Consultancy: Support 2015 Measles Rubella SIAs (Communication specialist)

UNICEF CAMEROON

TERMS OF REFERENCE

Ver. March 2015

Title of Consultancy: Support 2015 Measles Rubella SIAs (Communication specialist)

Planned Duration of Consultancy: 45 days

Submitted by: Young Child Survival Section

1.    Background and Justification

As 4th leading cause of child mortality in 2000, measles death is a major component to achieving MDG4. Major cause of global morbidity and mortality with more than 375,000 deaths in 2000 and despite the availability of a safe and effective vaccine for the past 45 years, measles remains a leading cause of death among young children for the WHO African Region. With a strong global support from governments, health workers and dedicated volunteers, significant progress is being made in the fight against measles, however, measles still claimed thousands lives each year in the African Region.

The current measles elimination strategy calls for increased coverage of two doses of measles vaccine (Routine, SIAs), enhanced surveillance and improved case management.

In 2011, the Sixty-first session of the African Regional Committee adopted a resolution for measles elimination by 2020. The resolution urged Member States to provide adequate resources for the implementation of national plans to sustain the gains in measles mortality reduction.

In 2012, a national plan for measles elimination in Cameroon was adopted by the Inter Agency Coordination Committee. However, several challenges are still identified, including inadequacy and sustainability of financing, weakness of the health workforce and limited access to service delivery. In addition, interventions are not implemented at full scale; procurement and supply chain systems are still weak, community engagement low in addition to weak surveillance of this disease.

Humanitarian emergencies that occurred in the Far North (Boko Haram), Adamawa and East (Central African refugees) regions have been associated with epidemics of measles, which can be prevented through vaccination if anticipated by timely intervention.

In 2014, 49 health districts faced Measles outbreaks in Cameroon. The most affected population was among 1-15 years old. Only 14 (out of the 49) received adequate response.

In order to provide continuous technical, financial and material assistance for the development of cMYP and integrated country annual operational plan, UNICEF country office is requesting the support of one (1) national consultant who will be helpful to ensure UNICEF great support for a good preparation and implementation of measles SIAs.

This national consultant will support country punctually to improve the quality of their SIAs that will contribute to reduce the morbidity and mortality of the disease.

2.    Purpose and Objective

-       The purpose is to ensure that the country is engaged, mobilized, informed and well equipped with necessary planning tools and implementation strategies that will result in a successful and quality SIAs implementation;

-       The objective is to give technical support to the Ministry of Health in collaboration with UNICEF country office for the preparation and implementation of quality measles SIAs.

3.    Methodology and Technical Approach

-       Desk review to analyse the country EPI situation;

-       Meetings and interactions with the Ministry of Health and others immunisation partners

4.    Activities, Tasks, Outputs and Deliverables

-       Completed template for developing evidence-based communication plans for Measles or Measles & Rubella SIAs as well as strengthening routine immunization; these communication plans must be executed with objectively verifiable indicators, clear timelines of implementation and budgets, including monitoring tools to accelerate expected results in the field of communication for introduction of new vaccines;

-       Undergo an analysis/literature review of existing surveys (including MICS, DHS, other) and bring to surface all information that can help orient communication planning;

-       If needed, conduct training needs assessment with health workers prior to SIA to serve as baseline for assessing skills for SIA, RI, and surveillance;

-       Conduct rapid convenience assessments to identify communities at high risk of being missed by RI;

-       Prior to SIA, conduct KAP survey with community members to serve as basis for developing communication messages and strategy for SIA and RI;

-       Support country to produce educational materials;

-       Support countries to produce advocacy tools for authorities, religious leaders, media agencies, journalists and health personnel;

-       Support country to conduct Interpersonal communications training for vaccinators;

-       Develop standard key messages to promote SIAs and RI. Pre-test them for comprehension and minimize confusion about SIA versus routine immunization;

-       Systematically include key messages in all materials (including press releases for the media) and events, regarding why the campaign is happening, what it protects against, and the need to get children vaccinated both during the SIA and in routine immunization;   

-       Especially for SIAs with vaccination posts in schools (especially in MR campaigns), work with education officials to develop an assembly or short lesson plan on immunization.  Stress the importance of routine immunization as well as the SIA.  Ask children to develop ideas on tasks they could carry out: for example, tell five people in your family or community about the importance of both the SIA and routine immunization; 

-       Develop specific communication strategy for hard to reach areas;

-       Use SIA as an opportunity to engage and orient the private sector about the importance of immunization (e.g. schedule, global and national goals, reporting, surveillance, etc.);

-       Emphasize the importance of routine immunization during media briefings and press releases

-       Distribute routine immunization “invitation cards” to caregivers when they come to SIA post

-       Conduct community education sessions to explain value of routine immunization;

-       Have health workers and volunteers inform caregivers that all children need at least two doses of measles vaccination and to take the child to routine services to receive both doses.  Have health workers remind mothers to bring children back to routine services for second dose of measles-containing vaccine in second year of life (depending on vaccination schedule);

-       Use m-health applications to push information about routine immunization during SIAs;

-       Establish better relationships with media and obtain commitments for communication support for RI and case reporting;

-       Use advocacy and social mobilization activities with interested groups (e.g., women’s and youth groups) to promote routine immunization and recognition/reporting of suspected cases of measles and rubella;

-       Maintain NGO involvement post-campaign to continue defaulter tracing for routine vaccination.  (Some funding may be available to pilot this in selected countries);

