Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) Coordinator
Role Summary
Join the International Rescue Committee as a Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) Coordinator to lead community-based initiatives in response to the Ebola outbreak in DRC.
About the Organisation
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you're a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.
On 15 May 2026, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) declared its seventeenth Ebola outbreak after cases were confirmed in Ituri Province. The outbreak has since spread to North Kivu, South Kivu, Haut-Uélé, and Tshopo. As of 12 August 2026, 4,566 confirmed cases and 2,128 deaths had been recorded across 53 of 140 health zones. The response is unfolding amid conflict, displacement, and weak health systems, with persistent gaps in infection prevention, WASH infrastructure, and essential supplies that heighten the risk of healthcare-associated transmission. These challenges continue to increase the risk of healthcare-associated transmission, compromise the safety of health workers and patients, and disrupt the continuity of essential health services.
In response, IRC has rapidly launched an integrated Ebola emergency response in close collaboration with the Ministry of Health, provincial and health zone authorities, and other partners. The response combines Health, Infection Prevention and Control (IPC), WASH, Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE), Protection, and Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) interventions to strengthen outbreak prevention, detection, and response at both health facility and community levels. To support the implementation and scale-up of these interventions, IRC is recruiting a Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) Coordinator, for an initial 12-month assignment, to provide continued strategic technical leadership and operational support for RCCE programming. The RCCE Coordinator will be responsible for the delivery of RCCE programming for the Ebola response, including cross-cutting support to mainstream accountability and safeguarding across IRC’s multisectoral response.
Minimum Requirements
The ideal candidate will have a background in social and behaviour change, health promotion, community engagement, or a related field, with experience leading community-based communication activities and working with community volunteers/RECOs during public health emergencies. “Highly desired criteria” include previous experience in Ebola or other viral hemorrhagic fever responses, experience working in outbreak or high-risk settings, strong knowledge of RCCE, community feedback and rumor management, and experience coordinating with health, IPC/WASH, Protection, and community structures. Experience supervising and building the capacity of RECOs and frontline staff, developing evidence-based messages, and adapting RCCE activities based on community feedback is highly desirable.
En réponse, l'IRC a rapidement lancé une réponse intégrée à l'urgence Ebola en étroite collaboration avec le Ministère de la Santé, les autorités provinciales et des zones de santé, et d'autres partenaires. La réponse combine des interventions en Santé, Prévention et Contrôle des Infections (PCI), Eau, Assainissement et Hygiène (EAH), Communication sur les Risques et Engagement Communautaire (CREC), Protection, et Santé Mentale et Soutien Psychosocial (SMSPS) afin de renforcer la prévention, la détection et la réponse à l'épidémie, tant au niveau des structures de santé qu'au niveau communautaire. Pour appuyer la mise en œuvre et la montée en puissance de ces interventions, l'IRC recrute un(e) Coordinateur/trice Communication sur les Risques et Engagement Communautaire (CREC), pour une mission initiale de 12 mois, afin d'assurer un leadership technique stratégique continu et un appui opérationnel à la programmation CREC. Le/la Coordinateur/trice CREC sera responsable de la mise en œuvre de la programmation CREC pour la réponse Ebola, y compris de l'appui transversal à l'intégration de la redevabilité et de la sauvegarde dans l'ensemble de la réponse multisectorielle de l'IRC.
- Fluency in French and English ( Swahili is an added advantage)
- Excellent understanding of RCCE framework in emergency situations and knowledge of emergency standards (Sphere)
- Strong leadership, management, planning, analytical, interpersonal, and communication skills;
- Ability to live and work in stressful and insecure environment;
- Excellent initiator, able to manage multiple tasks.
- Able to work under pressure and good at timely decision making.
- Competent in Microsoft Office, Word and Excel including CAD softwares.
- Demonstrated commitment to inclusion and fair treatment of staff, and ability to identify and address barriers to inclusion for marginalized groups in emergency responses.
- Experience working with diverse teams and communities, including women, youth, persons with disabilities, and other groups at risk of exclusion.
- Knowledge and/or experience in conflict management, protection, or other related field.
- Excellent professional approach and strong team building skills.
- *CONTEXTE : Le 15 mai 2026, la République démocratique du Congo (RDC) a déclaré sa dix-septième épidémie d'Ebola après la confirmation de cas dans la province de l'Ituri. L'épidémie s'est depuis propagée au Nord-Kivu, au Sud-Kivu, au Haut-Uélé et à la Tshopo. Au 12 août 2026, 4 566 cas confirmés et 2 128 décès avaient été enregistrés dans 53 des 140 zones de santé. La réponse se déroule dans un contexte de conflit, de déplacement et de systèmes de santé fragiles, avec des lacunes persistantes en matière de prévention des infections, d'infrastructures EAH et de fournitures essentielles. Ces difficultés continuent d'accroître le risque de transmission associée aux soins de santé, de compromettre la sécurité des agents de santé et des patients, et de perturber la continuité des services de santé essentiels.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants should have a Bachelor's degree in a relevant field and experience in community engagement, specifically in healthcare settings.
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