PAHO/GAC Project - Providing Access to COVID-19 Vaccines for Populations in Situations of Vulnerability in the Americas
International PAHO Consultant
Position Title: Consultant - COVID-19 Regional Communications Strategy on Vaccine Rollout
Contractual Arrangement: International PAHO Consultant
Contract Duration (Years, Months, Days): 12 months
Primary location: PAHO/WHO HQ – Off-Site – Details below
Organization: DD/CMU
Schedule: Full-time
Posting date: 4 August 2021
Closing date: 19 August 2021, 23:59:00 PM EST
Candidacy: Applicants must submit their CVs with a cover letter or note of interest to
iglesiam@paho.org with the position title “Consultant - COVID-19 Regional Communications Strategy
on Vaccine Rollout” in the subject line.
OBJECTIVE OF THE OFFICE/DEPARTMENT
The objective of the Department of Communications (CMU) of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) is to lead in the development, implementation, and management of PAHO's corporate communication strategy at all levels, internally and externally, within a complex range of media outlets and platforms and media relations and a 24/7 information cycle. Strategic communication is essential to PAHO's vision and strategic priorities and the advancement of the principles and practices of communication in support of sound public health principles and practices and PAHO's mission in delivering technical cooperation in the Americas region.
PURPOSE OF THE CONSULTANCY
To support the new collaboration between PAHO and Global Affairs Canada (GAC) on the Providing Access to COVID-19 Vaccines for Populations in Situations of Vulnerability in the Americas project. The project's outcome aims to achieve improved health and protection from COVID-19 for populations in situations of vulnerability in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC).
The Consultant will provide technical guidance and support to CMU in developing the Regional Communications Strategy on Vaccine Rollout to improve the health and protection of populations in situations of high vulnerability due to COVID-19, with a focus on communication activities, including risk communication and demand generation for health and civil society ministries, and adapt it to country circumstances to support readiness and access to COVID-19 vaccines for at-risk women, migrants, refugees, transient persons, indigenous and vulnerable populations in areas where health conditions are typically precarious.
BACKGROUND AND KEY DELIVERABLES
Communication efforts will be an integral component and an important complement to local communication initiatives in an age where information travels fast and has a global reach. Regional campaigns can impact diverse audiences based on universal values and can be adapted to the local context. The regional communications strategy on vaccine rollout will include a plan of action adaptable to diverse population groups, languages, and geographies to promote COVID-19 vaccination, including a regional communications campaign and toolkit for compelling vaccination stories among vulnerable groups.
The Consultant will be under the direct supervision of the Director of CMU and will work in close collaboration with all the CMU teams, the Comprehensive Family Immunization Program (FPL/IM) of the Family, Health Promotion and Life Course Department (FPL), and the Health Emergencies Department (PHE).
Products will focus on developing technical and risk communications and community engagement (RCCE) materials to support countries' rollouts of COVID-19 vaccines and strengthen the public's trust in the routine immunization program.
Activities and responsibilities include:
COVID-19 Regional Communications Strategy on Vaccine Rollout
- Develop the COVID-19 Regional Communications Strategy on Vaccine Rollout, including a work plan for implementation and a monitoring and evaluation plan.
- Guide the development and implementation of gender and culturally sensitive communication and social mobilization plans in the region to generate confidence, acceptance, and demand for
- COVID-19 vaccines.
- Prepare monthly progress reports and final reports detailing all initial revisions and approval from the CMU Director.
- Manage and regularly update CMU, FPL, and PHE on the project's advances regionally and by country.
- Regional campaigns on COVID-19 vaccination
- Support the development of the regional campaign to promote the COVID-19 vaccination rollout, respond to ad hoc requests from country offices, and to needs identified at the regional level to increase trust in and demand for COVID-19 vaccines.
- Support national and local government to establish gender and culturally sensitive mechanisms to engage communities and civil society in designing and implementing culturally appropriate and gender-sensitive vaccination campaigns that target key population groups, including migrants.
Compelling storytelling for vaccination among vulnerable groups
- Support the development of captivating and persuasive stories on COVID-19 vaccination and immunization among vulnerable groups, including gender perspectives, including country success stories.
- Support the management of the Infodemic by providing appropriate responses to misinformation to ensure evidence-based information and guidance pre-bunk and debunk rumors and misinformation.
- Based on identified needs, develop risk communication campaign material to address public concerns, and promote the relevant information to Increase public awareness.
- Develop a COVID-19 vaccination web page with separate frequently asked questions web page responding to questions and concerns.
- Support the implementation of training of community-level communicators to promote COVID-19 vaccination.
- RCEE regional networks with national and local governments
- Support the establishment and moderation of three RCCE networks with national and local governments, coordinating with PAHO country offices.
- Take a lead role in supporting the development and revision of national RCCE-IM strategies and plans related to the project.
- Oversee the implementation of communication initiatives held by the three RCCE networks through small grants.
- Develop tools and templates for monitoring and evaluating the RCCE initiatives and provide insights to finalize products and materials in coordination with all participants.
QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE, SKILLS, AND LANGUAGES
Educational Qualifications
Advanced university degree in communications, public relations, journalism, or social science in any related field relevant to the consultancy.
Experience
Essential:
- At least ten years of experience in communications, public relations, journalism, marketing, or related field
- Sound knowledge on program management, performance monitoring, and evaluation methods
- Proven experience in formulating and implementing complex communication strategies
- Experience working in the WHO Americas Region
Desirable:
- Working experience with WHO or other UN agencies in public health-related areas
- Familiarity with public health topics, including pandemic or emergency response
- Experience managing and liaising with diverse stakeholders
- International working experience in more than one country
- Experience of working in risk communications or health promotion
- Advanced understanding of digital media
- Experience in community engagement and feedback mechanisms
Languages:
Excellent knowledge of English and Spanish
LOCATION
Off-site
Home-based (any location)
The Consultant needs to have an adequate working environment and IT equipment for teleworking, familiarity with online meetings platforms (MS Teams, zoom) and access to a high-speed internet connection, availability during office hours (9:00-18:00) in Washington, DC, and flexibility to participate in occasional meetings held under other time zones.
REMUNERATION
Pay Level IPC Band B: $6,200 per month
DURATION OF CONTRACT
12 months – possible extension for up to 18 months
Start date: 09/01/2021
End date: 12/15/2021
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
This vacancy notice may be used to identify candidates for other similar consultancies at the
same level.
- Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
- A written test and an interview may be used as a form of screening.
- Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to PAHO/WHO Regulations and e-Manual.
- For information on PAHO, please visit: http://www.paho.org
- If your candidature is retained for an interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. PAHO/WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link: http://www.whed.net/. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review.
- PAHO/WHO is committed to workforce diversity.
- PAHO/WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
- Applications from women and nationals of non and underrepresented Member States are particularly encouraged.
- Consultants shall perform the work as independent contractors in a personal capacity and not represent any entity or authority. The execution of the work under a consultant contract does not create an employer/employee relationship between PAHO and the Consultant.
- PAHO/WHO shall have no responsibility whatsoever for any taxes, duties, social security contributions, or other contributions payable by the Consultant. The Consultant shall be solely responsible for withholding and paying any taxes, duties, social security contributions, and any other contributions which apply to the Consultant in each location/jurisdiction in which the work hereunder is performed. The Consultant shall not be entitled to any reimbursement thereof by PAHO/WHO.