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UNICEF Tanzania is preparing for a potential joining of the COVAX Facility (a GAVI-administered mechanism to ensure COVID-19 vaccines are affordable and available to all countries) by the Government of Tanzania, which would allow Tanzania to access subsidized vaccine pricing at the same time as wealthier nations. Should this materialize, UNICEF would plan to procure and deliver doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to Tanzania.

It is imperative to implement a communication action plan that includes communication to generate an enabling environment for public acceptance of safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines whilst enhancing trust in and demand for vaccines and immunization more broadly and continuing to maintain adherence to other non-pharmaceutical interventions. There is growing evidence of vaccine delays or refusals due to a lack of trust in the importance, safety, or effectiveness of vaccines, alongside persisting access issues. Community trust is key to ensure vaccine uptake and buy-in. To build trust, it is important to understand how communities perceive the disease and what are their main questions, doubts, and fears around vaccines, generally, and towards COVID-19 vaccine, more specifically. Previous experience of pandemics and communities’ risk perception about the disease can also influence vaccine uptake. Lack of trust in service providers, past negative experience of vaccination and poor quality of services including negative attitude of service providers may also affect the decision to accept a new vaccine in certain contexts. Similarly, it will be important to understand the trusted source of vaccine, influencers etc. Families and communities need to be provided with accurate and up to date information on COVID-19 vaccine, based on evidence generated from social listening and behavior and social data, which will

Under the direct supervision of the Communications Specialist and in close coordination with the Communication for Development Specialist and relevant sections in UNICEF Tanzania Country Office, the Consultant will support the roll out of the evidence-based communications strategy for COVID-19 vaccine introduction and its implementation and work to ensure seamless coordination of ongoing response to vaccine introduction in the country, and to continue the promotion of behaviours to prevent and mitigate the spread of COVID-19 both before and after vaccination, prepare the communication plan, and an national/sub national advocacy plan to mobilise wide spread support for COVID-19 vaccination. The Consultant will provide technical assistance in aspects of mass and social media campaign implementation, and support with information materials, digital/online content production and dissemination on COVID vaccination and risk communication as guided by global and regional guidance. In addition, s/he will consolidate, analyze the existing data of the social listening, including social media monitoring, rumor tracking, online listening and make recommendations for the implementation of social media campaign.

Specific Task;

1. Support the implementation of UNICEF communication action plan on COVID vaccine introduction, public acceptance and social mobilization, including risk communication, as well as communication activities to promote behaviors to prevent and mitigate the spread of COVID-19:

a. Development of communication strategy and communications plan for COVAX introduction and roll-out.

b. Support the implementation of mass and social media campaign

c. Make recommendations for the implementation of social media campaign

d. Development of social media content

e. Work with country-specific key influencer groups for potential engagement to amplify correct information about COVID-19.

f. Adapt and disseminate press releases, and statements from HQ with local media

g. Support documentation of the lessons learnt and best practices, including the human-interest stories (HIS) for COVID vaccine rollout communication

Expected Deliverables and Timelines

The duration of the consultancy is for three months starting from July 2021 (66 work days). Possible extensions will be considered depending on the programme needs and availability of funds.