RCCE Interagency Coordinator Full-Time

Organizational Context

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, with a network of 191-member National Societies (NSs). The overall aim of IFRC is “to inspire, encourage, facilitate, and promote at all times all forms of humanitarian activities by NSs with a view to preventing and alleviating human suffering and thereby contributing to the maintenance and promotion of human dignity and peace in the world.” IFRC works to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people before, during and after disasters, health emergencies and other crises.

IFRC is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (Movement), together with its member National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The work of IFRC is guided by the following fundamental principles: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality.

IFRC is led by its Secretary General, and has its Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. The Headquarters are organized into three main Divisions: (i) National Society Development and Operations Coordination; (ii) Global Relations, Humanitarian Diplomacy and Digitalization; and (iii) Management Policy, Strategy and Corporate Services.

IFRC has five regional offices in Africa, Asia Pacific, Middle East and North Africa, Europe, and the Americas. IFRC also has country cluster delegations and country delegations throughout the world. Together, the Geneva Headquarters and the field structure (regional, cluster and country) comprise the IFRC Secretariat.

IFRC has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment and other forms of harassment, abuse of authority, discrimination, and lack of integrity (including but not limited to financial misconduct). IFRC also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles.

Job Purpose

Mozambique is suffering from one of the deadliest cholera outbreaks in 25 years. Though, cholera is endemic in the country, the latest outbreak is more persistent and could rapidly escalate, spreading quickly and increasing the number of deaths. The first case of cholera in the current outbreak was reported to the Ministry of Health and WHO from Lago district in Niassa province on 14 September 2022. As of January 2024 , a cumulative total of 43,000 cases and 165 deaths have been reported. The outbreak has a very large geographical spread, with 30 districts in 7 provinces affected. While the outbreak has fluctuated in intensity, , cholera cases are still active across the country and expected to increase with the start of the rain and cyclone season. In addition the recent surge in cases in neighouring Zambia, Zimbabwe and Malawi highlights the greater risks for Mozambique.

WHO, UNICEF, IFRC and other partners are providing support to the Ministry of Health to reduce community transmission, provide treatment solutions, improve WASH, and vaccinate affected communities. As a transversal pillar, RCCE supports this effort by providing social and cultural evidence and engagement solutions. Among others, RCCE activities include engagement with faith and traditional leaders, mobilising influencers, supporting radio shows, and developing jingles and IEC materials. Ultimately, RCCE facilitates the co-construction of response activities focusing on long-term sustainability.

In 2023 the Minister of Health established a Cholera Task force co-chaired by the Ministry of Health and the National Institute of Health (INS) to plan and coordinate the disease elimination by 2030. While the finalisation of the National Plan is ongoing, the Ministry of Health, with the support of WHO and UNICEF, initiated regular national RCCE coordination meetings to address the current cholera needs by sharing data, implement evidence-based interventions, and reduce duplication efforts.

The purpose of the assignment is to operationalize and strengthen the RCCE coordination with MOH and RCCE partners across the WASH and Health Clusters, as well as within the RCRC movement partners present in the country.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Facilitate the RCCE Sub-Committee weekly meetings with the MoH, developing agendas, minutes and action points and disseminating them with partners.
• Actively engage RCCE partners to promote engagement in coordination at national and district levels.
• Provide vision and guidance to the RCCE Sub-Committee informed by MoH action plans and strategies, with a
  particular focus on prioritisation of cholera and integrated RCCE activities.
• Promote the use and adaption of existing Collective Service tools and guidance for implementation of coordinated community engagement approaches.
• Update RCCE partners 4Ws to map which partners are implementing or have the capacity to implement RCCE activities in which districts.
• Integrate RCCE partner mapping with OCHA tools.
• Support evidence-based review of IEC materials and RCCE activities.
• Facilitate discussions and agree on actions based on trends identified in community feedback data.
• Review and promote digital RCCE activities and channels for two-way communication with communities about Cholera and other public health emergencies.
• Provide a platform for partners to share best practices and lessons learned about RCCE in public health emergencies.
• Interact and work closely with other response pillars (Surveillance, Case Management, etc) to improve the overall quality of the response to the public health emergencies.
• Support internal RCCE mechanisms within the National Society, including but not limited to developing an RCCE strategy aligned with the Inter-Agency coordination and build the NS capacity to use RCCE tools, practices and approaches.

Education

• Master level university degree in social sciences, behavioral sciences, development sciences, communications, humanities or related fields from an accredited/recognized institute.

Experience

• Experience with Partner coordination and technical support provision to national governments.
• At least 5 years of proven experience in Risk communication and Community Engagement/or Communication for Development/Social and Behavior Change Communication.
• Previous experience supporting disease outbreak preparedness and/or response.

Knowledge, Skills and Languages

• Expertise of RCCE concepts and guidance; how to strengthen trust between, and amongst communities, understand how communities are responding (who and what they listen to), creating two-way dialogue, etc. Ability to contextualize and provide guidance to different populations and support development and dissemination of relevant RCCE strategies.
• Expertise in supporting capacity assessments and capacity building.
• Excellent planning and coordination skills, with proven ability to work with various stakeholders.
• Fluent spoken and written English & Portuguese required.

Competencies, Values and Comments

• Builds and Maintains Partnerships.
• Thinks and acts strategically.
• Drive to achieve results for impact.
• Manages ambiguity and complexity.
• Works collaboratively with others.