About Organisation:

The World Health Organisation is a specialized agency of the United Nations which coordinates responses to international public health issues and emergencies. It is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, and has six regional offices and 150 field offices worldwide..

Job Summary: The Risk Communication and Community Engagement Specialist will support national and district-level implementation of RCCE strategies, ensuring effective coordination, community mobilization, and real-time information sharing during preparedness, outbreak and recovery response phases.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Under the direct supervision of the WHO/RCCE Pillar Lead, the Risk Communication and Community Engagement Specialist will perform the following tasks

Planning and Coordination:

• Support the development and updating of district/division RCCE preparedness and response plans and budgets for BEVD.
• Provide technical assistance to the National Task Force and District Health Teams (DHTs) in implementing RCCE strategies and activities.

Strengthening Community Structures:

• Support establishment and strengthening of RCCE coordination structures at village, parish, sub-county, and district levels.
• Facilitate coordination between RCCE, surveillance, infection prevention and control (IPC), and case management teams.

Community Engagement and Mobilization:

• Map and engage key community influencers, including traditional healers, religious leaders, cultural leaders, and local opinion leaders.
• Support orientation and capacity building of schools, security agencies, and organized groups on BVD prevention and response.
• Mobilize political and administrative leaders to actively participate in community sensitization and response efforts.

Risk Communication:

• Identify, assess, and utilize appropriate community communication channels (e.g., radio, community audio towers, mobile vans).
• Ensure dissemination of accurate, timely, and culturally appropriate BVD messages.
• Ensure distribution and proper display of Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials in strategic locations.

Targeting High-Risk Groups:

• Support mapping of high-risk communities, populations, and areas, including cross-border and mobile populations.
• Ensure targeted outreach and tailored messaging for vulnerable and high-risk groups.

Community-Based Surveillance and Feedback:

• Work closely with surveillance teams to promote early detection, reporting, and referral of suspected cases.
• Establish and strengthen community feedback mechanisms to capture rumors, misinformation, and concerns.
• Support rumor tracking, analysis, and response in collaboration with RCCE coordination teams.

Monitoring, Supervision, and Reporting:

• Conduct regular supportive supervision of RCCE structures to ensure preparedness and response readiness.
• Monitor implementation of RCCE activities and contribute to performance tracking.
• Participate in district, national, and partner coordination meetings related to BVD response.
• Prepare and submit timely and quality reports as required.

Expected Outputs and Deliverables

• District RCCE preparedness and response plans developed/updated
• Functional RCCE coordination structures at all administrative levels
• Influencer mapping and engagement reports
• Evidence of community outreach and sensitization activities
• Regular situation reports (daily/weekly/monthly)
• Rumor tracking and community feedback reports
• End-of-assignment comprehensive report

Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

• Eligibility criteria

Age

• 18-80 years
• 7 years

Nationality

• Candidate must be a national, legal resident or hold refugee status in the country of assignment.
• Assignment requirements
• Relevant experience
• 7 years

Languages

English, Level: Fluent, Required

• Required education level
• Master’s degree in Public Health, Social Sciences, Communication, Development Studies, or related field.
• Competencies and values
• Professionalism and integrity
• Accountability and results orientation
• Teamwork and collaboration
• Respect for diversity and cultural sensitivity
• Commitment to humanitarian principles
• Skills and experience
• Experience in RCCE, Community mobilization, Health promotion, or Public health emergency response.
• Experience working with district health systems and communities
• Prior experience in outbreak response (Ebola, COVID-19, cholera, etc.) is an asset
• Area(s) of expertise
• Crisis and emergency response, Health, Communication
• Driving license
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