icddr,b is a Bangladesh-based international health research institute that strives to solve key public health problems through high-quality scientific research and innovation. Established 60 years ago, we continue to provide life-saving services to the people of Bangladesh, and to nurture the next generation of global health leaders.

Applications from women and people with disabilities are strongly encouraged.

icddr,b invites applications from suitable candidates for the position of Communication Specialist in Maternal and Child Health Division (MCHD) for a project funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade, and Development (DFATD). The appointment will be made on Fixed Term basis for 2 years which is renewable depending on performance and availability of funds.

Position description: 

The Advancing Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (AdSEARCH) project of icddr,b aims to improve sexual and reproductive health (SRH) outcomes and realise rights among different population groups with distinct SRH needs in Bangladesh. To be implemented by researchers from different divisions of icddr,b, this research project will explore, understand, and assess some key components of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) among different population groups who have the highest-burden, distinct needs and vulnerabilities. These groups include adolescents and young adults, newly married couples, pregnant women, neonates and under-five children, women working in the RMG sector and some key populations for their particular vulnerability and/or marginalisation. The project will be focusing on generating new evidence related to family planning, abortion, post-abortion care, STI/RTIs, and reproductive cancers and maternal and neonatal health.

The Communication Specialist will be responsible to plan, organise and monitor content development and graphic design for internal and external communication related to AdSEARCH. She/h will review and synthesize the evidence generated from AdSEARCH research with the objective of creating knowledge translation. She/h will also manage the AdSEARCH web based online community, including creating engagement posts and featuring relevant AdSEARCH materials.  S/he must have strong critical thinking skills, ability to identify substantive problems that threaten the knowledge translation, and creative capacity to resolve these problems. S/he should be proactive, dynamic, and capable of working independently.   

Duties and responsibilities: 

The specific areas of duties and responsibilities are detailed below:

Planning and Management:

• Lead the implementation of the Communications Strategy of Global Affairs Canada (GAC) funded AdSEARCH and advise the team on technical matters regarding communication issues based on professional observations and assessment;
• Derive implications for internal communication and media management;
• Prepare annual communication plan and actively support during development of Annual Work Plan and Annual Narrative Report; Identify focus areas for effective communication;
• Cascade goals to team; Contribute during AdSEARCH weekly meetings (e.g. identify areas of improvement, challenges, gaps, focus areas);
• Monitor adherence to deliverable timelines in order to effectively plan and implement the communication strategy under AdSEARCH.

Media Management:

• Analyse the health media environment to identify trends related to coverage of sexual reproductive health and rights issues and research themes relevant to the AdSEARCH;
• Update researchers on such trends and potential areas of coverage for icddr,b; Identify opportunities for placing news/ stories in different newspapers/ programme etc.;
• Coordinate with icddr,b’s Central Media Manager to organise journalists orientation; network and build relationship with media representatives (e.g. editors of health magazines, news reporters); generate interest in media on recent SRHR developments and latest AdSEARCH research activities; reach media houses/advertising agency for project stories to be published / printed / covered on air / TV shows/ digital media etc.;
• Coordinate interactions between researchers and mass media; Validate media stories for accuracy of facts and information in order to effectively create awareness of AdSEARCH research activities;
• Lead in the development, writing, and editing of reports and articles, press releases, posters, brochures, handouts, and other electronic materials for the knowledge translation of the AdSEARCH activities;
• Identify and develop most effective forms of delivery and presentation of key messages using a range of communication strategies including printed materials, media liaison and knowledge sharing events.

Content & Graphic Development:

• Coordinate to ensure and manage all aspects of effective elaboration and production of communications materials for research, advocacy or dissemination; Identify different modes and channels of communication for maximum impact;
• Produce regular meeting minutes, newsletters, Monographs, policy brief and other form of publication and also organise a wide range of meetings, workshops, seminars, and disseminations, Allocate work to team; Guide team to seek information from respondents;
• Intervene to expedite process; Monitor adherence to communication guidelines (e.g. logo, colours, font, templates, language);
• Integrate content with graphic design and prepare collaterals (e.g. flyer, posters, fact sheets, booklet); Collaborate with project partners and donors to jointly organise seminars; Lead development of the quarterly and annual project reports;
• Make editorial corrections to the project reports, briefs, articles;
• Take the lead to prepare high-quality print and electronic communications products that translate complex messages and technical information into understandable, meaningful messages maintaining both organisational and donor compliance in order to efficiently develop content and design for maximum communication impact.

