Overview
Reporting to the Sr. Director of Editorial Services and Communications, Global Engagement and Communications Office (GECO), the Senior Communications Manager, Africa Region (SCMAR) will work collaboratively with GECO to promote Jhpiego’s work in Africa to external audiences to position the organization across the region as technical leaders in maternal and newborn health, malaria and HIV prevention/treatment, cervical cancer prevention and other public health issues. The SCMAR will strengthen the organization’s regional profile by developing the capacity of country communicators to deliver top-tier communications products focused on Africa-wide impact, develop an Africa-wide communications strategy, build relationships with key stakeholders and secure high-level media placements across the continent and globally.
The SCMAR will work with communicators and communications liaisons within Africa to meet Jhpiego communications standards, strengthen stakeholder engagement and contribute to new business development. The SCMAR will assist the senior communications director in building a repository of impact-driven success stories to be used in corporate communications, marketing and fundraising materials. The SCMAR will collaborate with Country Directors and Global Program and Technical Leadership leads to ensure that Jhpiego staff are familiar with organizational communications policies and participate in corporate communications efforts. This will include developing the presentation and executive presence skills of Jhpiego communicators, technical leaders, and Country Directors in explaining the organization’s impact.
Responsibilities
- Cultivate a consistent, compelling brand of Jhpiego in Africa, focused on cross-cutting themes, regional priorities and innovative interventions in conjunction with the Jhpiego mission, vision and the Strategic Plan.
- Work in collaboration with the senior communications director to develop the organization’s strategic corporate communications plan
- Ensure GECO communications policies and processes are carried out across the region
- Strengthen African-based communicators by increasing staff capacity in crafting a communications plan, identifying, reporting, writing compelling, impact-driven success stories that amplify the Jhpiego brand, of saving lives, improving health, and transforming futures
- Assist with event planning and advocacy efforts that support Jhpiego strategic goals and objectives
- Supervise the communications standards process, working closely with Africa-based communicators to meet or exceed the standards
- Develop pitches for international media in Africa and globally to amplify Jhpiego’s impact in Africa and secure high-level media placements
- Pursue new and innovative avenues to communicate the Jhpiego message
- Assist in developing marketing and fundraising materials
- Foster collaborations between African countries and across continents to share and learn successful communications strategies
- Elevate staff communications skills such as success-story writing, photography and social media engagement
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, public relations, journalism, or related field
- Seven years-related writing, communication and management experience
- Strong creative, non-technical writing skills
- Excellent organizational, analytical and assessment skills
- Ability to develop communications plans to synchronize with organizational goals in fundraising and development, government and corporate relations
- Ability to write and oversee social media for countries
- Video development and editing skills
- Understanding of communications channels, including electronic and print media across Africa
- Ability to develop and maintain relationships with news media, donors and prospective donors, corporate leaders and partners
- Ability to build consensus and work with diverse teams
- Ability to meet deadlines under extreme pressure
- Experience and ability to travel across Africa and globally
Preferred Qualifications
- Advanced degree preferred in marketing, communications, public relations, journalism, or related field
- Six to ten years related experience in the health or international development field preferred
- Experience supervising remote teams, preferably overseas
