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 Community Engagement Specialist plays an important role in strengthening community-level readiness, prevention, detection, and response to public health threats, including infectious disease outbreaks and other health emergencies. He or she will lead and support activities that help communities become more aware, prepared, and involved in identifying, preventing, reporting, and responding to these health threats. The role focuses on building strong relationships and trust with communities, local leaders, civil society groups, at-risk populations, and frontline workers to ensure participative and effective public health actions are timely, culturally appropriate, and people centered. The Senior Community Engagement Specialist co-leads the creation and implementation of community-focused strategies that improve early detection, reporting, and response to public health threats. The Specialist will work closely with technical teams, local authorities, and partners to make sure community perspectives guide project design, implementation, and monitoring.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Community Outreach and Mobilization
Design and implement community engagement strategies that ensure inclusive participation, especially from vulnerable groups, in outbreak prevention and response.
Lead community activities (consultations, dialogues, and participatory sessions) to understand local perceptions and behaviors about infectious diseases.
Strengthen community-based surveillance (CBS) networks and community-led preparedness initiatives.
Risk Communication and Behavior Change
Co-develop and deliver culturally appropriate risk communication and health promotion materials aligned with national, local, and project guidelines.
Guide and facilitate the conduct of awareness sessions, trainings, webinars, community forums, and dialogues to promote prevention behaviors, early reporting, and outbreak preparedness.
Collect community feedback and use it to refine risk communication strategies and ensure messages remain clear, trusted, and relevant.
Address misinformation, rumors, and community concerns through trusted and accessible communication channels.
Outbreak Preparedness and Response Support
Guide local entities and sub-partners in mobilizing communities during preparedness activities, such as simulation exercises, emergency planning, and health promotion campaigns.
During outbreaks, support rapid information dissemination, rumor tracking, and community-based support mechanisms.
Assist local authorities in coordinating community-level response activities.
Capacity Building and Stakeholder Coordination
Train and mentor local health workers, volunteers, leaders, and community committees on community engagement in basic surveillance, outbreak reporting, and health security preparedness.
Strengthen community capacity to detect health risks early, make referrals, follow public health measures, and address misinformation to support overall community resilience.
Facilitate coordination between communities and project partners during preparedness planning, monitoring, evaluation, and emergency response, ensuring consistent messaging and effective community feedback.
Monitoring, Learning, and Reporting
In coordination with the Strategic Information team, develop tools to collect and analyze community dataโincluding perceptions, behaviors, rumors, and feedbackโand use insights to improve project strategies.
Establish community- and partner-level feedback mechanisms and contribute to reporting, documentation, and adaptive learning, including best practices, lessons learned, and success stories.
Other related functions as assigned by the supervisor.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
Sensitivity to cultural differences and a strong understanding of political and ethical issues related to public health in the Philippines.
Familiarity with risk communication, behavior change, or community-based surveillance approaches.
Strong understanding of community engagement principles and participatory approaches, including community needs assessment and analysis.
Strong facilitation, community mobilization, problem-solving, and/or conflict management or resolution abilities.
Demonstrated capacity to engage, mobilize, and work with diverse and vulnerable or hard-to-reach populations.
Proven ability to coordinate with a wide range of stakeholders, including government, civil society, community groups, and the private sector.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with diverse audiences and organizations.
Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks, meet deadlines, and deliver high-quality outputs with limited resources.
Fluency in English and Filipino; proficiency in local languages is an advantage.
Excellent documentation and reporting skills, with attention to detail and consistency.
Ability to work effectively in diverse and high-pressure environments.
Demonstrated capacity in using digital community engagement tools or social listening systems.
Willingness and ability to travel frequently to project sites and work flexible hours during emergency responses.
WORKING CONDITIONS AND TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS:
Usual office working conditions.
Ability to travel domestically at least 30%.
EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:
Bachelorโs degree in public health, social sciences, community development, communication, or related field.
At least 5 years of professional work experience in community engagement, public health programming, social mobilization, humanitarian response, or social behavior change, preferably in health security and outbreak response.
Experience collaborating with government health systems, local NGOs, and community structures.
Experience working with diverse communities and local stakeholders on infectious disease prevention (e.g., COVID-19, dengue, TB, AMR, zoonotic diseases).
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.
FHI 360 will never ask you for your career site username or password, and we will never request money, goods or services during the application, recruitment or employment process. If you have questions or concerns about correspondence from us, please email CareerCenterSupport@fhi360.org.
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.