Country: Uganda
Closing date: 13 Jul 2018
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, a fair chance
Uganda is one of the over 190 countries and territories around the world where we work to overcome the obstacles that poverty, violence, disease, and discrimination place in a child’s path.Together with the Government of Uganda and partners we work towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals, the objectives of the Uganda National Development Plan, and the planned outcomes of the United Nations Development Assistance Framework.
Visit this link for more information on Uganda Country Office https://www.unicef.org/uganda/
How can you make a difference?
Under the supervision of the UNICEF C4D Specialist and MoH HP&E unit, the consultant will to provide technical EPI communication & social mobilization support to the Ministry of Health’s Health Promotion & Education unit; provide technical support to district & sub-district implementers & mobilisers to build their communication capacities/needs, and to further raise community awareness and create demand for immunization services particularly in geographical areas with low immunization coverage and pockets of unimmunized children.
Background
a) Based on the Harvard Opinion Research Poll (HORP) findings presented in 2016 on parents/caregivers perceptions and opinions towards routine immunisation, it was realised that current messaging does not reflect the issues raised in the HORP. Some of these issues include:
- knowledge around the immunisation schedule and the importance of completing it
- knowledge on immunising a child even if the child is sick
- concerns about new vaccines being introduced especially injections and the number of injections to be received by a child/baby
- concerns around drops vs injections and which one parents/caregivers perceive to be more effective/less harmful to their child
b) The introduction of two new vaccines, Rotavirus vaccine and MR vaccine, in 2018 will require sensitisation and mobilisation of parents/caregivers as well as other key stakeholders to ensure that there is no resistance to the introduction of another vaccine, avoid immunisation fatigue and in general allay fears/concerns of parents who feel that their children are being over immunised. Communication & Social mobilisation will be key aspects for the successful introduction of this new vaccine.
c) The need to reduce the high drop-out rates and numbers of un-immunised children at this time is critical to further improve disease control efforts and avoidance of resurgence of vaccine-preventable diseases, which have been relatively under control. High routine immunisation coverage with minimal district variations is required for maintaining polio eradication status, maternal and neonatal tetanus elimination and effective measles control.
The high fertility rate constantly increases the number of vulnerable children. Other contributing factors to declining immunisation coverage that have been identified include:
Key Tasks:
To qualify asan advocate for every child you will have…
. University degree in Communication, Social Sciences, Behavioural Sciences, Public Health or other related field. A Masters’ degree n Health Communication is an added advantage.
. A minimum of 5 years’ experience in Communication for Behaviour and Social Change.
. Proven expertise in developing Communication materials, strategies and plans for new vaccine introduction and SIAs
· 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
For every Child, you demonstrate…
Our core values of Commitment, Diversity and Integrity and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.
For every Child, you demonstrate…
UNICEF’s core values of Commitment, Diversity and Integrity and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.
The technical competencies required for this post are….
View our competency framework at
http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/UNICEF_Competencies.pdf
UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.
Remarks:
Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.
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=513971