Advocacy and Communications Officer
(TEMPORARY FOR 4 MONTHS)
DEPARTMENT: PROGRAMS
BASED AT: PSI UGANDA HEAD OFFICE
REPORTS TO: ADVOCACY AND PARTNERSHIP COORDINATOR AND STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER
START DATE: SEPTEMBER 2021
WHO WE ARE
Population Services International (PSI) is the world’s leading non-profit social marketing organization. We are a diverse group of over 5,000 entrepreneurial development professionals located in over 40 countries committed to making it easier for all people to lead healthier lives and plan the families they desire. PSI is using its global presence and 50+ years of experience to help reimagine healthcare. We are working to shape market systems, shift policy and funding, and strengthen global capacity to better support consumer empowered healthcare.
Join us!
We are looking for a suitable candidate to take on the role of Temporary Advocacy and
Communications Officer to support the execution of PSI Uganda’s advocacy and communications
strategies in line with PSI Uganda’s vision and mission and facilitate the strategic positioning of PSI Uganda as a key player and ally in the reproductive health realm.
Sound like you? Read on.
Your contribution
I. Advocacy
1. Under the guidance of the Advocacy and Partnerships coordinator, support in the coordination of stakeholders and operation of key technology platforms such as the Self-Care Expert Group and National Drug Shop Task Force that are delivering on specific PSI Uganda and Ministry of Health objectives
2. Support the NPI Project coordinator in project-specific advocacy for the NPI project at national and local government levels
3. Facilitate continuous coordination and tracking of PSI Uganda’s meaningful participation and representation in the various networks including USAID specific networks, coalitions, working groups, and task-forces
4. Collaborate with strategic information and learning (SIL) and communications component in popularizing PSI Uganda’s implementations, at global, regional, national, and sub-national levels, through strategic positioning
5. Collaborate with cross-department teams to update the partnerships database in line with the program implementation needs and the platform strategic plan
6. Liaise with the Ministry of Health, KCCA, and NPI implementation districts teams (Kampala, Wakiso, and Mukono) to avail relevant support e.g. support letters, meetings, representation in engagements e.t.c. that might be required in PSI Uganda’s implementations
7. Support meaningful and impactful partnerships as well as cascading advocacy efforts at the subnational levels with guidance from the regional teams
8. Collaborate with cross-department teams to strengthen implementation of risk management and monitor operational context
II. Communications
1. Under the guidance of the Communications Manager, support teams in drafting communications copy (e.g., success stories, blog posts, news articles, publications, speeches, ad copy, radio and tv scripts, social media posts, presentations, reports, newsletters etc.) and other marketing materials that communicate PSI Uganda’s activities.
2. Support capacity building efforts for UPMA to develop their corporate documentation and communication skills to harvest communication products
3. Executing social media strategies and community management of campaign social pages (DISC, YoSpace, PSI Uganda, etc.). Adheres to social media calendar and posts/traffics messages through multiple simultaneous networks (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube), maintaining a high quality of postings along with high post frequency to optimize engagement of various social media audiences. Is the face of PSI Uganda’s “customer service” via social media, by providing a frontline response to inquiries and requests across all channels and trafficking them to the appropriate departments.
4. Maintain content calendars and Communications team appointments (both internal and external).
5. Assist with the production and updating of organizational materials, including background materials and collateral to leave with funders.
6. Support Communications Manager in the planning and documentation of PSI Uganda events e.g., donor visits partner meetings, community outreaches, exhibitions, press conferences, meetings, etc. In addition, support PSI Uganda’s presence at selected workshops and conferences by managing exhibit arrangements, coordinating technical/program staff support, and materials.
7. Liaise with graphic designers and other vendors to develop and produce materials.
What are we looking for?
• A bachelor’s degree in public health, social work, communications is essential
• Additional training in Project Planning and management is an added advantage
• At least 4 years of experience working in advocacy and or public affairs in the field of health and human rights aimed to strengthen collaboration to shape the health agenda
• Knowledge of health issues with specific interest and skills in the SRHR
• Experience in strategic communications
• Stakeholder engagement experience and demonstrated results of influencing others to advance health and human rights issues.
What would get us excited?
• Ability to work autonomously combined with experience working remotely to support sub-national partners to achieve institutional advocacy goals
• Experience developing and managing efforts to influence policymakers, NGOs, and other external stakeholders
• Strong analytical, writing, editing, and verbal skills for communicating with broad and diverse stakeholders
• Effective as a collaborator in complex internal and external organizations
• Ability to work with efficiency and diplomacy
• Proven ability to build and cultivate strong relationships
• Ability to balance competing priorities and identify when to escalate an issue or call out risk.
The candidate we hire will embody PSI’s corporate values:
• Measurement: Evidence, research. metrics and evaluation inform our choices
• Pragmatism: We strive for excellence, but useful and timely are better than perfect
• Honesty: We act with integrity, share what we achieve, and admit when we fail
• Collaboration: Active partnering drives impact
• Trust: We have confidence in our people to make good decisions
• Commitment: We build local capacity and programs that last.
Application procedure
Interested candidates should email their cover letter addressed to the Human Resources and Administration Manager, PSIU, and an updated CV ONLY to apply@psiug.org indicating the Job title in the subject of the email.
Inclusion of your salary expectation in your cover letter is a key requirement.
Submission of certified academic papers is compulsory.
Applications should reach us not later than 5.00 pm (1700H) on Friday, August 27th, 2021.
Applications received will be reviewed on a rolling basis, so we encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible!
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted