Overview
The Risk Communication and Community Engagement Officer will support national and district-level implementation of RCCE strategies, ensuring effective coordination, community mobilization, and real-time information sharing during preparedness, outbreak and recovery response phases.
Key Responsibilities
- Support the development and updating of district/division RCCE preparedness and response plans and budgets for BEVD.
- Provide technical assistance to the National Task Force and District Health Teams (DHTs) in implementing RCCE strategies and activities.
- Support establishment and strengthening of RCCE coordination structures at village, parish, sub-county, and district levels.
- Facilitate coordination between RCCE, surveillance, infection prevention and control (IPC), and case management teams.
- Map and engage key community influencers, including traditional healers, religious leaders, cultural leaders, and local opinion leaders.
- Support orientation and capacity building of schools, security agencies, and organized groups on BVD prevention and response.
- Mobilize political and administrative leaders to actively participate in community sensitization and response efforts.
- Identify, assess, and utilize appropriate community communication channels (e.g., radio, community audio towers, mobile vans).
- Ensure dissemination of accurate, timely, and culturally appropriate BVD messages.
- Ensure distribution and proper display of Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials in strategic locations.
- Support mapping of high-risk communities, populations, and areas, including cross-border and mobile populations.
- Ensure targeted outreach and tailored messaging for vulnerable and high-risk groups.
- Work closely with surveillance teams to promote early detection, reporting, and referral of suspected cases.
- Establish and strengthen community feedback mechanisms to capture rumors, misinformation, and concerns.
- Support rumor tracking, analysis, and response in collaboration with RCCE coordination teams.
- Conduct regular supportive supervision of RCCE structures to ensure preparedness and response readiness.
- Monitor implementation of RCCE activities and contribute to performance tracking.
- Participate in district, national, and partner coordination meetings related to BVD response.
- Prepare and submit timely and quality reports as required.
Required Experience
- 7 years of relevant experience.
- Experience in RCCE, Community mobilization, Health promotion, or Public health emergency response.
- Experience working with district health systems and communities.
- Prior experience in outbreak response (Ebola, COVID-19, cholera, etc.) is an asset.
Qualifications
Master's degree in Public Health, Social Sciences, Communication, Development Studies, or related field.
