Communication Consultant

MOMENTUM- Routine Immunization Transformation and Equity (M-RITE), aims to strengthen routine immunization (RI) programs to overcome the entrenched obstacles contributing to stagnating and declining routine immunization (RI) rates and to address the barriers to reaching zero-dose and under-immunized children with life-saving vaccines. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic and the disruption of RI services, M-RITE supports countries with the maintenance and adaptation of RI services and provides strategic technical support for COVID-19 vaccine introduction and deployment in order to protect high risk population.

In South Sudan, Ministry of Health (MoH), with support from immunization partners, have adopted strategies to scaling up COVID-19 vaccination to increase country coverage to 70% of the target population by the end of 2022. This includes mass vaccination drive (MVD) using intensified COVID-19 vaccination optimization plan (ICVOP), for administering more than 2.5 million doses of vaccines.

M-RITE / JSI provide technical assistance to State/County, Core Group Polio Partners (CGPP) in 21 counties in three Equatorial States (Central, Eastern and Western) for accelerating the COVID-19 vaccination. M-RITE support to CGPP includes training of vaccinators, supportive supervision, microplanning, and risk-communication, address hesitancy, and increase demand for acceleration of COVID-19 vaccination. CGPP plans to double their outreach vaccination team – from 33 to 84 teams to maximize shots in arms of COVID-19 vaccines before rainy season starts in May when many areas become inaccessible.

M-RITE/JSI is recruiting for three communication consultants to support State and County Health Department and CGPP for risk-communication and community involvement (RCCI) activities including awareness creation, address hesitancy, and increase demand for COVID-19 vaccination in 21 counties of the Greater Equatorial states (Central, East and West)

Purpose: To provide technical Assistance to State MOH/ County Health Department, and CGPP for Risk Communication, addressing hesitancy, and increase demand for COVID-19 vaccination.

Objectives

1. Support State/County and CGPP in Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) activities in Equatorial region

2. Support State/County and CGPP in building the capacity of the existing community-based structure to increase demand generation for adult vaccination

   Support to State/County and partners to ensure the successful implementation of communication activities to improve both COVID-19 vaccination and routine immunization in the Equatorial States.

Roles and Responsibilities

● Build capacity and support State/County Health Department’s social mobilization and communications teams and CGPP to plans and conduct community dialogue meetings for social mobilization for COVID-19 vaccination

● Support State/County Health Department and CGPP to build capacity on interpersonal communication of Boma Health Promoters (BHP) and Key Informants (KI) for risk-communication and building community awareness and demand for COVID-19 vaccination

● Support State/County Health Department and CGPP to engage the community leaders and local influential groups to dispel misinformation about COVID-19 vaccination

● Support State/County Health Department and CGPP in organizing health awareness events and radio talk shows on national and international importance such as international women days, Immunization days, etc.

● Support State/County Health Department and CGPP to hold periodic journalist briefings on the importance of COVID-19 vaccination.

● Work closely work with other partners supporting in risk-communication and community involvement (RCCI)

● Communicate regularly (e.g. via email, weekly teleconference calls, Skype) with the Country Team Lead sharing progress report and documents developed

● Participate in State/County level coordination meetings such as COVID-19 operational and TWG meetings representing M-RITE/JSI

● Other duties as assigned.

Qualification and Experience/Job Skills

● MPH or advanced degree in Community Health, Health Communication or Education and more than five years of experience in the field of health communication, with specialization in behavioral change communication.

● Experience with designing, field-testing, disseminating behavior change communication materials and messages related to public health program

● Experience of developing training materials and conducting training on health communication programs – preferably for child health programs and immunization for health care personnel at the state/county, health facility, and community levels.

● Experience working with international organization as a communication to improve community health needs

● Experience working with the Ministry of Health (MOH) or Ministry of Education and/or NGO public health programs – with knowledge of the South Sudan MOH structure – an added advantage for this position.

● Excellent interpersonal and team skills–demonstrated ability to interact professionally with culturally and linguistically diverse staff, clients, and consultants.

● Ability to work independently, manage multiple tasks concurrently, and meet deadlines with attention to detail and quality.

● Ability to travel extensively in the State with minimum supervision

● Knowledge of local context and language is an added advantage

Knowledge and skills of basic computer programs (Ms word, Excel, power point) is a requirement **