Communications and Media Consultant at Helen Keller International

Reports to: Head of Nutrition Programs

Vitamin A Supplementation (VAS) 

HKI works closely with the government of Nigeria to ensure high coverage of more than 80% of the target population with vitamin A. HKI also supports the training of health workers, program monitoring, community education and the delivery of vitamin A capsules. In 2001, HKI integrated vitamin A supplementation into Community Directed Treatment with Ivermectin (CDTI) as a cost-effective, sustainable strategy and a strong platform for community mobilization. Vulnerable groups, including children 6-59 months old and post-partum women within 8 weeks of delivery, were targeted.  However, since 2009, HKI aligned with the Federal Government of Nigeria and adopted the bi-annual Maternal Newborn and Child Health Weeks (MNCH Weeks) as a high impact strategy to distribute Vitamin A capsules alongside other low-cost interventions that have been proven to be highly effective in reducing mortality rates and improving maternal and child health. HKI has received funding from GiveWell to implement a Vitamin A Supplementation program and conduct yearly post event coverage evaluation surveys in Benue State, Nigeria.

Job Responsibilities:

Under the supervision of the Head of Nutrition Programs, the Communications and Media Consultant will serve as the primary communications focal point of Helen Keller Nigeria’s Vitamin A Supplementation program.

Technical Capacity:

• Focus is on raising the visibility of Helen Keller’s VAS project among internal and external audiences
• Create compelling content across a variety of social media channels to raise awareness, encourage potential partnerships and build Helen Keller’s reputation
• Develop communication materials, including pictures, videos, publications, infographics, short documentaries, promotional materials e.t.c related to the VAS project
• Accompany Helen Keller’s Nutrition Program Officers to the field to capture all relevant media (pictures, videos, short documentaries, success stories e.t.c) relating to activities when required
• Promote Helen Keller’s VAS project using developed communication materials to highlight the achievements of the VAS project particularly showcasing the positive impact the project is having on its intended beneficiaries.
• Develop key advocacy messages and briefs for various audiences
• Perform any other duty as assigned

Competencies Required:

• Demonstrates technical knowledge pertaining to job requirements
• Knowledge of international development issues, nutrition and/or maternal and child health related issues, highly desirable
• Proven expertise in developing creative content and effective communications strategies, including social media branding activities
• Ability to think strategically about how to shape the same message for different audiences
• Advanced oral and written communication skills: ability to communicate complex ideas in a clear manner and synthesize large volumes of data and/or information into simple meaningful forms
• Prior experience working in the field of VAS will be an added advantage
• Fluency in written and spoken English is highly desirable
• Able to work under pressure minimal supervision and able to meet up deadlines
• Ability to use computer software such as Microsoft office, internet
• Must possess good interpersonal skills and a good team player
• Demonstrated excellent personal integrity and confidentiality

 Qualifications Required:

• Bachelors’ degree in Journalism, Mass communication, Marketing, Public Relations or similar related fields
• Minimum of 2 years’ professional work experience