Risk Communication Specialist at ICAP

POSITION SUMMARY

Working under the supervision of the Risk Communication and Management Lead for the Covid-19 project in Nigeria and the Risks Communication lead at NCDC, the Risks Communication Specialist is responsible for developing standard operating procedures and tools to evaluate mitigation recommendations for understanding uptake, acceptability, and feasibility of Covid-19 interventions.  He/She will facilitate the strengthening of existing infodemic management, engage and support community level risk communication activities and develop and disseminate evidence-based risk communication content

Based on findings, He/She will develop/modify and disseminate community messaging, and materials through outlets (e.g., mass media, and local gate keepers) to address, dispel rumors and misinformation, promote behaviors that prevent the spread of Covid-19, clarify procedures for isolation, quarantine, and its discontinuation and help maintain healthy environments.

He or she will develop training materials to capacitate the community, religious leaders, and other community ‘gatekeepers’ on effective communication.

MAJOR ACCOUNTABILITIES

The Risk Communication Specialist will undertake the below responsibilities:  The COVID-19 risk communication and community engagement advisor will support the design of strategies to prevent the spread and mitigate the negative impact of COVID-19 on essential health services, and help overcome misconceptions, misinformation, and disinformation related to pandemics in the country.                                        

The specific objectives are listed below:

• Design, review and update national SOPs and training curriculum on risk communications, integrating the latest evidence and learnings from the COVID-19 response, including evidence on effective strategies for combatting misinformation
• Work in collaboration with key stakeholders in the development of key messaging tools for interfaith leaders at the national & subnational level to promote behavior change, debunk misinformation and rumors, address public sentiment and perception of the vaccination, & generate confidence, trust, and demand for the vaccination uptake.
• Engage with key stakeholders, including civil society organizations on strategies for Covid-19 vaccine demand creation and reduction of vaccine hesitancy amongst clients, especially PLHIVs
• Develop and manage risk communications content through the production of high-quality, well-researched, and well-written materials (in a variety of mediums) & responding quickly and appropriately to requests for information
• Develop locally tailored, culturally, and linguistically sensitive risk communication messages, programs, and materials in collaboration with relevant key stakeholders
• Proactively design activities that mitigate the negative impact of COVID-19 on social cohesion, vulnerable groups, and essential health services.
• Drive community engagements through some key outreach techniques, tools, and mechanisms, that have enabled communication and provided feedback and input to respondents.
• Conducting, supporting, or commissioning assessments that provide insights on relevant community perceptions, knowledge, attitudes, and practices on key behaviors related to COVID-19.
• Design systems to align community network initiatives with the national strategy
• Facilitating arrangement of all relevant events and meetings.
• Contributing to assessment including data collection, analysis, and documentation.
• Supporting ICAP/COVID-19 media engagement activities with the public.
• Monitoring social media and ICAP/COVID-19 website on behavior assessment and keep the RCCE WG informed of the progress.
• Undertakes any additional relevant tasks as required by ICAP.

EDUCATION

• A master’s degree in communications, public health, social sciences, and international relations.
• A medical degree or related field from an accredited/recognized institute would be desirable.

EXPERIENCE, SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS

The Risk Communications Specialist must have the required skills and experiences as stated below:

Required

• At least five years of related experience, at the national and international level, in designing and implementing risk communications and community engagement activities for humanitarian emergency or health outbreak response and recovery efforts.
• Demonstrable experience in community engagement, community dialogues and sensitization initiatives to promote SBCC.
• Significant experience in using mobile technology, web technologies, and social media and developing behavior change campaigns, media engagement, and developing public communication products.
• Ability to work rapidly and efficiently in fast-paced, complex environments.
• Excellent interpersonal skills complemented by the ability to conceptualize ideas and advocate consensus.
• Experience planning and facilitating workshops and meetings, with excellent presentation skills.
• Ability to “think out of the box” and to make innovative proposals as related to risk communication.
• Ability to work effectively in a rapidly changing, fluid environment, including possessing skills in proactive and strategic thinking, problem-solving, demand prioritization, and flexibility.
• Strong knowledge of structures at national, state, and community levels and a minimum of one-year of working experience for a public.
• Working experience with Microsoft Excel, Google Docs, and DHIS2.
• Fluent in spoken and written English
• Interpersonal and team building and management skills.
• Courses in communication techniques such as graphic design, visual language, and in the use of mobile technology and social media in behavior change campaigns.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

Travel within Nigeria conducting capacity building, stakeholder relationship management, and Project activities.