Risk Communication and Community Engagement Officer

Contract

This is a UNV International Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as International UN Volunteer. It is normally internationally recruited only. More about UNV International Specialist contracts.

The mission of WHO’s Emergencies Management and Response Programme (EMR) is to assist Members States in responding to public health emergencies and build the capacity of Member States to manage health emergency risks and, when national capacities are overwhelmed, to lead and coordinate the international health response to contain outbreaks and to provide effective relief and recovery to affected populations. WHO Regional Office for Africa has been supporting Member States to enhance their preparedness and response capacities and capabilities through the Incident Management Support Teams (IMST). The EMR Unit has been managing acute and protracted events in support to countries. The EPR hub in Nairobi is the operational arm of the WHO regional office for Africa providing technical support to Member states in Eastern and Southern Africa in emergency preparedness and response. This UNV assignment will contribute towards the accomplishment of the mission of the organization by providing technical expertise in the areas of public health emergency response and operations, specifically in the area of risk communication and community engagement. This work will include supporting the implementation of the unit plan, assist in effective support to countries in ESA to enhance risk communication and community engagement in emergency response.

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.

• Teamwork: develops and promotes effective relationships with colleagues and team members. Deals constructively with conflicts. • Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences: demonstrate ability to work constructively with people with different backgrounds and orientations. Respects differences and ensures that all can contribute. • Communication: expresses oneself clearly in conversation and interaction with others; actively listens. Produces effective written communications. Ensures that information is shared. • Ensure the effective use of resources: ability to identify priorities in accordance with the organization’s strategic directions. Develop and implement action plans, organize the necessary resources and monitor outcomes.

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.

The Republic of Kenya is an equatorial nation on the coast of East Africa, neighboring Somalia, Ethiopia, Sudan, Uganda, Tanzania, and the Indian Ocean. Kenya has two levels of Government; National Government and 47 sub-national Governments called Counties. Counties are further divided into sub-counties. Kenya is a multi-party state with Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches. Kenya’s population of more than 40 million is growing at an annual rate of 2.2%. The country’s GNP per capita estimated at purchasing power parity (PPP) is $975, and the GNP is growing at an average rate of 0.1% annually. More than 26% of Kenya’s people live below the international poverty line of $1 per day. Kenya’s main food crops are “maize, wheat, pulses, roots and tubers.” (FAO).

Nairobi is a modern metropolitan city where most basic goods and services, health facilities, public transport, telecommunication and banking services and educational facilities are readily available. The city is widely connected through its main airport, Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and the smaller Wilson Airport. Air transport is also available to many up country destinations. The city is home to some 3,000 UN personnel mainly attributed to the fact that it serves as the headquarters for both the UN HABITAT and UNEP.

The socio-economic and cultural background of the immediate society the UNV would be living and working in is diverse and prevailing security conditions at the place of assignment is modest. The topographic and climatic features of the assignment location is highland cool and warm tropical climate.