Communications Specialist at The Health Strategy and Delivery Foundation (HSDF)

External Communications

• Develops an overarching strategy of HSDF’s external presence and communication
• Leads the revamping and updating of HSDF's website and content, liaising with Program Leads and relevant officers
• Develops and implements strategy for HSDF’s social media and other media presence
• Plans, manages and evaluates communications campaigns that favourably impact the views of the public, opinion leaders and donors to raise HSDF’s profile and support fundraising activities
• Develops and edits content for abstracts, briefs, papers, proposals, etc. with internal authors; recommends appropriate channel for communication
• Maintains and develops a contact list of journalists and media outlets and manages the regular flow of news/information about HSDF’s work to the media, ensuring reputational risks are identified and managed
• Tracks and analyses traditional and online media, to identify trends and/or issues, and propose solutions and ideas to improve the effectiveness of communication strategy and activities
• Provides support in HSDF’s fundraising activities

Internal Communications

• Works in close collaboration with counterparts to align activities and ensure a coherent and consistent approach to optimal communication within HSDF
• Contributes to preparedness actions, providing technical recommendations and guidance and monitoring the management of communications specific risks
• Disseminates news about projects/programs and in-house activities in a timely manner

Knowledge management

• Prepares reports based on communications analytics periodically to the CEO
• Contributes towards the quality assurance of internal and external reports and documentation including policy briefs, research publications and articles
• Coordinates and prepares accurate and timely reporting on communications activities that enables informed decision-making, evaluation of objectives and consistency of information presented to stakeholders
• Creates, monitors and maintains an appropriate database of reports, documents and FAQs for staff use

CSR, Events and Capacity building

• Manages the CSR programs of HSDF, managing communications logistics for organizational events and ensuring maximum coverage and reporting.
• Builds and manages in-house communications team, develops work plans, monitors performance against objectives, and ensures appropriate development to enable high performance
• Builds capacity of HSDF staff on all aspects of external relations communication, providing advice, guidance and training to ensure consistent, quality communications activities that deliver the desired impact
• Performs any other duties as required

QUALIFICATIONS

The requirements listed below represent the minimum level of knowledge, skills and/or ability required to successfully perform this job

Educational/ Professional Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Journalism, Marketing, Public Relations, Communications or equivalent
• Master’s degree in Development, Communications-related or Public Health-related field is an added advantage
• 7-9 years of cognate experience of which 2 must be in supervisory/middle management capacity

Skills and Knowledge:

• Excellent communications skills and personality
• Expert knowledge & hands-on experience in corporate communications, knowledge management, content development, social media, SEO, internal communications, public relations, etc.
• Proven experience in developing and implementing communications strategies and campaigns
• Proven experience in leading a team, coordinating and/or providing support to cross functional project teams
• Knowledge of website maintenance, social media, emerging media technologies etc
• Web design skills, including Microsoft Publisher and current Graphic designs software
• Basic knowledge of SEO
• Strong organizational and project management skills
• Ability to work as a leader and member of a team and possess initiative and good problem-solving skills
• Creative thinking with the ability to identify innovative ways to communicate and engage audience through a variety of avenues
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from team leads, staff and the public
• Having published articles and journals is an added advantage