Roster of Consultants - Demand Generation Experts to Support Malaria Vaccines Introduction and Rollout (Readvertisement) at World Health Organization

Purpose Of The Post

• The Malaria Vaccines Introduction and Rollout is an integral part of and contributes to the efforts of the Universal Health Coverage/Communicable and Non-communicable Diseases (UHC/UCN) cluster in the WHO African region. The cluster’s strategic agenda aims to reduce the burden of diseases in the WHO African Region by guiding disease control initiatives, leveraging analytics for strategic investments, and tailoring interventions for disease control. The guiding principles include comprehensive whole-of-society, people-centred, and integrated approaches to disease control.

Role of the Demand Generation Expert for Malaria Vaccines Introduction

• The Roster of Demand Generation Experts in Malaria Vaccines Introduction is primarily intended to serve as a deployable capacity for WHO to augment existing support to countries. Therefore, officers provide technical support capacity for activities concerning Introduction of Malaria Vaccines from Application Development, budget Development, Planning, Implementing, Monitoring and Evaluating post Introduction. Candidate who are successful with this call of interest will receive a pre-deployment briefing to prepare them for any potential operational deployment in the 19 countries of the Region.

Time Management and duty station

• In the event of a field deployment, demand generation experts will fall under usual reporting structures for VPD/field missions to Regional Office (RO), and Country Office (CO), respectively. The UCN Cluster shall determine and coordinate overarching strategy and policy, such as principles guiding the organization, development, and deployment of the demand generation Malaria Vaccines Introduction officers.

Summary Of Duties
Within the framework of the Accelerated Malaria Vaccine Introduction and Roll-out Initiative in Africa, the malaria vaccines demand generation expert will work with the AFRO Regional Office, ISTs, and individual countries to support and perform the following tasks:

• Create or update evidence-based national demand and communication strategies or plans, informed by local data. To include preparedness plans for vaccine-related events and crisis communications.
• Work with relevant stakeholders and partners to support coordination, gathering, integrated analysis, and use of a wide range of data sources to develop behavioral insights and inform and monitor interventions at speed. Data sources include programmatic data, social listening, quantitative surveys or qualitative research, rapid community assessments, etc.
• Ensure evidence-based interventions are implemented, including service quality enhancement, health worker capacity-building, communications and infodemic management, and community engagement, etc.
• Develop and test locally sensitive communications content and dissemination strategies to reach diverse communities, to inform, engage, and build resilience against infodemics and misinformation.
• Grow strong multisectoral partnerships to support high vaccine demand and uptake, including mapping and collaborating with government, private sector organizations, professional associations, civil society, and faith-based organizations.
• Engage trusted messengers and networks to promote accurate vaccine conversations, including between health workers and clients, and within health systems and communities both online and offline.
• Build local capacity within the Ministry of Health and among relevant partners to design, implement and evaluate the range of strategies to increase vaccine uptake, and to contribute to strengthening health systems for routine immunization.
• Perform any other incident-specific related duties, as required by the supervisor.

Deliverables

• Weekly reports share with the Incident Management Team at AFRO on key activities completed on demand, risk communication and community engagement
• Establish/ contribute to behavioral and social driver data collection mechanism (stand alone or integrated with other activities) to inform national demand strategy
• Monthly report on demand including behavioral and social drivers’ data, main challenges, key actions taken and recommendations
• Documented reports on lessons learnt and best practices
• Monthly reports on Malaria vaccination rollout in the country of assignment, including an update on uptake, risk communication and community engagement as well as key activities carried out, challenges, and priorities for the next 6 months prepared and shared with AFRO.
• End of mission report

Skills And Qualifications

• Expert knowledge of at least one WHO official language (other languages at national levels desirable where applicable).
• Excellent analysis and problem-solving skills
• Excellent diplomatic skills when engaging with internal and external interlocutors
• Excellent interpersonal skills and a proven ability to work within and lead a team with respect of cultural diversity
• A demonstrated ability to establish effective working relationships at all levels both internally and externally
• Strong representation, communication, and negotiation skills
• Excellent organisational skills and the ability to coordinate multiple activities
• Innovative, creative, and proactive with an analytical and solution-focused approach for achieving mission objectives
• Ability to exercise sound judgement and make independent decisions as appropriate
• Ability to meet deadlines and work collaboratively under pressure.

Required Profile

• Interest in Malaria Vaccines Introduction
• Willingness to be deployed in any of the 19 countries in need of immediate technical support.

Education (Qualifications)

• Essential: A first-level university degree in public health, communication, behavioural or social sciences, health promotion, journalism, or a related field.
• Desirable: A master’s degree or above in public health, communication, behavioural or social sciences, health promotion or journalism, or a related field.

Experience
Essential:

• At least 5 years of relevant professional experience in immunization programs, including vaccine introduction, immunization campaigns, or outbreak/emergency response
• Demonstrated experience in communications, community engagement, behavioral or social science, infodemic management, health promotion, health education, or related fields to promote behavior change and uptake of health services or vaccination
• Experience analyzing behavioral and social sciences data (qualitative and quantitative) to support health programming and development of evidence-based demand strategies
• Experience collaborating with Ministry of Health, WHO, UNICEF, CDC, and other implementing agencies or organizations on improving health service delivery
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in fast-paced environment with multiple partners and juggling competing priorities
• Strong track record of work experience in international or diverse settings, including with multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary teams.

Desirable

• International experience with WHO in Africa and developing countries would be an asset.
• Previous New Vaccines Introduction operational experience.
• Track record of publications.

Languages Required
Essential: Expert knowledge of English or French or Portuguese.
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of other UN official languages.
Other Skills

• Proven ability to use standard office software packages, Conversant with common IT software including eHealth tools.