Provincial Communication Officer

The polio eradication programme is operating in polio high risk areas. Access to communities at risk is essential for the program to contain the polio virus transmission through increasing the community collective immunity. Polio outreach workers recruited from the local communities are deployed to address vaccine uptake issues and mobilize their communities. Due to the need to cover all the polio high-risk areas, including the most remote ones, Our client staff members are unable to carry out such tasks. Under this contract, supervision and facilitation of community engagement activities is conducted through district officers. 

Provincial communication officer:

●   Manage the planning, implementation,and monitoring of social mobilization,communication, and community engagement activities.

●   Coordinate with key partners including WHO, religious/opinion leaders, influencers, NGOs, CBOs, youth forum, and women groups.

●   Implement the advocacy component of the programme at the provincial level with the Provincial Governor, key Provincial Line Directorates (PLDs) and relevant partners.

●   Work with the extenders, District Coordinators, and partners to design community initiatives to engaging and mobilize religious leaders, professional networks, and women groups in polio immunization work.

●   Oversee the development and implementation of plans and activities for community engagement and immunization campaigns.

●   Assist extenders in management of misinformation taskforce.

● Provide technical oversight to DCOs to ensure evidence-based monthly communication plans are developed and implemented at district and cluster levels.

● Disseminate weekly messages and talking points at weekly district community engagement sessions and monthly trainings, based on province specificities, and aligned with central guidance.

● Ensure overall lead and supervision of DCOs, review their performance during field monitoring visits (district and cluster plans, monitoring of campaign based Social Mobilizers (SMs), support to Routine Immunization (RI), data maintenance, training sessions for Cluster Communication Supervisors (CCS), etc.)

● Assist collection and addressing rumors

● Coordinate with regional trainers and provide training to ICN personnel as per the capacity gaps identified during training needs assessment.

● Review and pre-test training and communication materials.

● Facilitate the timely payments of performing ICN during the campaign and engagement activities

● Prepare financial reports of funds utilization at the provincial level.

● Review and verify funds expenditure reports submitted by DCOs and campaign based SMs

● Coordinate and document key communication interventions, initiatives, progress made in the high-risk districts, barriers faced, challenges, solutions explored, and actions taken to overcome the challenges.

● Coordinate pre-campaign activities at both provincial and district levels

● Collect social data for confirmed polio cases in the province.

● Retrieve copies of all districts RI micro-plans from partnering NGO/DEMT in charge and ensure all low performing areas and access-compromised areas are planned for coverage.

● Conduct RI program and social listening groups monitoring and provide feedback to PEMT/DoPH using applicable format

● Work in collaboration with the Polio Eradication Initiative Coordinator, Provincial Polio Officer, Provincial EPI

Before campaign to monitor and report on:

·District teams are trained on the basics of type 2 vaccine management

·Cold chain inventories are conducted and shared it with the regional level.

·The consumables, management tools and vaccines are delivered on time to districts.

During campaign:

·Feedbacks on vaccine management during evening meetings received and corrective actions are followed-up.

·Daily field visits to ensure compliance with good practices are conducted and capacities are strengthened

·The use of vaccine and proper vaccine management is monitored on the online dashboard

·Vaccine availability is monitored at district level daily and stock outs are solved as soon as possible

·The Daily Summary Sheet and the Vaccine Vials Tracking Form are filled daily with figures from district level

After campaign to monitor and report on:

·The final Daily Summary Sheets, the Vaccine Vials Tracking Form and the Form A are filled on the paper-based system and ODK (for Form A) within 7 days after completion of campaign

·Destruction is completed within 10 days after completion of campaign and destruction report is filled and transmitted to national level.

·All usable vials are returned at regional level in cold chain.

Deliverables:

1-A data-based provincial communication plan is developed each month based on information retrieved form the LPDs, and fully implemented

2-Data-based communication plans are developed and fully implemented in all LPDs and clusters of all LPDs

3-DCOs are led, supervised and monitored to deliver high performance.

4-A monthly programme report with focus on Social Mobilization/Communication activities, paying close attention to issues, actions taken, results and way forward is shared with PEMT/REMT (includes IEC materials distribution and utilization)

5-Comprehensive monitoring reports of SIA rounds by districts and against agreed indicators are sent to relevant officers (EOC/NEPI, our client Polio M&E Specialist)

6-Performing ICN members are paid on time

7-The programme expenditures are well managed and monthly detailed reports provided

8-All ICN in the province are trained with appropriate curriculum and monthly training reports are provided

9-During campaign provide activity reports that include information on Logistics & Vaccine Management

10-Social data is collected for confirmed polio cases, in collaboration with major partners (WHO and Government).

11-A report on all RI sessions monitored within the Province is provided each month to PEMT/REMT

12-Stories of interest and good practice are shared at least once a quarter or as they are available.

N/A

▪At least three years’ experience in relevant fields

▪Experience in health promotion is a plus.

▪Ability to travel to health facilities in the districts and villages for monitoring and support as required.

▪Fluent in the local languages of the area

▪Fluency in the English language is desirable.

▪Good computer skills including MS Office and use of internet.

▪ Performing ICN workers are paid on time.

▪ he programme expenditures are well managed and monthly detailed reports provided.

▪All front-line workers in the province are trained with appropriate curriculum and monthly training reports are provided.

▪Coordinate and prepare for the campaign logistic including supporting the recruitment of the SM, training of the SM and defining social mobilization activities.

▪ Stories of interest and good practice are shared at least once a quarter or as they are available.

▪ Administrative tasks include compiling staff attendance sheets and payment recommendations, management of transport, training expenses as required.

▪The PCO will on regular basis communicate with the PBHS HF supervisor to ensure smooth work of the FMVs as well as report on any issues such as attendance, quality of work or address any issues.

▪Performing ICN workers are paid on time

▪The programme expenditures are well managed and monthly detailed reports provided

▪All front-line workers in the province are trained with appropriate curriculum and monthly training reports are provided

▪Coordinate and prepare for the campaign logistic including supporting the recruitment of the SM, training of the SM and defining social mobilization activities

▪Stories of interest and good practice are shared at least once a quarter or as they are available.

▪Administrative tasks include compiling staff attendance sheets and payment recommendations, management of transport, training expenses as required.

▪The PCO will on regular basis communicate with the PBHS HF supervisor to ensure smooth work of the FMVs as well as report on any issues such as attendance, quality of work or address any issues.