Consultancy: Social and Behavior Change/Demand Promotion for Vaccine uptake Consultant – Req.#581328

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Consultancy Title: Social and Behavior Change/Demand Promotion for Vaccine uptake Consultant

Section/Division/Duty Station: Immunization/Health Section , Programme Division, NYHQ

Duration: May, 2025 to December 31, 2025

Home/ Office Based: REMOTE

About UNICEF

If you are a committed, creative professional and are passionate about making a lasting difference for children, the world’s leading children’s rights organization would like to hear from you. For over 70 years, UNICEF has been working on the ground in 190 countries and territories to promote children’s survival, protection and development. The world’s largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments. UNICEF has over 12,000 staff in more than 145 countries.

Purpose of Activity/Assignment

The purpose of the consultancy is to provide technical expertise on SBC/demand promotion for preparedness and readiness for any future pandemic and associated new vaccine rollout.

Background:

Building on UNICEF’s role and competencies as a key partner in Public Health Emergencies (PHE) and its active partnership with Gavi, UNICEF is recruiting focal points to link the pillars of UNICEF’s PHE capabilities and bring them together in service of a vaccine partnership.

As such, the proposed set-up of focal points will link the broader vaccine partnership with UNICEF’s strategic and operational frameworks, including the UNICEF Strategic Plan 2022 – 2025, the UNICEF Immunization Roadmap to 2030, the Operational Response Framework for Public Health Emergencies, and UNICEF Emergency Procedures. This will ensure that the proposed setup efficiently aligns with, coordinates, or integrates the different structures (e.g., UNICEF Office of Emergencies Programme, Programme Group, Supply Division) and leverages resources, networks, and expertise at the regional and country level to the Vaccine Alliance, including vaccine-related outbreak response.

The focal points further are expected to i) guarantee the efficient mobilization of UNICEF’s capabilities in a vaccine-related response, ii) complement the network of vaccine partners with UNICEF’s expertise, networks, and capabilities in the vaccine sector, iii) strengthen programmatic areas observed as key bottlenecks during the COVID-19 pandemic, and iv) create links to and synergies with the broader Medical Counter Measures (MCM) ecosystem.

Linked to various vaccine and non-vaccine response activities (e.g., measles, cholera), this proposed set-up of focal points will also ensure that the continuously evolving body of contextualized learnings will be available to the response to the outbreak of a novel pathogen and help inform the design and operationalization of the network of vaccine partners. Each focal point will bring in UNICEF capacity in their respective areas.

One of the focal points proposed will be through a consultancy on social and behavior change/vaccine demand promotion-which will be managed by PG-Immunization/Health.

Working under the guidance of the demand for immunization team lead, the consultant will assist in coordinating closely with other focal points in PG immunization team, PHE, supply division including global SBC team to integrate SBC interventions for prevention and response for disease outbreak and roll out of vaccination.

Scope of Work

Preparedness

Mapping of existing resources:

• Map, gather and systematize existing global tools for vaccine demand for C-19, malaria and mpox vaccination.
• Map existing expertise in SBC and establish and maintain rosters of SBC experts and standby Programme Cooperation Agreements (PCAs).
• Based on the experience and learning from existing coordination mechanisms such as C-19 delivery sub-groups, Vaccination Demand Hub and RCCE collective services, contribute to the dissemination of good practices, organizing capacity building activities, and in providing technical assistance.

Development of global goods:

• Assist on drafting of vaccine demand promotion/SBC-related pillars of global guidance and tools and foster explicit inclusion of community engagement, demand and trust building strategies in any future global Xvax documents to ensure proactive involvement of key stakeholders in SBC-related vaccine preparedness.
• Work with partners such as WHO, CDC to adapt and develop tools and guidance/SOPs for coordination, planning, implementation, monitoring, and capacity building tools for adaptation and use by countries and partners in the event of a disease outbreak, epidemic or pandemic such as H5N1, cholera and associated vaccine roll out which may be needed in future
• Prepare/ preposition media and social media materials in pre-crisis training to ensure effective dissemination of accurate information.

Documentation of good practices:

• Facilitate in summarizing available evidence, good practices and lessons learned from previous pandemics and epidemics such as C-19, Ebola, mpox etc. which can be used to inform planning/ intervention design/ monitoring /capacity building tools in the area of Social Behaviour Change (SBC) for vaccine uptake and acceptance, as well as in broader SBC in emergencies. These will be critical part of preparedness to address any possible vaccine roll out during disease outbreak such as H5N1, Sudan virus, mpox, cholera outbreaks; and other epidemic and pandemic preparedness.

Contribute to strengthen coordination mechanisms

• Participate in and contribute to UNICEF’s internal coordination mechanisms aligned to MCM
• Participate and contribute to the inter-agency working group on i-MCM network and relevant sub-groups on vaccine demand and or RCCE.
• Assist in identifying further-ways to collaborate with private sector partners for vaccine demand promotion and outreach, as deployable agreements.

Technical support on SBC:

• Provide technical support for country readiness on demand for new vaccine introduction and the link to broader SBC in the context of outbreak, epidemic and pandemic preparedness, and response.
• In collaboration with the demand team, Design and run simulation exercises or tabletop exercises to test the effectiveness of SBC strategies in a disease outbreak scenario.

Response

Technical support:

• Provide technical assistance to UNICEF’s work on SBC for vaccine uptake in the context of PHE (eg: H5N1, mpox and Sudan virus, Ebola response) -in close collaboration with other relevant actors and sectors
• Support in strengthening engagement with humanitarian organizations for SBC interventions in fragile settings.

