Democratic Republic of the Congo: Communications Senior Manager, DRC

The Communications and Knowledge Exchange (CKE) Senior Manager provides communications leadership to the Integrated Health Project. In this capacity, s/he will lead communications and knowledge management strategies aimed at informing decision makers, stakeholders, and the public on project activities and results on creating better conditions and impact for health in the DRC.

The CKE Senior Manager is the focal point for leveraging the project’s knowledge assets for greater health impact by capturing, packaging, synthesizing, and sharing best practices, success stories, peer-reviewed articles, and other communications products that show how improved quality, access, management, leadership, and governance lead to better public health outcomes. As appropriate, s/he will work with other health projects and with USAID to craft messages that effectively communicate the positive impact of the US Government support to the sector on health services and outcomes for the population of the DRC.

As an integral member of the project staff, s/he contributes to planning of the project, and to the implementation of its workplans and achievement of expected results. The CKE Senior Manager puts special emphasis on the project’s support to building the capacity of the MOH in the area of strategic communication.

The CKE Senior Manager supports the project’s Senior Leadership in responding quickly and professionally to requests from USAID, the Ministry of Health, and other key stakeholders. The CKE Senior Manager works with relevant project teams and their counterparts to prepare compelling and appropriate oral presentations and written materials aimed at various critical audiences. These communications show how improved MOH management, leadership, and governance capacity, at all levels, leads to better services through better work climate and better management systems.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead the development and implementation of the project’s communications and knowledge exchange strategy;
• Set as needed internal and external communications standards, guidelines, processes and protocols;
• Work closely with the M&E and technical teams to identify data, stories, and articles for communications materials;
• Stay informed of all major issues in the DRC health sector and of the project’s strategies and methods, programs and activities, results and achievements, and on best practices, lessons learned and success stories so that project communication is rich, diverse and well grounded.
• In collaboration with Program Managers and technical personnel, draft or edit, finalize and ensure the publication and dissemination of written materials and website content on the project, health system and needs of the DRC population. Materials and content may include abstracts, reports, presentations, brochures, articles, press releases, speeches, briefings and update notes, blog posts, and social media content.
• Ensure compliance with all contract requirements that relate to reporting (such as the Quarterly Progress Reports) and draft program statements describing connections between implementation and results for submission to the MSH leadership team, MOH and USAID.
• Manage distribution process of communications material so the right information gets to the right audiences at the right time.
• Provide support to the project leadership in maintaining effective communications with USAID, the MOH, other partner organizations, stakeholders and MSH, including timely response to requests for information.
• Help the Chief of Party to manage media relations.
• Provide strategic and programmatic advice on communications and knowledge exchange to project leadership to strengthen program design, workplans and implementation.
• Oversee the management of the project’s photo and video library as well as of the project’s institutional memory to ensure that information and materials are easy to access.
• Work closely with the home office on campaigns, annual reports, and other MSH communications activities. Provide new and/or updated written material for MSH websites, newsletters, and social media.
• Perform any other tasks as assigned by the Chief of Party.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Master’s degree in communications, public health, knowledge management, international development or related field.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in a similar communications role, within international development organizations.
• Experience living or working in developing and transitioning countries.
• Experience working in international public health programs strongly preferred.
• Technical experience interacting with USG (especially USAID), including three years of experience working with USG-funded organizations.
• Proven ability to organize, summarize, and rewrite technical information for non-expert audiences.
• Excellent English and French oral and written communication skills (writing samples will be requested), facilitation and negotiating skills.
• Experience facilitating workshops and trainings in communication skills.
• Competence and experience in photography and/or video.
• Facility with social media.
• Ability to work independently, take initiative, and use good judgment.
• Proven ability to work effectively in teams in a multi-cultural context.
• Willingness and ability to relocate to DRC and be available for domestic and international travel.
  Reports To: Chief of Party

Management Sciences for Health is an equal opportunity employer offering employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, citizenship, physical or mental handicap, or status as a disabled or Vietnam Era veteran of the U.S. Armed Fo

Click Here to Apply