Risk Communications and Community Engagement (RCCE) Officer

The RCCE Officer will implement and supervise risk communication and community engagement activities in Ituri, supporting mobile IRC teams responding to the Ebola outbreak. The role requires strong contextual awareness, flexibility, and adherence to infection prevention and control protocols in a complex and rapidly evolving field environment.

Responsibilities

• Act as focal point for RCCE activities within IRC mobile teams
• Support RCCE assessments including stakeholder mapping
• Conduct consultations with target audiences on information needs and preferences, adapt messages and identify communication channels accordingly
• Compile and update information and messages in local languages for beneficiaries and communities, including health awareness, risk reduction, access to essential non-health services, and IRC service adaptations
• Plan and conduct awareness sessions with identified target audiences
• Collect community feedback and respond in collaboration with IRC Accountability/MEAL team
• Adapt messages based on community needs and feedback with support from RCCE Manager and IRC team members
• Develop and submit weekly plans, PRs and budgets for program activities
• Prepare and submit weekly activity reports to RCCE Manager
• Complete all relevant reporting, monitoring and evaluation tools for activities conducted
• File and archive all important project and activity documents and correspondence
• Contribute to weekly and monthly reports highlighting challenges, opportunities and progress
• Stay informed of developments in the community and surrounding areas affecting RCCE activities
• Report any concerns, trends and RCCE updates to supervisor
• Maintain good relations with IRC partners, local and international NGOs, government actors and authorities, community leaders and local communities
• Respect and actively support infection prevention and control measures as defined by health team
• Respect cross-cutting protection and safeguarding principles
• Promote and respect IRC principles, objectives and code of conduct
• Collaborate with protection and health staff to ensure safe and appropriate referrals to protection and health services
• Behave professionally and personally in a manner that values IRC's image and does not compromise its humanitarian mission
• Provide translation and interpretation during meetings, trainings and/or documents to assist expatriate staff if needed
• Perform any other tasks requested by supervisor to ensure program delivery

Requirements

• Diploma in a relevant field such as Public Health, Health Promotion, Social and Behavioral Sciences, Communication, Social Work, Psychology, Anthropology, Sociology, Education, or related field
• At least 2 years of professional experience in risk communication, community engagement, and working with vulnerable individuals or communities
• Experience in community engagement including designing and disseminating key messages, listening to community members and seeking solutions, working with diverse populations, and facilitating capacity building sessions
• Previous experience in Ebola outbreak response is a major asset
• Mastery of two-way communication with clients and communities
• Experience working in a national and/or international NGO; experience with IRC and knowledge of IRC systems and procedures is desirable
• Experience working in the field in an emergency context
• Willingness to think and work with a cross-cutting perspective
• Ability to write clear and concise reports
• Good planning and organizational skills and ability to formulate improvement recommendations
• Creative, innovative, flexible, and well-networked
• Positive, highly motivated with strong interpersonal skills
• Positive and professional attitude including ability to work well in a team
• Availability to work under pressure and in an unstable and dynamic environment
• Proficiency in computer tools, especially Microsoft Word and Excel
• Fluency in French and local languages of Ituri is required; English is an advantage

Skills

• Risk Communication
• Community Engagement
• Message Design
• Capacity Building
• Two-way Communication
• Ebola Response
• Emergency Field Work
• Report Writing
• Planning and Organization
• MS Word
• MS Excel
• Infection Prevention and Control
• Working with vulnerable groups
• Cross-cutting Perspective
• IRC Systems

Languages

French, English