Health Communications Specialist

Job Overview: 

The International Rescue Committee’s (IRC) mission is to help people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover, and gain control of their future. IRC’s health programs comprise the largest proportion of its overall program budget and are essential to both IRC emergency response and long term programming worldwide.

The Health Technical Unit is a dynamic team of more than 50 professionals working across different health sectors. They provide IRC’s 40 plus country offices and emergency response team with world class technical expertise, capacity building and a cross-country view of what works to achieve outcomes in terms of scientific evidence and practical experience. The HU also leads a focused policy change agenda, influencing UN, donor, and national policy to support strengthened health outcomes for IRC’s clients.

The Health Communications Specialist sits within the IRC’s Health Technical Unit. The Health Communications Specialist is the lead on the IRC’s technical communications in health, and the focal point working closely with the IRC’s global communications team, supporting health-focused media placements, press releases, briefs, and reports.  The Health Communications Specialist will also serve as the communications point for IRC’s ambitious nutrition advocacy effort, and will support the Health Unit’s research uptake efforts.

This position reports to the Health Policy and Communications Advisor.

Major Responsibilities:

1. Focal point for IRC’s health communications

·Support the development of, and successfully execute IRC’s health communications strategy in partnership with the Health Unit leadership and global communications team

·Develop communications materials like briefs and reports to showcase the IRC’s health work

·Support internal communications, including an internal newsletter, presentations, blogs

·Ensure adherence to IRC’s style and brand across health materials developed

·Support media engagement, manage social media for IRC’s Senior Director, Health

2. Support the IRC’s nutrition advocacy effort

·Advance the IRC’s ambitious policy change agenda for nutrition with media placements, op-eds, briefers, talking points, and other communications materials

·Support the development of key events that advance the IRC’s nutrition policy and advocacy agenda

3. Guide research uptake for select projects

·For select health projects, help develop research uptake strategies and dissemination plans in coordination with IRC’s health research and technical teams

Job Requirements:

Work Experience:

·At least 4 years of experience in global health or humanitarian communications

·Expertise in communications: proven ability to develop materials for external and non-technical audiences

·Significant experience communicating on health topics and/or health-focused research

·Highly motivated and confident, ability to work independently and in close harmony with many diverse groups and individuals

·Demonstrated superior organizational and time-management skills

·Excellent written and verbal communications skills

·Experience designing and organizing events

·Familiarity with Office 365 with strong Word, Excel, PowerPoint skills

Education: Bachelor’s degree in communications, public policy, public health or a closely related field; Master’s degree is preferred

Language Skills: Fluency in English is required, French is an asset

Preferred experience & skills:

·Experience working in cross-cultural settings desirable

·Experience working with media desirable

·Advocacy experience, especially in the field or with local civil society groups, is desirable

·Design skill set and familiarity with design software a plus

Working Environment: 

·Standard office working environment

·Some international travel as needed up to 20%

The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct.  These are Integrity, Equality, Service, and Accountability.  In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.

IRC et les employés de IRC doivent adhérer aux valeurs et principes contenus dans le IRC WAY (normes de conduite professionnelle). Ce sont l’Intégrité, Egalite, le Service, et la Responsabilité. En conformité avec ces valeurs, IRC opère et fait respecter les politiques sur la protection des bénéficiaires contre l’exploitation et les abus, la protection de l’enfant, le harcèlement sur les lieux de travail, l’intégrité financière, et les représailles.