Senior Technical Officer for Evidence-Based Public Health Messaging and Community Engagement (EMCE/RCCE)

Job Posting Organization:
FHI 360 is a nonprofit organization that focuses on improving lives in lasting ways by advancing integrated, locally driven solutions for human development. Established in 1980, FHI 360 operates in more than 60 countries and has a diverse workforce of over 4,000 employees. The organization is dedicated to addressing global health challenges, including public health emergencies, through innovative programs and partnerships. FHI 360 is committed to safeguarding the welfare of everyone who engages with its programs and adheres to strict ethical standards in its operations.

Job Overview:
The Senior Technical Officer for Evidence-Based Public Health Messaging and Community Engagement (EMCE/RCCE) plays a crucial role in providing technical leadership for risk communication and community engagement systems that are essential for outbreak preparedness, detection, and response. This position is integral to the EpiC Global Health security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Security project in Mozambique, where the officer will work closely with the Ministry of Health (MOH), the National Institute of Health (INS), and provincial health authorities. The officer's primary responsibility is to enhance the effectiveness of communication strategies that inform communities about public health events, ensuring that these strategies are based on timely and trusted information. The role also involves integrating community engagement approaches across various health systems, including surveillance and emergency management, to ensure a comprehensive response to public health threats. The officer will be expected to develop training materials and operational tools that facilitate community engagement and effective public health messaging, thereby strengthening the overall health communication framework in Mozambique.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Senior Technical Officer will be responsible for a wide range of duties, including:

• Providing in-country technical leadership for the development and implementation of evidence-based public health messaging and community engagement strategies.
• Supporting the MOH in institutionalizing mechanisms for community feedback and utilizing insights to inform public health decision-making.
• Collaborating with MOH and INS to enhance national guidance, tools, and protocols related to risk communication during public health emergencies.
• Ensuring that communication and engagement approaches are integrated within surveillance, laboratory, outbreak response, and emergency management activities.
• Developing training materials, job aids, and operational tools for community engagement and public health messaging.
• Establishing systems for collecting community feedback on public health messaging and response activities.
• Strengthening systems to detect and respond to misinformation and disinformation related to public health threats.
• Leading or supporting the implementation of EMCE/RCCE activities within the project workplan.
• Collaborating with DEPROS to support provincial and district teams in operationalizing communication and community engagement strategies. 1
• Monitoring the quality and effectiveness of partner-led engagement activities and providing technical oversight to community partners. 1
• Participating in coordination meetings with government counterparts, partners, and project teams, and preparing technical inputs for reports and presentations.

Required Qualifications:
The ideal candidate for this position should possess strong knowledge of community engagement approaches in public health programs and risk communication principles in public health emergencies. They should have the ability to translate technical guidance into practical tools and operational activities, along with strong facilitation, coordination, and training skills. The candidate must be capable of working effectively with government counterparts and multidisciplinary teams, and should demonstrate strong analytical, writing, and communication skills.

Educational Background:
A Master’s degree in public health, communication, social and behavioral sciences, health promotion, or a related field is required for this position. This educational background is essential to ensure that the candidate has the necessary theoretical knowledge and practical skills to effectively contribute to public health messaging and community engagement efforts.

Experience:
Candidates should have at least 6 years of relevant experience in public health communication, community engagement, health promotion, or social and behavior change. Experience in supporting outbreak preparedness or response activities is strongly preferred, as is experience working with government health systems and on donor-funded programs. This level of experience is crucial for the candidate to effectively navigate the complexities of public health challenges and to implement successful communication strategies.

Languages:
Fluency in Portuguese is required for this position, as it is the primary language of communication in Mozambique. Additionally, professional proficiency in English is also required, which will facilitate collaboration with international partners and stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
The position requires 25–40% travel within Mozambique, reflecting the need for the officer to engage with various communities and health authorities across the country. The expected hiring salary range for this role is between USD 48,000 and 55,000 annually, depending on the candidate's relevant years of experience and education. FHI 360 offers a competitive benefits package and is committed to fostering a healthy work/life balance for its employees. The organization emphasizes equal opportunity and affirmative action in its hiring practices, ensuring that all qualified applicants are considered without discrimination.