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Communications Officer, Reproductive Health RH - Reproductive Health Supplies Coalition / PATH

RH - Reproductive Health Supplies Coalition / PATH

Brussels, Belgium

Job Description

The Reproductive Health Supplies Coalition is a global partnership of over 160 public, private, and non-governmental organizations dedicated to ensuring that all people in low- and middle-income countries can choose, obtain, and use affordable, high-quality supplies and related services to ensure their better reproductive health. Our small Brussels-based Secretariat is managed by PATH, an international, nonprofit organization that creates sustainable, culturally relevant solutions, enabling communities worldwide to break longstanding cycles of poor health. The Secretariat also includes staff based at PATH’s offices in Washington, DC and Seattle.

Since the establishment of the Reproductive Health Supplies Coalition Secretariat in 2006, our communication needs have grown exponentially. In addition to maintaining a large website and monthly newsletter, we are engaged in social media, broad-based advocacy, press relations, and public speaking engagements. We also host and manage a series of listserves, databases, and online inventories of key Coalition activities.

The Secretariat is seeking an experienced Communications Officer with the skills, enthusiasm and initiative to manage this diverse communications program. Drawing on his/her own abilities and those of other staff, the Communications Officer will translate into action a new communications strategy, which he/she will help to develop. This will mean delivering key communications outputs such as copy for the website, newsletter and social media outlets. It will mean keeping abreast of and understanding the technical content of the Coalition’s work; and it will mean communicating that content effectively, accurately, and in ways that meet the needs of different audiences. Finally, it will mean managing and backstopping, if necessary, the various partners on whom the Coalition’s communication output relies: web manager, graphics designers, translators, and relevant Secretariat staff.

The Communications Officer will be a full-time mid-level post, ideally based in the Secretariat’s Brussels office.

Key responsibilities include the following:

  • Coordinate the formulation of a new communications strategy which will define the Coalition’s communications work over the period 2012-2015 and possibly beyond;
  • Develop, strengthen or sustain internal systems and structures necessary to effectively implement the strategy;
  • Work with Coalition partners in identifying opportunities for effective communications and advocacy;
  • Oversee quality assurance of all communications products;
  • Manage the engagement of Secretariat staff in preparing key communication materials;
  • Manage and prepare copy for the Coalition website, monthly newsletter and social media channels;
  • Routinely upload both text and graphics to the Coalition website;
  • Develop presentations, speeches, and simple graphics for use by Secretariat staff and Coalition representatives;
  • Draft and place op-eds;
  • Ensure communications are up to date, relevant, and cohesive.

Required Skills

The Communications Officer must have broad-based experience in the communications field, possess solid writing skills, and demonstrate familiarity with all the components of effective advocacy communications (copywriting, design, creative technology, press, etc.). More specific requirements include:

  • Native English speaker or near native fluency;
  • Excellent, proven English writing skills;
  • Solid experience in electronic media, including social media;
  • Demonstrated management skills;
  • Proven capacity to think and work strategically;
  • Excellent interpersonal skills and an ability to build partnerships across organizations and geographic locations;
  • Independent working and problem solving skills, and a track record of taking initiative and thinking outside the box;
  • Flexibility to work in a dynamic, culturally diverse environment;
  • An eye for visual design and layout (for both print and electronic media), and basic knowledge of graphics software (Photoshop) desirable;
  • Knowledge of French desirable.

Required Experience

University degree in communications or equivalent along with a minimum of five years of experience in communications, including social media and media relations and three years of experience managing a diverse communications portfolio. Experience working for networks/coalitions and global health issues preferred.

Application

If you are interested in applying, please submit your application through this link by 15 January 2012.