Risk Communication and Community Engagement Officer at World Health Organization

Task description

During deployment, the duties may be modified, based upon the needs of the Programme. Reporting to the Team Leader EPR Hub - Nairobi and the Pillar Lead for Risk Communication and Community Engagement of the AFRO COVID-19 IMST, and working closely with counterparts within the COVID-19 IMST and EMR programme, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

• Within the RCCE and EMR team at the Hub, support the development and implementation of the risk communication plan and products as part of the emergency health response operations.
• With key stakeholders including the national authorities, UN agencies, nongovernmental organizations and civil society organizations, identify the top hazards/challenges for the countries and develop relevant information, education and communication materials in languages and formats easily used by national stakeholders and the public.
• In collaboration with other stakeholders including both government and other partners, provide support to monitor and proactively counter false rumours and misinformation; and address fears and concerns. Specifically guide countries in addressing rumours and fears about COVID-19 vaccination and support demand creation for and utilization of the vaccines.
• Work closely with Hub and the RCCE officers at country level to integrate findings from knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) surveys, focus group discussions and other feedback from community engagement activities into risk communication activities and community engagement strategies and products.
• In collaboration with the RCCE Technical Working Group, proactively brief and edu-cate journalists and broadcasters about latest updates and key issues from community feedback.
• With internal and expert input and working in line with global and regional frameworks and strategies, support development of multi-hazard risk communication plans for the country offices, mapping and engagement of risk communication and community engagement stakeholders, and coordination of the work of the different stakeholders.
• In close collaboration with the Risk Communication and Community Engagement Officers at country level, map preferred channels of communication in the countries with focus on vulnerable groups.
• Support in building/strengthening the emergency RCCE capacity at regional, national and sub-national level for member states.
• Support national authorities to review and document lessons learnt during implementation of risk communication and community engagement activities to further strengthen emergency risk communication.
• Attend various technical and coordination meetings, coordinate relevant activities, en-sure predictable follow-up on agreed action points with relevant stakeholders.
• Report regularly on risk communication activities and issues to the EPR Hub Team Lead, the RCCE Pillar Lead at AFRO, and other counterparts. Furthermore, UN Volunteers are required to:
• Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day);
• Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country.
• Reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities.
• Provide monthly and end of assignment reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities using UNV’s Volunteer Reporting Application
• Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.
• Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly arrived UN Volunteers.
• Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering, or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

Requirements

Required experience

• 3 years of experience in Health, Social Sciences, or Health Development Area, or other relevant programmes at the national and/or international level
• Experience with Community work is an asset, as is experience working in the UN or other international development organization
• Prior relevant work experience in WHO/UN system, health cluster partners, relevant non-governmental or humanitarian organizations, is desirable;
• Sound skills in Enterprise Resource Planning Oracle systems or similar packages;
• Strong computer skills in office applications including Excel, PowerPoint, and Word. Other desired technical knowledge and skills:
• Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills;
• Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing;
• Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, re-ligious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development;
• Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel;
• Familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment;
• Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines;
• Sound security awareness;
• Have affinity with or interest in Risk communication and Community Engagement, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System.