National Consultant for Social and Behavior Change (SBC) to support uptake of routine immunization, Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar (Open to Myanmar Nationals Only)

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UNICEF Myanmar Youtube Channel -  https://youtu.be/JcCzi5xBC_c?si=FWfQID3Ui8C6gT2k

UNICEF Myanmar Website - https://www.unicef.org/myanmar/take-action/work-us

How can you make a difference?  Myanmar is dedicated to reducing morbidity and mortality caused by vaccine-preventable diseases by expanding immunization coverage through various initiatives. These include routine immunization, the Big Catch-Up immunization campaign, special immunization activities, and school-based immunization programs focusing on diphtheria-tetanus (DT) and human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines. Additionally, the country implements outbreak response immunizations for vaccine-preventable diseases, such as oral cholera vaccination to combat acute watery diarrhea, as well as nationwide COVID-19 vaccinations during these years.   Scope of work   1. Support in plan developing a costed social and behavior change (SBC) action plan for immunization program    Develop concept notes for SBC plan development workshop, by conducting desk reviews of available and existing resources around immunization, social and behavioral aspects and gender  Support in organizing the workshop of SBC Plan with the participation of representatives from the state and regional, and to have endorsement and approval  Gather and analyze existing evidence on key drivers for vaccine utilization and missed opportunities to inform the development of the SBC plan  Lead and facilitate the development workshop of social behavior change plan including communication interventions with buy-in from relevant department, on immunization programs in ground level  Report to UNICEF and respective departments the results and outputs of SBC workshop  Finalize the SBC plan with cost and disseminate it up to the front-line health workers   2. Implementation of SBC Plan and interventions through community engagement in immunization program    Technical support in the production of contextualized community engagement tools and materials which help basic health staff and community volunteers assisting in immunization programs  Provide technical support for development and pre-test of demand generation materials including digitalized contents aimed to promote demand generation for vaccination uptake, through social and digital platforms.  Provide technical guide and tools to conduct social listening (both online and offline) and how to respond to public concerns about vaccines.  Collaborate with relevant partners to provide technical support in conducting formative assessments on routine immunization in terms of community demand particularly.  Then, support respective states/regions in rolling out results from the formative assessment and deploying in the ongoing implementation of demand generation initiatives.   3. Capacity Building and Partnership    Review existing curriculum and technical resources of interpersonal communication training course, and modify with innovative practices and approaches of IPC focusing on immunization and child wellbeing through analyzing the current practices of BHSs and community volunteers and addressing the current key IPC capacity gaps of BHSs and volunteers  Provide technical assistance to facilitators in conducting refresher training for basic health staff at state and regional level, including reporting.  In accordance with the developed SBC Plan, develop concept notes of partnership with local based NGOs to collaborate in routine immunization activities and other immunization campaigns  Support in organizing advocacy and coordination meetings with local based NGOs, including Faith-Based Leaders/groups or institutions and technical orientation and distribution of job-aid tools to the volunteers of the NGOs   4. Monitoring, Reporting and Documentation  Ensure to generate monitoring and evaluation plan at different levels of implementation to measure the impact of the SBC interventions on immunization uptake, (the framework can be developed during at development workshop of SBC plan)  Collaborate and support relevant sections for monitoring and supervision on key activities under Gavi HSS2, including setting up monitoring check lists for specific activity.  Support in technical learning applicable to community engagement and risk communication; planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting.  Produce monthly (or quarterly) consultancy reports to employment organizations about on-going implementation of SBC activities to increase demand, and to mitigate community perceptions in the community  Provide additional cross cutting support as relevant given the context of requirement on immunization program.   Tasks Deliverables/Outputs Delivery deadline Support in designing SBC plan with development of communication action plan for immunization program -Develop concept notes for SBC plan development workshop, by conducting desk reviews of available and existing resources around immunization, social and behavioral aspects and gender -Support in organizing the workshop of SBC Plan with the participation of representatives from state and regional, and to have endorsement and approval -Collate evidence on key drivers for vaccine refusal, hesitancy and missed opportunities to inform the development of the SBC plan -Lead and facilitate the development workshop of social behavior change plan including communication interventions with buy-in from relevant partners on immunization programs in ground level -Report to UNICEF the results and outputs of SBC workshop -Finalize the SBC plan embedded communication action plan and disseminate up to the front-line health workers. Finalized concept notes for SBC plan development workshop with inputs from relevant partners and UNICEF   Report to UNICEF and respective partners the results and outputs of SBC workshop     SBC plan and implementation plan for routine immunization, including digital engagement plan 30. July. 2025 Implementation of SBC Strategies and interventions through community engagement in immunization programs   -Technical support in production of contextualized community engagement tools and materials for basic health staff and community volunteers to assist immunization programs -Provide technical support for development and pre-test of demand generation materials including digitalized contents aimed to promote demand generation for vaccination uptake, through social and digital platforms.   -Provide technical guide and tools to conduct social listening (both online and offline) and how to respond to public concerns about vaccines. -Collaborate with relevant partners to provide technical support in conducting formative assessments on routine immunization in terms of community demand particularly. -Support respective partners in rolling out results from the formative assessment and deploying in the ongoing implementation of demand generation initiatives. Prototype of generic contextualized community engagement tools SBC communication materials for dissemination through various channels – social media, posters, radio scripts, SMS,   Technical guide and tools to conduct social listening (both online and offline) 30. Sep. 2025

Capacity Building and Partnership -Review existing curriculum and technical resources of interpersonal communication training course, and modify with innovative practices and approaches of IPC focusing on immunization and child wellbeing -Provide technical assistance to facilitators in conducting refresher training to basic health staff at state and regional level, including reporting. -In accordance with the developed SBC Plan, develop concept notes of partnership with local based NGOs to collaborate in routine immunization activities and other immunization campaigns -Support in organizing advocacy and coordination meetings with local based NGOs, and technical orientation and distribution of job-aid tools to the volunteers of the NGOs Training plan for ToT for sub-district implementation and Cascade model for basic health staff   Technical assistance and support to respective department in key activities and contributing to crosscutting activities that enhance immunization efforts, such as capacity building, stakeholder coordination, and policy development  

Monitoring, Reporting and Documentation -Generate monitoring and evaluation plan at different levels of implementation to measure the impact of the SBC interventions on immunization uptake -Collaborate and support relevant sections for monitoring and supervision on key activities under Gavi HSS2, including setting up monitoring check lists -Support in technical learning applicable to community engagement and risk communication; planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting.   -Produce monthly (or quarterly) consultancy reports to employment organization about ongoing implementation of SBC activities -Provide additional cross cutting support as relevant given the context of requirement on immunization program. Monitoring and Evaluation Plan for the SBC plan   Final consultancy report summarizing key achievements and recommendations   31. December. 2025  

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have… 

Competencies of Successful Candidate

Communicates effectively to varied audiences

Results driven; able to work effectively in a multi-cultural environment and with minimum supervision

Strong sense of team spirit, diplomacy, able to work effectively across departments and teams

Quickly builds rapport with individuals and groups; builds and maintains an effective network across organizational departments and with other partners

Ability to work under a tight schedule, respond to multiple demands including within a changing environment. Innovative and resourceful mindset to make solutions work in adverse conditions

Excellent writing skills in English and Burmese

Please ensure to complete and attach the following \"Expression of Interest\" form in your applications:  22052025 Expression of Interest (EOI)- SBC Consultant HLPU.doc

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 | 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.