Strategic Health Communication Officer Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC)
SECRETARIAT OF THE PACIFIC COMMUNITY
JOB DESCRIPTION
STRATEGIC HEALTH COMMUNICATION OFFICER
BACKGROUND
The Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) is an international organisation that provides technical and policy advice and assistance, training and research services to its Pacific Island members. SPC works in a wide range of sectors with the aim of achieving three development outcomes – sustainable economic development, sustainable natural resource management and development, and sustainable human and social development.
SPC was established in 1947. It has 26 member countries and territories and its working languages are English and French. SPC’s headquarters are in Noumea, New Caledonia. It has regional offices in Suva, Fiji, and Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), and country offices in Honiara, Solomon Islands and Port Vila, Vanuatu. Additional information on SPC, particularly regarding its work in specific sectors, can be found on its website: www.spc.int.
PUBLIC HEALTH DIVISION
SPC’s Public Health Division (PHD) supports the development of healthier Pacific Island communities through four broad objectives under the strategic plan 2010–2014:
1. Combat and reduce the overall impact and burden of diseases.
2. Contribute to strengthening national health systems.
3. Increase the capacity of Pacific Island countries and territories (PICTs) to address non-health sector determinants of health.
4. Increase the efficiency and impact of interventions.
PHD’s primary focus is to provide technical assistance and to implement programmes in support of countries’ priorities and plans. PHD has staff based in Noumea, Suva, Pohnpei, Honiara and Port Vila. Information on PHD and the division’s strategic plan is available at www.spc.int/php.
The Prevention, Health Promotion and Communication Team is part of the Health Advancement Unit (HAU). The HAU is one of three units that, together with the Office of the Director, operationalizes the strategies contained in the PHD Strategic Plan. The team is specifically concerned with the prevention of diseases and conditions of public health importance, the promotion of healthy lifetsyles and the effective communication of information between service providers and recipients and also communication among multiple stakeholders. To maximise outputs and outcomes, the team works with and across many stakeholders in programmes related to HIV/STIs, adolescent health development, non-communicable diseases and emerging issues such as food security and climate change.
The Strategic Health Communications Officer, under the supervision of the Team Leader, Prevention, Health Promotion and Communication, will gather and publish in a range of print, electronic and on-line media, research and information on public health in the Pacific region within the framework of the Pacific Regional Strategy on HIV and STIs (2009-2013) (PRSIP II) for dissemination to PRSIP II donors, partners, health professionals, NGOs and the media. A secondary objective is to support Pacific island countries and territories (PICTs) to introduce information and communications technology (ICT) and social media as tools for strategic health communication, health promotion and behaviour change communication. A third objective is to ensure that PHD staff and health promotion staff in PICTs develop skills in written communication, documentation of best practice and working with the media. The position will work closely with other SPC staff, in particular the HIV/STI Team and the Grants Management Unit.
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The position of Strategic Health Communication Officer encompasses the following major roles and responsibilities in support of PHD’s strategic plan objectives:
• Develop and implement PRSIP II Communications Strategy in collaboration with PRSIP regional partners (WHO, UNFPA, UNICEF, Pacific AIDS Foundation and others).
• Lead regional PRSIP II partners’ collaboration to significantly enhance media coverage research, issues, activities and events relating to HIV, STIs and strategic health communication in the Pacific.
• Coordinate and facilitate technical assistance in HIV/STI communications in response to requests from member countries and territories, including training for media professionals/journalists.
• Contribute to a culture of information exchange on HIV, STIs and strategic health communication within the region.
• Support PICTs to introduce new ICT and social media platforms as tools for health promotion, disease prevention and behaviour change communication (e.g. SMS messaging, Facebook, etc.).
• Support PICTs to strengthen media advocacy as key tools for strategic health communication/social and behaviour change communication.
• Promote the use and implementation of strategic health communication (SHC) and other innovative tools for health promotion, social and behaviour change.
• Support the Health Advancement Unit’s contribution to communication elements of the regional frameworks addressing NCDs and adolescent development.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Essential
1. Post graduate degree in journalism, communications, media relations or a related field, or equivalent years of relevant industry experience.
