General context:

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is one of the world's leading humanitarian and development organizations. For more than 80 years, the IRC has been at the forefront of humanitarian efforts to help people displaced by war, persecution, and civil conflict, providing vital support to help them survive and rebuild their lives. The IRC's Emergency Preparedness and Response Unit (EPRU) leads global emergency preparedness and response activities, with a mission to address immediate survival needs and alleviate suffering for populations affected by conflict or disaster during the acute phase of emergencies.

Context:

On May 15, 2026, the Ministry of Health of the Democratic Republic of the Congo declared the country's 17th Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak after confirming cases caused by the Bundibugyo virus species (BDBV) in Ituri Province. Initial transmission was detected in and around the health zones of Mongbwalu, Rwampara, and Bunia. On May 17, 2026, the WHO assessed the outbreak as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) due to the risk of regional spread and the challenging operational environment. The IRC is preparing to support the containment of the outbreak in Ituri and North Kivu by providing support to primary healthcare facilities, including EVD screening and isolation, strengthening infection prevention and control (IPC), community-based infection prevention and control (ICC) activities, and protection activities. As of early June 2026, the epidemic had spread to 25 health zones in Ituri, North Kivu, and South Kivu, with 488 confirmed cases and 86 deaths. The non-Zairean strain (Bundibugyo) limits the effectiveness of available vaccines, reinforcing the critical importance of infection prevention and control (IPC) and community-based approaches. Community mistrust, fueled by armed conflict, stigmatization, and socioeconomic vulnerability, has led to security incidents targeting response teams. The RCCE Protection Officer will work in this complex and rapidly evolving field environment, requiring strong contextual awareness, flexibility, and adherence to secure programming and IPC protocols at all times.

Scope of work:

Under the supervision of the RCCE Coordinator, the RCCE Manager will be responsible for establishing and managing IRC's RCCE programming in Ituri Province as part of the Ebola response. The RCCE Manager will supervise and support the RCCE team to ensure that activities are implemented on time, within budget, and in accordance with best practices, minimum standards, IRC programmatic guidelines, and donor policies. The role also involves providing technical support and monitoring activities implemented by IRC's local partners and ensuring that all RCCE interventions are context-appropriate. The RCCE Manager will work closely with IRC's health and protection teams and coordinate with key external stakeholders to ensure a coherent and community-centered response.

Roles and responsibilities:

Program management

• Supporting the rapid implementation and operationalization of the IRC's RCCE program in Ituri province.

• Provide daily management, supervision and technical support to RCCE staff and community engagement teams.

• Ensure that implementation is aligned with approved work plans, budgets, procurement plans and MEAL plans.

• Manage activity budgets and monitor spending against disbursement plans.

• Initiate and follow up on supply requests and oversee the implementation of distribution and awareness plans.

• Develop and monitor weekly and monthly implementation plans to ensure timely delivery of activities and achievement of objectives.

• Conduct regular field visits to monitor implementation progress, resolve difficulties and support staff.

• Coordinate closely with Supply Chain, Finance, Grants, HR and Operations to ensure compliance and timely execution.

• Prepare and submit regular program reports and updates to the RCCE Coordinator.

Technical leadership, community engagement, and information management

• Act as the lead manager and organizational focal point for all RCCE activities, directly supervising RCCE Officers and Community Engagement Officers, and ensuring consistent and accountable implementation of the RCCE response at all levels.

• Provide technical leadership to ensure high-quality RCCE implementation in accordance with IRC, national and international standards.

• Lead the development, adaptation, translation and dissemination of approved EVD risk communication materials and key messages in relevant local languages.

• Ensure that messages address epidemic risks, prevention behaviors, symptom recognition, seeking care, safe referrals and continuity of essential services.

• Coordinate with health teams to ensure the technical accuracy of health-related content.

• Working with protection, the SPSM, education and other sectors to integrate information on available services, referral pathways and risk mitigation measures.

• Ensure that customer-facing staff and helpline teams have up-to-date information on service adjustments, opening hours, referral options, and communication channels.

• Promote two-way communication and community engagement approaches that gather, analyze and respond to community concerns, rumors and feedback.

• Support RCCE assessments, rapid perception surveys, rumor monitoring and evaluations, in collaboration with the MEAL and accountability teams.

