EpiC Tajikistan Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) Specialist for Global Health Security (GHS)

Job Posting Organization:
FHI 360 is a global organization dedicated to mobilizing research, resources, and relationships to ensure that people everywhere have access to the opportunities necessary for leading full and healthy lives. Established with a mission to advance social and economic equity, improve health and well-being, respond to humanitarian crises, and strengthen community resilience, FHI 360 operates in over 60 countries. The organization collaborates directly with local leaders and communities, sharing data-driven insights and scalable tools that help address complex challenges and achieve thriving futures.

Job Overview:
The EpiC Tajikistan RCCE Specialist for GHS will play a pivotal role in leading and coordinating all Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) activities within the project in Tajikistan. This position is crucial for providing technical support to the Ministry of Health and Social Protection of the Population of the Republic of Tajikistan (MOHSPP), the Republican Healthy Lifestyle Formation Center (RHLFC), and other stakeholders. The specialist will be responsible for strengthening community engagement systems aimed at preventing, detecting, and responding to priority zoonotic diseases and antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The role involves planning, implementing, monitoring, and institutionalizing RCCE activities, which include developing communication materials, engaging volunteers, and establishing community-led surveillance approaches. The specialist will also contribute to annual work planning, technical guidance development, reporting, and coordination with both national and international partners, ensuring that the project aligns with broader health security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security goals.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The primary responsibilities of the EpiC Tajikistan RCCE Specialist include:

• Providing strategic leadership and technical guidance for the implementation of RCCE activities in coordination with other technical areas.
• Supporting MOHSPP, RHLFC, and other stakeholders in enhancing national RCCE systems for zoonotic disease prevention, outbreak preparedness, and response, including innovative community engagement and behavior change approaches.
• Coordinating and overseeing project subgrantees implementing RCCE activities, ensuring alignment with project objectives, workplans, and reporting requirements.
• Leading the development, adaptation, pre-testing, and dissemination of RCCE awareness-raising packages and communication materials related to priority zoonotic diseases and AMR.
• Supporting the establishment of community-led surveillance and volunteer engagement mechanisms integrated into existing national systems.
• Coordinating community outreach, awareness campaigns, and risk communication activities in project districts.
• Developing SOPs, guidance documents, job aids, and training materials related to RCCE and outbreak communication.
• Conducting and coordinating trainings, mentorship, and supportive supervision for volunteers, healthcare workers, and community focal points.
• Collaborating with technical teams to ensure RCCE integration across various health emergency management activities. 1
• Supporting simulation exercises, outbreak preparedness activities, and after-action reviews. 1
• Coordinating with human and animal health partners to strengthen multisectoral collaboration for RCCE activities. 1
• Monitoring, documenting, reporting, and representing the project in technical meetings and coordination platforms as required.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a minimum of a bachelor’s degree or higher in public health, health communication, social sciences, behavioral sciences, journalism, community development, or a related field. A master’s degree in a relevant field will be considered an added advantage. Additionally, candidates should have at least 5 years of experience in RCCE, community engagement, health promotion, public health communication, or outbreak preparedness and response programs. Demonstrated experience in developing communication materials, training packages, guidelines, and community engagement tools is essential. A solid understanding of public health systems and the community health context in Tajikistan is required, along with experience working with government institutions, particularly MOHSPP and RHLFC. Candidates should also have experience coordinating with local communities, volunteers, civil society organizations, and development partners, as well as strong communication, facilitation, coordination, and report-writing skills. Creative problem-solving and organizational skills are also necessary.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in relevant fields such as public health, health communication, social sciences, behavioral sciences, journalism, or community development. A master’s degree in a related field is preferred and will enhance the candidate's qualifications for the role.

Experience:
The position requires at least 5 years of relevant experience in areas such as RCCE, community engagement, health promotion, public health communication, or outbreak preparedness and response programs. Candidates should have a proven track record of developing communication materials and engaging with communities effectively.

Languages:
Fluency in English and Tajik is mandatory for this position, while proficiency in Russian is preferred. This language requirement is crucial for effective communication with stakeholders and community members in Tajikistan.

Additional Notes:
This position is open to Tajik residents and will be based in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. The expected hiring salary range for this role is TJS 210,000 - 270,000 for annual basic salary. FHI 360 considers various factors when determining an offer amount, including relevant years of experience and education, internal equity, market pay, and budget constraints. The organization is committed to equal opportunity and affirmative action, ensuring a non-discriminatory hiring process. FHI 360 also emphasizes safeguarding against abuse, exploitation, and harassment in its work environments and programs, requiring all personnel to adhere to a code of conduct. Employment offers will be contingent upon successful completion of screening checks, including reference and criminal record checks.