Description

The mission of the World Health Organization's Health Emergencies Programme (EPR) is to enhance Member States' capacity to handle health emergency risks and coordinate the global health response during crises. A crucial aspect is risk communication to support governments in emergency responses, ensuring vulnerable populations understand protective measures, enhancing surveillance, and reducing misinformation.

The Infodemic Management Officer will collaborate with various stakeholders to implement WHO guidelines and Ministry of Health programs, focusing on promoting COVID-19 immunization and building national health system preparedness for future outbreaks. Emphasizing behaviors to combat misinformation during the pandemic and safeguard public health.

Reporting to the Emergency, Preparedness and Response team lead, the officer will work closely with the External Relations Cluster and key health authorities to improve Risk Communications and Community Engagement.

Description of Duties:

• Support the development of the COVID-19 Transition Plan and document responses focusing on Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE)
• Monitor discussions about COVID-19 and other diseases across media platforms for informed interventions
• Collaborate with the Communications Officer to create informative content countering misinformation
• Document lessons learned and share knowledge
• Aid in developing materials and systems for risk communication and community engagement
• Participate in creating partnerships and engaging stakeholders to strengthen vaccination efforts and counter risks like rumors through community involvement
• Contribute to strategy development for proactive rumor tracking in digital and community settings
• Prepare thematic discourse analysis reports bi-weekly on topics like vaccines and diseases
• Support the setup and management of a Viral Facts hotline and Portuguese social media channels for addressing misinformation
• Organize meetings, trainings, and events with communities and partners to enhance understanding and dissemination of information through various channels
• Perform assigned functions from the supervisor
Qualifications, Experience, Skills, and Languages:

Educational Qualifications:
• Essential: Bachelor's degree in information management, information technology, communications, or social science
• Desirable: Training in Infodemic management
Experience:
• Essential: 1 year promoting social programs or communication with national/international organizations in risk communication, health promotion, public health, or development
• Desirable: Experience in monitoring and countering infodemics, developing training materials
Skills/Knowledge:
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work under deadlines in changing environments with competing priorities
• Understanding of risk communication and community engagement strategies
• Proficient in online information dissemination via social media and web platforms
• Knowledge of communication's impact on organization reputation and successful use of web and social media
• Proficiency in Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and editing
• Excellent English and Portuguese skills