Communications Officer, Advocacy & Public Policy at PATH

• PATH is currently recruiting for a Communications Officer to further the objectives of the African Medicines Regulatory Harmonisation initiative (AMRH) led by the African Union Development Agency-New Partnership for Africa's Development (AUDA-NEPAD).  The Communications Officer will support the initiative through promotion of the AUDA-NEPAD Health Programme brand, activities, and knowledge products through the creation and delivery of clear and consistent communication outputs.  This successful candidate will be a PATH employee within the Advocacy and Public Policy department but will sit within the AUDA-NEPAD offices located, Midrand South Africa.  
• PATH's Advocacy and Public Policy (APP) department works to improve global health by increasing awareness and support of global health priorities by working with policymakers, coalitions, and other influential individuals and groups.

The primary functions of the Communications Officer will be to:

• Support the digital promotion and visibility of the AMRH Initiative.
• Support the development and implementation of AMRH communication strategies and plans for support to the operationalization of African Medicines Agency (AMA);
• Support the coordination of AMRH communication and advocacy activities.

Responsibilities:

• Facilitate development of AMRH frameworks, guidelines, procedures, and other related documents in accordance with AUDA-NEPD branding guidelines.
• Manage the content that is uploaded on to the AMRH and AUDA-NEPAD websites to ensure accuracy, visibility, and professionalism.
• Design the digital graphics of communication products according to AUDA-NEPAD branding guidelines, including accurate presentation, and formatting for use on social media, website, or other platforms.
• Coordinate the production of audio-visual materials to document success stories.
• Provide visibility to the African Medicines Agency (AMA) and AMRH initiative to increase its profile among relevant stakeholders by developing promotional materials.
• Write, edit, and package strategic information through producing fact sheets, advocacy briefs and reports for external and internal audiences including policymakers, member states partners, and the media.
• Translate relevant communication material into English and/or French.
• Support the development of communication annual work plans with clear deliverable outcomes, indicators, and tools for the implementation of the AMRH Communication Strategy.
• Draft speeches, notes, briefs and talking points for senior management.
• Draft media press releases, media statements and organize media coverage for project activities as well as side events at key events.
• Establish and maintain media relations to increase the AMRH profile among relevant stakeholders.
• Perform any other related duties that may be assigned.

Required Experience

• A minimum of a bachelor’s degree in Digital Communication, Communication, Public Relations or similar.
• An additional qualification in multimedia or graphic design is an added advantage.
• Minimum of 3 to 5 years' relevant experience in a communications role preferably in a regional, continental, or international organization or project.
• A minimum of 3 years of experience using desktop publishing software (InDesign/Photoshop or other).
• More than 1 year of experience in website content management and in social media marketing or content creation.
• Experience in writing, editing, and distributing reports, newsletters, e-Alerts and other written content.
• Experience in event promotion including facilitation of the development of branded material for events.
• Excellent verbal, writing and editing skills in English and French.
• Working knowledge of website management and other communications technologies
• Working knowledge of desktop publishing software.
• Good project management skills.
• Ability to perform multiple tasks and work under pressure with a wide range of individuals and institutions.
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work in a multi-cultural and multi-national environment.