Manager (Consultant) at Global Health Strategies

THE ROLE

This position seeks a motivated professional with excellent people skills, client and project management experience, proven communications capabilities and networks, and who is a strategic thinker that will thrive in an agile, fast-paced entrepreneurial working environment.

The Consultant will join a cross-regional team supporting one of the biggest global philanthropies with interests in health, gender, economic empowerment, climate and agriculture, among others.

The Consultant, who will come in at Manager level, will work with teams primarily in Kenya and South Africa and will from time to time, as needed, collaborate with GHS teams in Senegal, India and the United States.

The ideal candidate has core competencies in content development (written and audiovisual), media relations, event management, advocacy, stakeholder and client engagement; understands global public health and development issues and is passionate about utilizing their skills to improve health and wellbeing around the world.

Candidates must have at least 8 years’ experience in designing and implementing communications and advocacy projects. Bilingual (English and French) candidates with an advanced university degree have an advantage.

Responsibilities within this role include:

Communications

• Developing and implementing robust communications and advocacy strategies that meet our clients’ needs while at the same time showcasing the full breadth of GHS’ service offering and positioning us as a valuable partner across Africa and beyond.
• Simplifying complex concepts to make them accessible and actionable to various stakeholder groups by developing and editing compelling content including key messages, fact sheets, speeches and talking points, media collateral (such a press releases, media advisories and toolkits), opinion pieces, web articles, social media content and other creative digital materials, including engaging multimedia/audiovisual content.
• Building and nurturing networks, including identifying the right media contacts for client pitches, drafting compelling pitches, media outreach (media pitching) and developing relationships with reporters and editors from major national, regional and international outlets across the continent and beyond. Aside from media, the senior manager will also be expected to build and nurture strong relationships with clients, potential clients and other stakeholders within GHS’ areas of interest to raise the organization’s visibility and create opportunities for new and/or continued business.
• Positioning our clients as influential opinion shapers and high-level influencers by elevating their public profiles and enhancing their visibility through various platforms, including speaking opportunities (speeches, panel appearances, media interviews, etc.) and other thought leadership moments such as opinion pieces and social media commentary during key moments.
• Supporting event management for GHS’ clients through efficient project management, including agenda shaping, speaker selection, partner engagement, content development, on-ground support and post-event reporting.
• Tracking and reporting on trends in global health and development, new and traditional media, and any other key issues, innovations, events or dialogues that may impact GHS’ business or client work.

Advocacy

• Identifying strategic moments and new champions to influence target stakeholders and amplify our clients’ strategic goals.
• Supporting GHS Africa leadership in convening partners, influencers, and decision-makers in health by working on major deliverables within high-level events, including conceptualizing sessions to meet advocacy goals, identifying and briefing invitees and speakers, and developing agendas and presentations.
• Supporting and/or building new coalitions to spotlight existing and emerging global health issues through strategic outreach and relationship management.
• Strengthening engagement with media and other stakeholders as well as maintaining existing external relationships.
• Tracking and reporting on trends in global health policies and funding opportunities.

Client/Project Management

• Guiding project strategy development by contributing to the articulation of a vision and purpose in line with clients’ overall goals and objectives.
• Owning and supporting project deliverables, enforcing timelines, finalizing project plans and budget projections, and managing implementation of projects.
• Participating in and leading client/stakeholder calls and meetings, attending client events with senior management.
• Regular communications with senior staff on project progress and challenges, bringing solutions to problems before they arise.
• Providing advice and strategic counsel to donors/clients/partners and other external stakeholders when needed.
• Ensuring materials developed by project teams are of high quality and are client ready.
• Supporting senior project leadership in their interactions with the client and overall management of assigned projects.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required skills and qualifications

• Fluent in English (written and spoken)
• 8 years or more of work experience (up to 12 years)
• Graduate degree in Journalism, Business Administration, Public Health, Public Policy, Public Administration or related fields
• Journalism, communications, or public relations experience
• Strong project management, presentation and organizational skills
• Proven experience in the development of excellent communication material and ability to develop compelling written and audiovisual stories
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Word, PowerPoint and Excel
• Experience organizing conferences, meetings and events
• Experience working with senior executives (e.g., senior management teams like C-suite members and board members, etc.)
• Understanding of public health issues and socio-economic landscape across Africa
• Ability to work remotely

Valuable skills and qualifications (additional)

• Fluent in French and Swahili
• Proficiency in project management and design tools such as Wrike, Adobe suite or Canva
• International/regional work experience, preferably on the African continent
• Existing contacts within key ministries, issue areas, media outlets, clients, partners and other stakeholders
• Campaign experience in global health or development
• Master’s degree in a related field