COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER , Morogoro, Tanzania

COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER FOR THE SOUTHERN AFRICAN CENTRE FOR INFECTIOUS DISEASE SURVEILLANCE (SACIDS)

Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates for the position of SACIDS Communications Manager. A HAND WRITTEN application letter accompanied with a CV, relevant certificates/testimonials and names of at least two referees should be addressed to the DEPUTY VICE CHANCELLOR (ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE), SOKOINE UNIVERSITY OF AGRICUTURE, P.O. BOX 3000 CHUO KIKUU, MOROGORO with scanned copies by e-mail to dvcadminfin@suanet.ac.tz and secretariat@sacids.org to reach him not later than TWO weeks from the date of this advertisement. Only shortlisted applicants will be called for  interview and are required to produce their original academic and professional certificates during the interview.

Background

The Southern African Centre for Infectious Disease Surveillance (SACIDS) www.sacids.org, located at Sokoine University of Agriculture, SUA, is a One Health VIRTUAL CENTRE linking southern African academic and research institutions involved with infectious diseases of humans and animals – supported by Sector Ministries, with direct responsibility for public health, animal health and wildlife conservation/health. It works in smart partnership with Centres of Science in industrialised countries as well as international research centres. The Mission of the CENTRE is: to improve Africa’s capacity to DETECT, IDENTIFY and MONITOR (DIM) infectious diseases of humans, animals, ecosystems and their interactions in order to better manage the RISK posed by them.

A Communications Manager is required to develop, organise and promote the events and activities of SACIDS.

The post will develop and run an innovative programme of communication and events which will engage staff across Member Institutions and Ministries in SACIDS activities and support their participation. It will also deliver a communication strategy which will promote the profile of SACIDS nationally, regionally and internationally. The post-holder will be working as part of a small core team. He/she will work under the overall guidance of the SACIDS Executive Director and the immediate supervision of the SACIDS Programme Manager.

This post will require excellent communication and organisational skills, as it will involve working with a diverse group of academics and with the broader development community of international institutions, donors and philanthropic organisations.

The ideal candidate should have experience in journalism/ communications/ PR or marketing fields and proven editing and writing skills. Experience with interactions at regional and/or international level would be a distinct advantage. Duties will include maintaining and further developing the SACIDS’s website (www.sacids.org), organising conferences and events, producing publications and various promotional materials. The post holder will also participate in the development of broader activities of research and training working with the team, stakeholders from across Member Institutions and partnering programmes.

SACIDS Communications Manager

JOB SUMMARY:

                                                                                                                                                                      

Key function: To develop and implement the Communication and Resource Mobilization Strategy of the Southern African Centre for Infectious Disease Surveillance.

MAIN DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE POST

Communications, Image Development and Resource Mobilisation

• To develop, deliver and monitor SACIDS’s communication and resource mobilization strategy about the purpose, processes and activities of SACIDS
• To develop an image package for SACIDS as a leading One Health Forum and Research Platform in sub-Saharan Africa
• To lead in both SACIDS internal and external communication
• To write press releases and articles about SACIDS’s activities, and to strengthen close links between media and appropriate publishing bodies
• To take the lead in developing appropriate processes for the dissemination of SACIDS-led project findings and outputs
• To develop and maintain a SACIDS brand style guide for all SACIDS communications and act as brand manager for the SACIDS identity
• To promote events and activities through media briefings and newsletters to SACIDS’s members and external audiences
• To manage the communications-related work experience placement scheme for postgraduate students
• To assist in developing and managing relationships with donors, international organisations, governments, NGOs and other key stakeholders of SACIDS
• To scan sources for funding and advise the SACIDS Directorate and Secretariat as well as Member Institutions of such opportunities
• Maintain a roster of key funding agencies
• To develop or edit proposals for SACIDS resource mobilisation
• To manage ad hoc SACIDS communications projects as appropriate

 Events

• To take the lead in organising conferences and launches for SACIDS’s members and external partners from academia, policy-making, NGOs, charities and the media
• To manage SACIDS’s staff, and audio and video needs related to conferences
• To write reports, produce and edit audio and video content related to events
• To liaise with SACIDS members to facilitate and organise academic workshops on interdisciplinary research
• To take the lead in fundraising activities in line with resource mobilization

Web and online activities

·         To manage and further develop the public website of the SACIDS by writing articles, producing audio and video material, and uploading such content

·         To monitor and evaluate the usage of SACIDS’s website

·         To raise SACIDS’s online profile through social networking platforms

·         To participate in designing a SACIDS Virtual Learning Environment, maintaining editorial control and writing content as required including monitoring discussion groups and other interactive support features

• To develop, maintain and administer online databases for the SACIDS (e.g. membership database), including the production of relevant reports
• To liaise effectively with other web development, e-learning and IT staff across all the Member Institutions on all relevant matters including external suppliers
• To undertake such other duties as may be required by the Executive Director of the SACIDS, as demands on the service dictate

Qualifications

• A first degree in communication or a related discipline plus specific postgraduate training in Communication disciplines  to a Master’s level or outstanding experience and proven expertise that could be judged as equivalent to at least Master’s  degree
• A minimum of three years experience in communication (or journalism or PR or marketing) and producing promotional materials and publications

·         Proven publishing, editing and writing skills, including experience of working with journalists, copy-editors/writers, designers, publishers

·         Proven ability for concise English writing for a variety of media and purposes

• Broad knowledge and understanding of international development

·         Ability to schedule project development and to meet deadlines

·         Practical experience and knowledge of website building, of good web design principles and awareness of good practice, including accessibility and usability issues

·         Practical experience of using a broad range of Windows applications, including MS Office and e-mail

·         Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to establish effective working relationships with professionals from a wide variety of backgrounds and cultures, including the international smart partners of SACIDS

·         Readiness to travel

·         Ability to problem-solve and think creatively and work under minimum supervision

• Excellent communicator

·         Excellent planning and organisational skills

• Ability to work in a small team
• Pro-active self starter

Skills (desirable)

·         Experience in developing  brand awareness

·         Familiarity with the concepts and usage of social networking applications (Twitter and Facebook) and virtual learning environments (VLE)

·         Experience of report production and presentation

·         Experience of working with, and producing content for the national and international media (print, online, radio and television broadcasting)

·         Experience and/or some training in a health (human or animal) environment

·         Fundraising skills

·         Experience, knowledge and/or familiarity with M&E within projects

·         Basic understanding of French and/or Portuguese would be an advantage

Remuneration:                 Very attractive remuneration package commensurate with experience and qualification

Duration:                             Initially one year contract, renewable subject to performance and funding

Duty station:                      SACIDS Secretariat at Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania

                                                FEMALE CANDIDATES ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY