Consultancy on developing Journal Articles on Polio Vaccination in Afghanistan, Polio Eradication Programme, New York

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For every child, Health

The Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) seeks to ensure that future generations of children will be free from the threat of polio paralysis. Polio eradication continues to be an organizational priority for UNICEF and is a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC). Two countries remain endemic for Polio, namely Afghanistan and Pakistan. UNICEF’s accountabilities within the GPEI are Social Behavioural Change (SBC) and vaccine supply and management.

The Afghanistan Country Office, with support from the Polio Headquarters Team, conducted a high-profile national research study in Q3 and Q4 of 2023. The study used a large quantitative survey and extensive qualitative research to strengthen the Polio Programme’s understanding of how caregivers perceive the poliovirus, polio vaccination campaigns and polio vaccines. This study is the most significant social research study to have been conducted by the Polio Programme globally in recent years. Findings from the study have been disseminated at the national and global levels of the GPEI, and the resulting insights have been used to further hone UNICEF’s SBC programming in the country.

The UNICEF External Publications Policy encourages UNICEF staff to make efforts to publish research findings where possible. The UNICEF HQ Polio Eradication Programme has regularly published research findings in academic journals over the past four years, with five articles having been published in a range of important journals, including Vaccine, BMC Public Health and PLOS ONE. This is a continuation of a decade-long effort by UNICEF to ensure that programmatic learning from the large-scale investments in the Polio Eradication Programme is available to other programmes, including routine immunization, public health and other SBC programmes, in a systematic and credible manner.

How can you make a difference?

• A PhD in SBC, statistics, public health, development studies, behavioural sciences or social sciences (anthropology, sociology, psychology, social development, etc.)
• A minimum of ten years of experience in an academic role on public health
• A focused experience on SBC or Polio is an asset
• Strong record of academic publication in a relevant field
• Advanced quantitative and qualitative data analysis skills
• Extensive knowledge of SBC programming
• Substantial experience of working in partnership with UNICEF or other UN agencies
• Fluency in English required (both verbal and written); Knowledge of Dari and Pashto is considered an asset
• Familiarity with the polio programme is an asset
• Experience of the Afghanistan context is an asset

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS).

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According to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. In its Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy 2022-2030, UNICEF has committed to increase the number of employees with disabilities by 2030. At UNICEF, we provide reasonable accommodation for work-related support requirements of candidates and employees with disabilities. Also, UNICEF has launched a Global Accessibility Helpdesk to strengthen physical and digital accessibility. If you are an applicant with a disability who needs digital accessibility support in completing the online application, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility jobs-near-me.org UNICEF.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). 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 based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. 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, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

Remarks: 

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

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws.

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.