Recrutement de 01 National RCCE Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) Consultant (for South Sudanese)

Recrutement de 01 National RCCE Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) Consultant (for South Sudanese)
Job no: 558316
Contract type: Consultant
Duty Station: Juba
Level: Consultancy
Location: South Sudan
Categories: Social and Behavior Change
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Purpose of Activity/Assignment:

For technical support and assistance in the day-to-day management, execution, monitoring, reporting and oversight of Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) strategies, plans of action and programme activities in support of the country programme for Ebola preparedness.

Background & Rationale:

Ebola virus disease (EVD), formerly known as Ebola hemorrhagic fever, is a severe, often fatal illness affecting humans and other primates. The virus is transmitted to people from wild animals (such as fruit bats, porcupines and non-human primates) and then spreads in the human population through direct contact with the blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of infected people, and with surfaces and materials (e.g. bedding, clothing) contaminated with these fluids. The average EVD case fatality rate is around 50%. Case fatality rates have varied from 25% to 90% in past outbreaks. The virus was first discovered in 1976 in Nzara, Sudan, and Yambuku, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. There are five known variants of Ebolavirus: Zaire ebolavirus, Sudan ebolavirus, Bundibugyo ebolavirus, Tai Forest ebolavirus, and Reston ebolavirus, with the first two at the origin of the largest outbreaks in Africa. Since 1976, 37 Ebola outbreaks were reported in 17 countries, with most of the cases occurring in DRC and caused by Zaire Ebola virus.

On 20thSeptember 2022, the Ministry of Health, in the Republic of Uganda declared an Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak in Mubende district, located in the central part of the country. The outbreak is caused by the Sudan ebolavirus. This is the second Ebola-Sudan strain in Uganda following the first case reported in Luwero district in 2012. There have been seven previous outbreaks of the Ebola-Sudan strain, with four occurring in Uganda and three in Sudan. In 2019, the country experienced an outbreak of Zaire ebolavirus which was imported from neighbouring Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Following the declaration of EVD outbreak in Uganda on 20th September 2022 the South Sudan Ministry of Health (SSMOH) called for an ad-hoc emergency meeting on 21st September 2022 to brief all partners on the situation and highest preparedness actions were agreed. The 72-hour EVD response plan was updated. South Sudan has not yet recorded any confirmed EVD case, however the risk of importing the virus is very high due to the population movement at different entry points. The distance between the nearest town in South Sudan (Nimule) and Mubende in Uganda is 343 kilometres. The South Sudan Ministry of Health has identified a total of nine (9) high risk areas that include: Juba, Nimule, Kaya, Yambio, Ezo, Maridi, Kajokeji, Tambura and Yei.

There are no licensed vaccines for this type of Ebola virus, but there are candidate vaccines which are due to be used in trials. The most effective way to save lives is to inform people about how the disease spreads, and how they can protect themselves. Other health measures such as early detection of cases and starting patient care early saves lives. Strengthened disease surveillance and case investigation, and especially close collaboration with communities, have proven to save lives in similar outbreaks. Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) becomes then an important pillar for outbreak preparedness and response.

In order to support the Government of South Sudan in the RCCE preparedness, UNICEF is hiring a consultant for contributing to risk reduction and in-country RCCE preparedness.

Scope of Work

Working under the direct supervision of the SBC National Officer, the overall guidance of the Chief, SBC in UNICEF South Sudan Country Office, and in close collaboration with the Ministry of Health, the SBC consultant will provide technical support and assistance in the day-to-day management, execution, monitoring, reporting and oversight of Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) strategies, plans of action and programme activities in support of the country programme for Ebola preparedness. The RCCE consultant for Ebola preparedness will provide technical supervision and subnational support to coordination and implementation of the social mobilization field programmes.

The consultant will be responsible for the following:

Provide inputs for and support the development of RCCE strategies, plans of action and other relevant documents such as funding proposals, monitoring reports etc
Execute and implement strategies and plans with focus on sub-national levels.
Contribute to and support the design, development, pre-testing, production, printing and dissemination of culturally relevant social mobilization materials meeting on-ground requirements and quality standards.
Develop strong partnerships with key stakeholders - community groups, leaders and other partners in the community and civil society for promotion of key behaviours to prevent transmission.
Contribute to the development and organization of and support to training activities to build capacity in participatory and behaviour communication at various national and sub-national levels.
Liaise with sub-national level implementation and coordination staff for monitoring and evaluation of programme activities and preparation of reports.
Assess strengths, gaps and challenges faced and recommend key actions to address these.
Share findings, experiences, lessons learned, best practices and new methods with sub-national staff and other partners.
Contribute to the effective planning, monitoring and utilization of budget and team resources
Support the implementation of behavioral and social surveys at subnational level
Work in close coordination with UNICEF field offices and Government counterpart at subnational level
Any other tasks as assigned by the supervisor


Work Assignment Overview

1.Provide inputs for and support the development of RCCE strategies, plans of action with focus to subnational level

Three RCCE action plans for the three States of Greater Equatoria based on the national RCCE strategy and plan

2.Support the design, development, pre-testing, production, printing and dissemination of culturally relevant social mobilisation materials

Contextualized, evidence-based and pre-tested social mobilization materials available in targeted counties

3.Organization of and support to training activities to build capacity in participatory and behaviour change communication

RCCE actors at subnational level and in priority counties (State RCCE TWG, spokespersons, media professionals, community / religious / traditional leaders, social mobilizers, frontline health workers, State EVD response pillar members, etc.) trained in EVD RCCE with report available

4.Execute and implement strategies and plans with focus on sub-national levels.

5.Supervision, monitoring and reporting

6.Contribute to documentation

Planned RCCE interventions implemented through Government and partners (CSOs/NGOs, Media, Faith Based Organizations, etc.) with activity reports

Monthly activity report available with key realizations, challenges, gaps and lessons learnt Three human interest stories shared with the Communication Section

Minimum Qualifications required:

University degree in the social/behavioral or related sciences (Sociology, Anthropology, Psychology, Health Education) with emphasis on strategic communication planning for behavior development, social mobilization, participatory, communication, and research.

Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required:

•Minimum five years of relevant professional work experience in the planning and management of social development programmes, including work experience in developing countries, with practical experience in the adaptation and application of communication planning processes to specific programmes

•Fluency in English and local working language of the duty station

All applications must be submitted with detailed financial and technical proposal

Payment Schedule

Payment will be done upon delivery of key task and submission of all necessary reports as stipulated in the detailed in the vacancy announcement.


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 and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

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. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. 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.

  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.

Advertised: 03 Jan 2023 E. Africa Standard Time
Deadline: 17 Jan 2023 E. Africa Standard Time