Details
Mission and objectives
UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.
Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.
And we never give up.
Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.
And we never give up.
Context
As of May 2026, the ongoing Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo strain represents a significant public health threat across Central and East Africa. The outbreak has affected several health zones in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), with confirmed cross-border transmission reported in neighbouring countries, highlighting the regional dimensions of the epidemic.
The Republic of Congo remains at risk of Ebola virus importation due to population movements, commercial exchanges, and transportation along river and air corridors linking high-risk areas with neighbouring countries. Recent preparedness assessments identified critical gaps in risk communication, community engagement, rumor management, trust building, early warning mechanisms and the promotion of protective behaviours.
UNICEF supports the Government of the Republic of Congo in strengthening Ebola preparedness and response capacities through a multisectoral approach covering Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE), community health, WASH and Infection Prevention and Control (IPC), child protection, continuity of essential services and accountability to affected populations.
The primary objective of this assignment is to strengthen UNICEF and Government capacities in Social and Behaviour Change (SBC) and Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) to support Ebola preparedness and response efforts. The UN Volunteer will contribute to enhancing community engagement, strengthening feedback and accountability systems, supporting rumor management, promoting protective behaviours, and reinforcing trust between communities and health authorities.
The incumbent will work closely with UNICEF's Health, SBC, WASH, Nutrition, Child Protection and Education teams, as well as the Ministry of Health, technical partners, community networks and local authorities.
The Republic of Congo remains at risk of Ebola virus importation due to population movements, commercial exchanges, and transportation along river and air corridors linking high-risk areas with neighbouring countries. Recent preparedness assessments identified critical gaps in risk communication, community engagement, rumor management, trust building, early warning mechanisms and the promotion of protective behaviours.
UNICEF supports the Government of the Republic of Congo in strengthening Ebola preparedness and response capacities through a multisectoral approach covering Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE), community health, WASH and Infection Prevention and Control (IPC), child protection, continuity of essential services and accountability to affected populations.
The primary objective of this assignment is to strengthen UNICEF and Government capacities in Social and Behaviour Change (SBC) and Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) to support Ebola preparedness and response efforts. The UN Volunteer will contribute to enhancing community engagement, strengthening feedback and accountability systems, supporting rumor management, promoting protective behaviours, and reinforcing trust between communities and health authorities.
The incumbent will work closely with UNICEF's Health, SBC, WASH, Nutrition, Child Protection and Education teams, as well as the Ministry of Health, technical partners, community networks and local authorities.
Task description
Under the delegated authority and supervision of the Chief Child Survival and Development (CSD) and in close collaboration with the SBC focal point, the UN Volunteer will:
SBC/RCCE Planning and Coordination
• Support the development, implementation and monitoring of Ebola SBC/RCCE preparedness and response plans.
• Participate in national and sub-national Ebola preparedness and response coordination mechanisms.
• Support integration of gender, child protection, inclusion, accountability and PSEA considerations into SBC interventions.
• Support mapping of community structures, local networks, community leaders, youth organizations and media outlets in high-risk areas.
Community Engagement and Risk Communication
• Develop and adapt Ebola communication messages and materials for different audiences.
• Support dissemination of harmonized messages through community, institutional and media channels.
• Promote community dialogue and participatory engagement approaches.
• Support the implementation of social listening and community-based surveillance initiatives.
Rumor Management and Accountability
• Support establishment and strengthening of community feedback mechanisms.
• Collect, analyse and document rumors, concerns, complaints and community perceptions.
• Facilitate the use of feedback data for programme adaptation and decision-making.
• Support accountability to affected populations initiatives.
Capacity Building
• Organize and facilitate trainings for community health workers, community volunteers, teachers, youth groups, religious leaders, media professionals and implementing partners.
• Support coaching and mentoring of frontline actors on interpersonal communication, rumor management and community engagement.
• Develop training materials, guidance documents and supervision tools.
Monitoring, Documentation and Reporting
• Monitor implementation of SBC/RCCE activities and indicators.
• Produce analytical reports on community perceptions, behavioural barriers and emerging issues.
• Document lessons learned, innovations, success stories and best practices.
• Contribute to situation reports, technical notes, donor reports and advocacy materials.
Support to Public Health Preparedness and Emergencies
• Participate in assessments, monitoring missions and emergency field deployments when required.
