Call for Applications: Routine Immunization Support Program (Nigeria)

The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) is inviting applications to strengthen routine immunization through community-based advocacy, communication, and social mobilization interventions across Nigeria. The programme focuses on identifying and vaccinating zero-dose and under-immunized children by improving community engagement, behaviour change, and access to routine immunization services.

Overview of the UNICEF Routine Immunization Programme

The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) is seeking qualified partners to implement community-based interventions that increase routine immunization coverage across Nigeria.

The programme aims to reduce the number of zero-dose and under-immunized children by strengthening community awareness, improving caregiver engagement, and supporting referral systems that connect children with routine vaccination services.

The initiative focuses on partnership-driven implementation involving communities, local governments, civil society, and other key stakeholders.

Programme Objectives

The programme is designed to:

• Strengthen routine immunization services.
• Reach zero-dose and under-immunized children.
• Increase demand for vaccination through community engagement.
• Improve caregiver awareness of routine immunization.
• Strengthen advocacy, communication, and social mobilization (ACSM).
• Improve referral and defaulter tracking systems.
• Support behaviour change that promotes childhood vaccination.

What Are Zero-Dose and Under-Immunized Children?

Zero-Dose Children

Zero-dose children are those who have not received any routine vaccinations, making them highly vulnerable to vaccine-preventable diseases.

Under-Immunized Children

Under-immunized children have received some but not all recommended routine vaccines, leaving them inadequately protected.

Reducing the number of these children is a global public health priority because it helps prevent disease outbreaks and improves child survival.

Focus Areas

The programme focuses on:

• Health.
• Routine immunization.
• Community engagement.
• Advocacy.
• Communication.
• Social mobilization.
• Behaviour change.
• Public awareness.

Key Programme Activities

Selected partners will implement a wide range of community-based interventions.

Advocacy, Communication and Social Mobilization (ACSM)

Activities include:

• Community awareness campaigns.
• Advocacy with local leaders.
• Communication initiatives promoting vaccination.
• Social mobilization to encourage caregiver participation.

These interventions are designed to increase demand for routine immunization services.

Inception Planning

The selected partner must prepare:

• An inception report.
• A detailed implementation plan.
• Project methodology.
• Workplan.
• Implementation schedule.
• Stakeholder engagement strategy.
• Monitoring framework.
• Introduction of the technical implementation team.

Local Government Area Town Hall Meetings

Projects will organise:

• Local Government Area (LGA) town hall meetings.
• Community discussions.
• Stakeholder engagement sessions.

These meetings will strengthen collaboration between health authorities and local communities.

Ward-Level Orientation and Sensitization

Activities include:

• Orientation sessions for community mobilizers.
• Sensitization of local stakeholders.
• Capacity building for community structures.

These efforts aim to improve immunization outreach and community participation.

House-to-House Community Mobilization

A major component of the programme involves:

• Door-to-door visits.
• Identification of caregivers.
• Identification of zero-dose children.
• Identification of under-immunized children.
• Referral to routine immunization services.
• Follow-up of referred children.

These activities will take place across:

200 priority zero-dose Local Government Areas

Defaulter Tracking

The programme strengthens systems for:

• Identifying children who missed vaccinations.
• Referring children for immunization.
• Monitoring completed vaccinations.

Improved tracking helps increase routine immunization coverage.

Community Engagement

Partners will support:

• Ward Development Committee meetings.
• Alternative community engagement platforms.
• Local advocacy initiatives.

Community participation is central to improving vaccine uptake.

Advocacy with Transport Associations

The programme includes advocacy activities involving the:

Tricycle Owners Association of Nigeria

This partnership will help spread immunization messages to communities through trusted local networks.

Behaviour Change Communication

Behaviour change interventions will encourage:

• Greater awareness of vaccination benefits.
• Increased caregiver participation.
• Improved trust in routine immunization.
• Stronger community ownership.

Public Awareness Campaigns

Mass communication activities include:

• Radio jingles.
• Public service announcements.

Messages will be broadcast in:

• English.
• Pidgin English.
• Yoruba.
• Igbo.
• Hausa.