• Maintain regular communication with RCCE field officers and outreach teams to identify community concerns, barriers to behaviour adoption, misinformation and opportunities for improvement.

• Supporting staff in the secure, consistent and confident transmission of messages, particularly in high-risk epidemic contexts.

• Identify and utilize existing community structures and platforms (community committees, women's groups, youth groups, religious leaders, local associations) for engagement activities.

• Document RCCE adaptations, lessons learned and case examples for internal learning and external coordination mechanisms.

• Coordinate with IRC's Client Responsiveness and Accountability mechanisms to ensure that community feedback informs program adaptation and decision-making in the response.

Staff supervision and capacity building

• To directly supervise the RCCE Officer(s) and ensure the supervision of staff and community engagement volunteers.

• Support the recruitment, integration and deployment of RCCE staff in coordination with Human Resources and the RCCE Coordinator.

• Ensure the timely completion of attendance sheets, probationary period assessments, performance evaluations and other HR processes.

• Provide ongoing coaching, mentoring and capacity building on RCCE technical approaches, communication during epidemics, community engagement, protection, IPC and referral pathways.

• To foster a collaborative, respectful and responsible team culture.

Support for partners, coordination and representation

• Maintain effective working relationships with local RCCE partners and support the monitoring of partner performance against agreed objectives.

• Provide technical advice and mentoring to RCCE partner teams in accordance with partnership agreements.

• Coordinate closely with the IRC's Health, Protection and MEAL teams to ensure consistent and integrated epidemic messaging and guidance systems.

• Develop and maintain working relationships with local authorities, Ministry of Health structures, UN agencies, NGOs, community leaders and other relevant stakeholders.

• Represent the IRC in RCCE coordination meetings at the sub-national and national levels and contribute to collective analysis, harmonized messaging and advocacy for an effective community-centered epidemic response.

Program development and strategic contribution

• Identify emerging needs, gaps and opportunities to strengthen RCCE programming and community engagement during the Ebola response.

• Contribute technical input to response planning, strategy development and proposal development in collaboration with the RCCE Coordinator and relevant sector managers.

Protection, protection integration and PCI

• Comply with all IRC safeguarding policies, safeguarding integration standards and code of conduct requirements.

• Adhere to established IPC measures for outbreak response operations and ensure that supervised staff understand and follow required protocols.

• Collaborating with health and protection teams to support safe, confidential and appropriate referrals to health, protection, SMPS, GBV and child protection services as appropriate.

• Supporting training and strengthening of basic psychosocial protection, guidance and support principles for RCCE staff and volunteers.

Others

• Participate in relevant training and information sessions organised by the IRC or response coordination mechanisms.

• To behave professionally and personally in a way that upholds the humanitarian mission and reputation of the IRC.

• Monitor security conditions affecting field teams and promptly report concerns through established channels.

• Perform other tasks assigned by the supervisor to support the Ebola response.

Minimum requirements:

Formation

• Bachelor's degree in Public Health, Health Promotion, Social and Behavioral Sciences, Communication, Social Work, Psychology, Anthropology, Sociology, Education or a related field; Master's degree preferred.

Experience

• At least 4 to 5 years of progressively responsible experience in RCCE, community engagement, risk communication, social mobilization or public health communication in humanitarian, epidemic or development contexts.

• Proven experience in managing field teams, work plans, budgets and in writing reports.

• Experience in supporting or coordinating the RCCE during infectious disease outbreaks is highly desirable; prior experience in the Ebola response in the DRC is a significant advantage.

• Experience in rumor management, community feedback systems and coordination with health and accountability/MEAL functions is highly desirable.

• Experience working with local partners and community structures is preferred.

Skills and abilities

• Solid technical understanding of RCCE principles, behavior change approaches, community engagement methods and communication during an epidemic.

• Excellent skills in planning, organization, communication, facilitation and interpersonal relations.

• Ability to work under pressure, manage multiple priorities, and adapt in rapidly evolving emergency situations.

• Strong skills in supervision, mentoring and team management in intercultural environments.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and common communication and reporting tools.

• Fluency in French is required; fluency in relevant local languages ​​of Ituri is highly desirable; English is an advantage.

How to apply

https://theirc.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/External_Careers/job/Bunia-Democratic-Republic-of-the-Congo/Risk-Communication-and-Community-Engagement--RCCE--Manager_JR00003771