Short-Term Consultant - Risk Communication, Communication Engagement, and Infodemic Management Specialist

Project: Gabay Bakuna Consequential Immunization Geographies Initiative Project (US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s [CDC] Strengthening Immunization Program Implementation in Sub-National Consequential Geographies - Philippines)

Rationale: In 2020, an estimated 17 million children worldwide were completely unvaccinated against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis in 10 countries where 65% of these children live. The Philippines was included among the 10 countries with the highest number of unvaccinated children for the said diseases, or what are called “zero-dose” children. Hence, the United States Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (US CDC) has included the Philippines as one of the countries in Asia for a project on consequential geographies to address zero-dose children, measles, polio, and vaccination during public health emergencies.

The Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) Working Group on Vaccine Hesitancy (VH) was established in 2012. Vaccine hesitancy (VH) was defined as the delay in acceptance or refusal of vaccination despite the availability of vaccination services. The World Health Organization (WHO) identified VH as one of the top 10 global health threats, drawing attention to the public health challenge caused by parental refusal of routine immunization in 2019.
The “Gabay Bakuna” Consequential Immunization Geographies Initiative Project calls to action to build human resources capacity, identify problems at the source, co-develop and implement locally-tailored solutions. The Project aims to prevent, detect, and respond to vaccine-preventable disease outbreaks at the national and subnational levels, anchored on strategies 1) strengthening immunization services in targeted subnational areas, and 4) fostering immunization program sustainability. The Project’s regional capacity strengthening and technical assistance to the DOH Health Promotion Bureau and the DOH Center for Health Development IV-A Health Education, Promotion, and Communication Management Unit (DOH CHD IV-A HEPCMD), risk communication, community engagement, and infodemic management (RCCE IM) has been identified. Through this project component, Regional, provincial, and city (or municipal) front liners will be equipped with a strategy for crisis (or risk) communication and handling misinformation. 

In partnership with other Gabay Bakuna partners, IMA World Health, and its consortium partner, Jhpiego will contract a short-term consultant to develop a “first line of response” toolkit for barangay health workers (BHWs).

The Project is looking for a “Risk Communication, Community Engagement, and Infodemic Management (RCCE-IM) Specialist” who will be contracted as a short-term consultant. He/She will develop the “first line of response” toolkit for barangay health workers as part of the related activities of Gabay Bakuna on crisis communication. The RCCE-IM Specialist will participate in workshops and meetings of jointly organized by IMA World Health, together with its consortium partner, and Jhpiego. He/She will work closely with the Jhpiego Immunization Team, US CDC representatives, other Gabay Bakuna partners, and the concerned offices of the DOH Health Promotion Bureau, National Immunization Program, the DOH CHD IV-A Regional Immunization Team, and DOH CHD IV-A Health Education, Promotion, and Communication Management Unit. He/She shall provide technical recommendations in the finalization of the toolkit, facilitate breakout sessions on the said toolkit development, and continue providing his/her technical expertise in follow-up meetings on RCCE-IM of the Gabay Bakuna Project. He/She will integrate participatory methods in the toolkit design via the co-design workshop scheduled for mid-August 2025. Insights and feedback gathered during this workshop will directly inform the content, tone, and structure of the toolkit to ensure local relevance, practicality, and cultural appropriateness.

Specific Responsibilities:

1. Work closely with the Immunization Technical Advisor, the Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Officer, Project Coordinator, other Jhpiego Immunization Portfolio staff, and other Gabay Bakuna Project consultants involved that require coordination or collaboration, to ensure the quality of implementation of the Project;
2. In partnership with Jhpiego’s coordination, work closely with IMA World Health’s consortium partner involved in the broader activity design for strengthening local-level capacity on RCCE-IM.
3. Participate and attend regular check-ins that will be scheduled as needed to ensure harmonization of technical approaches, language framing, and messaging strategies.
4. Together with IMA World Health, work in partnership with the DOH Health Promotion Bureau (HPB) and the DOH CHD IV-A CALABARZON Health Education, Promotion, and Communication Management Unit (HEPCMU), with logistical assistance and support from the Jhpiego Immunization Team;
5. Develop and design the first line of response toolkit for barangay health workers;
6. Prepare technical recommendations for policy and operational guidelines to be used by the Department of Health (DOH), the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), and local government units (LGUs);
7. Prepare summaries and documentation of meeting agreements, technical inputs of DOH partners and stakeholders for the development of the toolkit; and,
8. Prepare and submit activity and progress reports, and the final report

• A graduate with a degree in any of the following disciplines: Bachelor’s Degree in Broadcast Communication, Communications Research, Mass Communication, Development Communication, Health Communication, Journalism, Media Arts, Multimedia Arts, Public Health (Major in Health Education and Promotion), and Community Development;
• Applicants with completed units or a Master’s degree in Development Communication, or Public Health (Major in Health Education and Promotion), or other related degrees, will be an advantage, but not required;
• Equivalent professional experience in any of the following sectors: health, education, social welfare, science and technology, community organization or mobilization, mass media, information management, academe, or other development sector, either at the national, subnational, or local government level, is also preferred;
• Minimum of at least two to three (2-3) years of experience working in any of the following: public health, health promotion, health communication campaigns, health emergencies, information agencies or organizations, broadcast, and other mass media organizations;
• Minimum of at least one (1) year of experience working with teams of development agencies, international or local non-government, or non-profit organizations involved in social behavior communication change, crisis/risk communication, rumor management, or infodemic management;
• Good understanding and knowledge of health communication, health promotion, public health, Philippine health system, immunization, vaccine hesitancy, vaccine confidence, vaccine uptake, adverse events following immunization (AEFI), risk communication, health emergencies, or disease outbreaks;
• Good understanding of project management and the relationship of communication strategies;
• Work experience in developing toolkits, modules, or information, education and communication (IEC) packages;
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills;
• Ability to work under pressure, priorities, schedule, and balance workloads in the face of conflicting and uneven demands;
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office software applications, e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.
• Should be able to identify and solve problems that may arise during administrative and logistical processes, and be able to manage multiple tasks at once and prioritize tasks based on urgency and importance;
• Should have excellent attention to detail to ensure that all administrative and logistical tasks are complied accurately and efficiently;
• Experience in report writing and good communication skills with excellent oral and written communication skills in English and Filipino; and,
• Amenable to travel within Metro Manila and Region IV-A (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon) as needed.