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For every child, hope
Since the beginning of January 2022, the country has continued to report a significant downward trend in the number of new weekly cases of Covid-19. As of March 14, 2022, Senegal has been able to administer 2,088,298 doses, i.e. 35% of the 5,981,308 doses of vaccines (all types combined) available. The total number of people who received a dose represents 1,456,087 (8% of the total population) while the number of people who received a complete series of doses is 1,038,489, or 6% of the total population.
To increase the chances of reaching the objectives set for 2022 by the WHO, which is 70%, the country has decided to intensify anti-Covid-19 vaccination. Social and behavior change (SBC) is essential to improve the mobilization in favor of vaccination in a context where administrative officials, decision-makers and the population no longer see Covid-19 as a threat. The success of this mobilization will depend on the support for the implementation of certain multi-sector support project initiatives for the revival of COVID-19 vaccination in the country.
However, it would also be desirable for these efforts to be capitalized through support for vaccination in a more general way, for the HPV vaccine and the vaccination of all resistant or vulnerable groups. Thus, SBC will promote demand for services and acceptance of vaccines and other public health measures.
How can you make a difference?
Under the leadership of the Ministry of Health and the Government, UNICEF will work with WHO, USAID, WB, GIZ, CDC and any other potential partners to coordinate engagement and social mobilization efforts for a community support for vaccination and maintenance of barrier measures. Through the SBC, it will be a question of providing technical advice, supporting the development and implementation of targeted communication strategies based on data from recent socio-anthropological research (LARTES-UNICEF 2022, Pasteur Dakar – OMS AFRO 2022), in order to develop new strategies, new messages and strengthen the country’s capacity to plan, implement, monitor and evaluate in an effective and timely manner immunization acceleration activities, particularly against COVID-19 and any response to outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases.
In this spirit, UNICEF SENEGAL expresses the urgent need to recruit an experienced specialist in the SBC to provide a strategic support and adequate expertise to accelerate general vaccination and that against the Covid-19 and provide adequate technical assistance to the DP and the SNEIPS.
Under the direct supervision of the Chief of Social and Behavioral Change (SBC), the staff member will oversee:
- Help to elaborate, coordinate, and accelerate the implementation of strategies, plans and strategic communication and promotion activities for social and behavioral change in favor of vaccination in general and also against Covid-19 in particular based on lessons learned and recent data available on the accessibility of vaccines as well as perceptions and resistance toward the Covid19 vaccination in the age brackets of 60 years, patients with comorbidities and first-line agents (especially their own health agents), with a very strong resistance at 18 to 45 years.
- Support the strengthening of the partnership through the national and regional coordination framework for the implementation of agreements / projects for the acceleration of vaccination, including Covid-19 and the search for the last groups of the population, the more vulnerable, often the poorest, not vaccinated.
- Help to develop strategies, tools as well as appropriate messages to consider the current context of notable low cases and disinterest toward vaccination and the removal of barrier measures against covid19 for each group age and cohort specified in the results of the last two research of 2022.
Support the SBC section to ensure technical assistance to partners (the Directorate of Vaccination as well as the SNEIPS) in the implementation and follow-up of various projects and interventions aimed at accelerating routine / campaign vaccinations including for the Covid19.
Main Duties/Responsibilities:
More precisely and based on identified needs, and in coordination with other sections of UNICEF, in particular the CSD / WASH, Education and Protection, and the partners in implementation (MSAS, OMS, USAID, GIZ, Banque Mondiale, MSF, ONGs international / national and Universities, etc.), contribute to the elaboration and implementation of strategies and acceleration plans of routine / campaign vaccination, including for the Covid19.
Support for the acceleration of vaccination, including covid 19
- Assist in the creation of a friendly environment to the implementation of interventions in favor of the strengthening of general vaccination and the acceleration of the Covid-19 vaccination, considering the cultural issues, the age group, comorbidities, remoteness or proximity with urban centers and medical centers as well, zones with the most vulnerable populations and dissociating urban and rural interventions
- Enhance the involvement and participation of local actors (young people, women, local associations, community networks, Badienu Gokh, club of young girls, artists, religious leaders, etc ..) and especially the most vulnerable communities at epidemic risk and Covid19 as indicated in the two preliminary research findings
- Assist in the Development of Strategies, messages, appropriate Interventions for the most vulnerable, specific age group as well as the comorbidities that fragilize people with specific needs.
- Assist in the development of interventions aimed at addressing the negative effects (rejection, resistance, lack of information, management of rumors, etc ..) of the vaccination, including Covid-19 and reduce the distrust of local communities to accelerate the vaccination including for covid-19
- Select the Organizations of the Civil Society (OCS) potential national actors for the establishment of partnership for the implementation of agreements / projects related to community ownership and access to essential services
- Support the coordination and follow-up evaluation of the implementation of agreements / projects at the national levels of the regions
Ensure technical assistance to the DP and the SNEIPS:
- Support the planning and implementation of the PTA of the SNEIPS (National Service for Education and Health Information)
- Attend meetings of the GTT (Technical Working Group) at SNEIPS and the vaccination meeting at the DP.
- Support the SNEIPS and the DP for the establishment of communication platforms at the regional level in collaboration with the medical regions.
- Support the SNEIPS for the finalization of the practical guide for the conception of com support for the SBC
- Support the SNEIPS for the completion of the Manual of Reference Strategy and Communication Plan for the Promotion of Health;
- Support the SBC section on the management of its indicators, in particular monitoring of Grants, programmatic visits, timely liquidation, requests from partners, reports to donors…
- Support the strengthening of the capacities of actors in SBC and including in favor of the vaccination against Covid-19
Innovation
Identify new opportunities and innovative approaches with a significant impact on adherence to vaccination and the involvement of local and community actors
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
Education :
Have an advanced university degree in social and Behavioral Sciences, Sociology, Anthropology, Psychology, Education, Communication, Public Health, or any other relevant technical field…
Work Experience:
At least 5 years of practical experience in the development and implementation of strategies and communication plans for social change and behavior in the field of health. A work experience in the context of vaccination challenges would be an asset.
Language :
Fluent in French and working knowledge of English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language or a local language is an asset
For every Child, you demonstrate…
UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA).
The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…
Core Values
- Care
- Respect
- Integrity
- Trust
- Accountability
Core Competencies
- Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (1)
- Works Collaboratively with others (1)
- Builds and Maintains Partnerships (1)
- Innovates and Embraces Change (1)
- Thinks and Acts Strategically (1)
- Drive to achieve impactful results (1)
- Manages ambiguity and complexity (1)
To view our competency framework, please visit here.
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.
UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.
UNICEF’s active commitment towards diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable female candidates are encouraged to apply.
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.
UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (COVID). Government employees that are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.
Advertised: 02 Jun 2022 Greenwich Standard Time
Deadline: 15 Jun 2022 Greenwich Standard Time