Technical support:

• Facilitate to collect, collate available social and behavioral data and insights and share it with regions and countries to inform their SBC plans and interventions in outbreak or pandemic response.
• Provide technical leadership to integrate SBC/RCCE for preventive behaviours and vaccine uptake in PHE components into global, regional, and country plans.
• Work o with internal and external partners to integrate stigma-reduction and mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) elements into SBC strategies to address stigma, fear and trauma associated with disease outbreaks.

Capacity building:

• Identify capacity gaps in SBC and community engagement to respond to disease outbreak including vaccine acceptance and demand
• Assist in Implementing internal capacity building activities to strengthen the understanding of UNICEF roles and activation mechanisms in case of pandemic.
• Equip internal UNICEF roles and coordination mechanisms with associated guidance and tools on SBC/demand promotion on disease prevention, management, health-seeking behaviours and SBC response, including vaccine demand promotion.

Knowledge Management:

• Assist in strengthening knowledge management by establishing/maintaining a repository of knowledge on SBC for PHE and vaccine acceptance and uptake

Terms of Reference / Key Deliverables:

Preparedness

Mapping of existing resources

1) Mapping of existing global tools for RCCE and vaccine demand for C-19, malaria and mpox vaccination

2) Mapping of expertise on SBC for emergencies

• List of available SBC tools and guidance on disease outbreak/pandemic response
• Roster of SBC expertise for outbreak response available
• Sample Programme Document (PD) for programme cooperation is available which can be activated in case of an outbreak

Development of Global tools:

Adaptation and development of global tools for social and behavioral data collection, planning, monitoring and media material

• At least 4 global guidance, tools and SOPs on data collection, planning and monitoring available which can be easily adapted for any new disease outbreak like H5N1

Documentation of good practices:

Conduct desk review of good practices and lessons learnt in previous disease outbreaks/pandemic response (C-19, mpox and ebola)

• Summary document of learning and good practices on SBC response to outbreak/pandemic response is prepared and available

Participation in coordination mechanisms

Contribute in internal and inter-agency working group on vaccine demand/RCCE

Identify ways to collaborate with multi stakeholders for demand promotion and outreach

• UNICEF participation and technical contribution in internal and interagency coordination mechanisms on MCM through participation in at least 8 inter-agency and or internal UNICEF meetings

Technical support on preparedness and response to disease outbreaks and pandemic response

• At least 2 capacity building training conducted for UNICEF staff and partners utilizing the available training modules on demand for new vaccine introduction and outbreak, epidemic and pandemic preparedness
• Simulation/ or tabletop exercise is designed and tested to ensure effectiveness of SBC strategies

Response:

Technical support to strengthen coordination mechanisms

1) Support and facilitate to collect, collate available social and behavioral data and insights

2) Support at least 3 countries to respond to disease outbreak and vaccine roll out as needed

3) Provide technical support to integrate SBC/RCCE for preventive behaviours and vaccine uptake in PHE components into global, regional, and country plans.

4) Collaborate with partners to integrate stigma-reduction and mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) elements into SBC strategies to address stigma, fear and trauma associated with disease outbreaks.

• Social and behavioral data available to inform SBC strategies
• 3 countries supported to respond to disease outbreak and associated vaccine roll out (upon request of regional and country offices)
• Demand/RCCE pillar integrated into global/regional/coconut plans

Capacity building:

Identify capacity gaps and implement internal capacity building activities to strengthen the understanding of UNICEF roles and activation mechanisms in case of pandemic

• At least one capacity building training conducted by Q3 2025

Knowledge management

• Strengthen knowledge management by establishing/maintaining a repository of knowledge on SBC for PHE and vaccine acceptance and uptake
• Facilitate experience sharing from countries through at least 4 webinars

Travel (if required)

Qualifications

Education:

Master’s degree in social science or a relevant field.

Additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of a university degree.

Language Proficiency:

Fluency in written and spoken English is required. Proficiency in another official UN language is highly desirable.

Work experience:

Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required:

• At least 5-7 years of experience in social and behavior change, risk communication and community engagement
• Experience of working in emergency response
• Experience of designing and implementing demand promotion strategies including crisis communication plans on immunization
• Experience in capacity building on SBC
• Knowledge and experience of working in global/regional coordination mechanisms

Requirements:

Completed profile in UNICEF’s e-Recruitment system and

• Upload copy of academic credentials
• Financial proposal that will include/ reflect :

o the costs per each deliverable and the total lump-sum for the whole assignment (in US$) to undertake the terms of reference.

o travel costs and daily subsistence allowance, if internationally recruited or travel is required as per TOR.

o Any other estimated costs: visa, health insurance, and living costs as applicable.

o Indicate your availability

• Any emergent / unforeseen duty travel and related expenses will be covered by UNICEF.
• At the time the contract is awarded, the selected candidate must have in place current health insurance coverage.
• Payment of professional fees will be based on submission of agreed satisfactory deliverables. UNICEF reserves the right to withhold payment in case the deliverables submitted are not up to the required standard or in case of delays in submitting the deliverables on the part of the consultant.

U.S. Visa information:

With the exception of the US Citizens, G4 Visa and Green Card holders, should the selected candidate and his/her household members reside in the United States under a different visa, the consultant and his/her household members are required to change their visa status to G4, and the consultant’s household members (spouse) will require an Employment Authorization Card (EAD) to be able to work, even if he/she was authorized to work under the visa held prior to switching to G4.

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

For every Child, you demonstrate…

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

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 or ethnic background, and persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. To create a more inclusive workplace, UNICEF offers paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. Click here to learn more about flexible work arrangements, well-being, and benefits.

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.

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