Institutional Communication:

• Collaborate with HR, Finance, Research Administration (RA), etc. to secure confidential information relevant for the project;
• Update information periodically and prior to any external communication; Secure different AdSEARCH related approvals from Director - Communication and ED, Research Administration; Provide institutional information to different partners and stakeholders for renewal/ amendments of contracts;

Branding and Visibility Management:

• Coordinate with Central Communication team to implement project branding/ marking plans as assigned;
• Contribute to policies and procedures for GAC/DFATD and icddr,b communications and outreach in order to ensure project branding and visibility at desired level.

Administrative Management:

• Support development of communication budget for financial and non-financial resources with AdSEARCH administrative coordinator;
• Review expense reports for accuracy;
• Suggests for re-allocation of budget, if required;
• Screen printing companies, advertising agencies and vendors on quality and cost and recommend for selection;
• Determine quality standards for outputs;
• Assign work to printers based on expected quality, cost and urgency; Discuss service levels and performance issues with vendors in order to run smooth administration activities to support the Communications activities under AdSEARCH.

Required experience and qualifications

Young, bright individuals who meet the following criteria and are aspiring to develop their career as public health communication specialist in the research-based environment at icddr,b are encouraged to apply.

Education:

• Masters in English/ Communications / Marketing / Advertising / Public Relations / International Relations/ Media Studies / Journalism/ Social Science/ Public Health or any related field with excellent academic record from the reputed University.

Experience:

• Minimum 5 years of experience in content development, copywriting or journalism from media organisations, preferably with exposure to public health (preferably in maternal, newborn and child health, adolescent health, sexual and reproductive health and rights)/digital health/e-health /development sector with strong interpersonal, judgment, and excellent communication and writing skills in English. Experience in working with donor supported projects, knowledge about health and SRHR programs, branding and marking requirements will be considered as added advantage.
• Candidates who have demonstrated exceptional research skills and/or publications in international journals/newspapers/ Monographs/Policy brief/ social media will be given preference

Competencies:

Core

Innovation

• Excellent analytical and abstract reasoning skills;
• Ability to make new and useful ideas work;
• Ability to persuade others to follow;
• Ability to deal with ambiguity;

People Management

• Ability to improve performance and satisfaction;
• Demonstrated leadership ability and team management;
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to build consensus and resolve conflicts;

Communication

• Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform
• Excellent written and oral communication and presentation skills
• Strong interpersonal communication skills and excellent team working skills
• Ability to train/build communications capacity
• Ability to conceive and develop innovative communication strategies
• Fluency in English and proficiency in Bangla;

 Delivery

• Excellent organization skills;
• Ability to get things done while exercising good judgment;
• Possesses a drive for excellence;
• Superior decision-making skills;

Technical/Functional

• Journalistic writing on Public Health
• Communication Principles and Tools
• Branding Concepts and Mechanisms
• Graphic Designing
• Agency and Promotion Campaign Management Skills
• Research Domain, Fund Raising Principles and Processess
• Risk Mitigation in Social Media
• Transcribing scientific articles into appropriate Social Media version
• Strong analytical skills, with an ability to identify program opportunities and priorities.
• Ability to handle sensitive information with discretion and professionalism.

Duty station - Dhaka

No. of vacancy – 01 post

Salary - Annual Tk. 1,662,920/ -inclusive of house rent and conveyance allowances and other admissible benefits.

Benefits/facilities - 14.8% provident fund contribution, income tax paid by icddr,b, children allowance @Tk.1,420/- per child per month, festival bonus, contributory healthcare support including dependent spouse and children, group life insurance and subsidized canteen. Transport and daycare facilities are subject to space availability.

Interested candidates who fulfill the requirements should submit online applications using icddr,b website: https://career.icddrb.org by January 15, 2022. Internal candidates must mention their Identification Number in the application and their performance appraisal of last 3 years will be evaluated.