Risk Communication And Community Engagement Officer - NOA (multiple Duty Station)

Organizational Context

South Sudan faces a complex emergency with conflict, displacement, and disease outbreaks. The WHO's South Sudan office requires dedicated field capacity to strengthen readiness in priority counties. This role supports the County Health Department and partners in implementing risk communication and community engagement strategies for public health emergencies, including the Bundibugyo Virus Disease.

Job Purpose

The purpose of this role is to lead and coordinate risk communication and community engagement (RCCE) activities for Bundibugyo Virus Disease (BVD) preparedness and response in a high-risk county. The Officer will ensure timely, accurate, and trusted information dissemination, establish community feedback mechanisms, strengthen community-based surveillance, and promote community participation in response efforts. This role is crucial for promoting early care-seeking, rapid alert reporting, and cooperation with public health measures, while also maintaining engagement for other ongoing emergencies.

Responsibilities

Lead the development, implementation, and updating of county-level BVD risk communication and community engagement action plans, aligned with national guidance. Establish and strengthen RCCE coordination mechanisms, ensuring clear roles and collaboration with government and partners. Conduct community assessments to identify high-risk groups and communication barriers. Adapt and disseminate BVD messages in local languages through appropriate channels. Engage community leaders and networks to promote surveillance and feedback. Support health facilities and points of entry in communicating procedures clearly and respectfully. Collaborate with surveillance and contact-tracing teams. Support communication around infection prevention, safe care-seeking, and safe burial practices. Develop resource directories and plan communication activities like radio programs and community dialogues. Train and mentor community mobilizers and partner staff. Monitor RCCE activities and report on progress, feedback, and concerns. Promote safeguarding, accountability, and do-no-harm principles.

Work Experience

Essential: Minimum of two years of professional experience in risk communication, community engagement, health promotion, social and behavior change, public health communication, or community-based emergency work. Experience in planning and implementing community engagement activities with various stakeholders, collecting and analyzing community feedback, and preparing reports and communication materials. Desirable experience includes working in outbreak response, South Sudan, or similar challenging environments, and using various communication platforms.

Skills

Strong knowledge of risk communication and community engagement principles; ability to translate technical information into accessible messages; community listening and analysis skills; strong facilitation, interpersonal communication, negotiation, and conflict-sensitive engagement skills; ability to coordinate partners and work with local authorities; planning, organization, and reporting skills; sound judgment and discretion; ability to travel frequently; proficiency in Microsoft Office; experience with mobile data collection tools (e.g., KoboToolbox, ODK); experience with social listening or media monitoring is an asset.

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