Health Risk Communications Lead for PHS R&R Activity at Pact

Pact Overview

At the heart of Pact is the promise of a better tomorrow. A nonprofit international development organization founded in 1971, Pact works on the ground in nearly 40 countries to improve the lives of those who are challenged by poverty and marginalization. We serve these communities because we envision a world where everyone owns their future. To do this, we build systemic solutions in partnership with local organizations, businesses, and governments that create sustainable and resilient communities where those we serve are heard, capable, and vibrant.

Pact is a recognized global leader in international development. Our staff have a range of expertise in areas including public health, capacity development, governance and civil society, natural resource management, poverty, fragile states, monitoring and evaluation, small-scale and artisanal mining, microfinance and more. This expertise is combined in Pact’s unique integrated approach, which focuses on systemic changes needed to improve people’s lives.

Position Purpose

Pact seeks an experienced Health Risk Communications Lead for the five-year USAID/Ukraine year Public Health System Recovery and Resilience (PHS R&R) Activity. The primary goal of PHS R&R is to strengthen the Government of Ukraine (GoU)’s capacity to prevent, detect and respond to public health threats, sustain critical public health services during a crisis, and protect the health of all Ukrainians including vulnerable and marginalized groups. The Health Risk Communications Lead will spearhead PHS R&R’s technical assistance to the Ministry of Health’s Center for Public Health (MOH/CPH) and strengthen the capacity of the regional Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (rCDCPs) and leaders of territorial communities in effective risk and crisis communications as well as behavior change communications (BCC). The Health Risk Communications Lead will be responsible for establishing strong collaboration with MOH/CPH, rCDCPs and other local stakeholders; serving as a subject matter expert in risk communications and BCC; and leading the design and implementation of technical assistance and capacity strengthening support in risk communications and BCC at all levels of the public health system. This position reports directly to the PHS R&R Deputy Chief of Party/Technical Director.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan, develop, implement, and monitor PHS R&R activities to strengthen risk communications and BCC at national and regional levels through building the capacities of CPH, rCDCPs and leaders of territorial communities, and work with technical resources at country, regional and global levels to train and prepare public health personnel in effective risk and crisis communications and BCC strategies and interventions.
• Oversee and manage day-to-day project support to respond to technical assistance needs of MOH/CPH and rCDCPs in risk and crisis communications and BCC, per needs identified.
• Support MOH/CPH, rCDCPs, and territorial communities to build collaborative relationships and coordination mechanisms for priority risk communications and BCC issues, and integration of risk communications and BCC in public health planning, including emergency preparedness and response plans.
• Support and facilitate the development and adaptation of regionally and locally relevant health risk communications and BCC strategies, action plans in collaboration with MOH/CPH, rCDCPs, and territorial communities.
• Support the development/adaptation of relevant information, education and communications materials, tools, and job aids to be used by public health personnel responsible for risk and crisis communications and BCC activities with the public, and ensure materials integrate risk communications and BCC principles and practice.
• Mentor and coach public health personnel/focal points to practice effective risk communications and BCC with the public using multiple channels, including digital, with key target audiences.
• Ensure that PHS R&R activities for strengthening health risk communications and BCC reflect best practices, evidence, and guidelines from MOH/CPH, WHO, USAID, and CDC.
• Strengthen internal communications and partner coordination within and between MOH/CPH and rCDCPs as part of strengthening the overall public health system in Ukraine.
• Support tracking of risk communications and BCC activities to assess/evaluate successes and lessons learned for continuous improvement and adaptation.
• Participate actively in national and regional meetings and technical working groups to strengthen strategies and capabilities for health risk and crisis communications and BCC as an essential public health function.
• Provide technical inputs into project work planning, tools development, learning reviews, and project reports related to health risk communications and BCC activities.
• Ensure integration of health risk communications and BCC activities with other public health system strengthening strategies and interventions implemented in PHS R&R, including emergency response and preparedness, disease surveillance, routine immunization, and mental health.

Basic Requirements

• Master’s degree or higher from an accredited university in medicine, public health, social work, health communication/promotion/behavior change, health and human services, or a related field is required
• At least eight years of experience developing, implementing, and/or monitoring health programs, with experience in health program management, health education, health communications, and/or health promotion.
• Broad understanding of public health, health systems, and health emergency preparedness and response in Ukraine.
• Experience working with national and regional government and community stakeholders in Ukraine.
• Experience with capacity building of government institutions and personnel.
• Demonstrated leadership and team management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work in complex environments and work with and between different stakeholders.
• Demonstrated skills in problem solving and consensus building.
• The candidate must be demonstrably proficient in (oral, writing and reading) Ukrainian, Russian, and English.
• Ability to travel within Ukraine and occasionally internationally, when health and safety situation allows.
• Ukrainian nationality.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with the Ukraine Ministry of Health and Center for Public Health on health emergencies, vaccination, and/or response to epidemics.

To apply please send cover letter and CV no later than April 10, 2023. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Pact is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in its selection and employment practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, citizenship status, genetic information, matriculation, family responsibilities, personal appearance, credit information, tobacco use (except in the workplace), membership in an employee organization, or other protected classifications or non-merit factors.

2023-03-14T08:52:39.000 2023-04-10T23:59:59.000 Full time TELECOMMUTE Ukraine Pact, Inc.