Position: Technical Specialist 11 / Position No.:
Strategic Communications Manager
Location: Hanoi, Vietnam Division: International Health
Contract: Avian and Pandemic Influenza Initiative Supervisor: Technical Director for BCC
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USAID’s Avian and Pandemic Influenza Initiative
(APII), implemented by Abt Associates Inc., aims to strengthen Vietnam’s
public and private capacities to prevent, rapidly detect, and respond
to avian and pandemic influenza (API) and other infectious and zoonotic
threats; and to begin preparing for a possible human influenza pandemic.
The technical focus of the project (with special emphasis on USAID’s
focus provinces of Hung Yen, Ha Nam, Quang Tri, Can Tho and Kien Giang)
includes: (1) Prevention of AI transmission among animals; (2)
Prevention of AI transmission to and among humans; (3) Development of
pilot activities to improve biosecurity practices and overall supply
chain biosecurity, including adapting and expanding model rural
slaughterhouses; and (4) Improved quality of human case management and
infection control.
The Technical Specialist 11 / Strategic
Communications Manager, under the supervision of the Technical Director
for Behavior Change Communications (BCC), will be responsible for
strengthening and maintaining communication linkages with key
international partners and national counterparts and giving the project a
high external profile.
Responsibilities
• Manage the implementation of the project’s press relations plan.
• Work with the Technical Director for BCC and the Project Director on
press releases, fact sheets, documenting successes/lessons learnt and
production of newsletters with partners.
• Manage the implementation of other selected BCC activities as agreed with the BCC Technical Director.
• Facilitate the implementation of APII’s policy advocacy strategy in
close collaboration with Technical Directors and the Project Director.
• Work with the Technical Directors and the Project Director to develop technical and policy briefs.
• Support the Technical Directors in promoting good
practices/approaches/models with government agencies and international
development partners.
• Help provide inputs to and represent the project in relevant technical and policy working groups/forums.
• Support the development of MoUs/agreements with central level agencies.
• Maintain a summary calendar of APII activities and events for sharing
and coordination with national and international partners.
• Manage the APII website in collaboration with relevant Abt headquarter staff and consultants.
• Help prepare work plans and progress reports for BCC and Policy Advocacy activities.
Skills/Knowledge Required
• Masters Degree in
Journalism, Communication, Public Administration, Management, Public
Health, Animal Health, or other relevant field.
• At least 8 years of relevant professional experience.
• A thorough understanding of Vietnamese public sector structures, systems and decision-making processes.
• An established network with key Vietnamese government authorities is desireable.
• Experience in graphics design and desktop publishing.
• Excellent communication, facilitation, presentation and negotiation skills.
• High level of proficiency in both Vietnamese and English.
