Consultant for Risk Communication and Community Engagement Strategy

Job Posting Organization:
UNICEF, established in 1946, operates in over 190 countries and territories with a mission to save children's lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential. The organization is committed to promoting the rights of every child and offers diverse opportunities for professional and personal development. UNICEF has a long-standing reputation as a neutral and collaborative partner, working closely with national and international stakeholders to improve health, education, and protection standards for children. In Sri Lanka, UNICEF has been active for over 50 years, making significant strides in child health and protection, including achieving Universal Child Immunization and establishing the National Child Protection Authority. The organization aims to create an environment where every child can thrive, free from discrimination and violence, and is dedicated to addressing the challenges faced by the most vulnerable children in the country.

Job Overview:
The purpose of this consultancy is to develop a comprehensive, evidence-based Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) Strategy for the Epidemiology Unit in Sri Lanka. This strategy will support the National Immunization Programme and enhance disease surveillance and public health emergency preparedness and response, including adult immunization. The consultant will work closely with the Chief Epidemiologist and relevant stakeholders to ensure the strategy is technically sound and aligned with national public health priorities. The overarching goal is to strengthen public trust, improve communication effectiveness, and enhance community engagement during routine immunization and public health emergencies. The consultant will also focus on addressing misinformation and promoting timely information sharing to build community resilience against public health threats.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Conduct a situation analysis of existing national policies and practices related to risk communication for immunization and disease surveillance.
• Map and analyze stakeholders involved in risk communication and community engagement, coordinating closely with the Chief Epidemiologist.
• Identify key audience groups relevant to immunization and public health response, assessing existing community structures for effective engagement.
• Develop a comprehensive RCCE Strategy aligned with the WHO RCCE framework, covering risk communication systems, public communication, and community engagement.
• Define governance and coordination mechanisms for risk communication within the Epidemiology Unit, clarifying roles and responsibilities at various levels.
• Create a monitoring and evaluation framework for the RCCE strategy, including indicators for assessing communication effectiveness and stakeholder engagement.
• Organize stakeholder consultations to validate the draft RCCE strategy and incorporate feedback for finalization.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master's degree in Public Health, Communication, Behavioral Science, Psychology, or a relevant field. A minimum of 5 years of experience in Epidemiology and risk communication is required, particularly in developing similar strategies. Experience working with public health institutions, especially the Epidemiology Unit of the Ministry of Health, is essential. Candidates should demonstrate strong analytical skills, the ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders, and a commitment to public health principles.

Educational Background:
A Master's degree in a relevant field such as Public Health, Communication, Behavioral Science, or Psychology is mandatory for this position. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of public health communication and community engagement strategies.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 5 years of professional experience in Epidemiology and risk communication. Candidates should have a proven track record of developing strategies that enhance public health communication and community engagement, particularly in the context of immunization and disease surveillance. Experience working with public health institutions and understanding the dynamics of health communication in Sri Lanka is highly desirable.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, as the consultant will be required to communicate effectively with various stakeholders and produce written reports. Knowledge of local languages spoken in Sri Lanka would be advantageous but is not mandatory.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is expected to last for approximately 50 days, from April to May, with the duty station being Colombo, although it may involve home-based work. Candidates are required to submit their resumes along with a fee/rate in LKR for the consultancy services. UNICEF provides an Office 365 license and emphasizes its commitment to diversity and inclusion in the recruitment process. The organization has a zero-tolerance policy on misconduct and is dedicated to safeguarding the rights of children.