Job Title: Communication Officer
Organization: Malaria
Consortium
Consortium
Project Name: USAID/PMI
Malaria Action Program for Districts (MAPD) Project
Malaria Action Program for Districts (MAPD) Project
Duty Station: Fort Portal,
Kabarole, Uganda
Kabarole, Uganda
Reports to: Regional
Coordinator
Coordinator
Salary: USD 13,320 gross per
annum
annum
About Malaria Consortium:
Malaria Consortium is the world’s leading not-for-profit organisation
dedicated to the comprehensive control of malaria and other communicable
diseases in Africa and Southeast Asia. Malaria Consortium works with
communities, government and non-government agencies, academic institutions, and
local and international organisations, to ensure good evidence supports
delivery of effective services, providing technical support for monitoring and
evaluation of programmes and activities for evidence-based decision-making and
strategic planning. Malaria Consortium works to improve not only the health of
the individual, but also the capacity of national health systems, which helps
relieve poverty and support improved economic prosperity.
dedicated to the comprehensive control of malaria and other communicable
diseases in Africa and Southeast Asia. Malaria Consortium works with
communities, government and non-government agencies, academic institutions, and
local and international organisations, to ensure good evidence supports
delivery of effective services, providing technical support for monitoring and
evaluation of programmes and activities for evidence-based decision-making and
strategic planning. Malaria Consortium works to improve not only the health of
the individual, but also the capacity of national health systems, which helps
relieve poverty and support improved economic prosperity.
About USAID MAPD Project:
The Malaria Action Program for Districts (MAPD) project is a 5-year
USAID/PMI funded project. The project aims to prevent and control Malaria illnesses
and deaths in order to minimise the social economic effects of the disease
among the overall population of Uganda especially in children under 5 years of
age. The project will be implemented starting in August 2016, and will cover 43
districts with a total population of more than 13 million. The Malaria Action
Program for Districts project offers a partnership uniquely positioned to
deliver this implementation rollout. Partners include Johns Hopkins Program for
International Education in Gynecology and Obstetrics (JHPIEGO), Banyan Global,
Deloitte &Touché Uganda, Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI) and
Communication for Development Foundation-Uganda (CDFU).
USAID/PMI funded project. The project aims to prevent and control Malaria illnesses
and deaths in order to minimise the social economic effects of the disease
among the overall population of Uganda especially in children under 5 years of
age. The project will be implemented starting in August 2016, and will cover 43
districts with a total population of more than 13 million. The Malaria Action
Program for Districts project offers a partnership uniquely positioned to
deliver this implementation rollout. Partners include Johns Hopkins Program for
International Education in Gynecology and Obstetrics (JHPIEGO), Banyan Global,
Deloitte &Touché Uganda, Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI) and
Communication for Development Foundation-Uganda (CDFU).
Job Summary: The
Communication Officer will provide communications and implementation support to
all MAPD project activities in the region of operation. The incumbent involves
implementation of communications activities which include social mobilization
and social behaviour change communication (SBCC), advocacy, documentation and
dissemination of learnings and external communications/public relations. The
jobholder will also implement these activities according to the communications
strategies of the country office, the projects’ activity planning and under the
guidance of the Communications Specialist and with support from the Regional
Coordinator. S/he will also ensure an appropriate level of relevant visibility
for the project among stakeholders through engagement with the media, regional
events, and other relevant forum.
Communication Officer will provide communications and implementation support to
all MAPD project activities in the region of operation. The incumbent involves
implementation of communications activities which include social mobilization
and social behaviour change communication (SBCC), advocacy, documentation and
dissemination of learnings and external communications/public relations. The
jobholder will also implement these activities according to the communications
strategies of the country office, the projects’ activity planning and under the
guidance of the Communications Specialist and with support from the Regional
Coordinator. S/he will also ensure an appropriate level of relevant visibility
for the project among stakeholders through engagement with the media, regional
events, and other relevant forum.
Key Duties and Responsibilities:
Behaviour Change Communications (50%)
·
Under
the lead of the Communications Manager and in cooperation with the regional
coordinator, lead the implementation of behaviour change communications
according to country strategies and project’s work plans
Under
the lead of the Communications Manager and in cooperation with the regional
coordinator, lead the implementation of behaviour change communications
according to country strategies and project’s work plans
·
Work
in close collaboraton with the project’s technical officer(s), to liase with
communities, local opinion and religious leaders to ensure their involvement
and participation in all behaviour change communications activities
Work
in close collaboraton with the project’s technical officer(s), to liase with
communities, local opinion and religious leaders to ensure their involvement
and participation in all behaviour change communications activities
·
Under
the lead of the M&E specialist and the Communications Team, ensure
appropriate data is collected to monitor the impact of the communications
activities
Under
the lead of the M&E specialist and the Communications Team, ensure
appropriate data is collected to monitor the impact of the communications
activities
·
Maintain
regular communication with the MAPD Regional Coordinator and compile
work plan updates from the field
Maintain
regular communication with the MAPD Regional Coordinator and compile
work plan updates from the field
Documentation (25%)
·
Under
the lead of the Communications Specialist and in cooperation with the regional
coordinator, ensure the implementation of documentation exercises such
as story collection – including pictures – and coordination of research
assistants for the collection of data for dipstick surveys or case studies
Under
the lead of the Communications Specialist and in cooperation with the regional
coordinator, ensure the implementation of documentation exercises such
as story collection – including pictures – and coordination of research
assistants for the collection of data for dipstick surveys or case studies
·
Ensure
the quality of the data, testimonies and pictures collected in the field and
their appropriate label
Ensure
the quality of the data, testimonies and pictures collected in the field and
their appropriate label
·
Offer
timely support to the regional coordinator and M&E Specialists in story
writing and data analysis as required
Offer
timely support to the regional coordinator and M&E Specialists in story
writing and data analysis as required
·
Assist
the M&E Officer to ensure that all relevant project documentation is
disseminated to the district health teams.
