SPRING is a five-year USAID-funded project focused on strengthening global and country efforts to scale up high impact nutrition practices and policies and improving maternal and child nutrition outcomes. SPRING focuses on the prevention of stunting in the first 1,000 days of life. Its interventions address structural constraints to improve nutrition and are designed to increase household knowledge on nutrition and access to resources in diverse foods, poultry and income generation while simultaneously promoting improved hygiene in 40 upazilas in Barisal and Khulna divisions.

The Strengthening Partnerships, Results, and Innovations in Nutrition Globally Project (SPRING) is managed by JSI Research & Training Institute, Inc., with partners Helen Keller International (HKI), Save the Children, the Manoff Group, and the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).

SPRING/Bangladesh is looking for highly qualified individuals for the following positions:

Position: SPRING/Bangladesh Communications Officer – two (2) positions (1 Based in Khulna and 1 based in Barisal)

Required qualifications:

• University degree in communications, journalism, international relations, liberal arts or other relevant discipline, or its equivalent.
• Two years of professional experience in media, public information and writing for the web or related fields of work.
• Excellent English and Bangla journalistic writing and presentation skills.
• Experience of creating content and writing for the Web.
• Experience of working on audio-visual/broadcast material.
• Experience or good knowledge of social media.
• Proven ability to develop working relationships with media professionals.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and oversee public information/communication for advocacy and outreach activities.
• Ability to evaluate information needs and to provide appropriate and targeted information accordingly.
• Ability to conduct interviews.
• Good interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to work under pressure and to meet strict deadlines.
• Up-to-date knowledge and understanding of technological advancements in the area of work.
• Must display a high standard of ethical conduct and exhibit honesty and integrity.
• The ability to work in a multicultural environment.   Gender-sensitive behavior and attitudes are also required.
• Very good knowledge of the organization's mandate and its program. Experience of working for an International Organization would be an asset.

Function: Under the overall guidance and supervision of the Divisional Manager (Khulna or Barisal), with guidance from the Country Manager and Deputy Country Manager (Dhaka), the Communications Officer will contribute to the implementation of the project by helping provide evidence and coverage of the program’s work through various publications. He/she needs to work closely with many members of the project team.

Job Responsibilities:

• Under the technical supervision of the Divisional Manager, manage and organize the communications activities of the Divisional Office for SPRING.
• With guidance from management, develop and maintain relations with national and international media.
• Develop and maintain a set of key messages on SPRING in Bangladesh, share information and input with the Dhaka office and other relevant internal stakeholders.
• Provide support to senior technical officers and other field staff in developing awareness-raising activities in Bangla.
• Draft information materials such as press kits, press releases, fact sheets, feature articles and brochures for the media and other target audiences in English and Bangla.
• Regularly monitor media output on SPRING activities and on issues relevant to the work of the country program.
• Create content for digital platforms and social media tools in English and Bangla.
• Gather audio-visual content, (photos, video footage) on a regular basis.
• Maintain image database.
• Liaise with communication officer in other division.
• Other duties as requested by supervisor and Dhaka management.

Interested candidates should submit: (1) a well-thought out cover letter; and (2) a current curriculum vitae in English with contact telephone number and email address. Applications should be sent to via E-mail to: hrbdspring@gmail.com by December 18, 2014. Only short listed candidates will be contacted.

“SPRING encourages applications from qualified women and minorities candidates. The project has a smoke free working environment.”