Technical Officer – Risk Communication

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.

Eligibility criteria

Minimum age: 25 years old. Nationals of the country of assignment are not eligible, except the assignments in Headquarters duty stations.

Description of task

Under the direct supervision of the UNDP Resident Representative the UN Volunteer will have first line responsibility for promoting effective risk communication strategies and plans, implementing risk communications activities and reporting on this area of work.

Specifically, he/she will undertake the main following tasks:

• Act as risk communication focal point during outbreaks and emergencies:

• Develop, elaborate and implement the risk communication plan as part of the health response operations.

• With key stakeholders in the national authorities, UN agencies, nongovernmental organizations and civil society organizations, identify the top hazards for the country and develop relevant information, education and communication materials in portuguese and formats easily used by national stakeholders and the public.
• Liaise closely with the National counterparts for risk communication ensuring coherence of strategy, materials and messages. Ensure that technical material produced by the country office integrates risk communication principles and practice.
• Monitor and proactively counter false rumours and misinformation; and address fears and concerns.
• In collaboration with the UNDP and MoH Communication Officers, proactively brief and educate journalists and broadcasters.
• Lead and maintain quality control for risk communication products such as public information; brochures, leaflets and posters; radio and TV scripts; guides for stakeholders for risk communication, and ensure their translation into local language and their adaptation for the local context.
• Report regularly in risk communication activities and issues to the CO and HQ counterparts.

• Contribute to resource mobilization and donor communication in the area of risk communication.

• Develop and maintain standing risk communication capacity in the UNDP Country Office:

• With internal and expert input, and working in line with global and regional frameworks and strategies, develop a multi-hazard risk communication plan for the country office.

• Map and engage risk communication stakeholders; establish and sustain coordination mechanisms for emergency risk communication.
• Map preferred channels of communication in the country with focus on vulnerable groups.
• Organize risk communication trainings for UNDP and UNCT country staff.

• Brief, guide and coordinate risk community surge capacity personnel that may be deployed to the country.

• Support national capacity building for emergency risk communication:

• Work with resources from the global, regional and national levels to train and prepare country-level counterparts for emergency risk communication.

• Support national authorities to convene stakeholders and co-develop a national risk communication strategy and plan.
• With HQ and CO support, underpin the national assessment of risk communication capacity and/or oversee the running of simulation exercises to test and improve the national capacity.

• Support national authorities to conduct lessons learnt exercises to further strengthen emergency risk communication.

• Perform any other related incident-specific duties, as required by the functional supervisor.

1. Coordination and management tasks

When working with (including supervising) national staff or (non-) governmental counterparts, the incumbent should set aside dedicated time for training, coaching, mentoring and capacity development.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UNV mandate within their assignment and promote volunteerism through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate part of their time to the following suggested activities:

• 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;
• 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.

Qualifications/Requirements

Required degree level:

Master degree or equivalent

Education - Additional Comments:

• Essential

Advanced university degree (Master’s level or above) in social sciences, behavioural sciences, development sciences, communications or public health from an accredited/recognized institute.

• Desirable

Training in public health, health education, healthcommunication, or health promotion.

Required experience:

36 Months

Language skills:

• Portuguese(Mandatory), Level - Fluent
• English(Optional), Level - Working Knowledge
• French(Optional), Level - Working Knowledge

Area of expertise:

Public health, Other health related experience

Area of expertise details:

• Essential

  • At least 3 years of related experience, at the national and/or international levels, in risk communication, health promotion, emergency management, part of which working in disease outbreaks or health emergencies.
  • Proven experience in in the development and implementation of risk communications strategies and plans.

• Desirable

  • Prior working experience with the UN, recognized humanitarian organizations or other international organizations, including at country level.
  • Management or project management experience.
  • Knowledge of and experience working in- LDC/SIDS business environment collaborating with multiple actors in Risk communication is an asset.
  • Proven ability to multitask across various planning and implementation processes within a highly demanding environment.
  • Understanding Small Island Developing Country (SIDS) problems and limitations.
  • Ability to lead and work with local teams to achieve quality outputs under tight timelines.

Driving license:

No

Competencies values:

Communication

Application procedure:

* Not yet registered in the UNV Talent Pool?

Please first register your profile at https://vmam.unv.org/candidate/signup. Important: After creating your account, complete all sections of your profile and submit it. Then go to ‘My Page’ at https://vmam.unv.org/candidate/mypage and click on the ‘Special Calls’ hyperlink. Lastly, select the special call to which you would like to apply.

* Already registered in the UNV Talent Pool?

Please first update your profile at https://vmam.unv.org/candidate/profile. Then go to ‘My Page’ at https://vmam.unv.org/candidate/mypage and click on the ‘Special Calls’ hyperlink to select the special call to which you would like to apply.

Application deadline: 13-09-2020