Technical Officer Risk Communication and Community Resilience

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.

This UNV assignment is part of WHO’s project on resilience and recovery from COVID-19 pandemic. During the COVID-19 pandemic, efforts to reduce transmission and adopt Public Health Measures were compromised by factors including crowded housing, lack of water and sanitation facilities in homes and public places (including health facilities), lack of relevant information for adoption of appropriate behaviours, and lack of community cohesion. Defeating COVID-19 and future pandemics requires a more holistic approach to public health emergency preparedness, building response capacities, strengthening health systems, tackling the risk factors that drive infection (environmental degradation, climate change, air pollution, cross-border threats, unplanned urbanization, trade, food and nutrition insecurity, population density and other structural factors). Another risk factor exposed by COVID-19 is the management of waste accruing from the preventive, diagnostic and therapeutic tools used to control the pandemic. All these issues require a holistic view of population health and wellbeing beyond medical care. Climate change, environmental and air pollution, unhealthy living conditions that weaken people’s immune systems and wellbeing, rising non-communicable diseases caused by poor diet, physical inactivity, smoking and excessive alcohol consumption contribute to poor health and increase susceptibility to infectious diseases like COVID-19. Recovery from this pandemic and preparing for the next, requires emphasizing an ecological approach to disease treatment, prevention of epidemics and health promotion including a deliberate engagement between health and the sectors that are home to the social, environmental, and economic determinants of health. The unfinished agenda of implementing the humanitarian-development nexus remains central to true preparedness, with resilient individuals, households, and communities as a critical complement to resilient health systems. Therefore, investments in disease prevention and decentralized primary health care will ensure that health systems are not overwhelmed when outbreaks do occur.

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of HPD and RCCE/EPR Units or designated mandated representative(s), the UN Volunteer Technical Officer RCCE will:

 Support countries to establish a strong/cohesive RCCE partner coordination at regional and country levels for a more effective response;
 Support regional office and countries to monitor and proactively counter rumours and misinformation, and address fears and concerns of the public 
 Support the regional office to communicate science information/recommendations promptly that address critical risks and counter misinformation;
 Support regional and country offices to accelerate priority research and innovation in social sciences to support the implementation of public health measures and to ensure participation of at-risk and affected communities; 
 Support countries to enhance country-level capacity to roll out effective and coordinated RCCE approaches through the identification of capacity needs;
 Supporting AFRO/Hubs and COs Offices to effectively counter and manage rumors and infodemic;
  Act as risk communication focal point in the Health Promotion program/unit, contributing to the prevention and response to public health events using Risk Communication and Community Engagement Strategies;
 Oversee the identification of gaps and vulnerabilities linked with the promotion of health in the context of disease outbreaks and pandemics and develop response plans;
 Informed by evidence, develop relevant health literacy materials to mobilize the public on prevention and management of public health events contributing to the promotion of healthy lives; 
 Document and disseminate lessons learnt and best practices from countries on Risk Communication and Community engagement:
 Ensure that technical material produced by the country office integrates risk communication principles and practice:
 Report regularly on risk communication-related activities and issues to the relevant Unit and team leader
 Contribute to resource mobilization and donor communication for risk communication.

Detailed roles: 1. Strengthen the capacity of national and local media and communications organizations to communicate accurately about emergencies/health threats and counter misinformation. 2. Integrate RCCE into the design, implementation and monitoring for all emergencies/health threats preparedness efforts to avoid duplication and gaps and to maximize the sharing of RCCE resources, standards, indicators, evidence and expertise; 3. Establish mentoring systems to enable those at national and subnational levels to access technical support in an accessible and timely manner, helping improve the quality of RCCE approaches; 4. Develop robust systems and processes around knowledge management and the documentation of approaches, lessons and best practices; 5. Track trending questions by demographic/location/ language/gender/age etc. Map these against available content to respond to those questions, as a basis for gap and trend analysis, prioritization and monitoring; 6. Develop strategies to prevent and address stigma and discrimination, and build and maintain trust; 7. Coordinate efforts to manage the infodemic, build digital and health literacy and mitigate the impact. 8. Any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of 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; • Provide annual and end of assignment self- reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities.
• 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.

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

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

• A degree in a relevant area, e.g. Health Promotion or area related to Public health; a first-level university degree or equivalent in combination with relevant training and/or professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree; • At least 2 years of professional work experience at the national and/or international level in risk communication, communication or community health, or other relevant programmes; experience with social media is an asset, as is experience working in the UN or other international development organization; • Other desired/mandatory required technical knowledge • 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, religious 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; • Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment; • Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines; • Desirable: valid national driver’s license and proven ability to drive manual gear 4x4 over rough terrain; (if not applicable, delete) • Sound security awareness.

End with encouraging but cautioning statement such as “Congo is a unique country and Congo is a unique (humanitarian) operation. It provides for an interesting and enriching environment, but also requires a mature level of cultural awareness, as well as more stamina and commitment than elsewhere to make life comfortable and affordable. Therefore, flexibility and the ability and willingness to live and work in harsh and potentially hazardous conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort, are essential.