing cervical cancer later in life.

In view of the above, the Ministry of Health and Sanitation is planning to introduce HPV vaccine in Sierra Leone to ameliorate the awkward consequences of HPV infection among adolescent girls before they assume adult life. A GAVI-supported HPV vaccine demonstration project was carried out in October 2013 to April 2014 in Bo District among 9 year old girls. The aim was to demonstrate country’s ability and readiness to implement national roll-out of HPV vaccine into the routine immunization services. Unfortunately, due to the Ebola outbreak in the following year, the second round of demonstration couldn’t take place.

Through an interactive and inclusive process of the EPI Technical Coordinating Committee, Chaired by the EPI manager in close collaboration with the Director of Disease prevention and Control and the Director of Reproductive and Child Health a proposal for a national HPV introduction proposal was developed. The Health Sector Steering Group (HSSG) which is playing the ICC role in Sierra Leone further discussed the plan of the Ministry of Health to introduce HPV into routine immunization. The HSSG approved the proposal development and content of the application. The final application was presented to HSSG members for endorsement. The whole of this process was guided by the Chief Medical Officer who is the chairman of the HSSG.

Following this intensive process, Sierra Leone received a commitment from GAVI in support of National HPV vaccine introduction into routine immunization services in 2019. The country is applying for quadrivalent HPV vaccine which will be administered to girls aged 9 to 14 years in the first year of introduction (2019) as an intensified immunization activity in form of a campaign, followed by routinization of it while targeting girls 9 years both in and out of school. The country will adopt the WHO recommended 2 dose schedule of vaccine with an interval of 6 months between doses[1].

Justification

Sierra Leone records one of the highest infant and maternal mortality rates in the world. The under-five mortality rate (U5MR) reduced from 262 per 1, 000 live births in 1990 to 236 in 2000, and to 111 in 2017[2]. However, it is over four times higher than the SDG target of 25/1, 000 by 2030.The immediate causes of childhood deaths are malaria, pneumonia, diarrhoea and new-born conditions such as asphyxia, prematurity and sepsis. Malaria tops the disease burden chart, closely followed by acute respiratory infections and diarrhoea, while malnutrition is an underlying cause for childhood deaths. The country also has the highest maternal mortality rates in the world with 1, 360 per 100, 000 live births[3], caused primarily by haemorrhage, sepsis, hypertensive disorders, unsafe abortion and prolonged or obstructed labour. Current estimates also indicate that 670 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer annually out of which 466 die from the disease.

Evidently, a heavy burden of disease is still exerted by Vaccine Preventable Diseases (VPDs), thus making a significant contribution to the overall infant, child and maternal mortality rates.

Cervical cancer is one such vaccine preventable diseases and as per the 2015 census population, about 602, 652 girls on the age group of 9-14 years are in need of HPV vaccination (2019). As per the population projection, the proportion of girls 9 -14 years age comprise 7.6% of the total population and 15% of the total female population. As per the projection, in the following 4 years 9-14 years old girls will be vaccinated with HPV vaccine as indicated below:

2020 - 108, 331

2021 – 110, 731

2022 – 113, 278

2023 – 115, 883

Purpose and Objectives

The tasks outlined in this Terms of Reference, will contribute to achieving the commitments from GAVI in support of National HPV vaccine introduction into routine immunization services in 2019. Under the supervision of the Chief of C4D, and in close collaboration with Immunization Specialist and the C4D Section, the consultant will provide technical support in developing, implementing, monitoring and reporting on the C4D strategy and work plan for HPV intensified immunization as part of the planned new vaccine introductions/campaigns in the country.

Specifically, the proposed consultancy will use existing evidence on high impact accelerator behaviours, which can be practiced at the family level, and provide necessary support to the partnership on development of plans that promote necessary behaviours and create an enabling environment through a range of behavior change communication, social mobilization, community engagement and advocacy strategies for successful roll out of HPV vaccination across all districts in Sierra Leone.

Methodology and Technical Approach

The Consultant will be based in C4D section in UNICEF Sierra Leone Country Office in Freetown;
She/he will be required to work in close coordination and cooperation with the UNICEF sections and field offices, relevant departments in the Ministry of Health and Sanitation (GoSL); WHO; and NGO partners;
The consultant will closely work with the multi-sectoral C4D team in SLCO particularly to build on cross-sectoral community engagement initiative.
The consultancy requires field visits in the regions.
Activities, Tasks, Outputs and Deliverables :

Planning and Coordination

Coordination with MoHS, WHO and other relevant partners of UNICEF on creating communication strategy for HPV uptake in the Routine EPI services through school to school outreach, community outreach and fixed post strategies.
Plan and conduct capacity building trainings of the District Social Mobilization Coordinators and other strategic partners on HPV advocacy, communication and social mobilization.
Support the Health Education Division (HED), MoHS to develop an operational plan with approx. budget and timeline for HPV intensified immunization.

Data reporting and evidence based programme planning:

Support the national C4D team of UNICEF in collecting, collating, and analyzing data generated through U Report Polls and FGDs as part of formative research on perceptions of HPV vaccine among the community members in the country.


Communication Training and Capacity building:

Support in the development of training module on social mobilization and community engagement for HPV intensified immunization for stakeholders and partners at national, district and sub-district levels.

Messaging and Materials

Provide technical support on production of IEC materials (media and print) for HPV intensified immunization as new vaccine introduction.
Management, Organization and Timeframe

Duration Start date: May 2019 End date: June 2019

Deliverables and payment schedule: Payment will be made monthly upon submission of report

UNICEF recourse in case of unsatisfactory performance: Payment will only be made for work satisfactorily completed and accepted by UNICEF.

Conditions of Work

The consultant will be based in Sierra Leone.
For Sierra Leone, the consultant must secure medical insurance (inclusive of medical evacuation) prior to assuming his/her duties with UNICEF (proof of insurance with med-evac clause is required).
Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required:

Academic qualifications: Master’s degree in social science, specializing in communication studies or mass communication in international development with a focus on behaviour change communication, community engagement or social mobilization. Specialization in health communication or in monitoring and evaluation of communication programmes is an asset

Specialized training: quantitative or qualitative social sciences research or certificate in health promotion or gender studies, is an asset

Experience: 8 to 10 years experience in providing support to communication implementation of UN, government or INGO driven large scale interventions/projects for maternal, new born and child health / new vaccine introduction in developing country contexts in Africa.

Please attached your all inclusive financial offer

Remarks:

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

How to apply:
UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organization. To apply, click on the following link http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/?job=520640

Documents

 Tender Notice