Contract RISK COMMUNICATION AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT OFFICER
Job Description
The World Health Organization – Country Liaison Office, Vanuatu.
Employment Opportunity
Special Services Agreement (SSA): Risk communication and community engagement officer
The World Health Organization (WHO) invites applications for qualified individuals to service as Risk Communication and Community Engagement officer at the Ministry of Health in Vanuatu. The successful applicant will be based at the Office of the Director General in the Ministry of Health of Vanuatu and is accountable to the WHO CLO Vanuatu, based in Port Vila.
BACKGROUND
Effective risk communication and community engagement (RCCE) are essential for building public trust, shaping behavior, and ensuring the dissemination of credible, relevant, timely, accessible, and actionable health information. Access to such information is vital for encouraging communities to embrace life-saving health interventions, particularly during health emergencies. RCCE is recognized as a core capacity under the International Health Regulations (2005).
With the growing complexity of health challenges, particularly in areas such as sexual and reproductive health (SRH), tuberculosis (TB), malaria, leptospirosis, immunization, and the overall strengthening of health security, it is essential to fortify national communication systems.
This role will provide dedicated support to improve communication strategies focused on health promotion, prevention, behavior change, and RCCE, while addressing stigma, discrimination, and misinformation
The National Risk Communication Officer will report directly to the Director General of Health and collaborate closely with Manager Health Promotion and technical experts from the Ministry of Health, implementing partners, community organizations, and other stakeholders. Their efforts will ensure the delivery of culturally appropriate, evidence-based messages across all sectors of society, fostering inclusive communication that promotes health equity.
The WHO Country office is recruiting an experienced National Risk Communications Officer to provide support to the Ministry of Health. Major Duties and Responsibilities:
1. Development and implementation of strategies and plans:
- Oversee the development and implementation of strategies, plans, and SOPs in communication, risk communication, community engagement, and media engagement in close collaboration with technical experts in the Ministry of Health, to strengthen national communication systems in health security, and immunization.
2. Development of communication materials and tools:
- Develop and design culturally appropriate and scientifically accurate materials for print, broadcast, and social media, ensuring key health messages are understandable and accessible to diverse audiences and lead to adoption of life-saving health interventions.
- Manage the WHO CLO social media channels and work closely with the Division of South Pacific (DPS). Create tailored tools that further support detecting, assessing, and responding to misinformation • Tailor content to address specific health challenges, including immunization campaigns, and strengthen awareness of communicable diseases’ prevention, diagnostics, and treatment through effective communication platforms, while promoting behavior change, and reducing stigma.
3. Collaboration
- Collaborate with community-based organizations, development partners, and media outlets to ensure communication materials are effectively distributed through traditional, community, and digital channels. • Foster collaborations with local, regional, and international partners to enhance program delivery including infodemic management.
4. Capacity building amongst stakeholders
- Deliver capacity building activities in communication and risk communication and community engagement.
5. Monitoring and evaluating the impact of communication messages
- Establish and maintain an effective monitoring and evaluation framework to assess the progress of above mentioned campaigns and report on key indicators.
Job description:
The primary objectives of the National Risk Communications Officer:
- To support the development and implementation of RCCE and infodemic management strategies and plans, with specific focus health security and immunization.
- To develop and disseminate communication materials including for print and social media to ensure timely, accurate, and understandable health information is available to the public
- To develop and facilitate the planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of infodemic management strategies and the use of the related tools
- To track and assess the effectiveness of communication strategies, ensuring alignment with national health priorities and continuous
Education:
Must hold a bachelor’s degree in in communication, international relations, information technology, or a related field.
Experience:
- Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in risk communication, communication, media or marketing, preferably with a focus on health topics.
- Experience in working with Ministry of Health is an advantage.
- Experience working in areas such as communicable diseases or immunization is an advantage.
- Knowledge of WHO mandate and goals or experience in UN Organizations, international institutions or NGOs is considered an asset.
Language Skills:
Good knowledge of spoken and written English. French and Bislama are desirable
Competencies
- Excellent interpersonal, communication, and advocacy skills.
- Proven experience working with government agencies, NGOs, and international organizations. Understanding of national health system in Vanuatu.
- Familiarity with graphic design software
Medical clearance
The selected SSA will be expected to provide a medical certificate for fitness for work.
Contract Type: SSA
Monthly salary: 116,667 Vatu
Duty Station: Port Vila, Vanuatu
Duration of position: 4 months: From September to 31 December 2025
Extension of the position in 2026 may be possible and is subject to the availability of funds and satisfactory performance.
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