Assist
the M&E Officer to ensure that all relevant project documentation is
disseminated to the district health teams.
Monitoring and Evaluation (10%)
·
Work
closely with the MAPD M&E Officer and Regional Coordinator in the monitoring
and evaluation of project activities
Work
closely with the MAPD M&E Officer and Regional Coordinator in the monitoring
and evaluation of project activities
·
Support
the conduct of surveys as required.
Support
the conduct of surveys as required.
Networking (5%)
·
Provide
support to the projects’ staff to maintain effective relationships with
local governments and development partners when required
Provide
support to the projects’ staff to maintain effective relationships with
local governments and development partners when required
·
Serve
as the main liaison agent between Malaria Consortium and cultural and religious
institutions in their region of intervention
Serve
as the main liaison agent between Malaria Consortium and cultural and religious
institutions in their region of intervention
·
Build
effective and collaborative relationships with all project partners,
including the district health teams, implementing partners and network of CSOs.
Build
effective and collaborative relationships with all project partners,
including the district health teams, implementing partners and network of CSOs.
·
Actively
participate in relevant meetings, presenting project results and experiences as
required.
Actively
participate in relevant meetings, presenting project results and experiences as
required.
External Communications (5%)
·
Facilitate
the relationship between Malaria Consortium and the regional media
representatives based in their districts of intervention, in accordance with
the country office rules regarding media engagement
Facilitate
the relationship between Malaria Consortium and the regional media
representatives based in their districts of intervention, in accordance with
the country office rules regarding media engagement
Other (5%)
·
Actively
participate as a member of the MAPD Project technical team.
Actively
participate as a member of the MAPD Project technical team.
·
Adhere
to all project policies and procedures.
Adhere
to all project policies and procedures.
·
Adhere
to internationally recognized humanitarian and development principles at all
times during the implementation of the project.
Adhere
to internationally recognized humanitarian and development principles at all
times during the implementation of the project.
Qualifications, Skills and
Experience:
Experience:
·
The applicant for the Malaria Consortium USAID
MAPD Communication Officer job opportunity should hold a Degree in in communications, marketing, or
related field, ideally with a public health bias
The applicant for the Malaria Consortium USAID
MAPD Communication Officer job opportunity should hold a Degree in in communications, marketing, or
related field, ideally with a public health bias
·
At
least three years of professional experience in behaviour change
communications, community mobilisation and/or projects documentation.
At
least three years of professional experience in behaviour change
communications, community mobilisation and/or projects documentation.
·
Previous
experience implementing community activations and implementation of behaviour
change communications activities and documentation.
Previous
experience implementing community activations and implementation of behaviour
change communications activities and documentation.
·
Experience
in story collection and story writing to document projects’ achievements
Experience
in story collection and story writing to document projects’ achievements
·
Working
knowledge of the community and local government structures
Working
knowledge of the community and local government structures
·
Broad
knowledge and understanding of basic public health issues in Uganda and the
required behaviour change associated to them.
Broad
knowledge and understanding of basic public health issues in Uganda and the
required behaviour change associated to them.
·
Skills
in the use of different media outlets (photography, film, TV, radio,
newspapers, etc.) for communications/advocacy purposes
Skills
in the use of different media outlets (photography, film, TV, radio,
newspapers, etc.) for communications/advocacy purposes
·
Experience
in health sector advocacy work
Experience
in health sector advocacy work
·
The
applicant must have foundational knowledge of public health approaches
The
applicant must have foundational knowledge of public health approaches
·
Excellent oral and written communication skills, and ability to convey
messages to diverse audiences
Excellent oral and written communication skills, and ability to convey
messages to diverse audiences
·
Keen
interest in and desire to promote improved health policy and practice
Keen
interest in and desire to promote improved health policy and practice
·
Proven
skills in writing, copy editing, proof reading and documentation, with
excellent attention to detail.
Proven
skills in writing, copy editing, proof reading and documentation, with
excellent attention to detail.
·
Excellent
computer skills (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher or other design
software)
Excellent
computer skills (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher or other design
software)
·
Excellent
organization, planning, communication and follow-up skills
Excellent
organization, planning, communication and follow-up skills
·
Ability
to prioritize and manage multiple assignments.
