Communication Consultant — Nigeria

Context


The consultant will serve as a Communication Specialist, collaborating with various internal and external partners, including health stakeholders at national, state, local government, ward, and community levels. These partners encompass the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), National Malaria Elimination Program (NMEP), State Primary Health Care Agencies/Boards, and State Malaria Elimination Program (SMEP) in states where the malaria vaccine has been introduced (Bayelsa and Kebbi States). The consultant will be responsible for developing and executing communication and social mobilization strategies while contributing to cross-cutting priorities.
PATH's Center for Vaccine Innovation and Access (CVIA) covers all stages of the complex process of vaccine research, development, and introduction to make life-saving vaccines widely accessible to women, children, and communities worldwide. CVIA's current portfolio includes more than two dozen vaccines either in development or already in use to protect against 18 different diseases, such as diarrheal disease, malaria, meningitis, pneumonia, polio, and typhoid. CVIA collaborates with national health ministries, pharmaceutical manufacturers, donors, international financing and regulatory organizations, and many other partners.
Specifically, this consultancy will support the implementation and expansion of malaria vaccination in Nigeria, applying global guidance and lessons from the malaria vaccine pilots in Ghana, Kenya, and Malawi, as well as best practices from other implementing countries. To accomplish this, the consultant will work closely with key stakeholders and program teams across government and partner organizations, including colleagues at PATH, the Federal and State Ministries of Health of Nigeria, NPHCDA, NMEP, SPHCDA/B, SMEP, other relevant ministries, departments, and agencies, and national and local malaria and immunization partners. The consultant will create and implement workplans, strategies, and activities that align with and support malaria vaccine communication and demand promotion priorities.


Consultant Duties


The consultant will work with PATH's malaria vaccine (MalVac) project team members and program teams across government and partner organizations to create risk communication and community engagement strategies and plans for malaria vaccine implementation.
In collaboration with PATH and health teams across government and partner organizations, the consultant will develop and maintain updated workplans and timelines for carrying out these activities.
The consultant will collaborate with internal and other health teams across government and partner organizations to adapt job aids and other interpersonal communication tools for health workers and identify suitable social listening and feedback mechanisms for communities.
Similarly, the consultant will keep internal and external stakeholders informed about the most current messages and will assist in organizing and participating in any PATH-led training related to risk communication.
The consultant will work collaboratively with teams across government and partner organizations to develop and support the implementation of risk communication strategies to address misinformation and misconceptions about the malaria vaccine,
The consultant will work with health teams across government and partner organizations to map and engage external stakeholders and media at national and subnational levels and will create briefing packets for these audiences to generate interest and support for malaria vaccination.
The consultant will oversee processes for translating messages, materials, and tools into local languages.
The consultant will document progress, lessons learned, and success stories and will assist in designing and implementing external stakeholder meetings and workshops, as needed.
The consultant will coordinate and participate in supportive supervision and other mentoring and information-gathering field visits and will conduct interviews, gather photos, and engage in other efforts to document progress.
The consultant will participate in initial and on-the-job training for health workers and health committees.
The consultant will take part in community sensitization and mobilization activities.
The consultant will monitor the availability and use of communication material at health facilities and within communities.
The consultant will attend internal as well as government and partner organization work planning meetings and will provide periodic progress reports.


Required Experience


Bachelor's degree or higher, preferably in communication, public policy, global health, or a related field.
A minimum of 10 years of experience in designing and managing advocacy, communication, and community engagement strategies for health, particularly immunization.
Understanding of immunization programs and health systems required.
Experience working with national-level stakeholders as well as civil society organizations and communities.
Experience facilitating strong relationships and working within multi-country, cross-functional and diverse teams.
Excellent verbal and written communication with the ability to tailor approaches for various audiences and channels.
Fluency in oral and written relevant local languages as well as English required.
Willingness to travel, as needed.