ABOUT VILLAGEREACH
VillageReach transforms health care delivery to reach everyone, so that each person has the health care needed to thrive. We develop solutions that improve equity and access to primary health care. This includes making sure products are available when and where they are needed and primary health care services are delivered to the most under-reached. Radical collaboration with governments, the private sector and other partners strengthen our ability to scale and sustain these solutions. Our work increases access to quality health care for more than 70 million people in Africa. VillageReach in incorporated in Washington State and has offices in Seattle (USA), Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi, and Mozambique.
Summary
The Advocacy and Communications Team at VillageReach influences the ability of others to act in support of VillageReach’s mission while strengthening the organization’s brand. VillageReach seeks a professional to support the implementation of a broader advocacy and communications strategy in DRC. Specifically, he/she will have a dynamic role requiring to develop contextualized workplans, support the development of advocacy materials and solutions’ documentation, while also working to liaise with media in order to disseminate VillageReach’s impact in DRC.
The person will report to the Advocacy and Communications Senior Manager based in Kinshasa while also collaborating with the broader Advocacy and Communication team globally.
Description
Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be assigned at any time.
- Support solution activities implementation
- Support the development of advocacy and communications strategies
- Support the development and writing of policy and advocacy materials, as needed
- Support the organization of key events disseminating VillageReach’s solutions (Launch ceremonies, campaigns, Open days)
- Support relations with media in order to disseminate VillageReach’s impact on the field
- Ensure documentation (written blogs or articles, audiovisual) of VillageReach’s impact on communities
- Support the publication of VillageReach’s actions on various social media platforms (X/Twitter, website, Facebook, …)
- Support the documentation of operational activities, approaches and methodology, related to process and lessons learned (what process changes are made, results of those changes, reasons for changes, impact of solutions to the community)
- Collect and draft storytelling of key learnings and impact of VillageReach’s solutions
- Support translation of English and/or French documents and materials for advocacy and communications purposes
- Participate in regular internal project meetings.
- Compile and submit reports as needed.
- Other responsibilities as assigned.
Competencies
The following competencies reflect what is expected of all VillageReach employees; including examples of how one might demonstrate each of these competencies in one’s role.
- Personal Motivation and Drive: Is self-directed in one’s approach to work, but asks for help when needed; holds oneself accountable; undertakes self-development activities; seeks to build and master new skills; looks for and takes advantage of opportunities within the organization.
- Collaboration & Effective Communication: Establishes and maintains effective relations with coworkers, partners & stakeholders and external parties; works collaboratively with others to accomplish organizational and team goals and objectives; works actively to resolve conflicts; expresses ideas and thoughts effectively; selects and uses appropriate communication methods and maintains meaningful communication with virtual coworkers and other parties to keep them informed.
- Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion: Takes personal responsibility for and supports others across the organization in creating and sustaining a diverse work environment where individuals are welcomed, valued, respected and supported; personally committed to attaining cultural competency including self-awareness of one’s own attitudes about culture and cross-cultural interactions; exhibits the willingness and ability to engage openly and respectfully around issues of race, colonialism, identity and culture; upholds equity in access to sharing of information, ideas, and opportunities throughout VillageReach.
- Commitment to Excellence: Produces a high output of work, both in terms of quality and quantity; looks for ways to improve and promote quality; monitors work to ensure quality; has a personal commitment to the mission of VillageReach.
- Solution Orientation & Innovation: Focuses on results and desired outcomes and how to best achieve them; gets the job done; sees opportunities for creative problem-solving while staying within the parameters of good practice; sees old problems in new ways and has novel approaches to solving those problems; contributes original and/or resourceful ideas to their area of responsibility; is able to consider and articulate risks and consequences of proposed innovations and factor these into decision-making.
Required education, skills and experience
- Bachelor’s degree in a related field strongly preferred (communications, public relations, public health, social sciences, journalism, etc…).
- Bachelor’s degree in the fields above with significant experience can be accepted
- At least 3 years of experience working focused on advocacy and communications
- Prior experience working in immunization and/or community organizing and engagement, preferably with disadvantaged communities and related to public or community health services;
- Prior experience in media relations, including drafting and pitching op-eds and stories to top tier media outlets.
- Prior experience documenting program processes is desired;
- Ability to work independently and as a team member in a fast-paced, cross-cultural environment.
- Proven success working with all levels of staff in a multicultural environment to achieve goals.
- Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, work well under pressure, and to adjust to frequently changing demands.
- Demonstrated problem-solving skills and reliable follow-through, with outstanding attention to detail.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Experience working for an international organization is an asset;
- Proficient in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook), and documents, and other web-based applications required;
- Fluency in English; bilingual ability in one of the local languages is desired.
Environment and Physical Demands:
VillageReach has no private offices, employees work in a shared, open environment with task and conference rooms accessible to employees for privacy and meetings. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet. Due to the time zone differences between our USA office and our Country Offices and location of other global staff, US based staff are expected to be available for early morning meetings starting at 6am. In addition, our Regional Africa based staff and Country office staff are expected to be available for late afternoon/evening meetings up to 6pm.
COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY & INCLUSION:
VillageReach is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer committed to workforce diversity. We believe that diverse, equitably weighted perspectives foster an organizational capacity to create novel solutions that improve health in the most underserved and hard-to-reach areas. To align our values, innovations and impact, VillageReach is committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse global workforce.
APPLICATION INFORMATION:
This is an immediate hire and therefore resumes will be reviewed on a rolling basis until filled. To apply, please submit your resume and a cover letter to our online portal: http://www.villagereach.org/join-us/
Safeguarding:
VillageReach is committed to promoting the welfare of children, young people, adults, and beneficiaries with whom it engages. We expect everyone working with us to share this commitment through our code of conduct.All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which may include criminal records. VillageReach participates in the Misconduct Disclosure Scheme and, in line with this Scheme, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. By applying, the job applicant confirms his/her understanding of these recruitment procedures.
