Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) Officer

The RCCE Officer will be responsible for supporting the Department of Health to develop, implement, monitor, and evaluate evidence-based Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) strategies and activities that engage communities and communicate risk-related information effectively. Effective RCCE is central to building trust, managing rumours and misinformation, strengthening social and community listening, and promoting behaviour change to support public health responses, including during disease outbreaks, emergencies, and health campaigns. This role is framed by and contributes to broader processes of strengthening the national RCCE system, which include: reviewing existing RCCE guidelines; supporting the review, refinement, updating, and operationalisation of NDoH’s draft Social and Community Listening (SCL) framework in line with WHO/UNICEF standards and guidance; supporting the strengthening of coordination and multisectoral collaboration under the leadership of NDoH; refining implementation approaches; and improving knowledge management and documentation. A significant element of the work relates to strengthening systems for misinformation tracking and analysis, community feedback mechanisms, reporting and feedback loops, and supporting district capacity to implement SCL approaches.

The RCCE Officer is a Full Time Fixed-Term role. Any contract renewal will be subject to funding availability and the ongoing needs of the organisation. The position will be seconded to the NDOH Office in Pretoria.   

• Participate in RCCE, health cluster, technical working group, and partner coordination meetings to support alignment and cross-sectoral collaboration.
• Work closely with NDoH, provinces, districts, NGOs, UNICEF, and other relevant partners to support alignment and implementation of RCCE and Social and Community Listening (SCL) activities.
• Support the review, refinement, updating, and operationalisation of NDoH’s draft Social and Community Listening (SCL) framework in line with WHO/UNICEF standards and guidance.
• Support the planning, coordination, and documentation of multistakeholder RCCE workshops to review and validate the draft SCL framework.
• Facilitate and produce reports on RCCE/SCL capacity or skills assessments at provincial and district level, including supporting the development or adaptation of assessment tools where required.
• Facilitate the mapping and strengthening of misinformation tracking and analysis, reporting and feedback mechanisms, data storage and management, including the development of Standard Operating Procedures.
• Support the establishment or strengthening of community feedback mechanisms, including data collection, analysis, reporting, escalation of community concerns, and closing the feedback loop to communities.
• Facilitate monitoring of misinformation, rumours, and community concerns through available feedback systems.
• Regularly produce rumour tracking reports to inform interventions, including national communication strategies.
• Support the development and use of reporting tools on RCCE/SCL indicators to be used by provinces and districts.
• Support the systematic collection, analysis, synthesis, and reporting of RCCE indicators, community feedback, misinformation trends, and implementation progress from provinces and districts.
• Support the development and dissemination of evidence-informed, accurate, timely, and culturally appropriate health messages.
• Support the coordination of multi-channel communication campaigns, including radio, social media, IEC materials, community forums, and digital platforms.
• Provide technical support on integrating RCCE and SCL approaches into NDoH emergency preparedness and response plans, outbreak response activities, and relevant health campaigns.
• Provide technical support on the prevention of vaccine-preventable disease outbreaks through EPI zero-dose demand creation interventions, where relevant.
• Support the development and strengthening of community engagement systems that meet minimum standards and enable community voices to inform public health strategies.
• Support provinces and districts to facilitate community dialogues, focus groups, and participatory activities to ensure local voices are reflected in relevant NDoH RCCE strategies.
• Support capacity strengthening of RCCE teams at provincial and district level on SCL approaches, misinformation tracking and analysis, reporting and feedback mechanisms, data storage and management, and related SOPs.
• Support the identification and engagement of stakeholders and partners to strengthen RCCE coordination, planning, and resource alignment.
• Contribute to documentation and knowledge management, including meeting reports, workshop reports, activity reports, presentations, lessons learned, and other project deliverables.
• Perform any other related duties in support of RCCE and Pandemic Fund project objectives.

• An appropriate recognised undergraduate qualification (NQF Level 7), preferably a bachelor’s degree in public health, Communications, Social and Behaviour Change, Social Sciences, Development Studies, Health Promotion, or a related field.
• Minimum of 6 years’ experience in health communication, community engagement, or social mobilization, preferably in South Africa or similar contexts.
• Experience working in emergency response, outbreak preparedness, or public health campaigns is an asset.
• Knowledge of local languages, customs, and community structures.
• Valid driver’s license

Salary: R 575, 100 per annum excluding benefits

Jhpiego, a Johns Hopkins University affiliate, is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of gender, marital status, pregnancy, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, other legally protected characteristics or any other occupationally irrelevant criteria. Jhpiego promotes Affirmative Action for minorities, women, individuals who are disabled, and veterans.

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