Ability
to prioritize and manage multiple assignments.
·
Strong
interpersonal skills and ability to interact effectively with all levels
of associates, including management.
Strong
interpersonal skills and ability to interact effectively with all levels
of associates, including management.
·
Skills
in the use of different media outlets (photography, film, TV, radio,
newspapers, etc.) for communications purposes
Skills
in the use of different media outlets (photography, film, TV, radio,
newspapers, etc.) for communications purposes
·
Understanding
of the Ugandan Health Sector
Understanding
of the Ugandan Health Sector
·
Previous
experience in public health communications campaigns
Previous
experience in public health communications campaigns
·
Experience
and skills in training and transfer of knowledge
Experience
and skills in training and transfer of knowledge
Core Competencies:
Delivering Results: Takes on pieces of work when required and
demonstrates excellent project management skills
demonstrates excellent project management skills
·
Shows
a flexible approach to taking on additional work / responsibilities when needed
to achieve results
Shows
a flexible approach to taking on additional work / responsibilities when needed
to achieve results
·
Demonstrates
excellent project management skills to agreed timescales (timelines, targets,
donor requirements)
Demonstrates
excellent project management skills to agreed timescales (timelines, targets,
donor requirements)
·
Makes
clear and timely decisions within remit of own role Analysis and use of
information
Makes
clear and timely decisions within remit of own role Analysis and use of
information
Uses evidence to support work:
·
Identifies
and uses various sources of evidence and feedback to support outputs
Identifies
and uses various sources of evidence and feedback to support outputs
·
Uses
evidence to evaluate policies, projects and programmes
Uses
evidence to evaluate policies, projects and programmes
·
Identifies
links between events and information identifying trends, issues and risks
Identifies
links between events and information identifying trends, issues and risks
·
Ensures
systems are in place to address organisation needs
Ensures
systems are in place to address organisation needs
Interpersonal and Communications:
Fosters two-way communication
Fosters two-way communication
·
Recalls
others’ main points and takes them into account in own communication
Recalls
others’ main points and takes them into account in own communication
·
Checks
own understanding of others’ communication by asking questions
Checks
own understanding of others’ communication by asking questions
·
Maintains
constructive, open and consistent communication with others
Maintains
constructive, open and consistent communication with others
·
Resolves
minor misunderstandings and conflicts effectively
Resolves
minor misunderstandings and conflicts effectively
Collaboration and Partnering: Collaborates effectively across
teams
teams
·
Proactive
in providing and seeking support from expert colleagues
Proactive
in providing and seeking support from expert colleagues
·
Raises
difficult issues with teams/ partners and stakeholders with a view to positive
resolution
Raises
difficult issues with teams/ partners and stakeholders with a view to positive
resolution
·
Proactive
in building a rapport with a diverse range of people
Proactive
in building a rapport with a diverse range of people
Leading and motivating
people: Manages own development and seeks opportunities
people: Manages own development and seeks opportunities
·
Actively
manages own development and performance positively
Actively
manages own development and performance positively
·
Learns
lessons from successes and failures
Learns
lessons from successes and failures
·
Seeks
and explores opportunities within Malaria Consortium which develop skills and
expertise
Seeks
and explores opportunities within Malaria Consortium which develop skills and
expertise
Flexibility/ adaptability: Remains
professional under external pressure
professional under external pressure
·
Able
to adapt to changing situations effortlessly
Able
to adapt to changing situations effortlessly
·
Remains
constructive and positive under stress and able to tolerate difficult
situations and environments
Remains
constructive and positive under stress and able to tolerate difficult
situations and environments
·
Plans,
prioritizes and performs tasks well under pressure
Plans,
prioritizes and performs tasks well under pressure
·
Learns
from own successes / mistakes
Learns
from own successes / mistakes
Living the Values: Promotes
Malaria Consortium values amongst peers
Malaria Consortium values amongst peers
·
Shows
a readiness to promote Malaria Consortium’s values amongst peers
Shows
a readiness to promote Malaria Consortium’s values amongst peers
·
Promotes
ethical and professional behaviour in line with Malaria Consortium’s values
Promotes
ethical and professional behaviour in line with Malaria Consortium’s values
Strategic planning and
thinking and sector awareness: Is aware of others’ activities
and vice versa in planning activities
thinking and sector awareness: Is aware of others’ activities
and vice versa in planning activities
·
Takes
account of team members and others workload when planning.
Takes
account of team members and others workload when planning.
·
Maintains
awareness of impact on other parts of the organisation, keeping abreast of
other’s activities, objectives, commitments and needs
Maintains
awareness of impact on other parts of the organisation, keeping abreast of
other’s activities, objectives, commitments and needs
·
Has a
good understanding of the sector in which Malaria Consortium works
Has a
good understanding of the sector in which Malaria Consortium works
How to Apply:
All interested applicants are encouraged to apply online at the web
link below.
link below.
Deadline: 16th
September 2016 by 2:30 pm
September 2016 by 2:30 pm
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