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
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
