UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.  And we never give up.

For every child, Immunization

With over 850 indigenous languages and one of the most ethnically diverse populations, widespread poverty, and gender inequality make it hard for many children to realize their rights. In Papua New Guinea, UNICEF’s works effectively both ‘upstream’ (with governments) and ‘downstream’ (at the grassroots level) to carry out its mission through a programme of cooperation jointly developed with the government guides our work in the country.

How can you make a difference? 

Background

Although PNG retained its polio-free status since certification in 2000, for several years the country is classified by the Regional Commission for Certification of Poliomyelitis Eradication (RCCPE) in the Western Pacific Region as high-risk country for poliovirus circulation.

On 4 April 2025, the Regional Polio Reference Laboratory reported to WHO the isolation of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2-n) from an environmental sample in Lae, Morobe Province, Papua New Guinea.

On 28 April, cVDPV2 was also confirmed in an environmental sample collected on 9 April 2025 in Port Moresby. Further sequencing results received on 9 May 2025 confirmed it as cVDPV2-n. Additionally, a lab result received on 8 May 2025 indicated that two healthy children tested positive for cVDPV2-n. Sequencing identified 18–19 nucleotide substitutions in isolates from both environmental samples and the healthy children’s samples, linking them to the cVDPV2-n strain circulating in Indonesia.

The detection of poliovirus in both environmental samples and healthy children in Papua New Guinea confirms community transmission and has been classified as a polio outbreak. The Minister of Health declared the outbreak on 15 May 2025.

 Justification

As an immediate response to the polio outbreak, the NDoH plans to conduct two rounds of the national polio vaccination campaigns starting in July 2025 to stop the transmission of poliovirus. A total of 3.5 million approx. children under 10 years of age are to be vaccinated in each round.

Social and Behaviour Change (SBC) is a critical component of the polio outbreak response and aims to inform caregivers and communities about polio risks and vaccination campaign to ensure their support, build trust in acceptance of the vaccination. The PNG country office needs 12 dedicated SBC professionals to support NDoH with the implementation of the polio communication response activities. The national SBC consultants will be responsible for supporting the overall planning, coordination, supervision, implementation and management of SBC activities for the case response campaigns.

Objective:

The objective of the assignment is to provide technical and operational SBC expertise, supervision and coordination of the national polio communication response, including planning, implementation, monitoring and documentation.

Scope of Work:

Under the supervision of the SBC Specialist for PNG country office, the national consultants will perform the following duties and responsibilities in support of the International SBC consultant:

• Support the development of Advocacy Communication and Social Mobilization (ACSM) readiness documents in close coordination and consultation with the ACSM working group, NDoH, WHO and other key partners.
• Support ACSM activities with relevant national and subnational health authorities and implementing partners (Advocacy meetings, launching, Social Mobilization).
• Support in reactivation/establishment of communication coordination bodies at national and subnational level and actively participate in the meetings.
• Support evidence based ACSM activities in line with the results of Independent Monitoring, social investigation as well as UNICEF research and community behavioral insights resources.
• Support the adaptation, production and dissemination of campaign Toolkit, key messages, FAQs etc.
• Provide support to the training of health workers and social mobilisers.
• Support the analysis and review of IM results, with specific focus on reasons for missed children and refusals; suggest and facilitate activities addressing vaccine refusals and issues of misinformation.
• Support the engagement of political, religious, and community leaders and other stakeholders.
• Support conducting a press brief/media release, if appropriate, and update CO on work progress.
• Participate in meetings/calls including with polio communications counterparts, in country and regional offices.
• Coordinate and review all media and social media releases/news feeds related to the outbreak with PNG advocacy and Communication team.
• Undertake monitoring visits to provinces to assure the quality of planned ACSM activities interventions.
• Other tasks and assignments as required for successful outbreak response to the outbreak.

The consultancy will be managed and supervised by the SBC Specialist with regular interaction and support of the Internation SBC consultant, SBC Officer, UNICEF EPI Manager and in coordination under the overall guidance of the Chief of Health and Nutrition. The consultant will also have regular interactions and direct communication with NDoH EPI Manager, Health Promotion Staff, WHO, and other partners. The consultant will receive technical supervision from the HQ/RO SBC Specialists. The consultant will provide a weekly update on the progress and achievements at the Polio Outbreak Calls led by the Chief Health and Nutrition and Deputy Representative.  

As a champion for every child, qualifications are… 

• University degree in one of the disciplines of social/behavioral/communication sciences or university degree in other fields with relevant certified trainings in behavioural and social communication.
• A minimum of three years of professional experience in advocacy, social mobilization and SBC programme planning and management at the national or sub-national level preferably in a developing country.
• Relevant experience in immunization programme, polio supplementary immunization activities (SIA), project development and management in any UN system agency or organization is an asset.
• Experience of working in an emergency setting is required.
• Ability to work in most extreme hardships.
• Ability to work independently and to meet deadlines.

• Fluency required in English and any other UN language is an asset.

 For every Child, you demonstrate… our core values of Commitment, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability and Sustainability. 

This position is a short-term assignment and doesn’t give rise to a long-term permanent post with the organization.

Applicants are required to include in their applications a financial proposal which includes a lumpsum amount for consultancy fees, local transportation, and other miscellaneous costs. Breakdown or details of the fee will be much appreciated.

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.

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.

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.

UNICEF does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing, or orientation). 

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.