Job Title: Advocacy and External Communications Officer
Malaria Consortium
Location: Kampala, Kampala
Date: 05/23/2013
Job Type: Employee
Job Status: Full Time
Categories:
Administrative / Clerical
Malaria Consortium
Job Details
Vacancy Number: MC UG/TEC 21/11/005
Job Title: Advocacy and External Communications Officer
Organisation: Malaria Consortium
Reports to: Technical Programme Coordinator/Deputy Country Director
Duty Station: Kampala, Uganda
About Malaria Consortium:
Malaria Consortium is one of the world’s leading non-profit organisations dedicated to the comprehensive control of malaria and other communicable diseases to Africa and Southeast Asia Malaria Consortium works with communities, government and non government agencies. academic institutions, and local and international organisations, to ensure good evidence supports delivery of effective services, providing technical support for monitoring and evaluation of programmes and activities for evidence based decision-making and strategic planning The organisation works to improve not only the health of the individual, but also the capacity of national health systems which helps relieve poverty and support Improved economic prosperity.
Job Summary: The Advocacy and External Communications Officer will be charged with developing and implementing advocacy programs and strategic external communications for Malaria Consortium in Uganda. The incumbent will be expected to guide advocacy efforts to support the effective dissemination of learning and lead the implementation of advocacy activities in order to promote the uptake of learning amongst key decision makers and policy influencers in-Uganda, with the overall aim of contributing towards improved policy and practice in the country S/he will also ensure a high level of relevant visibility for Malaria Consortium among relevant stakeholders through engagement with the media, national events, and other relevant forum.
Key Duties & Responsibilities:
1. Development of advocacy approaches and work plans
Develop a coherent approach/strategy for advocacy activities at district and national levels while working with the country director, deputy and middle management team.
Develop an advocacy activities work plan to put into action the above agreed approach and revise it on a routine basis to maximize identified opportunities for influence
2. Coordination and implementation of advocacy activities
Ensure the coordination of all relevant stall to implement the activities planned, advocacy strategies and plans are included in all new proposals and improved coordination of the advocacy efforts of all projects / individuals.
Act as a liaison with the UK External Communications team in systematically developing and reviewing content for the Malaria Consortium website and project microsites, designed to support learning.
Assist project managers in including advocacy activities in their project implementations while developing key advocacy objectives, messages and work plans.
Support the translation of key lessons learnt and operational research findings into improved policy and practice by identifying key for a for dissemination more so in workshops and conferences.
3. Networking
Support the development and sustenance of effective relationships within the Ministry of Health Social Services Committee of parliament, local government, project partners, technical specialists and other persons of influence so as to advance advocacy aims.
Identify and coordinate work with existing and emerging networks for health advocacy in Uganda, and monitor now developments within the Ugandan health policy and funding environment.
4. External Communications
Act as the key media liaison and public relations person tor project activities and technical issues, liaising with Uganda technical team and UK-based Malaria Consortium International communications department as appropriate
Coordinate activities for live organisation within Uganda and ensure active participation in public events and celebrations such as World Malaria Day. Pneumonia Day. etc
Draft press releases and conduct media briefings around pertinent or Malaria Consortium led activities, and national events as well as prepare taiking points and/for speeches for Malaria Consortium representatives who will be addressing the media or high level delegations.
Ensure that advocacy and external communications efforts are documented, monitored and evaluated for effectiveness and value for money so as to develop an evidence based approach to advocacy and external communications are documented, monitored and evaluated for effective and value for money so as to develop an evidence best approach to advocacy and external communication. Provide recommendations as to which initiatives should be sustained or repeated and which should be discontinued.
Support the development of materials (brochures briefings power point presentations) for external communication and advocacy related events.
Requirements
Qualifications, Skills & Experience:
Minimum of three years of professional experience in advocacy, public relations or related field
Degree / Postgraduate degree in mass communications, public relations, journalism, social sciences, public health, or related discipline
Experience developing and implementing advocacy strategies
Experience in best practice and/or research dissemination
Experience in a range of communications activities (writing briefing papers, press releases or other documents, use of social media, etc.)
Understanding of the Ugandan Health Sector
Experience in health sector advocacy work
Foundational knowledge of public health approaches
Experience and skills in training and transfer of knowledge
Skills in the use of different media outlets (photography, trim. TV. radio newspapers, etc.) for communications/advocacy purposes.
Experience working with social media initiatives such as blogs and other online communication tools.
How to apply:
All those interested in working with Malaria Consortium should submit a detailed, CV, a covering letter explaining how and why you are suited to the role and the contact details of three referees quoting the ref number: MC UG/TEC 14/08/008 to the email address provided.
Deadline: 31st May 2013