-       Report to local politicians the results of SIAs, the current RI coverage, and the need and operational costs required to improve RI against measles and other diseases or keep it high;

-       Use data from rapid convenience assessment question on “source of information” to strengthen communication planning for routine immunization, especially for hard to reach populations;

-       Utilize social mobilization and communication materials to address reporting of suspected VPD cases;

-       Organize regulars conferences and online exchanges call with CO communication focal point to support C4D activities preparation;

-       Assure positive and continual coordination with WHO and others partners;

-       Trip reports from duty travel missions;

-       Final mission report including recommendations for needed human and financial resources at country level as well as coordination mechanisms to reinforce RI;

Deliverables

The consultant will have to submit to the supervisors (CO):

-       A weekly update on his activities to discuss progress related to this ToRs;

-       A first month activities report to allow the 1st monthly salary payment;

-       A draft of a final report on all his activities at least 2 days before the end of the contract to allow feedbacks and discussions;

-       A final report on all his activities taking into account all feedbacks 2 weeks after the end of the consultation with a summary report presented in PPT format & campaigns data under Excel format;

-       All deliverables must be presented to WCARO & CO on electronic support.

Output

-       Timely and accurate technical support is provided by the Country Office through the consultant for a high quality SIAs preparation and implementation.

5.    Management, Organization and Timeframe

The consultant will be positioned under:

-       The technical supervision of the country office C4D Specialist;

-       The administrative supervision of the Chief of Health sub-component.

The consultant will also work closely with the Immunization Officer and country teams (C4D, Health, WASH and Nutrition). 

UNICEF will:

-       Organize an initial briefing for the consultant;

-       Make available guidelines, documentation on Measles & Rubella SIAs organization;

-       Ensure consultant direct supervision;

-       Final appreciation of the consultant work quality.

Full Time: Estimated total working days: 45 calendar days - On a base of 21 working days/month

The consultant will be on contract through to the end of the 45 calendars days, and will implement the activities and deliverables as outlined in this document.

Duration of the assignment will be agreed upon prior to the start of each assignment, and the total contract will not exceed 45 calendars days - on a base of 21 working days/month.

Deliverables	Deadline
A weekly update on realized activities	Every Monday
A Monthly activities report	End of the first Month
A draft final report on all his activities on electronic support	At least 2 days before the end of the mission
A final report	At the end of the mission
A summary report presented in PPT format & SIAs data under Excel format	At the end of the mission

6.    ROMP Reference, Budget and Remuneration

§  Four 45 days (XXXX to XXX ) of work;

One National Communication consultant, NOB professional

o   1^st month consultancy fees: 138.904$*1*21* working days: $US2,917*1 = 2,917$

o   ½ month consultancy fees: 138.904$*1*11 working days: $US1,528*1 = 1,528*1$

o   Estimated/total salary fees= $US 2,917$ + 1,528$ = 4,445$ estimated for 1 consultant

§  Salary will be pay on monthly basis only after the submission and approval of the monthly activities report;

o   Perdiem for duty travels will be pay when consultant is on duty travel in the country outside the duty station (20 calendars days per month for a total of 30 days for the duration of contract).

§  Lumpsum for field missions (transport & perdiem for consultant & driver) to be use according to UNICEF rules: 6,000*1 = 6,000$ estimated for 1 consultant.

        Total for the 1 consultant: 10,445$.

7.    Qualifications and Specialized Knowledge/experience required

§  Education

Advanced university degree in the social/behavioral sciences, (Sociology, Anthropology, Psychology, Health Education) with emphasis on strategic communication planning for behavior development, social mobilization, participatory communication, and research, training/facilitation and impact evaluation of communication interventions, or other relevant disciplines.

*A first university degree with a relevant combination of academic qualifications and experience may be accepted in lieu of advanced university degree.

§  Work Experience

Minimum 5 years relevant professional work experience in the planning and management of social development programs, or other relevant domains, with practical experience in the adaptation and application of communication planning processes to specific programs.

§  Competencies

-       Knowledge of current developments in the fields of communication for development, adult learning, indigenous media, community organization and participation, formative research and monitoring of communication interventions. Knowledge of the use and application of channels of communication such as community radio, theatre for development, etc.

-       Training in strategic communication planning, social and behavioral analysis, participatory research and evaluation of communication interventions.  Proven ability to conduct training and capacity building to transfer knowledge and skills.

-       Proven skills in communication, networking, advocacy and negotiation.

-       At ease with social data methods and analysis, quantitative surveys, participatory and qualitative methods such as Appreciative Inquiry etc.

-       Ability to manipulate Excel and other statistical software.

-       Knowledge of the social, political and economic environment of the country. A working experience in Cameroon related to C4D/immunization issues is an asset.

-       Proven ability to develop and maintain relationships with multiple partners

-       Good analytical and negotiating skills.

§  Language

o   Excellent knowledge of French and a good working knowledge of English.

8.    Conditions of Work

Full Time: Estimated Total Working Days: 45 calendars days - On a base of 21 working days/months;

Duty Station: Yaoundé with 2/3 of time travels in the country.

Work place of consultant: UNICEF Cameroon country Office and Expanded Programme on Immunization Central Technical Group/Departments of Health Family& Promotion teams.

9.     Anticipated travel

§  Travel inside the country for technical support, prospective visits and SIAs supervision

10. UNICEF recourse in case of unsatisfactory performance

§  Payment will only be made for work satisfactorily completed and accepted by UNICEF.

§  UNICEF reserves the right to interrupt the contract in case of unsatisfactory achievements.