JOB DESCRIPTION. Department: Technical Length of contract: Fixed. Child safeguarding level: Reporting to: Regional Coordinator Direct reports: None

Transcription

1 JOB DESCRIPTION Job title: Communications Officer Location: Midwest - Kabarole Department: Technical Length of contract: Fixed Role type: National Grade: 7 Travel involved: Up to 50% travel to areas of operation Child safeguarding level: Reporting to: Regional Coordinator Direct reports: None Dotted line manager: Communications Specialist Indirect reports: None Organisational background Established in 2003, Malaria Consortium is one of the world s leading non-profit organisations specialising in the comprehensive prevention, control and treatment of malaria and other communicable diseases among vulnerable and under privileged populations. We increasingly find our work on malaria can be effectively integrated with other similar public health interventions for greater impact and therefore expanded our remit to include child health and neglected tropical disease interventions. We work in Africa and Asia with communities, governments, academic institutions, and local and international organisations, to ensure effective delivery of services, which are supported by strong evidence. Our areas of expertise include: disease prevention, diagnosis and treatment disease control and elimination systems strengthening research, monitoring and evaluation leading to best practice behaviour change communication national and international advocacy and policy development Country and project background Malaria Consortium Uganda is one of our largest country offices. The office in Kampala, Uganda is the centre for the programmes in Uganda, in addition to serving as a regional office for Africa. 1

2 The Malaria Action Program for Districts (MAPD) project is a 5 year USAID/PMI funded project. The project aims to prevent and control Malaria illnesses and deaths in order to minimise the social economic effects of the disease among the overall population of Uganda especially in children under 5 years of age. The project will be implemented starting in August 2016, and will cover 43 districts with a total population of more than 13 million. The Malaria Action Program for Districts project offers a partnership uniquely positioned to deliver this implementation rollout. Partners include Johns Hopkins Program for International Education in Gynecology and Obstetrics (JHPIEGO), Banyan Global, Deloitte &Touché Uganda, Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI) and Communication for Development Foundation-Uganda (CDFU). Job purpose To provide communications and implementation support to all MAPD project activities in the Central Kampala region districts of operation. Scope of work This role involves implementation of communications activities which include social mobilisation and social behaviour change communication (SBCC), advocacy, documentation and dissemination of learnings and external communications/ public relations. S/he will implement these activities according to the communications strategies of the country office, the projects activity planning and under the guidance of the Communications Specialist and with support from the Regional Coordinator. S/he will also ensure an appropriate level of relevant visibility for the project among stakeholders through engagement with the media, regional events and other relevant forums. Key working relationships The communications Officer directly reports to the Regional Coordinator and indirectly to the communication specialist. It also involves working closely with the project s partners, including the media, district health teams, health workers and VHTs. Key accountabilities 1. Behaviour Change Communications (50%) Under the lead of the Communications Specialist and in cooperation with the regional coordinator, lead the implementation of behavior change communications according to country strategies and project s work plans In cooperation with the project s technical officer(s), liaise with communities, local opinion and religious leaders to ensure their involvement and participation in all behavior change communications activities Under the lead of the M&E Specialist and the Communications Team, ensure appropriate data is collected to monitor the impact of the communications activities Maintain regular communication with the MAPD Regional Coordinator and compile work plan updates from the field 2

3 2. Documentation (25%) Under the lead of the Communications Specialist and in cooperation with the Regional Coordinator, ensure the implementation of documentation exercises such as story collection including pictures and coordination of research assistants for the collection of data for dipstick surveys or case studies Ensure the quality of the data, testimonies and pictures collected in the field and their appropriate label Provide support to the Regional Coordinator and M&E Specialists in story writing and data analysis as required Support M&E Officer to ensure that all relevant project documentation is disseminated to the district health teams 3. Monitoring and evaluation (10%) Work closely with the MAPD M&E Officer and Regional Coordinator in the monitoring and evaluation of project activities Support the conduct of surveys as required 4. Networking (5%) Provide support to the projects staff to maintain effective relationships with local governments and development partners when required Act as the main liaison agent between MAPD and cultural and religious institutions in their region of intervention Develop effective and collaborative relationships with all project partners, including the district health teams, implementing partners and a network of CSOs Participate in relevant meetings, presenting project results and experiences as required 5. External Communications (5%) Facilitate the relationship between MAPD and the regional media representatives based in their districts of intervention, in accordance with project guidelines regarding media engagement 6. Other (5%) Actively participate as a member of the MAPD project Technical Team Adhere to all project policies and procedures Adhere to internationally recognised humanitarian and development principles at all times during the implementation of the project 3

