Risk Communication and Community Engagement for public health emergencies) SSA

.Background
The need for risk communication and community engagement in public health emergencies has been identified as critical in the WHO constitution, the International Health Regulations (IHR) and the pandemic influenza preparedness. The public and communities need to be engaged at the onset of an outbreak with adequate access to accurate and timely information to protect themselves and their families. Timely risk communication result in preventing the spread of diseases and better management of cases at household and community level. Community engagement along with risk communication are critical for prevention and control of outbreaks.
Objective
To strengthen capacity of Risk Communication and Community Engagement system for public health emergencies and priority programmes.
Specific objectives
• Support eight Provinces establish each a Multisectoral RCCE committtee
• Support the 8 Provinces establish each two Districts Multisectoral RCCE committees es
• Develop training tools focusing on identified capacity needs each to improve the capacity of RCCE Committees to function
• Draft Multisectoral RCCE Committee ToRs and ensure their adoption by each of the Provincial and Districts RCCE committees and their respective IMTs
• Support rollout of the National Community IPC Scorecard implementation plan in 8 priority districts
• Coordinate introduction of Community Based Surveillance at National Level with guidance from the Surveillance Focal Point
• Work with the Case Management team in developing Community Case Management tools and rolling out of the related trainings
• Perform any other related incident-specific duties, as required by the functional supervisor
Outputs
1. 8 Provinces each with an established and functioning Multi-sectoral Provincial RCCE Committee
2. 8 Provinces with at least 2 Districts each with established and functioning Multi-sectoral District RCCE Committees
3. 8 Provinces with at least 3 training sessions conducted focusing on identified capacity needs each to improve the capacity of RCCE Committees to function.
4. RCCE Committee ToRs drafted and adopted by each of the Provincial and Districts RCCE committees and their respective IMTs
Competencies:
1. Communication
2. Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
3. Promoting WHO’s position in health leadership.
4. Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
5. Teamwork
Functional Knowledge and Skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Effective negotiation, facilitation and consensus building skills.
• Ability to work under pressure while producing results.
• Ability to “think out of the box” and to make innovative proposals related to RCCE
• Tact, discretion and diplomacy.
• Knowledge or understanding of WHO mandate and goals in the emergency incident management context.
Education Qualifications
Essential
Advanced University/College degree ) in social or health sciences, behavioural sciences, development sciences, communications or public health from an accredited/recognized institute.
Desirable
Training in public health, health education, health communication, or health promotion.
Experience
Essential
• Minimum 2 years e experience in the public health field, supporting health programmes including communicable and non-communicable diseases, HIV, TB, MNCH, Violence and Injuries with development of related control policies/strategies and capacity that promote health and preventative measures, investigation, and surveillance. Within this experience, demonstrated professional experience working at and supporting National, Provincial and District levels.
• At least 4 years of related experience, in risk communication, health promotion, emergency management, part of which working in disease outbreaks or health emergencies.
Desirable
• Prior working experience with WHO, Department of health, health cluster partners, .
• Management or project management experience.
1. Use of Language Skills
Excellent knowledge of English Working knowledge of the local provincial language is highly desirable.
Other Skills (e.g. IT)
Excellent knowledge of Microsoft Office applications.