EpiC Project Description:

The Meeting Targets and Maintaining Epidemic Control (EpiC) project (2019–2027), a global project funded by the U.S. Government, provides strategic technical assistance and direct service delivery to achieve HIV epidemic control among at-risk and vulnerable populations and strengthen global health security (GHS), including COVID-19 response.

EpiC Kazakhstan is expanding its technical scope to include GHS, recognizing its critical role in strengthening capacities to prevent, detect, and respond to infectious diseases threats in alignment with national and USG priorities. In line with this, we are seeking qualified candidates for the position of Evidence-based public health public health messaging and Advisor (EMCE) for GHS.

The position is open to Kazakh residents and will be based in Almaty, Kazakhstan.

The technical responsibilities listed below may be adjusted based on the activities approved in the project workplan.

Job Description

The EpiC Kazakhstan EMCE Advisor for GHS will be responsible for managing and monitoring multilevel, multisectoral and multifaceted EMCE capacity strengthening activities of the project in the country; provide technical support to all relevant ministries and their structural divisions on real-time exchange of information, advice and opinions during unusual and unexpected events and emergencies so that informed decisions to mitigate the effects of threats, and protective and preventive action can be made. This includes a mix of communication and engagement strategies, such as media and social media communications, mass awareness campaigns, health promotion, social mobilization, stakeholder engagement, community engagement and infodemic management. They will be responsible for the technical inputs to the annual work planning at the country level, will take the lead in developing guidelines/policies for the EMCE strengthening activities, will participate in technical thought leadership both at the regional and country-levels.

Position Responsibilities:

• Strengthen national and local capacity including government partners, communities, faith-based groups, media and communications actors—to communicate accurately during public health emergencies and counter misinformation.
• Integrate EMCE across all emergency response efforts to prevent duplication and maximize the use of shared EMCE resources, standards, indicators, evidence, and expertise.
• Establish mentoring and technical support systems for national and subnational actors to improve the quality of EMCE approaches.
• Develop strong knowledge management systems for documenting approaches, lessons learned, and best practices.
• Monitor and analyze trending questions by demographic factors, map them to existing content, and identify gaps and priorities.

• Coordinate infodemic management efforts to strengthen digital and health literacy and mitigate misinformation impacts.
• Ensure balanced engagement, combining digital outreach with safe, well-resourced in-person communication, especially for vulnerable groups with limited digital access.
• Build the capacity of community health workers and local actors through training, tools, and interpersonal communication skills. And Promote community ownership by investing in systems and processes that support community-centered approaches.
• Improve access to accurate EMCE materials in relevant, accessible, and multilingual formats.
• Collaborate with ministries and national institutions to support project design, implementation, and monitoring.
• Provide technical assistance to help national counterparts achieve operational EMCE systems and implement multihazard, multisectoral EMCE plans.
• Coordinate with project teams on work plans, reporting, presentations, and representation activities.
• Ensure alignment with the global GHS EMCE team to promote synergies and cross-country learning.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in public health, health education, health communication, or health promotion or in any of the fields related to the functions of the position.
• At least five years of related experience, at the national and international levels, in EMCE, working in disease outbreaks or health emergencies.
• Proven experience in the development and implementation of EMCE strategies and plans.
• Proven experience in formulating and implementing complex communication strategies.
• Practical knowledge and proven skills in emergency/disaster management concepts and tools and their applications, especially related to managing health emergency/disaster operations.
• Proven experience in how to strengthen trust between and amongst communities, understand how communities respond (who and what they listen to), create two-way dialogue, etc. Ability to contextualize and guide different populations and support the development and dissemination of relevant EMCE strategies.
• Experience in designing and/or community engagement projects in development and/or humanitarian contexts- participatory approaches.
• Experience managing and liaising with diverse stakeholders.
• Demonstrated creative problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated experience in training and mentoring staff and others.
• English and Kazakh and Russian language fluency required.

Travel Requirements:

• 20%, mostly within the Kazakhstan

This job description summarizes the main duties of the job. It neither prescribes nor restricts the exact tasks that may be assigned to carry out these duties. This document should not be construed in any way to represent a contract of employment. Management reserves the right to review and revise this document at any time.

This job posting summarizes the main duties of the job. It neither prescribes nor restricts the exact tasks that may be assigned to carry out these duties. This document should not be construed in any way to represent a contract of employment. Management reserves the right to review and revise this document at any time.

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