Risk Communication and Community Engagement Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
The World Health Organization (WHO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for international public health. Established on April 7, 1948, WHO's mission is to promote health, keep the world safe, and serve vulnerable populations. With 194 Member States and a workforce of over 7,000 employees, WHO operates in more than 150 countries, focusing on various health issues including infectious diseases, noncommunicable diseases, and health emergencies. In the Western Pacific Region, WHO collaborates with 37 Member States to address health challenges and improve health outcomes for nearly 1.9 billion people.

Job Overview:
The Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) Specialist plays a crucial role in WHO's Health Emergencies Programme (WHE) in the Western Pacific Region. This position involves managing the planning, implementation, and monitoring of risk communication activities during health emergencies, including outbreaks and disasters. The specialist will support social listening efforts to combat misinformation, develop communication materials, and contribute to capacity-building activities. The role requires collaboration with various stakeholders, including WHO Country Offices and Member States, to enhance emergency preparedness and response capabilities. The specialist may also be deployed to emergency operations and will be part of Incident Management Support Teams (IMST) and Emergency Operating Centres (EOCs).

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Manage the planning, implementation, and monitoring of risk communication activities during outbreak responses, disasters, and other graded emergencies.
• Support social listening efforts to monitor and respond to misinformation and disinformation.
• Develop and maintain a regional message bank of communication materials, ensuring they align with WHO's technical guidance and clearance processes.
• Contribute to the development and co-facilitation of capacity-building activities focused on emergency preparedness, readiness, and response.
• Strengthen partnerships by managing and engaging the BRIDGE networks.
• Organize Asia Pacific Health security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Security Action Framework (APHSAF) Communities of Practice (COPs), manage member engagement, and maintain the digital platform.
• Contribute to the measurement, evaluation, and learning for RCCE activities and support donor reporting requirements.
• Provide support, backstopping, and gap-filling for emergency activities at any level of the Organization or scale of emergency as requested.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess strong skills in risk communication and community engagement, with a demonstrated ability to manage complex projects and work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders. Proficiency in developing communication materials and conducting capacity-building activities is essential. The ideal candidate should also have experience in emergency response and a solid understanding of health communication principles.

Educational Background:
A degree in public health, communication, social sciences, or a related field is required. Advanced degrees or specialized training in health communication or emergency management are highly desirable.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of 3-5 years of relevant experience in risk communication, community engagement, or public health emergency response. Experience working with international organizations or in a humanitarian context is an advantage.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory. Proficiency in additional languages relevant to the Western Pacific Region is considered an asset.

Additional Notes:
This position is a volunteer role under the UN Volunteers program. The duration of the contract is typically for a specified period, with the possibility of extension based on performance and organizational needs. The role is full-time and may require international travel, particularly in response to health emergencies. Volunteers are encouraged to have health insurance, as emergency medical care can be costly. Compensation and benefits are aligned with UN Volunteer conditions of service.