Public Health Messaging and Community Engagement Specialist
Support public health messaging and community engagement for infectious disease response in Indonesia.
Overview
Support public health messaging and community engagement for infectious disease response in Indonesia.
You have:
- 5-7 years of experience in public health or community engagement roles relevant to emergency communication.
- Fluency in English and the local country language is required.
- Master's degree in public health, communication, social or behavioral sciences, or related discipline, or combined relevant experience.
- Experience in global health security programs in Indonesia or the region with focus on EMCE/communications.
- Experience in the development of EMCE training, messages, materials, strategies and plans during public health emergencies.
- Specialized training or certification in emergency risk communication, infodemic management, or community engagement in health emergencies.
- Familiarity with zoonotic diseases and multisectoral coordination mechanisms.
Meeting Targets and Maintaining Epidemic Control (EpiC) is an FHI-360 implemented global health initiative project funded by U.S. Government for the period of 2019–2027. The project receives Global Health Security funding to strengthen global, regional, and local public health systems, building on broad experience and existing capabilities that align with GHS priorities, National Action Plans for Health Security (NAPHS), and United States Government goals. In Indonesia, EpiC will support the local government and relevant local stakeholders to enhance infectious disease response, surveillance, and risk communication and community engagement to respond effectively to the immediate health, safety and security needs of both countries. We are currently seeking a qualified candidate for a Public Health Messaging and Community Engagement Specialist candidate position for Indonesia.
Job Summary:
The EpiC project, funded by U.S. Government and implemented by FHI 360, aims to strengthen national capacity in Indonesia to prepare for and respond to infectious disease outbreaks and pandemic threats. A key component of this effort is enhancing Evidence Based Public Health Messaging and Community Engagement systems to ensure timely, accurate, and culturally appropriate communication with at-risk populations and the general public during public health emergencies.
Accountabilities:
- Support the establishment and operationalization of a Rapid Multisectoral Evidence Based Public Health Messaging and Community Engagement (EMCE) Technical Task Force to guide and coordinate national EMCE efforts.
- Lead and coordinate the review of existing EMCE materials, communication channels, training packages, and coordination structures in collaboration with the Task Force and relevant government entities.
- Contribute to the development of a National EMCE Plan for Outbreak Response, including drafting of SOPs, defining roles and responsibilities, and incorporating systems for rumor monitoring and infodemic management.
- Organize and facilitate multisectoral consultations involving health, agriculture, regional development, disaster management (e.g., NCCR), veterinary services, and other key sectors.
- Lead community-level consultations with local leaders, faith-based organizations, and representatives of vulnerable groups to ensure messaging is tailored, inclusive, and community-driven.
- Provide technical support in reviewing, adapting, or developing EMCE training materials, ensuring content is consistent, culturally relevant, and evidence based.
- Organize and deliver Training-of-Trainers (ToT) workshops for multisectoral and community-level EMCE cadres to build local capacity for emergency communication during outbreaks.
- Collaborate with EpiC technical teams (e.g., surveillance, IPC, diagnostics) to ensure EMCE activities are integrated within broader outbreak preparedness and response interventions.
- Maintain close engagement with national authorities, NGOs, and donor partners to ensure EMCE efforts are aligned, harmonized, and sustainable.
- Support documentation and reporting of EMCE activities, including meeting notes, training records, and contributions to donor reports.
Expected Contributions and Deliverables:
- Contribute to the drafting and implementation of the National EMCE Plan and related operational guidance.
- Ensure continuous coordination with government-led EMCE efforts and other technical pillars under GHS.
- Facilitate capacity building and institutionalization of EMCE practices at national and local levels.
- Promote inclusive communication strategies, ensuring messages are gender-sensitive, accessible, and community-validated.
- Actively participate in internal project meetings and contribute to EpiC’s strategic planning and technical reviews related to EMCE.
Qualifications:
- Years of experience: 5-7 (tasks will be matched with applicants of requisite skill/experience)
- Language: English (required), and the local country language
- Education/Area of specialty: A Master's degree in public health, communication, social or behavioral sciences, or related discipline and/or combined relevant experience
- Experience in global health security programs in Indonesia and/or the region with the focus on EMCE/communications.
- Experience in the development and implementation of EMCE training, messages, materials, strategies and plans during public health emergencies, pandemics, or outbreaks.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Specialized training or certification in emergency risk communication, infodemic management, or community engagement in health emergencies (e.g., WHO, CDC, UNICEF-led programs).
- Familiarity with zoonotic diseases and multisectoral coordination mechanisms.
Travel Requirements:
- >30%
This job posting summarizes the main duties of the job. It neither prescribes nor restricts the exact tasks that may be assigned to carry out these duties. This document should not be construed in any way to represent a contract of employment. Management reserves the right to review and revise this document at any time.
FHI 360 is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer whereby we do not engage in practices that discriminate against any person employed or seeking employment based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law.
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Potential interview questions
| Can you describe a time when you tailored a public health message for a specific audience? | This question assesses your ability to customize communication based on audience needs. | Provide a specific example and highlight the outcome. |
| What strategies would you use to engage community leaders during a health crisis? | This evaluates your approach to community engagement in emergencies. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| How do you ensure that public health messages remain culturally relevant? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| Describe your experience with multisectoral coordination in public health initiatives. | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| How would you handle misinformation during an outbreak? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| Can you give an example of a successful training you've conducted for public health communication? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| What tools or methods do you use for monitoring community responses to health messages? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| What are the key components of an effective emergency communication strategy? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |