Communications Manager, Vaccine Access and Delivery
PATH is an international nonprofit organization that transforms global health through innovation. We take an entrepreneurial approach to developing and delivering high-impact, low-cost solutions, from lifesaving vaccines and devices to collaborative programs with communities. Through our work in more than 70 countries, PATH and our partners empower people to achieve their full potential.
PATH's Vaccine Access and Delivery (VAD) Global Program supports the integration of vaccines for public health impact and disease control in developing countries by focusing on activities that facilitate vaccine introduction and widespread use, such as determining disease burden, conducting clinical trials, establishing the health economics of vaccine use, raising awareness of disease burden and the impact of vaccination, increasing the availability of technologies through licensing and commercialization, and advocating for appropriate policies. In addition, the program implements activities that improve the accessibility of high-quality immunization services including training, supervision, health information systems, immunization safety, logistics and communication.
Vaccine Access and Delivery is currently recruiting for a Communications Manager to support the PATH-hosted Vaccine Implementation Technical Assistance Consortium (VITAC). The Communications Manager will contribute to VITAC efforts to develop and deliver innovative communication strategies that support the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI) Alliance mission to save children’s lives and protect people’s health by increasing access to immunization in poor countries.
VITAC partners include the GAVI Secretariat, WHO, UNICEF, and a consortium of technical institutions, including Johns Hopkins University and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); the consortium is led by PATH and funded by GAVI. The primary goal of VITAC is to support strengthened routine immunization and the accelerated introduction and optimal implementation of new vaccines into the routine immunization programs of GAVI-eligible countries. Duties and responsibilities include:
The Communications Manager will work closely with the Country Programmes (CP) department of the GAVI Secretariat as an ‘embedded’ VITAC staff member to:
- Lead/support the development of communication materials and messages to support country efforts to effectively secure optimal GAVI-country engagement. Responsibilities include:
- Identifying key communication needs and opportunities relevant for GAVI-eligible countries.
- Overseeing the preparation of communication materials, including gaining broad agreement and sign off within GAVI Secretariat and across partner organizations.
- Ensuring alignment with other GAVI media, communication and advocacy activities.
- Facilitating a constructive two-way dialogue with countries and partners in relation to GAVI policies and processes.
- Working with GAVI Alliance partners to coordinate message development and delivery.
- Support Country Programs’ contributions to GAVI policy development and manage the development of associated implementation and communication materials as requested. Responsibilities include:
- Conducting policy analyses to identify gaps in policy and processes and engaging in creative brainstorming to identify policy-related solutions.
- Supporting the production of communication and policy implementation materials specific to any new or updated policies and processes, starting in advance of Board approval.
- Facilitating policy implementation through maintaining an understanding of their progress and tracking questions and issues, also ensuring a feedback loop contributes to future policy design and communication planning.
- Contributing to setting the direction of the GAVI Alliance Vaccine Implementation Management Team (VIMT) through planning the agenda, tracking future agenda topics, tracking and follow up of actions and decisions, and minute-taking.
- Providing professional oversight and management support to the work of the GAVI communication officer.
- Ensuring a close working relationship with the GAVI Country Programmes Managing Director including securing appropriate approvals for plans, strategic direction and deliverables.
- Handling sensitive PATH and GAVI information with good judgment, and demonstrate a discerning approach to sharing intelligence with the management teams at PATH and at GAVI.
- Reporting to the VITAC A&C Director and as a member of the VITAC Advocacy & Communication Team develop creative approaches, key messages, communication materials and operational plans to achieve VITAC advocacy and communication goals.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills in English.
- Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
- Understanding of strategic communications, advocacy, and policy.
- Strategic planning and oversight of work plans.
- Adept at navigating a complex team environment.
- Willingness and ability to travel.
- Proven facilitation skills; training skills desirable.
- Additional language skills desirable.
A minimum of five years’ experience, preferably in an international context in a related field (communications, advocacy, policy development). Masters degree (or equivalent) in communications, marketing and/or journalism, public health, international development or similar. Experience in working in a multi-stakeholder international setting.
PATH is dedicated to diversity and is an equal opportunity employer.
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