SSA- CREC Social Scientist, NO-A (MVE)

Organizational Context

The World Health Organization (WHO) Country Office in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is implementing the Strengthening Surveillance and Response to Epidemics (CREC) project. This role is part of the CREC initiative, focusing on enhancing public health response through operational research and community engagement within the DRC.

Job Purpose

The purpose of this role is to strengthen the public health response to epidemics, specifically the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), by integrating rapid operational research based on community data into CREC interventions. The Social Scientist will optimize the impact of these interventions in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This involves coordinating rapid field investigations, collecting and analyzing community data to inform response actions, and ensuring ethical research practices. The role also focuses on building the capacity of field teams, supporting the integration of research findings into operational strategies, and ensuring the quality and impact of research on public health interventions.

Responsibilities

Coordinate rapid field investigations to gather targeted community data for response actions and enhance operational response in affected provinces, adhering to Ministry of Health protocols. Recruit, train, and supervise field teams to ensure compliance with rapid assessment policies, ethical practices, data management, and PRSEAH. Identify data gaps in the response to guide future research cycles in coordination with stakeholders. Strengthen field teams' capacity for data collection, analysis, and joint recommendation development with communities and response pillars. Support the integration of recommendations and adaptation of interventions based on research findings. Ensure follow-up on rapid assessment recommendations and maintain appropriate documentation and M&E indicators. Uphold research quality and support implementation teams to optimize the operational impact of research outcomes.

Work Experience

Essential: At least one year of professional experience in public health or community programs, preferably in humanitarian, conflict, or health emergency settings. Experience in collecting, managing, and analyzing qualitative/mixed-methods data, with knowledge of operational research. Experience in RCCE and community engagement, collaborating with health authorities, partners, and communities in the DRC. Experience in training, coordinating, and supervising field teams, with strong reporting and presentation skills. Desirable: Experience in epidemic response (e.g., mpox, Ebola, COVID-19), conflict zones, risk communication, community mobilization, vaccination, or stigma reduction.

Skills

Qualitative and mixed-methods research, operational research, data collection and analysis, team supervision, capacity building, risk communication and community engagement (RCCE), report writing, presentation skills, coordination, public health programs, humanitarian/emergency settings.

Explore related opportunities