Immunization Communications Consultant

JSI Research and Training Institute, Inc. (JSI)

Details / requirements:

The Johns Hopkins International Vaccine Access Center (IVAC) partners with John Snow, Inc. and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on the Rotavirus Accelerated Vaccine Introduction Network (RAVIN) project. In preparation for Nepal’s national introduction of Rotavirus Vaccine (RVV) in 2018, RAVIN seeks an experienced Immunization Communications Consultant to support the Government of Nepal and its partners to develop and implement vaccine-specific communications materials and their dissemination strategy prior to the vaccine’s launch. See attached Terms of Reference (TOR) for more details and full job description.


TO APPLY:
Qualified candidates should submit:
1. A cover letter, not to exceed 500 words;
2. A current CV/resume;

EMAIL ALL MATERIALS TO ravin@jhu.edu.
E-mail subject heading must read:
Application: Immunization Communication Consultant, Nepal

Note: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Priority will be given to candidates that apply BY November 1, 2017.


Consultant Opportunity for International Health Communications – Immunization
Location: Kathmandu, Nepal
Level of Effort: Part-time during the 7-month period of performance
Estimated Time Frame: December, 2017 – June, 2018

Introduction
The International Vaccine Access Center (IVAC) has partnered with John Snow, Inc. and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on the Rotavirus Accelerated Vaccine Introduction Network (RAVIN) project. The objective of the RAVIN project is to support priority countries in the decision-making process on introduction of rotavirus vaccine (RVV) and, in those priority countries that decide to introduce, support the successful introduction of the vaccine into the routine immunization system. The project will engage advocates who are familiar with both barriers to and opportunities for progress in RVV introduction and will work closely with them, the Government of Nepal Ministry of Health, and partners on gathering key technical information, developing programmatic solutions, and providing targeted technical support to successful RVV introduction.


In partnership with the Government of Nepal and its Ministry of Health, RAVIN is seeking a Health Communication Consultant to be based in Kathmandu. This person will serve as the RAVIN focal point for supporting the MoH/EPI in implementing a communication strategy to enable successful RVV introduction in Nepal. This person will provide the expertise required to help develop and implement a communication strategy adapted to the Nepal context.


Specific duties:
The consultant will be responsible for the following activities before RVV introduction in Nepal, currently scheduled for July 2018:
• Collaborate closely with key in-country partners (MoH, EPI, NITAG, ICC, health system including immunization system, civil society organizations, WHO, UNICEF, etc.) on behalf of the RAVIN network to provide the expertise required to help develop and implement a communication strategy for RVV introduction adapted to the Nepal context (in English and Nepalese);
• Ensure that healthcare worker training materials (introduction guidelines, health worker handbook, FAQs, fact sheets, videos, posters, pre- and post-training knowledge tests, etc.) are developed, updated, and made available prior to RVV launch;
• Ensure that communication-related topics for RVV vaccination are comprehensively addressed and incorporated into the training materials for health care workers and civil society organizations;
• Use and adapt existing resources, including materials developed for use in other countries, resources developed by the ROTA Council (http://rotacouncil.org), and the VOICE tool developed by IVAC (http://view-hub.org/voice/);
• Jointly work with the Government of Nepal to develop messages targeting caregivers to promote RVV uptake and a crisis communication plan, to include messages for use in the event of Adverse Events Following Immunization;
• Create a stakeholder map and engage in formative research to enhance communication materials. Work closely with partners, such as UNICEF/C4D to support development of key messages and a communications strategy for various audiences;
• Communicate regularly (e.g. via email, weekly teleconference calls, Skype) with the RAVIN/HQ team;
• Share documents developed with the RAVIN/HQ team;
• Support the Government of Nepal Ministry of Health in implementing the communication strategy to enable successful RVV introduction in Nepal;

Consultant qualifications:
• Degree in Health Communication, ideally with knowledge in communication for immunization-related behavioral change;
• At least 5 years direct experience developing and implementing health communications strategies, ideally for routine immunization at national and sub-national levels;
• In-depth knowledge of and ability to navigate the MoH/EPI system, NITAG, ICC, health system including immunization system, civil society organizations, WHO, UNICEF in Nepal, etc.;
• Ability to work independently and in groups, manage multiple tasks concurrently, and meet deadlines with attention to detail and quality;
• Fluent in Nepalese. Excellent written and oral communication in English;
• Willingness to work at national and sub-national levels.

Overview

Category Public Health
Openings 1
Experience 5+ years
Education Please check vacancy details
Posted Date 17 Oct, 2017
Apply Before 01 Nov, 2017
City Kathmandu