• Support rapid response communication activities during alerts or outbreaks.
• Contribute to preparedness activities in high-risk departments and border areas.
Other Tasks
• Perform any other related duties assigned by the supervisor.
Promotion of Volunteerism
UN Volunteers are encouraged to:
• Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of volunteerism.
• Participate actively in UNV activities and events.
• Engage with local volunteer networks and community initiatives.
• Produce stories, articles, and lessons learned from field experiences.
• Support newly recruited UN Volunteers.
• Promote online volunteering opportunities whenever applicable.
Results / Expected Outputs
As an active UNICEF team member, the UN Volunteer is expected to provide efficient, timely, responsive and high-quality support, including:
• Strengthened national and sub-national Ebola SBC/RCCE preparedness capacity.
• Improved community awareness and adoption of Ebola preventive behaviours.
• Strengthened community engagement and participation in preparedness activities.
• Functional community feedback and rumor management systems.
• Increased trust between communities and health authorities.
• Improved capacity of community actors and frontline workers in SBC/RCCE.
• Monthly analytical reports on community perceptions, rumors and behavioural trends.
• Communication materials and tools developed and disseminated.
• Documentation of best practices and lessons learned.
• Documented contribution to volunteerism for peace and development. Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspectives should be systematically integrated into all activities throughout the assignment.
SBC/RCCE Planning and Coordination
• Support the development, implementation and monitoring of Ebola SBC/RCCE preparedness and response plans.
• Participate in national and sub-national Ebola preparedness and response coordination mechanisms.
• Support integration of gender, child protection, inclusion, accountability and PSEA considerations into SBC interventions.
• Support mapping of community structures, local networks, community leaders, youth organizations and media outlets in high-risk areas.
Community Engagement and Risk Communication
• Develop and adapt Ebola communication messages and materials for different audiences.
• Support dissemination of harmonized messages through community, institutional and media channels.
• Promote community dialogue and participatory engagement approaches.
• Support the implementation of social listening and community-based surveillance initiatives.
Rumor Management and Accountability
• Support establishment and strengthening of community feedback mechanisms.
• Collect, analyse and document rumors, concerns, complaints and community perceptions.
• Facilitate the use of feedback data for programme adaptation and decision-making.
• Support accountability to affected populations initiatives.
Capacity Building
• Organize and facilitate trainings for community health workers, community volunteers, teachers, youth groups, religious leaders, media professionals and implementing partners.
• Support coaching and mentoring of frontline actors on interpersonal communication, rumor management and community engagement.
• Develop training materials, guidance documents and supervision tools.
Monitoring, Documentation and Reporting
• Monitor implementation of SBC/RCCE activities and indicators.
• Produce analytical reports on community perceptions, behavioural barriers and emerging issues.
• Document lessons learned, innovations, success stories and best practices.
• Contribute to situation reports, technical notes, donor reports and advocacy materials.
Support to Public Health Preparedness and Emergencies
• Participate in assessments, monitoring missions and emergency field deployments when required.
• Support rapid response communication activities during alerts or outbreaks.
• Contribute to preparedness activities in high-risk departments and border areas.
Other Tasks
• Perform any other related duties assigned by the supervisor.
Promotion of Volunteerism
UN Volunteers are encouraged to:
• Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of volunteerism.
• Participate actively in UNV activities and events.
• Engage with local volunteer networks and community initiatives.
• Produce stories, articles, and lessons learned from field experiences.
• Support newly recruited UN Volunteers.
• Promote online volunteering opportunities whenever applicable.
Results / Expected Outputs
As an active UNICEF team member, the UN Volunteer is expected to provide efficient, timely, responsive and high-quality support, including:
• Strengthened national and sub-national Ebola SBC/RCCE preparedness capacity.
• Improved community awareness and adoption of Ebola preventive behaviours.
• Strengthened community engagement and participation in preparedness activities.
• Functional community feedback and rumor management systems.
• Increased trust between communities and health authorities.
• Improved capacity of community actors and frontline workers in SBC/RCCE.
• Monthly analytical reports on community perceptions, rumors and behavioural trends.
• Communication materials and tools developed and disseminated.
• Documentation of best practices and lessons learned.
• Documented contribution to volunteerism for peace and development. Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspectives should be systematically integrated into all activities throughout the assignment.
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