Organization Mission

Founded in 1948, WHO is the United Nations agency that connects nations, partners, and people to promote health, keep the world safe and serve the vulnerable – so everyone, everywhere can attain the highest level of health.

The WHO”s mandate seeks and includes working worldwide to promote health, keeping the world safe, and serve the vulnerable. It advocates that a billion more people should have: universal health care coverage, engagement with the monitoring of public health risks, coordinating responses to health emergencies, and promoting health and well-being. It provides technical assistance to countries, sets international health standards, and collects data on global health issues.

Context

Bundibugyo Ebola Virus Disease (BEVD) is a severe, often fatal illness affecting humans and primates, with periodic outbreaks reported in Uganda. The BEVD strain has caused outbreaks in the country before, highlighting the need for sustained preparedness and rapid response mechanisms.
In the current outbreak, Uganda remains vulnerable to further spread due to factors such as porous borders, population mobility, health system constraints in some regions, and persistent gaps in knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to Ebola prevention.
In response, the World Health Organization (WHO) in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme is strengthening preparedness and response capacities, including through Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) interventions.
The RCCE component focuses on:
• Delivering timely, accurate, and actionable public health information
• Promoting protective behaviours
• Addressing misinformation and rumors
• Supporting community-led response actions

The Risk Communication and Community Engagement Specialist 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

Under the direct supervision of the WHO/RCCE Pillar Lead, the Risk Communication and Community Engagement Specialist will perform the following tasks:

1. Planning and Coordination:
• 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.

2. Strengthening Community Structures:
• 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.

3. Community Engagement and Mobilization:
• 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.

4. Risk Communication:
• 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.

5. Targeting High-Risk Groups:
• 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.

6. Community-Based Surveillance and Feedback:
• 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.

7. Monitoring, Supervision, and Reporting:
• 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.

Expected Outputs and Deliverables
• District RCCE preparedness and response plans developed/updated
• Functional RCCE coordination structures at all administrative levels
• Influencer mapping and engagement reports
• Evidence of community outreach and sensitization activities
• Regular situation reports (daily/weekly/monthly)
• Rumor tracking and community feedback reports
• End-of-assignment comprehensive report

Required Skills and 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

Core Competencies

• Professionalism and integrity
• Accountability and results orientation
• Teamwork and collaboration
• Respect for diversity and cultural sensitivity
• Commitment to humanitarian principles

Living Conditions

The assignment may involve mission travel in remote or high-risk areas with limited infrastructure. Flexibility, resilience, and willingness to work under emergency conditions are essential.