Risk Communication Officer

1. Background and Justification

Purpose of the Position

In the context of the WHO Health Emergencies Incident Management System (IMS), at the country level, the incumbent will act as the focal point for risk communication; overseeing that risk communications principles and practices are integrated into and implemented in all phases of the incident management cycle, that partners are coordinated, that high quality risk communications products and are developed and disseminated proactively and that people’s fears, concerns, misinformation and false rumors are proactively tracked and addressed.

Objectives of the Programme and of the immediate Strategic Objective

The mission of WHO’s Health Emergencies Programme (The Programme) is to help countries, and to coordinator international action, to prevent, prepare for, detect, rapidly respond to, and recover from outbreaks and emergencies.

Organizational context (Describe the individual role of incumbent within the team, focusing on work environment within and outside the organization)

The incumbent, focal point for risk communication, will report directly to the Technical Lead OR Incident Manager, under the overall guidance of the Head, WHO Country Office. S/he will work closely with the Community Engagement Officer and the Communications Officer in the WHO Country Office (WCO), and will work in collaboration with relevant technical officers and the Risk Communication teams in the respective Regional Office (RO) and WHO/HQ. S/he has first line responsibility for promoting effective risk communication strategies and plans, implementing risk communications activities and reporting on this area of work. S/he will engage with all levels of the organization, will liaise with a broad range of officials from partner organizations and institutions, target audiences, health cluster partners and official representatives from the national authorities to obtain information and, as necessary, provide advice on risk communication. S/he will work closely with personnel deployed to the country in emergencies.

Summary of Assigned Duties (Describe what the incumbent has to do to achieve main objectives; include main achievements expected):

1. Act as risk communication focal point in the IM system during outbreaks and emergencies:

a. Oversee the development, elaboration and implementation of the risk communication plan as part of the health response operations;
b. With key stakeholders in the national authorities, UN agencies, nongovernmental organizations and civil society organizations, identify the top hazards for the country and develop relevant information, education and communication materials in languages and formats easily used by national stakeholders and the public;
c. Liaise closely with the HQ and regional counterparts for risk communication ensuring coherence of strategy, materials and messages. Ensure that technical material produced by the country office integrates risk communication principles and practice;
d. Monitor and proactively counter false rumors and misinformation; and address fears and concerns;
e. Work closely with the Community Engagement Officer to integrate findings from knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) surveys, focus group discussions and other feedback from community engagement activities into risk communication activities and products;
f. In collaboration with the Communication Officer, proactively brief and educate journalists and broadcasters;
g. Lead and maintain quality control for risk communication products such as public information; brochures, leaflets and posters; radio and TV scripts; guides for stakeholders for risk communication, and ensure their translation into local language and their adaptation for the local context;
h. Report regularly in risk communication activities and issues to the IM, respective RO and HQ counterparts;
i. Contribute to resource mobilization and donor communication in the area of risk communication;
j.      Perform any other related incident-specific duties, as required by the functional supervisor.

2. Recruitment Profile

Competencies: Generic

Describe the core, management or leadership competencies required – See WHO competency model – list in order of priority, commencing with the most important ones.

1.  Communication;
2.  Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond;
3.  Promoting WHO’s position in health leadership;
4.  Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences;
5. Teamwork

Functional Knowledge and Skills

* Describe the essential knowledge and the skills specific to the position

1. Excellent interpersonal skills;
2. Effective negotiation, facilitation and consensus building skills;
3. Ability to work under pressure while producing results;
4. Ability to “think out of the box” and to make innovative proposals related to risk communication;
5. Tact, discretion and diplomacy;
6. Knowledge or understanding of WHO mandate and goals in the emergency incident management context.

 Education Qualifications

* Essential

First university degree in social sciences, behavioral sciences, development sciences, communications or public health from an accredited/recognized institute.

 Desirable

Training in public health, health education, health communication, or health promotion.

 Experience

* Essential

1. At least two years of related experience, at the national level, in risk communication, health promotion, emergency management, part of which working in disease outbreaks or health emergencies;
2. Proven experience in in the development and implementation of risk communications strategies and plans.

 Desirable

1. Prior working experience with WHO, the UN, health cluster partners, recognized humanitarian organizations or other international organizations, including at country level;
2. Management or project management experience.

 3. Use of Language Skills

• Excellent knowledge of  Portuguese;
• Working knowledge of English or French;
• Working knowledge of the local language is highly desirable.

 Other Skills (e.g. IT)

Excellent knowledge of Microsoft Office applications.

Validade:22/04/2020