ABOUT FHI 360:
FHI 360 is a nonprofit organization that mobilizes research, resources, and relationships so that people everywhere can access the opportunities they need to lead full, healthy lives. Our staff of more than 2,000 experts work in over 50 countries around the world.
PROJECT OVERVIEW:
The Meeting Targets and Maintaining Epidemic Control (EpiC) project is a global health initiative funded by the U.S. Department of State, running from 2019 to 2027. In the Philippines, EpiC has two workplans each with its own technical scope and budget, one focused on achieving HIV epidemic control and one focused on strengthening global health security (GHS). The role outlined in this job description supports EpiCโs GHS workplan.
EpiCโs GHS workplan aims to strengthen national, subnational, and local capacities for the prevention, detection, and response to public health emergencies, including pandemic preparedness. Support is delivered across multiple technical areas, including Zoonotic Diseases, Biosafety and Biosecurity, National Laboratory Systems, Surveillance, Public Health Emergency Management, Infection Prevention and Control (IPC), and Evidence-Based Public Health Messaging. All activities and sub-activities under each technical area are aligned with and informed by national priorities and strategies, including the National Action Plan for Health Security (2025โ2030), the National Framework of the Philippine Health Laboratory System (PHLS), and the National Laboratory Strategic Plan (NLSP) 2025โ2030.
JOB SUMMARY:
The Senior Technical Specialist โ Evidence-Based Public Health Messaging and Community Engagement (EMCE) will support the design, implementation, and monitoring of EpiCโs EMCE activities at national, regional, and local levels. Working under the supervision of the Technical Advisor/EMCE, the Senior Technical Specialist ensures that communication and engagement interventions to prevent, detect, and respond to emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases are integrated into the broader public health emergency management system and synchronized with surveillance, laboratory, and rapid response team (RRT) activation.
This role focuses on strengthening community-centered emergency communication capabilitiesโincluding infodemic management, social listening, rapid message dissemination, and two-way feedback loopsโensuring that individuals and communities can take timely action during disease outbreaks. The Senior Technical Specialist collaborates closely with DOH bureaus (including the Health Promotion Bureau), public health emergency operations centers (PHEOCs), regional field teams, local government units (LGUs), and subaward partners to operationalize EMCE within the EpiC GHSโs Nationwide ScaleโStrategic Depth model. The position contributes to planning, technical implementation, learning, and reporting across EMCE workstreams while supporting real-time adaptive management throughout the project lifecycle.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Technical Implementation and Coordination
Support implementation of all EMCE activities across project sites, ensuring alignment with national guidelines, outbreak priorities, and the GHS workplan.
Assist the Technical Advisor/EMCE in developing standardized national templates, guidance, and toolkits for rapid emergency messaging, rumor management, and community engagement.
2. National-Level Systems Strengthening
Contribute to the institutionalization of EMCE systems within DOH structures, including social listening models, community feedback mechanisms, and real-time rumor tracking linked to PHEOC workflows.
Provide technical inputs to national guidelines, SOPs, job aids, IEC development, and data use strategies for EMCE.
3. Strategic Depth and Subnational Support
Work with regional and local partners (LGUs, local epidemiology surveillance units, PHEOCs) to operationalize localized EMCE systemsโincluding community information channels, focal point networks, and feedback loops.
Provide mentoring, supportive supervision, and capacity building to regional field implementers and community-level actors involved in outbreak risk communication.
4. Integration with Multidisciplinary Response
Coordinate closely with surveillance, laboratory, IPC, and emergency management teams to ensure EMCE activation is synchronized with outbreak triggers, specimen movement, case confirmation, and RRT deployments.
Participate in field coordination meetings and contribute to integrated field plans as required.
5. Training, Learning, and Capacity Development
Co-develop and facilitate EMCE-related training packages, webinars, practical exercises, and cross-learning sessions for national and subnational partners.
Support human-centered design and community co-creation approaches for message refinement and delivery.
6. Knowledge Products and Reporting
Develop clear, actionable knowledge materials including briefs, reports, presentations, IECs, training manuals, and success stories.
Review subaward deliverables and subcontractor work packages related to EMCE.
7. Monitoring, Evaluation, and Improvement
Support development and tracking of EMCE indicators and dashboards.
Document lessons learned, identify promising practices, and recommend adaptive changes to improve future outbreak messaging and community uptake.
8. Cross-Team Collaboration and Representation
Coordinate EMCE-related partner engagement across national and regional stakeholders and represent the project in multi-agency technical working groups when delegated.
Support development of donor-required reports, presentations, and updates, ensuring accuracy, technical quality, and timely submission.
Work closely with the Senior Communications Specialist to ensure all EMCE productsโincluding communications materials, tools, training packages, and public-facing contentโadhere to U.S. Government branding and marking requirements and FHI 360 communication policies.
Participate in routine communication with the funder as requested, ensuring alignment with contractual obligations, reporting expectations, and compliance standards.
Perform other duties consistent with the scope as assigned by the Technical Advisor/EMCE.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
Demonstrated technical knowledge and practical application of communication and stakeholder engagement principles in public health emergencies and infectious disease outbreaks.
Proficiency in using various information and communication tools, platforms, and channels in health programming.
Excellent oral and written communication skills in English and Filipino; fluency in other local languages is an advantage.
Has sensitivity to cultural diversity and understanding of the political, contextual, and ethical issues in assigned areas.
Articulate, professional, and able to communicate in a clear, positive manner with clients and staff.
Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to train, mentor, influence, and collaborate with others are also required.
WORKING CONDITIONS AND TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS:
Usual office working conditions.
Ability to travel domestically at least 30%.
EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:
Bachelorโs degree (Masterโs degree preferred) in communication, social or behavioral sciences, public health, health education or promotion, or related field.
At least 7 years of relevant experience implementing risk communication, social and behavior change, emergency communications, community engagement, and/or public health campaigns.
Experience in global health security programs or projects managing disease outbreaks, zoonotic diseases, and/or communicable diseases is desired.
Specialized training or certification in risk communication, community engagement, and/or infodemic management during health emergencies is desired.
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.
FHI 360 is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer whereby we do not engage in practices that discriminate against any person employed or seeking employment based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law.
Our values and commitments to safeguarding: FHI 360 is committed to preventing any type of abuse, exploitation and harassment in our work environments and programs, including sexual abuse, exploitation and harassment. FHI 360 takes steps to safeguard the welfare of everyone who engages with our organization and programs and requires that all personnel, including staff members and volunteers, share this commitment and sign our code of conduct. All offers of employment will be subject to appropriate screening checks, including reference, criminal record and terrorism finance checks. FHI 360 also participates in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme (MDS), facilitated by the Steering Committee for Humanitarian Response. In line with the MDS, we will request information from job applicantsโ previous employers about any substantiated findings of sexual abuse, exploitation and/or harassment during the applicantโs tenure with previous employers. By applying, job applicants confirm their understanding of these recruitment procedures and consent to these screening checks.
FHI 360 will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws.
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FHI 360 fosters the strength and health of its workforce through a competitive benefits package, professional development and policies and programs that support a healthy work/life balance. Join our global workforce to make a positive difference for others โ and yourself.Please click here to continue searching FHI 360's Career Portal.