National Individual Consultant: Case Study on the Implementation of the RED Strategy in Urban Districts – UNICEF – Pretoria (South Africa)-Remote Work
Consultant @United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) posted 1 month ago in ConsultancyJob Detail
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Experience 10 Years +
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Gender Both
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Vacancy Number N/A
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Education Level Masters Degree
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No of Vacancies N/A
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Grade Level/Post Level N/A
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Contract Duration N/A
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Required Language English
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Hiring For UNICEF
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Age Requirement 18+
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Recruitment Type Local
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Required Field of Study sociology, public health, public health systems, anthropology, psychology, communication, development, education
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Post Number 584676
Job Description
UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.
At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do for as long as we are needed. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.
UNICEF is a place where careers are built. We offer our staff diverse opportunities for professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture., coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.
Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.
For every child, the right to Immunisation.
UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.
At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do for as long as we are needed. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.
UNICEF is a place where careers are built. We offer our staff diverse opportunities for professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture., coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.
Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.
For every child, the right to Immunisation.
Under the supervision of the Health Officer, supported by the Social and Behaviour Change Manager, the consultant will undertake a mixed method case study on Elma-funded implementation of the RED Strategy with the National Department of Health, the Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape Provincial Departments of Health, and selected district health teams, to strengthen the EPI programme, and develop tailored strategies to reach zero dose and under immunized children.
The objective of the assignment is to explore and describe the operational effectiveness, barriers, facilitators, and outcomes of the RED Strategy implementation in selected urban districts, and to generate actionable insights for scaling and strengthening immunisation services. In addition to UNICEF, the proposed audience for the research findings includes the South African Department of Health, all provincial and district health offices, as well as regional and global stakeholders interested in identifying zero-dose and under-immunized children in urban settings.
Scope of workThe consultant will undertake a mixed method case study on Elma-funded implementation of the RED Strategy in selected districts to generate actionable insights to improve the capacity of the health system to provide routine immunization and integrated child health services in settings with high numbers of zero dose and under immunized children. The case study will involve a combination of documentary review, sub-district and facility level analysis of DHIS data, key informant interviews and focus group discussions, e.g. with implementers.The consultant will undertake the research by completing the following phases and tasks:1. Inception Phase
• Develop a detailed workplan and methodology
• Conduct initial consultations with UNICEF and key stakeholders
• Submit an inception report
2. Desk Review
• Review existing documentation, including RED strategy guidelines, training materials, implementation reports, and sub-district and facility level analysis of DHIS data comparative analysis of routine immunisation data to compare ELMA and non-ELMA districts over time.
• Produce a synthesis report highlighting key themes and gaps
3. Research Design & Ethics
• Develop a comprehensive research proposal including objectives, methodology, and tools
• Submit for ethics clearance through a registered Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC), and for administrative approval from the DoH, at national, provincial and district level.
• Finalize interview guides and consent forms
4. Data Collection
• Extract relevant DHIS data
• Conduct Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) and focus group discussions across multiple levels, in Cities of Jhb, Tshwane and Ekurhuleni, and in eThekwini:
– Provincial: EPI managers, district support teams, health promotion coordinators, CHW programme leads, pharmacy, training centers, surveillance and data managers
– District/Sub-District: MCH/EPI managers, CDC, pharmacists, health promotion coordinators; CHW/Outreach Team Leads
– Facility: Operational managers, Data capturers, EPI nurses, health promotion officers
• Ensure ethical standards and informed consent procedures are followed
5. Data Analysis
• Analyse comparative data between Elma and non-Elma districts and priority facilities, over time
• Transcribe and code qualitative data
• Identify themes, patterns, barriers, and facilitators
• Draft preliminary findings
6. Reporting & Dissemination
• Prepare a draft report for review
• Incorporate feedback from UNICEF and stakeholders
• Submit final report, presentation materials
7. Publication in agreed academic journal
• Develop draft journal article for review
• Submit final journal article for publication
Tasks
1. Inception and Planning
Develop detailed workplan
Conduct initial consultations with UNICEF and stakeholders
2. Desk Review
Review RED strategy documents
Analyze routine immunization data
Review internal reports and resources, inc. consultant
3. Research Design & Ethics –
Draft research proposal
Develop tools (interview guides, consent forms)
Submit for ethics clearance
4. Data Collection
Conduct Key Informant Interviews (KII) at provincial, district, sub-district, and facility levels
Collect consent forms
5.Data analysis and drafting report
Analyze qualitative and comparative data
Identify themes, barriers, facilitators
Draft findings
6. Finalisation & Dissemination
Finalise report based on feedback
Prepare presentation materials
Submit final report
7. Journal Article
Draft journal article for review
Final accepted journal article
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
- Education:
- An advanced degree (Master’s or above) in sociology, public health, public health systems, anthropology, psychology, communication, development, education or another relevant technical field
- Work Experience:
- At least 10 years’ proven experience and expertise in mixed method research in South Africa related to public health, health systems strengthening and health workforce capacity strengthening
- Previous experience with the EPI Programme, Implementation Research and case study research methodology is an advantage
- References of previous similar work done are required
- Skills:
- Qualitative and quantitative research
- Language Requirements:
- English
- Knowledge of another local language is an asset
- Knowledge of another UN language will be considered an advantage
Please indicate your ability and availability; and attach a technical proposal and financial proposal in ZAR to undertake the terms of reference above (including admin cost if applicable). Proposals submitted without a detailed financial proposal aligned to the assignment will not be considered.
For every Child, you demonstrate…
UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values
The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…
(1) Builds and maintains partnerships
(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness
(3) Drive to achieve results for impact
(4) Innovates and embraces change
(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity
(6) Thinks and acts strategically
(7) Works collaboratively with others
Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.
UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.
UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.
UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). 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 based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. 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, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.
Appointments may be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.
Remarks:
As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.
UNICEF is committed to fostering an inclusive, representative, and welcoming workforce. For this position, eligible and suitable national candidates are encouraged to apply.
Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.
UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.
Humanitarian action is a cross-cutting priority within UNICEF’s Strategic Plan. UNICEF is committed to stay and deliver in humanitarian contexts. Therefore, all staff, at all levels across all functional areas, can be called upon to be deployed to support humanitarian response, contributing to both strengthening resilience of communities and capacity of national authorities.
All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.
Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.
