Communications Specialist (100 days short term role)

RBM Partnership to End Malaria

The past fifteen years have seen tremendous gains in reducing the burden of disease and progressing towards malaria elimination. Since 2000, global malaria deaths have been cut by more than half, saving 7 million lives, primarily among children less than five years of age. Expansions in financing, strong political commitments, novel diagnostic and preventative measures, and multi-sectoral coordination have facilitated this progress. Since 1998, RBM Partnership to End Malaria has been central to the global fight against malaria. It has been essential to mobilizing resources and scaling up innovative interventions, putting the world onto a path towards eliminating malaria. The Partnership comprises more than 500 partners committed to end malaria, including malaria endemic countries, their bilateral and multilateral development partners, the private sector, nongovernmental and community-based organizations, foundations, and research and academic institutions.

The RBM Partnership's Vision is of a world free from the burden of malaria.

The RBM Partnership is based in Geneva and hosted by UNOPS.

The incumbent will work under the guidance and supervision of the  Advocacy and Communications Manager, and in close collaboration with the Strategic Communications Partner Committee (SCPC) Manager and the Advocacy Officer, to achieve the core objectives and strategic priorities of the Partnership and the Strategic Communications Partner Committee  (SCPC):  

The purpose of the SCPC is to develop and implement, in collaboration with the Partnership Management Team, communications to achieve the objectives of the Partnership. The objective of the SCPC is to translate the overarching objectives of the Partnership into specific, aligned and inspirational messages that catalyse action.

The incumbent is expected to be willing and able to travel up to 70% of their time. 

Communications 

• Contribute to development,  implementation and monitoring of the Partnership’s   communications strategies and annual work plans 

• Support an effective network, collaboration, and exchange of information with partners by contributing in the convening of partner committees, workstreams, working groups and other Partnership mechanisms.

• Serve as a communication point of contact for the SCPC, following up on all professional correspondence, responding to requests, strategizing and suggesting solutions and referring queries as appropriate.

• Develop a communications calendar and  support of  the advocacy and communications team on campaign design,  content creation, event communication and media relations, before, during and after events and specific calendar moments in coordination with the secretariat team and the partner committees

• Maintain and regularly update the RBM website and social media channels, and assist Partner Committees and Working Groups in managing their respective sections. 

• Support in promoting the visibility and online presence of the Partnership especially that of the CEO

• Develop and update social media strategies of the secretariat and partners,   carry out social media outreach and engagement, by identifying  and engaging with key media personalities, key RBM stakeholder and social media influencers to ensure visibility of RBM on the global scale,

• Keep up to date with new and improved communication methodologies  and data sharing platforms 

• Lead in the development and publication of promotional materials, case studies, collections of stories of change to ensure visibility of RBM Partnership work and impact. 

• Lead in media engagement and creating media visibility opportunities for the secretariat and partners.

Analysis and Documentation

• Provide research and anaylsis  on global health and policy issues affecting the world free from the burden of  malaria campaign . in support of the communications strategy 

• Undertake background research for communications activities and workshops, and drafts concept notes, reports and other publications that present malaria as a multisectoral issue

• Contribute to the documentation of knowledge by planning and implementing content collection trips, proposing examples of best practices and success stories, as well as replicable strategies and approaches, and actively share this knowledge.

• Support in the drafting of opinion pieces and other strategic documents for the CEO

• Support the compilation of Briefing notes for CEO’s engagements

• Draft the ARMPC, SCPC and RBM Secretariat newsletters and blog content  

• Develop and update communications related materials on the RBM website and all social media platforms

• Provide input to ARMPC and SCPC integrated budget and work plan monitoring.

• Produce regular updates on  SCPC activities and achievements, as well as any other informative/ promotional materials as required. 

• Provide support to  Strategic Communications Partner Committee (SCPC), contributing to effective partner engagement, knowledge sharing, strategy development and coordination.

• Provide comprehensive meeting and event management support for the SCPC activities, workshops, conferences, regular meetings, and other events, including the travel arrangements.

• Support the Advocacy and Communications Manager  and the SCPC Manager by  preparing briefing materials for appointments, conference calls, meetings and missions, coordinate such requests, take minutes and ensure relevant follow-up actions.

• Effectively manage queries received via the general RBM email address and provide follow-up with relevant colleagues as required,

• With support from Advocacy and Communication Manager, effectively manage RBM social media platforms and quickly responding to comments including media backlash to ensure that RBM messaging is clear 

• Manage and coordinate Advocacy and Organize Partner Committees’ (PCs) conference calls, write and disseminate meeting minutes.

• Provide on-site and remote support during workshops and events, including taking minutes and supporting logistical coordination.

• Manage the ARMPC and SCPC contacts database and distribution lists, and the broader RBM Secretariat contacts database and distribution lists.

• Perform other related responsibilities as assigned, including replacing and backstopping for others as required.

• A Master’s degree preferably in advocacy, communication, international relations, journalism, law, international development, business management, public administration, public health, social science or another relevant field is required.  
• A Bachelor degree in the above relevant fields with two additional years of relevant experience may be acceptable in lieu of the advanced degree.

• Minimum 5 years of experience in journalism and communications  in an international setting is required.
• Experience in partnerships, international development cooperation, INGOs, operations, consulting, external relations or public affairs is required.
• Experience planning and coordinating campaigns is an asset. 
• Good interpersonal and communication skills, as well as good planning, coordination and analytical skills are required.
• Experience working in or with malaria-endemic countries is an asset.
• Understanding of the link between human rights, development and health is an asset.
• Multimedia skills and knowledge of Chimp and Canva is an asset.
• Experience working in public health, especially on malaria, is desirable.

• Full working knowledge of English is essential.
• Working knowledge of French, Spanish or another official UNOPS language is an asset.

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.

• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.

• Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.

• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures,  languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. 

• Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.

• We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process.  If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.

Terms and Conditions 

• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post. 

• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. For more information on a retainer contract here.

• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.

• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.