2. At least 5 years’ experience working in print and on-line journalism with highly developed written and oral communication skills inEnglish.
3. Experience in developing, implementing, monitoring and evaluating health communication strategies, ideally with experience in HIV/STIs.
4. Experience producing a range of multimedia materials, targeted to a variety of audiences.
5. Familiarity with social media and other communication technologies - including experience in website development and content management using Joomla software - and database management.
6. Sound interpersonal and capacity building skills, ideally with experience in training, facilitation and mentoring.
Desirable
1. Qualification and experience in either social, human rights or development issues or international relations.
2. Experience working with governments, NGOs and other development partners in the Pacific region.
3. Knowledge and networks within mainstream media in Australia and New Zealand.
4. For English speakers, a knowledge of French.
SALARY, TERMS AND CONDITIONS
SALARY AND ALLOWANCES
The position is in Band 10 of SPC’s salary scale.
Salaries for staff recruited internationally are set in SDR (special drawing rights) and paid in the local currency (i.e. the Fiji dollar, FJD, in Fiji). As per SPC’s 2011 salary scale, the salary range for this band is SDR 2,133–3,200 per month. At prevailing exchange rates these amounts convert to approximately FJD 5,900–8,900 per month (USD 3,300–5,000; € 2,500–3,800).
Offers of appointment for initial contracts will made in the lower half of this range, with due consideration being given to experience and qualifications.
The organisation subsidises housing. A housing allowance of 75 per cent of the total rental, up to a limit of FJD 2,625 per month, will be provided. The minimum housing allowance payable is FJD 1,170 per month.
In addition, an establishment grant will be payable to non-residents of Fiji. Where appropriate, other allowances, such as an education allowance, may be payable.
While SPC remuneration is not subject to income tax in Fiji at the present time, this status is currently under review by the Government of Fiji. Any change in this status will apply to Fiji nationals.
PROVIDENT FUND
The appointee will be eligible for membership in SPC’s Staff Provident Fund. Staff members contribute eight per cent of their base salary, to which SPC adds a matching contribution.
TENURE
The appointment is for a period up to 31 December 2013, with the possibility of renewal for a further period depending on performance and continued funding availability.
DUTY STATION
Suva, Fiji.
LEAVE
Annual leave will accrue at the rate of 25 working days per annum. For expatriate staff members, home leave fares are payable after 18 months of service.
Sick leave is 30 working days per annum.
MEDICAL BENEFITS
SPC’s Staff Medical Insurance reimburses doctor fees, cost of prescribed medicines, surgical and hospital costs, etc. up to certain percentages and limits. Supplementary medical insurance is available to increase these percentage reimbursements and limits.
FARES AND REMOVAL EXPENSES
For an appointee recruited outside of Fiji, the cost of air fares by the most direct and/or economic route for the appointee and recognised dependants, and reasonable removal expenses by sea of personal and household effects, will be met by SPC on appointment and termination.
COMPUTING ENVIRONMENT
SPC has a standardised computing environment based on Microsoft Office running under Microsoft Windows.
SMOKE-FREE ENVIRONMENT
Smoking is not permitted in the work place.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY
SPC is an equal-opportunity employer. Recruitment is based entirely on merit, but in cases where two short-listed candidates are ranked equal by the selection committee, preference will be given to Pacific Island nationals.
APPLICATION PROCEDURES
The closing date for applications is 1 June 2012.
Applicants are asked to use SPC’s online recruitment system by following the link http://www.spc.int/job.html.
Applicants who cannot access the online recruitment system may send their documents to: Director-General, Secretariat of the Pacific Community, P.O. Box D5, 98848 NOUMEA CEDEX, New Caledonia, or submit them by fax (+687 26 38 18) or email (spc@spc.int), preferably as an electronic attachment in Microsoft Word format.
Applicants should provide their curriculum vitae and specifically address how their qualifications, knowledge and experience demonstrate their ability to successfully undertake the duties and responsibilities of the position in their cover letter. They should also provide names and contact details of three referees.
