Position Title: Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE)/Social Behavior Change Specialist (SBC) - Cholera Response
Receiving Agency: UNICEF
P Level: P4
Location: Lusaka, Zambia
Duration: Initial funding until March 31st, 2024
Language: English

Background:

Zambia has been experiencing a cholera outbreak since October 14, 2023, which has rapidly spread across the country, with Lusaka being the epicenter. As of 17 January 2024, 10,413 cumulative cases had been reported (a substantial increase from the 2,521 cases reported on the 18th of December). Case fatality is high with 412 deaths (CFR of 4%). The case load has already exceeded the last major outbreak in Zambia in 2017/18 which had a total of 5,935 reported cases and 114 deaths (CFR 1.9%). Notably, children under five years are the most affected and account for 40 per cent of the deaths, whilst 50 percent of the reported deaths are taking place in communities because of poor early care and other factors. Nine of the 10 provinces of the country have reported cases, though Lusaka remains the epicentre and hardest district/province in the country (95% of the cases).
The major factors contributing to the outbreak are lack of access to clean water, poor sanitation conditions, inadequate hygiene practices, and overcrowded living conditions, especially in urban slums. In the context of the current rainy season, flooding is increasing in many peri-urban areas of Lusaka, and this is likely to further affect the low access to improved water and sanitation service. Similarly, during the last major outbreak in Zambia in 2017/18, 92 percent were from peri-urban areas of Lusaka.
In this context, UNICEF Zambia is looking for SBC/RCCE specialist with experience in emergency/ preferably in cholera response to provide technical leadership for a coordinated and effective RCCE/SBC response in Cholera hot spots particularly, Lusaka which is hard hit by the outbreak.


Purpose of the assignment:

Under the overall direction and guidance of the SBC Manager, the RCCE Specialist will support the government RCCE subcommittee co-leads - MOH/Health Promotion Section and Zambia National Public Health Institute (ZNPHI) and partners, to plan, deliver and monitor evidence-based RCCE action in cholera hotspots, particularly in Lusaka.

More specifically the RCCE/SBC specialist is expected to lead on the following component: Rapid behavioural assessment and community listening: Review existing rapid behavioural evidence and community feedback tools and data to identify critical gaps in understanding community perceptions and behaviours that are barriers or enablers for the cholera response Review/adapt tools, facilitate continuous generation of rapid behavioural data and community feedback, and triangulate insights for action from multiple platforms including U-Report, community mobilizers and social media Provide updated social analytics generated from assessments and social listening reports on coordination platforms such as IMS and RCCE subcommittee, and UNICEF internal Emergency Coordination Group RCCE coordination, planning and implementation: Support revision and implementation of rapid RCCE response plan based on ongoing behavioural evidence working with MOH and ZNPHI, UN agencies and key partners Facilitate collaboration across key sectors such as education, transport, and among UNICEF programme sectors and within UN system Lead review, design/adaptation, pre-test and dissemination of additional communication materials required including for specific target groups such as; teachers, faith leaders, persons with disability Facilitate alliance building with religious groups, traditional leaders, teachers, media editors and other relevant network to capacitate and mobilize them for cholera response Capacity building: Adapt/development of relevant orientation/ training materials Facilitate orientation/training for RCCE pillar members, provincial/district Health promotion teams, and relevant CSO networks such as interfaith networks and youth groups Monitoring and documentation: Conduct field monitoring, consultation with government counterparts, partners, and community members, and provide regular updates on RCCE progress and gaps as well as UNICEF supported activities on national coordination platforms and UNICEF internal Emergency Coordination Group Provide support in documentation of lessons and stories of success

Location and Duration

• Expected start date: 5 February 2024
• Duration: Initially funded until March 31st, 2024 (original request 6 months)
• Location: Based in Lusaka with an expectation to work out of the offices of MOH/

Qualifications

Education:	Advanced university degree in public health or social sciences with 8-10 years of relevant professional experience in SBC or RCCE. At least 3 years of which should be in a developing country (experience in southern Africa is preferred) at international level, with a mix of development and emergency work.
Experience:	Hands on experience in design, monitoring of evidence based RCCE/SBC strategies, plans and messages including in public health emergencies Experience in coordinating RCCE responses in public health emergencies including cholera and, along with government ministries, WHO and other multi-sectoral partners. Experience in SBC capacity building, evidence generation, community feedback and monitoring and documentation
Language Requirements:	Fluency in English (verbal and written) is required.

CANADEM and its partners have a no-tolerance policy for inaction to prevent, respond to and follow up on alleged cases of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment (SEAH). For this reason, we adhere to all policies, procedures and training of the United Nations on The Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment (PSEAH). CANADEM mandates all deployees successfully complete the PSEA online course. This e-learning course is composed of a set of lessons designed to raise awareness about SEAH, become familiar with a range of measures to combat SEAH, understand the impact on victims and the consequences for UN Personnel who commit Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment.