Manager, Media Relations and Strategic Communications

Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance is a public-private partnership committed to saving children's lives and protecting people's health by increasing equitable use of vaccines in lower-income countries. The Vaccine Alliance brings together implementing country and donor governments, the World Health Organisation, UNICEF, the World Bank, the vaccine industry, technical agencies, civil society, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and other private sector partners. Gavi uses innovative finance mechanisms, including co-financing by recipient countries, to secure sustainable funding and adequate supply of quality vaccines. Since 2000, Gavi has contributed to the immunisation of more than 981 million children and the prevention of more than 16 million future deaths. 

THE ROLE
The Manager, Communications – Media, works closely with Gavi’s media, content and advocacy teams to develop and implement engaging media and communication strategies in order to increase the profile of Gavi’s work across donor markets and implementing countries. The candidate will be an integral part of the strategic communications and media relations cluster, and in addition to specific media relations work will also coordinate broader communications campaigns around a portfolio of vaccines and topics.
 

Media engagement 
•    Handle reactive media requests; develop and maintain excellent contacts with key media outlets in key media markets;
•    Pitch stories and interviews with Gavi’s leadership to high-profile media outlets in donor markets and Gavi implementing countries;
•    Write and produce media materials including press releases, op-eds, Q and As, briefs, and stories or blogs for publication on Gavi’s digital platforms; 
•    Provide comprehensive media support at Gavi events in donor and implementing countries, including but not limited to press briefings, media visits and others. 

Strategic communications and project management
•    Lead communications on a number of thematic portfolio items (vaccines, topics etc.) – including liaising with relevant Gavi teams to keep up-to-date on latest information, milestones and risks, developing communications strategies, coordinate implementation, and review related content;
•    Collaborate with advocacy colleagues on regional- and country-level communications initiatives;
•    Work with social media and content colleagues to develop broader communications packages around media moments;
•    Contribute to the development and implementation of overall communications and media engagement strategies;
•    Support any other Gavi media and communications workstreams as necessary.

Note: The essential functions listed in this section are not exhaustive of the job responsibilities; other duties may be assigned consistently with the department needs.
 

•    Minimum 5 years of work experience in media and communications, journalism or public relations;
•    Experience working with journalists is essential; 
•    Excellent networking skills and writing skills are necessary; 
•    Excellent knowledge of global health and development issues is highly preferred;
•    Previous journalism, communications and/or public relations experience in both Gavi donor and implementing-countries is highly preferred;
•    Experience in managing consultants and PR companies is an asset; 
•    Experience in working with government officials and CSO partners in donor and developing countries is an asset.

•    Excellent writing and editorial skills; 
•    Excellent written and verbal communications skills especially when dealing with complicated or time-sensitive subjects; 
•    Solid understanding of international development issues and global health; 
•    Overall knowledge of print, broadcast and digital media and platforms; 
•    Ability to work independently and on a team, as well as collaborate with other teams within the organisation; 
•    Excellent political awareness and cultural sensitivity; 
•    Ability to work independently to a high standard; 
•    Self-driven with a solution-oriented approach.

•    Written and spoken fluency in English;
•    Fluency in French or another language is a plus.

•    Bachelor’s degree or above.

•    Gavi Secretariat; 
•    Office of the COVAX Facility; 
•    Gavi donor countries;
•    Gavi-eligible countries; 
•    CSOs; 
•    Alliance partners;
•    Other partners and stakeholders as required. 

If you wish to apply, please provide a cover letter and resume through our Careers webpage and apply by clicking on “Manager, Media Relations and Strategic Communications”. Deadline for applications is 13 April 2023. 

Please note that as a vaccine organisation and in order to provide duty of care towards its employees, Gavi is requiring its new employees to confirm that they are fully vaccinated against Covid-19 as a condition for pursuing employment with us. You can find out more by visiting this link.              

Become part of our community and join us on Facebook and Twitter for updates about our mission to save children’s lives! You can also follow our hashtag #vaccineswork 
  
In support of Gavi’s commitment to diversity, equality and inclusion, we hire globally and welcome applications regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, national origin, family status, sex, gender identity or expression, physical characteristics, race, religion, spirituality or sexual orientation. Gavi has zero tolerance towards sexual harassment, sexual exploitation and abuse as well as any form of discrimination or harassment. Everyone at Gavi is expected to conduct themselves with integrity and respect towards each other. Gavi is committed to creating a work environment that is safe and professional, therefore all selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference checks. Read more here.

Gavi brings together the public and private sectors to save lives and protect people’s health by increasing equitable and sustainable use of vaccines against 18 infectious diseases. You will be joining an organisation at the centre of the international COVID-19 response, at the most critical time in global health in a lifetime. You will work in a culturally diverse environment with over 70 nationalities. You will collaborate with partners such as WHO, UNICEF, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the World Bank – and from business, civil society and government. And you will work in the first global health organisation to receive equal gender salary certification. Your unique experience, skills and talents can help us achieve our vision of leaving no one behind without the life-saving power of vaccines.