JOB DESCRIPTION
STRATEGIC HEALTH COMMUNICATION OFFICER
BACKGROUND
The Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) is an international organisation that provides technical and policy advice and assistance, training and research services to its Pacific Island members. SPC works in a wide range of sectors with the aim of achieving three development outcomes – sustainable economic development, sustainable natural resource management and development, and sustainable human and social development.
SPC was established in 1947. It has 26 member countries and territories and its working languages are English and French. SPC’s headquarters are in Noumea, New Caledonia. It has regional offices in Suva, Fiji, and Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), and country offices in Honiara, Solomon Islands and Port Vila, Vanuatu. Additional information on SPC, particularly regarding its work in specific sectors, can be found on its website: www.spc.int.
PUBLIC HEALTH DIVISION
SPC’s Public Health Division (PHD) supports the development of healthier Pacific Island communities through four broad objectives under the strategic plan 2010–2014:
1. Combat and reduce the overall impact and burden of diseases.
2. Contribute to strengthening national health systems.
3. Increase the capacity of Pacific Island countries and territories (PICTs) to address non-health sector determinants of health.
4. Increase the efficiency and impact of interventions.
PHD’s primary focus is to provide technical assistance and to implement programmes in support of countries’ priorities and plans. PHD has staff based in Noumea, Suva, Pohnpei, Honiara and Port Vila. Information on PHD and the division’s strategic plan is available at www.spc.int/php.
The Prevention, Health Promotion and Communication Team is part of the Health Advancement Unit (HAU). The HAU is one of three units that, together with the Office of the Director, operationalizes the strategies contained in the PHD Strategic Plan. The team is specifically concerned with the prevention of diseases and conditions of public health importance, the promotion of healthy lifetsyles and the effective communication of information between service providers and recipients and also communication among multiple stakeholders. To maximise outputs and outcomes, the team works with and across many stakeholders in programmes related to HIV/STIs, adolescent health development, non-communicable diseases and emerging issues such as food security and climate change.
The Strategic Health Communications Officer, under the supervision of the Team Leader, Prevention, Health Promotion and Communication, will gather and publish in a range of print, electronic and on-line media, research and information on public health in the Pacific region within the framework of the Pacific Regional Strategy on HIV and STIs (2009-2013) (PRSIP II) for dissemination to PRSIP II donors, partners, health professionals, NGOs and the media. A secondary objective is to support Pacific island countries and territories (PICTs) to introduce information and communications technology (ICT) and social media as tools for strategic health communication, health promotion and behaviour change communication. A third objective is to ensure that PHD staff and health promotion staff in PICTs develop skills in written communication, documentation of best practice and working with the media. The position will work closely with other SPC staff, in particular the HIV/STI Team and the Grants Management Unit.
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The position of Strategic Health Communication Officer encompasses the following major roles and responsibilities in support of PHD’s strategic plan objectives:
• Develop and implement PRSIP II Communications Strategy in collaboration with PRSIP regional partners (WHO, UNFPA, UNICEF, Pacific AIDS Foundation and others).
• Lead regional PRSIP II partners’ collaboration to significantly enhance media coverage research, issues, activities and events relating to HIV, STIs and strategic health communication in the Pacific.
• Coordinate and facilitate technical assistance in HIV/STI communications in response to requests from member countries and territories, including training for media professionals/journalists.
• Contribute to a culture of information exchange on HIV, STIs and strategic health communication within the region.
• Support PICTs to introduce new ICT and social media platforms as tools for health promotion, disease prevention and behaviour change communication (e.g. SMS messaging, Facebook, etc.).
• Support PICTs to strengthen media advocacy as key tools for strategic health communication/social and behaviour change communication.
• Promote the use and implementation of strategic health communication (SHC) and other innovative tools for health promotion, social and behaviour change.
• Support the Health Advancement Unit’s contribution to communication elements of the regional frameworks addressing NCDs and adolescent development.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Essential
1. Post graduate degree in journalism, communications, media relations or a related field, or equivalent years of relevant industry experience.
