Liberia has recorded two positive environmental samples of polio (CVDPV2) as at March 1, 2024 indicating the risk of further positives (either environmental or human). There are ongoing polio transmissions in Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea and Sierra Leone which are all bordering Liberia.  This situation coupled with the sub-optimal routine immunization data places Liberia as a high-risk country and an outbreak response including a nationwide immunization campaign needs to be conducted as soon as possible. The immunization campaigns need to be synchronized across the four countries to achieve maximum impact once all logistics, vaccines, surge requirements are in place.

II:  Purpose of Activity/Assignment:

Social and Behaviour Change (SBC) is a key component of UNICEF’s work, as it is essential for long term and sustainable behavior and social changes that impacts on the lives of children and adolescents, their families and communities.

Liberia is expected to conduct  2 rounds of National Polio Outbreak Mitigation and response activities . UNICEF is the pillar lead for SBC, vaccine management and cold chain; as such, there’s a need to recruit qualified SBC consultants in each of the 15 counties who will support the county health teams to plan, implement and evaluation the polio campaign SBC activities in those counties.

The nOPV2 campaign will require huge logistical and human resource needs  . The need to have adequate staffs at the county-level to coordinate, support the County Health Teams and provide supportive supervision for the successful implementation of the campaign cannot be overemphasized.    there is a need for coordination among GPEI, development partners and government agencies to ensure that there are  strategies to address special populations and hard to reach population groups across national, regional, district and sub-district levels to adhere to the preventive protocols that will curb the spread of the pandemic in Liberia while safe guarding the essential needs of children and caregivers.

1. To identify gaps and put in place strategies and detailed plans on social mobilization aspects of the emergency response based on field monitoring visits and reports at the county level and ensure that all additional risk communication and community engagements content activities meet expected quality standards in the county of assignment and are effectively planned, implemented and monitored.
2. To support the county health team to monitor the SBC component of the campaign, manage rumors, hesitancy and refusal, and promote cross-border surveillance and response activities and provide support to the county, district and field level staff on raising awareness amongst communities to increase demand for polio vaccine.

   Education:

   • Qualifications – A bachelor’s degree in social and behavioural science, sociology, anthropology, psychology, Public health, Development communication, public relations or other related social science field is required.

   Work Experience:

   • Professional/Technical experience – At least three years relevant SBCSBC experience in the health sector in lieu of a bachelor’s degree
   • Relevant work experience in emergency response especially epidemics; Experience with public health communication and social mobilization issues

   Other skills and competencies required:

   • Other attributes essential for the assignment: Results-driven and good writing skills
   • Knowledge of ODK or other digital data platform for analysis is a plus; ability to work in a fast-changing emergency setting, ability to use own initiative

   Language Proficiency:

   • Language skills required: Fluency in English and a local dialect is essential.

   Working conditions:

   Field Based

   • The consultant is expected to use his/her own ICT equipment.
   • The consultant will be based in a specific county to be identified by UNICEF.

   Supervision:

   The consultant will be supervised by the Social & Behavior Change Specialist.