EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY – Internal/External Communication Specialist

The US Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) is seeking an individual for the position of Internal/External Communication Specialist.

Note: All applicants must be residing in country and have the required work and/or residency permits allowing employment in country prior to applying for this position to be eligible for consideration.

BASIC FUNCTIONS OF THE POSITION:

The Internal/External Communications Specialist, with guidance from the Deputy Director, overseas the design, implementation, coordination and evaluation of a broad range of PEPFAR related external communications and Department of State (open.net) internal communications activities in Tanzania. The job holder serves as the communications liaison for all CDC communication related activities and events. The job holder represents CDC Tanzania at various Public Affairs meetings and events, including meetings with collaborators and other donor agencies.


MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Program Planning, Coordination & Implementation
45%
Formalize and implement a CDC media strategy identifying opportunities to highlight USG and CDC support for public health activities in Tanzania. The strategy will support an integrated team drawing on all mission elements including DOS, USAID, HHS/CDC, Peace Corps, and DOD. Key activities highlighted in the strategy will include: messaging, planning and policy development surrounding signing ceremonies, facility openings, Ambassador visits, promotion of journalist interaction with CDC activities, programs and partners; and use of multi-media to capture and promote positive CDC messages, etc.

Work with Public Affairs colleagues and the Office of the PEPFAR Country Coordinator to leverage interagency opportunities such as the new PEPFAR Tanzania Voluntary Visitor Program, Ambassador’s Small Grants Programs, U.S. Guest Speaker Program, the Performing Arts Initiative and the Sports Envoy Program.

Formalize and implement a process for planning events and facility openings, in order to ensure adequate USG and/or CDC representation. Conduct regular presentations with public affairs representatives from each partner in order to formalize the communication strategies and policies. Additionally, incumbent is expected to regularly liaise with CDC technical teams and relevant staff to plan for upcoming CDC events and other media-worthy activities and ensure that appropriate steps and staff are in place to meet requirements.

Liaise with Embassy Public Affairs Office to research proper legal protocol and local Tanzanian customs for taking and using photographs in publications; with specific attention to situations involving people being supported by public health programs. Ensure that CDC staff and visitors are aware of these policies and customs prior to arriving at sites. Incumbent creates formal processes and drafts release form to be taken to events and site visits.

Serve as one of the main points of contact for high-level visitors who come to Tanzania to view CDC programs, including event planning and materials development. Liaise with CDC-Atlanta and the Embassy to determine logistics and planning needs. Incumbent plans and coordinates multiple events, openings, VIP visits, and trainings provided by CDC Tanzania and PEPFAR. Liaises with technical staff to ensure that they have support when technical staff are assigned control officer responsibilities.

Attend Public Affairs/Public Diplomacy weekly staff meetings and participate in other interagency processes involving communication issues.

Ensure that branding guidelines (USG and/or CDC) are understood and followed by CDC and implementing partners.


Technical Assistance
30%
Provide support to CDC program offices and implementing partner organizations to implement the media strategy by organizing activities (press releases, media advisories, remarks, media interviews, media trips, etc.) to ensure that Tanzanians are aware of USG/CDC and mission themes, priorities, and programs. A critical element of this includes the drafting/ clearance of all remarks for the CDC-Tanzania Director, Chief of Mission, Deputy Chief of Mission, and representatives of CDC-Tanzania. In addition, some materials will need to be drafted and/or reviewed by CDC technical teams to ensure accuracy and consistency of all communication materials. Priority interaction is directly with the CDC-Tanzania Director, Chief of Mission, Deputy Chief of Mission, Office of the PEPFAR Country Coordinator, and Embassy/Dar Public Affairs Officer. Additionally, clear on all media advisories, press releases and public remarks related to CDC. Specific tasks include:
Attend, document, and report on multiple CDC and PEPFAR events happening around Tanzania.

Respond to media inquiries from local media groups regarding PEPFAR related activities.

Prepare written responses to US Embassy and PEPFAR office on CDC Activities and progress.

Make multiple speeches at various openings and events on behalf of the US Government.

Prepare and give presentations about CDC and PEPFAR to professional and lay groups.

Write speeches, press releases, and other media publications.

Provide Technical Assistance to Locally Engaged Staff and partners who will be giving presentations, speeches, etc.


Writing and Documentation
20%
Develop and maintain a monthly newsletter that documents current CDC activities, accomplishments, challenges, and events. Information can be gathered from biweekly staff meetings and by checking in with CDC technical teams and relevant staff.

Maintain electronic and paper files of newspaper clippings and media communications that mention CDC. Gather and archive local media press releases on CDC Tanzania. Ensure that relevant clippings are available to staff on timely basis. For sensitive articles, ensures that key staff are aware of the contents and makes recommendations for follow-up.

Oversee development and maintenance of all CDC public relations materials including: brochures/ fact sheets/ regional and sectoral profiles; presentations/visual displays; and success stories for publication and for reporting to Atlanta and Washington. Incumbent will also work with vendors to create posters and print media for lay groups.

Serves as an editor/reviewer of internal USG/CDC documents.

NOTE: All applicants must address each selection criterion detailed below with specific and comprehensive information supporting each item.

Education: The position requires a minimum of bachelor’s level degree in communications or journalism or marketing.

Prior experience: The position requires a minimum of 1-2 years of experience in communications or journalism.

Language proficiency: Level IV (Fluent) English (writing, reading and speaking) is required.

Knowledge: The incumbent will need to learn and have an in-depth understanding of the structure and functions of CDC Tanzania and PEPFAR, including detailed knowledge of CDC’s role and function in support of PEPFAR and other emerging infections programs and activities; CDC and USG policies, guidelines and procedures for effective communications; and intra-agency procedures for coordination with CDC Atlanta and the American Mission in Tanzania. The position requires a basic knowledge of communication and Public Relations principals. Good working knowledge of overall administrative requirements, budgeting and fiscal management in support of contracts/cooperative agreements/grants/purchase requisitions is required.

Skills and Abilities: Excellent oral and written communications skills to develop and maintain effective, sustainable working relationships with national and international health partners are required. The incumbent will be expected to exercise considerable ingenuity and tact in applying guidelines to unique and different settings. Considerable innovation will be required to influence other collaborative organizations engaged in Public Affairs to adopt appropriate strategies for their program activities. Intermediate user level of word processing, spreadsheets and databases is required. Strong skills in interpretation of PEPFAR and CDC programs into writing for a variety of audiences are required.

TO APPLY:

Applications outlining relevant qualifications, printed C.V. with names of three (3) references, any other documents (e.g. essays, certificates, awards, copies of degrees earned) that address the qualification requirements of the position as listed above and your contact telephone number(s), e-mail, and/or mailing address. Application should be sent via post or dropped off at the Embassy main gate for the attention of:

Human Resources Section
American Embassy
P.O. Box 9123
Dar es Salaam
An Equal Opportunity Employer
Only the shortlisted Candidates will be contacted

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