2. At least 5 years’ experience working in print and on-line journalism with highly developed written and oral communication skills inEnglish.
3. Experience in developing, implementing, monitoring and evaluating health communication strategies, ideally with experience in HIV/STIs.
4. Experience producing a range of multimedia materials, targeted to a variety of audiences.
5. Familiarity with social media and other communication technologies - including experience in website development and content management using Joomla software - and database management.
6. Sound interpersonal and capacity building skills, ideally with experience in training, facilitation and mentoring.
Desirable
1. Qualification and experience in either social, human rights or development issues or international relations.
2. Experience working with governments, NGOs and other development partners in the Pacific region.
3. Knowledge and networks within mainstream media in Australia and New Zealand.
4. For English speakers, a knowledge of French.
SALARY, TERMS AND CONDITIONS
SALARY AND ALLOWANCES
The position is in Band 10 of SPC’s salary scale.
Salaries for staff recruited internationally are set in SDR (special drawing rights) and paid in the local currency (i.e. the Fiji dollar, FJD, in Fiji). As per SPC’s 2011 salary scale, the salary range for this band is SDR 2,133–3,200 per month. At prevailing exchange rates these amounts convert to approximately FJD 5,900–8,900 per month (USD 3,300–5,000; € 2,500–3,800).
Offers of appointment for initial contracts will made in the lower half of this range, with due consideration being given to experience and qualifications.
The organisation subsidises housing. A housing allowance of 75 per cent of the total rental, up to a limit of FJD 2,625 per month, will be provided. The minimum housing allowance payable is FJD 1,170 per month.
In addition, an establishment grant will be payable to non-residents of Fiji. Where appropriate, other allowances, such as an education allowance, may be payable.
While SPC remuneration is not subject to income tax in Fiji at the present time, this status is currently under review by the Government of Fiji. Any change in this status will apply to Fiji nationals.
PROVIDENT FUND
The appointee will be eligible for membership in SPC’s Staff Provident Fund. Staff members contribute eight per cent of their base salary, to which SPC adds a matching contribution.
TENURE
The appointment is for a period up to 31 December 2013, with the possibility of renewal for a further period depending on performance and continued funding availability.
DUTY STATION
Suva, Fiji.
LEAVE
Annual leave will accrue at the rate of 25 working days per annum. For expatriate staff members, home leave fares are payable after 18 months of service.
Sick leave is 30 working days per annum.
MEDICAL BENEFITS
SPC’s Staff Medical Insurance reimburses doctor fees, cost of prescribed medicines, surgical and hospital costs, etc. up to certain percentages and limits. Supplementary medical insurance is available to increase these percentage reimbursements and limits.
FARES AND REMOVAL EXPENSES
For an appointee recruited outside of Fiji, the cost of air fares by the most direct and/or economic route for the appointee and recognised dependants, and reasonable removal expenses by sea of personal and household effects, will be met by SPC on appointment and termination.
COMPUTING ENVIRONMENT
SPC has a standardised computing environment based on Microsoft Office running under Microsoft Windows.
SMOKE-FREE ENVIRONMENT
Smoking is not permitted in the work place.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY
SPC is an equal-opportunity employer. Recruitment is based entirely on merit, but in cases where two short-listed candidates are ranked equal by the selection committee, preference will be given to Pacific Island nationals.
APPLICATION PROCEDURES
The closing date for applications is 1 June 2012.
Applicants are asked to use SPC’s online recruitment system by following the link http://www.spc.int/job.html.
Applicants who cannot access the online recruitment system may send their documents to: Director-General, Secretariat of the Pacific Community, P.O. Box D5, 98848 NOUMEA CEDEX, New Caledonia, or submit them by fax (+687 26 38 18) or email (spc@spc.int), preferably as an electronic attachment in Microsoft Word format.
Applicants should provide their curriculum vitae and specifically address how their qualifications, knowledge and experience demonstrate their ability to successfully undertake the duties and responsibilities of the position in their cover letter. They should also provide names and contact details of three referees.
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