Overview

As a federal enterprise, GIZ supports the German Government in achieving its objectives in the field of international cooperation for sustainable development.

The Support to Pandemic Preparedness in the EAC Region Project (PanPrep) assists the East African

Community Secretariat (EAC) in its coordinating and advisory role in Pandemic Preparedness for the EAC

Partner States. The project implements the Regional Contingency Plan, the One Health approach and the Regional Risk and Crisis Communication Strategy. PanPrep is currently looking to fill the position of an Advisor on Risk and Crisis Communication.

Duty station: Arusha, Tanzania (East African Community)

Fixed-term full-time contract

Risk and crisis communication (RCC) aims to empower citizens to take informed decisions. RCC provides continuous, timely information on hazards and potentially related risks based on facts and data. RCC translates science into lay-men’s language. The One Health approach is interpreted broadly at the regional level. It involves all stakeholders which are affected by an outbreak of an infectious disease or other event of public health concern, can contribute to the response and/or to mitigating its impact. PanPrep’s support to the EAC Secretariat aims to institutionalise RCC and the One Health approach at the Secretariat and sustainably implement it in the region.

Tasks

• Support the EAC with its advisory and coordinating function in pandemic preparedness and response in risk and crisis communication and community awareness in close cooperation with the Project Manager and the international Risk and Crisis Communication expert
• Assist to
• translate scientific findings into lay-men’s language
• analyse and summarise pandemic preparedness- and One Health-related research and activities in EAC and Partner States
• regularly inform stakeholders at regional and national levels on health-risk related scientific findings
• establish an RCC website / web portal and continuously provide content in close cooperation with different EAC Departments including EAC Communications
• inform the public in a timely manner on emerging and re-emerging risks and provide facts-based information on risk-prevention measures and behaviour
• cooperate with national ministries and scientific institutions as well as with regional and international institutions and organisations in this regard
• accompany and report on risk-related preparedness and response activities of the EAC Secretariat and PanPrep
• implement RCC and public awareness activities in high-risk areas
• write press releases and contributions for different websites and social media channels in close cooperation with EAC Comms and the EAC/GIZ Integration Programme’s communications’ experts
• establish a network of health and RCC communication experts and journalists in the region and cooperate closely with them in line with the EAC Concept Paper that frames regional and national RCC cooperation
• build RCC capacity at the EAC Secretariat
• build capacity on RCC and RCC-topics among selected stakeholders and media representatives
• monitor and evaluate the media response on EAC RCC and make the coverage available for the EAC Secretariat and Partner States
• Support the institutionalisation of One Health at Secretariat and Partner States’ level
• Further position One Health in the region through RCC
• Assist to prepare and implement an RCC component in the cross-border field simulation exercise between South Sudan and Uganda and to document the exercise
• Cooperate closely with PanPrep’s Regional Advisor on Pandemic Preparedness and One Health in this regard
• Assist to organise, participate in and report on respective meetings and workshops.
• Contribute expertise to requests from GIZ Head Office, Sectoral Initiatives and Global Programmes as well as BMZ
• Assist the Project Manager in the preparation and implementation of the appraisal mission for the followon project
• Contribute to the knowledge management process

Required qualifications, competencies, and experience

• PhD or Master’s degree in Journalism or Communications with a strong focus on science journalism
• Professional background or strong experience in a health-related field (e.g. human, veterinary, environmental, public of global health)
• At least 5 years proven professional experience in the field of RCC and/or science journalism at the national, regional or international level
• Sound knowledge of international, national and regional risk communication strategies meant to prevent and mitigate the spread of diseases (e.g. WHO, FAO, OIE)
• Sound knowledge of the cultural context in the EAC Partner States
• In-depth knowledge and understanding of and practical experience with the One Health approach
• Well connected with relevant media in the EAC region
• Proven practical experience in establishing and maintaining websites/portals
• Proven practical experience in using (social) media as a means for culturally adapted risk communication
• Profound advisory skills and client orientation
• Excellent communication skills
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English
• Ability to work in a multi-cultural team, independency, resilience, reliability and cultural adaptability
• Experience in working with regional or international institutions is an asset
• Knowledge of Swahili would be an asset
• Willingness to regularly travel in the region is a pre-requisite

Applications:

Interested candidates should send their letter of application together with the CV and copies of academic certificates by email to hr.giz-tanzania@giz.de.

 
Please use the subject line “Advisor RCC”.

Closing date for submission: 01.06.2021

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

GIZ Tanzania is an equal opportunities employer and encourages applications from all qualified and eligible candidates regardless of their gender, origin, religion/belief, disability or any other minority group.