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
1st
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.
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