Using multiple languages helps reach diverse communities across Nigeria.

Monitoring and Reporting Requirements

Successful partners will prepare:

• Regular monitoring reports.
• Success stories.
• Case studies.
• Communication materials.
• Final technical report.

Reports should document:

• Activities completed.
• Project achievements.
• Lessons learned.
• Challenges encountered.
• Recommendations for future programming.

Who Is Eligible?

The call is open to organisations capable of implementing community-based health and immunization programmes in Nigeria.

Applicants should demonstrate:

• Experience in public health programmes.
• Capacity to implement community mobilization activities.
• Ability to coordinate with government and community stakeholders.
• Strong monitoring and reporting systems.
• Experience in advocacy, communication, and behaviour change initiatives.

Why This Programme Matters

Routine immunization remains one of the most effective public health interventions for preventing childhood diseases.

This programme helps:

• Protect children from vaccine-preventable diseases.
• Increase routine vaccination coverage.
• Strengthen community trust in immunization services.
• Improve health system performance.
• Reduce childhood illness and mortality.

Reaching zero-dose children is essential for achieving national and global immunization goals.

How to Apply

Applicants should follow these steps:

Step 1: Review the Call Requirements

Carefully review the programme objectives, implementation expectations, and reporting obligations.

Step 2: Develop the Project Proposal

Prepare a proposal describing:

• Community mobilization approach.
• Advocacy strategy.
• Communication activities.
• Behaviour change interventions.
• Monitoring framework.
• Expected outcomes.

Step 3: Prepare the Implementation Plan

Include:

• Methodology.
• Workplan.
• Timeline.
• Stakeholder engagement plan.
• Technical team structure.

Step 4: Demonstrate Organisational Capacity

Provide evidence of:

• Relevant experience.
• Technical expertise.
• Community partnerships.
• Financial and operational capacity.

Step 5: Submit the Application

Applications should be submitted according to UNICEF’s proposal submission requirements and within the specified deadline.

Assessment Criteria

Applications are expected to be evaluated based on:

• Technical quality of the proposal.
• Organisational capacity.
• Experience in immunization and community health.
• Quality of implementation methodology.
• Monitoring and reporting approach.
• Stakeholder engagement strategy.
• Ability to reach zero-dose communities.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid:

• Submitting incomplete implementation plans.
• Providing weak monitoring frameworks.
• Failing to explain community engagement strategies.
• Ignoring stakeholder coordination.
• Presenting unrealistic workplans.
• Omitting behaviour change activities.

Tips for a Strong Application

Applicants can strengthen their proposals by:

• Demonstrating experience with routine immunization programmes.
• Including strong community engagement strategies.
• Presenting measurable indicators.
• Explaining referral and follow-up mechanisms.
• Showing partnerships with local stakeholders.
• Providing realistic implementation timelines.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the purpose of this UNICEF programme?

The programme aims to strengthen routine immunization services and reduce the number of zero-dose and under-immunized children in Nigeria through community-based interventions.

What are the main focus areas?

The programme focuses on health, routine immunization, advocacy, communication, social mobilization, and behaviour change.

Where will house-to-house mobilization take place?

Door-to-door mobilization will be implemented across 200 priority zero-dose Local Government Areas in Nigeria.

What communication methods will be used?

The programme includes radio jingles, public service announcements, community meetings, advocacy campaigns, and house-to-house mobilization.

Which languages will be used for public awareness campaigns?

Radio messages will be delivered in English, Pidgin English, Yoruba, Igbo, and Hausa.

What reports are required from selected partners?

Partners must submit inception reports, monitoring reports, success stories, case studies, communication materials, and a final technical report.

Who should apply?

Organisations with experience in community health, immunization programmes, advocacy, communication, and social mobilization are encouraged to apply.

Conclusion

The UNICEF Nigeria Routine Immunization programme provides an opportunity for experienced organisations to strengthen community-based vaccination efforts and improve child health outcomes. Through advocacy, behaviour change communication, house-to-house mobilization, and stakeholder collaboration, the initiative aims to increase routine immunization coverage, reach zero-dose children, and build stronger, more resilient health systems across Nigeria.