Position title: Manager, In-Country Communications
Location: Geneva
Purpose of the position: Raise awareness of Gavi’s work in implementing countries through traditional media engagement and public advocacy
Department: PE&IS
Team: Communications
Reports to: Senior Manager, Global and Country Media Engagement
N° of positions supervised
(if applicable): N/A (might supervise external suppliers and/or agencies)
Career step level: 3
Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance is a public-private partnership committed to saving children’s lives and protecting people’s health by increasing equitable use of vaccines in lower-income countries. The Vaccine Alliance brings together developing country and donor governments, the World Health Organization, UNICEF, the World Bank, the vaccine industry, technical agencies, civil society, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and other private sector partners. By pooling the demand of Gavi-supported countries, securing long-term commitments from donors and implementing innovative financing mechanisms, Gavi is able to shape markets to ensure sufficient supply of high-quality vaccines at affordable prices. Through its co-financing, eligibility and transition model, Gavi ensures works with countries to scale-up domestic financing for immunisation and to help them transition from Gavi support as their economies grow. Since 2000, Gavi has contributed to the immunisation of nearly 888 million children and the prevention of more than 15 million future deaths. Gavi’s 2021-2025 strategy has equity as its organising principle, with a focus on reaching the 10.6 million children who do not receive a single routine dose of vaccines in Gavi-supported countries each year. With 87% of children already being reached by a first dose of routine vaccines in 2019 (more than any other routine health intervention), extending immunisation services to the communities which are still being missed can be a first step towards achieving universal health coverage.
THE ROLE
The Manager, In-Country Comms, works closely with Gavi’s media, content and advocacy teams to develop and implement engaging media and communication strategies in order to increase the profile of Gavi’s work in implementing countries. The candidate will lead Gavi’s communication efforts with media, partners, CSOs and governments of countries that Gavi supports.
MAIN DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES
• Handle reactive media requests; develop and maintain strong contacts with key media outlets in Gavi-eligible countries;
• Pitch stories and interviews with Gavi’s leadership to high-profile media outlets in Gavi-supported countries;
• Write and produce media materials including press releases, op-eds, Q and As, briefs, and stories or blogs for publication on Gavi’s digital platforms;
• Collaborate with advocacy colleagues on regional- and country-level communications initiatives
• Contribute to the development and implementation of overall communications and media engagement strategies;
• Provide comprehensive media support at Gavi events in donor and implementing countries, including but not limited to press briefings, media visits and others.
Note: The essential functions listed in this section are not exhaustive of the job responsibilities; other duties may be assigned consistently with the department needs.
QUALIFICATIONS
ACADEMIC
• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, public relations, communications or a related field.
WORK EXPERIENCE
• Minimum 5 years of work experience in media and communications, journalism or public relations with the specific experience in African region is required;
• Experience working with journalists is essential;
• Excellent networking skills and writing skills are necessary;
• Experience in managing consultants and PR companies is preferred;
• Knowledge of global health or development issues is greatly preferred;
• Experience in working with government officials and CSO partners in donor and developing countries is an asset;
• Previous journalism, communications and/or public relations experience in Gavi implementing-countries strongly preferred.
SKILLS/COMPETENCIES
• Excellent writing and editorial skills;
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills especially when dealing with complicated or time-sensitive subjects;
• Solid understanding of international development issues and global health;
• Overall knowledge of print, broadcast and digital media and platforms;
• Ability to work independently and on a team, as well as collaborate with other teams within the organisation;
• Excellent political awareness and cultural sensitivity;
• Ability to work independently to a high standard;
• Self-driven with a solution-oriented approach;
LANGUAGES
• Written and spoken fluency in English;
• Fluency in French or another language is a plus.
CONTACTS
• Gavi Secretariat;
• Office of the COVAX Facility;
• Gavi-eligible countries;
• CSOs;
• Alliance partners;
• Other partners and stakeholders as required.
Gavi is committed to diversity within its workforce and encourages applications from all qualified candidates.
If you wish to apply, please provide a cover letter and resume through our Careers webpage and apply by clicking on “Manager, In-Country Communications”. Applications close on 28 December 2021.
Please note that as a vaccine organisation and in order to provide duty of care towards its employees, Gavi is requiring its new employees to confirm that they are fully vaccinated against Covid-19 as a condition for pursuing employment with us. You can find out more by visiting this link.
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Gavi brings together the public and private sectors to save lives and protect people’s health by increasing equitable and sustainable use of vaccines against 18 infectious diseases. You will be joining an organisation at the centre of the international COVID-19 response, at the most critical time in global health in a lifetime. You will work in a culturally diverse environment with over 70 nationalities. You will collaborate with partners such as WHO, UNICEF, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the World Bank – and from business, civil society and government. And you will work in the first global health organisation to receive equal gender salary certification. Your unique experience, skills and talents can help us achieve our vision of leaving no one behind without the life-saving power of vaccines. In support of Gavi’s commitment to diversity, equality and inclusion, we hire globally and welcome applications regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, national origin, family status, sex, gender identity or expression, physical characteristics, race, religion, spirituality or sexual orientation.
Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance is a public-private partnership committed to saving children's lives and protecting people's health by increasing equitable use of vaccines in lower-income countries. The Vaccine Alliance brings together developing country and donor governments, the World Health Organization, UNICEF, the World Bank, the vaccine industry, technical agencies, civil society, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and other private sector partners. Gavi uses innovative finance mechanisms, including co-financing by recipient countries, to secure sustainable funding and adequate supply of quality vaccines. Since 2000, Gavi has contributed to the immunisation of nearly 855 million children and the prevention of more than 15 million future deaths.
