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Apply here: Social and Behavior Change Consultant, JSI R&T - Moldova

Objective of Consultancy:
The primary objective of this consultancy is to support COVID-19 related social and behavior change (SBC) activities implemented by the MOMENTUM Routine Immunization Transformation and Equity program in the E&E region. **This position will be located in Moldova.**

Background:
MOMENTUM Routine Immunization Transformation and Equity (M-RITE) is a global U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) program that aims to strengthen routine immunization (RI) programs to overcome the entrenched obstacles that contribute to stagnating and declining immunization rates in maternal, newborn, and child health (MNCH)/family planning (FP)/reproductive health (RH) priority countries; and barriers to reaching zero-dose and under-immunized children with life-saving vaccines and other health services. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic and resultant disruption of immunization services, the project also supports countries with the maintenance, adaptation, and strengthening of immunization services. The project provides technical assistance (TA) to adapt immunization service delivery strategies; support strategies for tracking and follow-up of individuals who missed vaccinations; assess immunity gaps; increase community trust and demand for vaccination; and provide technical support for COVID-19 vaccine introduction.
USAID’s Europe and Eurasia Bureau has requested technical assistance from M-RITE to increase vaccine acceptance and demand through and engagement of multisectoral stakeholders in social and behavior change (SBC) activities and countering mis/dis/mal-information. This regional effort seeks to provide correct and evidence-based information on COVID-19 vaccination through a variety of interactions (e.g., interpersonal communications, traditional and social media, community engagement, etc.). A parallel objective is to share real-time lessons learned and best practices within specified cluster countries and across the region through a project-established learning network.
Activities will build on existing efforts to prevent COVID-19 and will require close collaboration with Ministries of Health and other government actors, national and local public health entities, UN agencies and other relevant USAID investments. Additionally, cross-sectoral engagement will be an important element, including linkages to traditional and social media actors and networks, civil society organizations, professional associations and others.

The purpose of this consultancy is to lead the process of developing, implementing, and monitoring an SBC strategy to increase demand for and improve acceptance of COVID-19 vaccination in Moldova.

Responsibilities:

The following activities will be undertaken during the consultancy in close collaboration with global-level technical advisors:

1. Support preparations for and execution of a rapid situational analysis to identify the key barriers to COVID-19 vaccination for priority populations with lower coverage.

• Identify information or documents to be considered in the situational analysis, including recent or current analyses
• Contact and coordinate with other in-country partners supporting COVID-19 vaccine introduction to gather information on their existing efforts and future plans
• Based on findings from the above, prepare a protocol and tools for primary data collection; confirm and satisfy local IRB requirements; identify appropriate respondents, inclusive of health officials, donor representatives, health workers, pharmacists, and community members
• Identify data collectors in relevant geographic areas
• Oversee data collection
• Analyze data collection results and prepare a report on findings

2. Based on situational analysis and in collaboration with key public and private sector stakeholders, identify targeted opportunities for SBC activities in specific geographic areas and targeting specific populations with lower coverage rates, inclusive of media-based approaches, informational materials and community outreach to encourage vaccination.
3. Implement the SBC activities, which may include:

• Support for the development and/or adaptation of context specific SBC-related training and communications materials
• Cooperation with key influencers to improve and expand positive public opinions about COVID-19 vaccination
• Provision of technical assistance to national and local entities to provide evidence based information about COVID-19 vaccination through their web-sites and social networks
• Overseeing the development or refinement of quality media messages ensuring that they are appealing to the target audience in terms of content, method of delivery and effectiveness
• Leading the process of reviewing evidence and designing interpersonal communications and community engagement activities for improving uptake of COVID-19 vaccination

4. Contribute to regional- and subregional-level efforts to share learnings across countries, including identifying and engaging appropriate individuals to participate and determining existing learning exchange channels upon which to build.
5. Prepare regular updates/reports to inform the global M-RITE team on progress, challenges, opportunities and lessons learned and contribute to routine project reporting.

Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Communications, Public Health or a related behavioral science;
• 7-10 years’ work experience in the E&E region developing and implementing health-focused SBC programs (immunization program experience particularly useful);
• Demonstrated understanding of the political and social dimensions of the country.
• Excellent organizational and oral and written communication skills, as well as ability to analyze and interpret quantitative and qualitative data and prepare reports;
• Ability to work effectively and harmoniously with other staff, consultants, and subs;
• Proven ability to work effectively with communities and key stakeholders, including demonstration of existing contacts in-country);
• Ability and willingness to travel, depending on current COVID-19 protocols;
• English fluency required, along with Serbian (for Serbia), Romanian (for Moldova). Additional regional language fluency preferred.

**This position will be located in Moldova.**
Applications will be reviewed on rolling basis and M-RITE JSI reserves the right to hire qualified candidate before the deadline**