Polio international consultant for the formative evaluation of Polio Programme. Social policy and Evaluation: Afghanistan, Kabul, Remote #592944

Organizational Context

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential. 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.

Job Purpose

The purpose of this formative evaluation is to assess UNICEF Afghanistan’s Polio Programme, particularly from October 2024 onwards, and examine its strategies to address immunity gaps in Afghanistan, especially in overcoming refusals and reaching hard-to-access populations. This evaluation aims to generate actionable insights to inform strategic and operational decision-making, ensuring that UNICEF’s interventions are evidence-based, context-specific, impactful, and make the best use of financial and human resources. The findings will guide the refinement of Social and Behaviour Change (SBC) strategies to address vaccine refusals, misinformation, and behavioural barriers. Moreover, the evaluation will contribute to strengthening gender-sensitive programming by identifying and addressing gender-specific barriers to vaccination. It will also provide recommendations to optimize community engagement approaches, ensuring equitable access to immunization services and fostering social inclusion, particularly for vulnerable populations such as women, caregivers, and children in hard-to-reach areas.

Responsibilities

The consultant will be responsible for conducting a formative evaluation of UNICEF Afghanistan's Polio Programme. This includes assessing current strategies for addressing immunity gaps, particularly in overcoming refusals and reaching hard-to-access populations. The consultant will generate actionable insights to inform strategic and operational decision-making, ensuring interventions are evidence-based, context-specific, and impactful. Key responsibilities include guiding the refinement of Social and Behaviour Change (SBC) strategies to address vaccine refusals, misinformation, and behavioural barriers. The consultant will also contribute to strengthening gender-sensitive programming by identifying and addressing gender-specific barriers to vaccination. Furthermore, the role involves providing recommendations to optimize community engagement approaches, ensuring equitable access to immunization services and fostering social inclusion for vulnerable populations. The evaluation will comprehensively examine the programme’s effectiveness and efficiency, providing recommendations for future programming and resource allocation.

Work Experience

A minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience in programme evaluation, social policy analysis, or public health, with a focus on child health or immunization programmes. Experience in complex humanitarian or development settings is highly desirable.

Skills

Evaluation methodologies, Social policy analysis, Public health, Child health programmes, Immunization programmes, Behavioural change communication, Gender-sensitive programming, Community engagement, Data analysis, Report writing, Stakeholder engagement, Project management

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