Communications Senior Officer

United Nations Office for Project Services

Geneva, Switzerland

Experience: 0 to 3 Years

Skill Required: Media and Communication

The Communications Senior Officer works with and in support of the efforts of the RBM Secretariat team and the SCPC Co-Chairs , other Committee members and technical working groups to keep malaria high on the global health and development agendas and catalyzes the global and national leadership, commitment, and change (e.g. behavioural, social, policy) needed for effective programming, partnership and financing, positioning malaria in broader health and development financing.  

The Communications Senior Officer will work closely with all the Secretariat Teams, as well as with partners and technical working groups at the global, regional and national levels – to provide  communications support across the entire RBM Partnership, maximize synergies and boost the impact of overall efforts. 

Functional Responsibilities:

Under the guidance and supervision of the Advocacy and Communications Manager, The communications Senior Officer will perform the following functions:

Communications support to the Secretariat / RBM Partnership to End Malaria:

  • Provide support to the Secretariat, the SCPC and the ARMPC under the guidance of the Advocacy and Communications Manager (creating and maintenance RBM Partnership events calendar, scheduling communications-related meetings, minuting, contacts database maintenance, mailing lists, website updates, etc.).
  • Support the content development, editing, proofreading, production and dissemination of communications materials for the RBM Partnership, including but not limited newsletters, flyers, brochures, factsheets, information leaflets, social media content, infographics, posters and banners for international events, web content, publications such as the annual report, as well as creating and development of presentations, briefs, speeches and talking points.
  • Support with virtual and in-person events (Zoom webinar set-up, minuting, events support, etc.)
  • Support the Advocacy and Communications Manager with serving as brand guardian in accordance with the RBM Partnership branding guidelines (creation and maintenance of templates, etc.)
  • Collaborate with external vendors and consultants for quality, editing, design and printing of materials.
  • Develop and maintain close working relationships with the Secretariat Team and stakeholders to ensure relevance and constant updates of content.
  • Manage day-to-day media relations for the RBM Partnership.
  • Develop communications collateral (white papers, thought pieces, etc.) that frame the issues, advise, and support Partnership brand management. 
  • Support the maintenance and development of media platforms (website and social media platforms, traditional media production, public service announcements, etc.).
  • Promote cross-cutting collaboration and synergies within the RBM Partnership.
  • Support countries and Partners to adopt, implement and share best practices.
  • Facilitate information-sharing, effective communication and collaboration across the RBM Partnership, as well as existing and prospective partners.
  • Provide support to the Advocacy and Communications Manager in the development of the SCPC workplan and priorities within the ceiling of available resources and RBM Secretariat approved workplan.
  • Provide support in the coordination and organization of key events to keep malaria high on global health and development agendas.  
  • Provide support in convening and coordinating partners at the global, regional and national levels to leverage their unique capabilities, expertise and perspectives.

Strategic Communications:

  • Support with the management day-to-day communication and media relations activities for the RBM Partnership – including providing communications assistance to the Secretariat, including the production and management of content for RBM’s platforms and channels including website and social media.
  • Support RBM’s external relations work, intended to influence the work of major stakeholders worldwide to mobilize action to defeat malaria.
  • Contribute to the development of RBM strategies for communications in collaboration with the Advocacy and Communications Manager, ensuring consistent messaging across all RBM’s projects and programmes.
  • Work in close collaboration with others, including a PR agency and other external consultants, to develop RBM’s communications products, events and media relations.

Advocacy:

  • Provide additional support to the Advocacy and Communications Manager with advocacy activities where required.
  • Provide backstopping support for the Advocacy and Communications Manager 

Partnership:

  • Facilitate information sharing, effective communication, and collaboration across the RBM Secretariat and Partnership, as well as existing and prospective partners.
  • Support the Partner Committees and the Working Groups on relevant communications matters as needed. 
  • To perform other related responsibilities as assigned, including replacing and backstopping for others as required. 

Education/Experience/Language requirements:

Education:

  • Advanced university degree in the fields of journalism, communications, development studies or international relations is essential.
  • Bachelor's degree in a related discipline in combination with additional 2 years of relevant work experience may be accepted in place of an advanced university degree.

Experience:

  • Minimum 2 years of experience in external relations and/or communications either in the malaria sector or in a closely related development field, including at the international level.
  • Working in challenging politically complex situations towards implementing changes in health, preferably in the area of malaria is required.
  • Specialization, experience or sound understanding of international development political agendas as related to health, particularly malaria is desired.
  • Knowledge of the Global Health, the RBM Partnership to End Malaria and its Partner Committees is desirable. 
  • Experience in the UN system is desirable.

Language:

  • Fluency in oral and written English is required. Working knowledge of French is an asset.

Source: https://jobs.unops.org/Pages/ViewVacancy/VADetails.aspx?id=25322#4