Qualifications

1.       Area of expertise:  Infodemic management Specialist

2.       Purpose of consultancy: Support to the Ministry of Health of Angola for the coordination of programs and activities related to promoting immunization against COVID-19 as well as reinforce the preparedness of the national health system against future outbreak

3.       Background 

The mission of the World Health Organization’s Health Emergencies Programme (WHE) is to build the capacity of Member States to manage health emergency risks and to lead and coordinate the international health response when national capacities are overwhelmed, to contain outbreaks and to provide adequate relief and recovery to affected populations.

Risk communication is a cross-cutting program that contributes to the organisation’s support to governments in responding to emergencies, enabling those most at risk to understand and adopt protective behaviours during a crisis, facilitate enhanced surveillance, reduce confusion, and minimise miscommunication and rumours.

Thus, the Infodemic Management Consultant, as part of the Communication and Community Engagement initiative, will use WHO guidelines, programs from the Ministry of Health and other relevant documents to support for 12 months the coordination of programs and activities related to promoting immunisation against COVID-19 as well as reinforce the preparedness of the national health system against future outbreaks. They are promoting behaviours and practices necessary to combat rumours as part of the pandemic response and to protect public health.

Under the coordination of the Emergency, Preparedness and Response team lead collaborating closely with the External Relations Cluster, the consultant will work directly with the National Directorate of Public Health, provincial health directorates, UN agencies and relevant stakeholders to improve Risk Communications and Community Engagement.

4.       Deliverables

1.Set up a digital monitoring system to track rumours and misinformation in both digital and media

2.Prepared and shared bi-weekly thematic discourse analysis reports with critical partners around thematic topics (for example, vaccines and diseases…)

3.Set up and managed the Viral Facts hotline and social media channels and provided at least one piece of daily content addressing misinformation.

4.Created a network of partnerships with stakeholders and strengthened multidisciplinary and multi-sectoral collaboration to strengthen vaccination and combat its risk factors, such as rumours, including community engagement.

5.Developed plans and ensured regular rumour track and monitoring both in the digital sphere and communities.

6.Organised meetings, training, focus groups, and production of critical materials and events involving communities and key partners to both understand the situation and boost the dissemination networks and content through different channels.

5.       Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Educational Qualifications:  

Essential: First university degree in information management or information technology or communications, or social science

Desirable: Training or specialization in Infodemic management

Experience 

Essential: Five years’ experience managing and promoting social programs and communication, working with national/international organizations involved in Risk Communication, health promotion, public health, or development

Desirable: Strong understanding of risk communication and community engagement strategies.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Experience in monitoring and countering infodemics.

Ability to work in multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural teams.

Experience in developing training materials and modules

Skills/Knowledge:

Essential:

Commitment to WHO’s values and objectives

Ability to work flexibly within short deadlines in a changing environment with competing priorities

Share a results-oriented work ethic

Fostering integration and teamwork

Ability to Create an empowering and motivating environment

Ability to communicate with respect, tact and diplomacy

Thorough knowledge of the principles, techniques, and practices of online dissemination of information via social media mechanisms and the web.

Thorough understanding of the impact of communications on an organisation’s reputation, image, and success, as well as the web and social media’s role in this regard. 

Fluency in using Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint

Languages and level required (Basic/Intermediate/Expert):

Essential:

Expert knowledge of Portuguese speaking, writing, and editing skills

Intermediate knowledge of English