The Ugandan Jobline

Job Title:   Communications Officer  

Organization:  Mental
Health Uganda (MHU)

Duty Station:  Kampala,
Uganda

Reports to: Executive
Director

About US:

Mental Health Uganda
(MHU), is a local Non-Governmental Organization established by people with a
lived experience of mental health problems. It exists to create a unified voice
that influences the provision of required services and opportunities, in favour
of people with and survivors of mental health problems in Uganda.

About Project:

MHU, will soon start
the project “Amplifying the Voices of Young People with Mental Health Issues in
Uganda”. The project seeks to address the problem of accessibility to mental
health care in the districts of Uganda, particularly for youth by, among other
things, establishing a national help line where people with, or caretakers of,
people with mental health issues can receive counselling and/or guidance of where
to find appropriate help. The project will be implemented in 8 districts across
4 regions i.e. Northern region in Gulu district and Lira district; Central
region in Mpigi district and Kampala district; Eastern region in Soroti
district and Mbale district; Western region in Mbarara district and Rukungiri
district.

Job Summary:  The Communications Officer is responsible for
the creation and implementation of communications strategies that further our
goals. As MHU expands, we need someone who can promote our brand, interact with
the public and establish productive relationships with key stakeholders and policymakers.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:  

Coordination of
communication and visibility activities

·       
Collaborate
with management to develop and implement an effective communications strategy
based on the MHU target audience

·       
Write,
edit, and distribute high-quality compelling content, including publications,
press releases, stories, annual reports, speeches, and other marketing material
that communicates MHU’s activities, products and/or services

·       
Regularly
update the MHU website and social media platforms

·       
Perform
the function of a Focal Point for contact, communication and visibility for MHU

·       
Contribute
to the strengthening of partnerships with civil society especially within the
disability coalition

·       
Organize
operational and high-level events and meetings with representatives of
government agencies, partners, private sector, etc. towards the promotion of
MHU

·       
Design,
production and dissemination of MHU visibility materials

·       
Establish
and maintain key media contacts and relationships

·       
Coordinate
the publication of the MHU quarterly newsletter or news article.

Capitalization and
Reporting

·       
Compile
progress and activity reports as per MHU and or donor requirements

·       
Compile
best practices and lessons learned for MHU and its partners for dissemination
and application purposes, using relevant visual aids

·       
Collect,
edit and publish human-interest stories for MHU, the donors and to mark
specific moments e.g. for World Mental Health Day, among others.

Advocacy and
knowledge sharing

·       
Take the
lead in the roll-out of disability awareness campaigns to promote the good
mental wellbeing agenda

·       
Support
knowledge sharing on mental health service provision in local, national and
international groups.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

·       
The
ideal candidate must hold a Degree in Communication, Journalism, Public
relations or any other relevant Held;

·       
At least
five years of relevant working experience, preferably in an NGO environment.
Previous work with persons with mental disabilities will be a plus.

·       
Excellent
writing, editing and reporting skills

·       
Experience
of communicating project/programme results

·       
Very
strong experience in website management

·       
A strong
appreciation and use of different social media platforms

·       
Knowledge
of mental health issues in Uganda

·       
Proven
photography and videography skills

·       
Attention
to detail and accuracy

·       
High
level of English, both written and verbal

·       
Detail-oriented
and proactive

·       
ICT
skills in Word, PowerPoint, Graphic Designs, Digital technology, using
smartphones, etc.

Desirable:

·       
People
management skills

·       
Proactive
and motivated with a strong commitment to MHU’s vision, mission and values

·       
Soft
skills such as working in a team, working autonomously, etc.

·       
 

How to Apply:

All suitably
qualified and interested candidates should send a motivation letter and CV as
one PDF document/file of maximum 5 pages via email to
mhu@mentalhealthuganda.org – subject line is the job title e.g. “Communications
Officer”.

NB: Do not send
academic documents – heavy files containing academic documents or submitted as
images and or late applications will not be considered. Only shortlisted
candidates will be contacted. The Letter must also include the details of 2
suitable referees who can comment on the candidate’s ability. Women and Persons
with disabilities are highly encouraged to apply including those with a living
experience of mental health problems.

Deadline: 24^th June 2020 by 4:00pm

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