Communications Specialist (IC)

Purpose

As part of the proposed technical assistance to the countries, VillageReach was mandated to provide a system that enables AEFI reporting as well as effective identification, analysis and response to rumors regarding COVID vaccine in order to improve vaccine acceptability in Côte d’Ivoire. Then VaccineCheck, an automated ChatBot service, or hotline, that allows people to get answers to the most common questions about COVID-19 vaccines, as well as to inform the authorities of symptoms occurring after vaccination through the monitoring of Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFI) was developed to impact vaccination uptake.

Afterwards, EPI has indicated the need for the technical assistance of VillageReach for a continued improvement of the solution, and this is to be supported through the TCA 2022 – 2025. Therefore, the Consultant will review promotion strategy of the solution, to increase uptake, and initiate the transition process to the government. Consultant will report to the Vaccinecheck Program manager Dr Ousmane Soumahoro based in Abidjan. The Consultancy has the following scope:

• Identify user needs to improve engagement on VaccineCheck
• Participate in the development of the new promotional strategy for the solution
• Revise the marketing plan and pilot the digital promotion of VaccineCheck
• Develop the overall plan for health worker engagement and adoption of the solution at the central health system level
• Communicate project information through regular reports and monitor project implementation
• Develop and verify media coverage
• Manage digital promotion of VaccineCheck

2. Deliverables

• Organize meetings with the government to revise the communication channels for promoting the solution
• Revise the marketing plan of the solution
• Monitor advertising and broadcasting of the solution towards the population
• Organize a user-centered design workshop with the aim to improve the solution
• Co-develop a transition plan for the solution with key government officials
• Organize a meeting for validating the transition plan
• Monitor the transition of the solution to the government
• Organize an impact review meeting with country stakeholders to obtain recommendations for improved performance

Requirements

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education & Experience:

• A minimum of 5 - 7 years’ experience working in a global health or international development organization in a program / strategic communications role ;
• Master’s degree required in communications, marketing or related field.

Other Qualifications:

• Comply with VillageReach’s COVID-19 vaccination policy.
• Established cultural competency in partnering with racial, cultural and linguistically diverse groups.
• Demonstrated understanding of challenges with working in rural, underserved and low-income context; experience living in and/or working in a low-income country a plus.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, Excel) and comfortable in a fast-paced technical environment.
• Work is in French, Fluency in English is a good asset

Environment and Physical Demands:

VillageReach has no private offices, employees work in a shared, open environment with task and conference rooms accessible to employees for privacy and meetings. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet. Due to the time zone differences between our USA office and our Country Offices and location of other global staff, US based staff are expected to be available for early morning meetings starting at 6am. In addition, our Regional Africa based staff and Country office staff are expected to be available for late afternoon/evening meetings up to 6pm.

VillageReach is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer committed to workforce diversity. We believe that diverse, equitably weighted perspectives foster an organizational capacity to create novel solutions that improve health in the most underserved and hard-to-reach areas. To align our values, innovations and impact, VillageReach is committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse global workforce.