4 Person specification Qualifications and experience: Essential Minimum of three years of professional experience in behavior change communications, community mobilization and/ or projects documentation Degree in communications, marketing or related field, ideally with a public health bias Experience implementing community activations and implementation of behavior change communications activities and documentation Experience in story collection and story writing to document projects achievements Knowledge of the community and local government structures Understanding of basic public health issues in Uganda and the required behavior change associated to them Skills in the use of different media outlets (photography, film, TV, radio, newspapers etc.) for communications/ advocacy purposes Desirable Knowledge of the Ugandan health sector Experience in health sector advocacy work Foundational knowledge of public health approaches Work-based skills and competencies: Essential Good oral and written communications skills and ability to convey messages to diverse audiences Strong interest in and desire to promote improved health policy and practice Proven skills in writing, copy editing, proof reading and documentation, excellent attention to detail Excellent computer skills (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher or other design software) Excellent organization, planning, communication and follow-up skills Ability to prioritise and manage multiple assignments Desirable Strong interpersonal skills and ability to interact effectively with all levels of associates, including management Skills in the use of different media outlets (photography, film, TV, radio, newspapers etc.) for communications purposes Understanding of the Ugandan health sector Experience in public health communications campaigns Foundational knowledge of public health approaches Experience and skills in training and transfer of knowledge 4

5 Core competencies: Delivering results LEVEL B - Takes on pieces of work when required and demonstrates excellent project management skills Shows a flexible approach to taking on additional work/responsibilities when needed to achieve results Demonstrates excellent project management skills to agreed timescales (timelines, targets, donor requirements) Makes clear and timely decisions within remit of own role Analysis and use of information LEVEL B - Uses evidence to support work Identifies and uses various sources of evidence and feedback to support outputs Uses evidence to evaluate policies, projects and programmes Identifies links between events and information identifying trends, issues and risks Ensures systems are in place to address organisation needs Interpersonal and communications LEVEL B - Fosters two-way communication Recalls others main points and takes them into account in own communication Checks own understanding of others communication by asking questions Maintains constructive, open and consistent communication with others Resolves minor misunderstandings and conflicts effectively Collaboration and partnering LEVEL B - Collaborates effectively across teams Proactive in providing and seeking support from expert colleagues Raises difficult issues with teams/ partners and stakeholders with a view to positive resolution Proactive in building a rapport with a diverse range of people Leading and motivating people LEVEL B - Manages own development and seeks opportunities Actively manages own development and performance positively Learns lessons from successes and failures Seeks and explores opportunities within Malaria Consortium which develop skills and expertise Flexibility/ adaptability LEVEL B - Remains professional under external pressure Able to adapt to changing situations effortlessly Remains constructive and positive under stress and able to tolerate difficult situations and environments Plans, prioritises and performs tasks well under pressure Learns from own successes / mistakes 5

6 Living the values LEVEL B - Promotes Malaria Consortium values amongst peers Shows a readiness to promote Malaria Consortium s values amongst peers Promotes ethical and professional behaviour in line with Malaria Consortium s values Strategic planning and thinking and sector awareness LEVEL B - Is aware of others activities and vice versa in planning activities Takes account of team members and others workload when planning Maintains awareness of impact on other parts of the organisation, keeping abreast of other s activities, objectives, commitments and needs Has a good understanding of the sector in which Malaria Consortium works 6