This position is for a one-year term, with the potential for renewal.
MAIN PURPOSE OF JOB
The Communications Specialist will play a dual role, providing comprehensive communication support to the Minister's office and contributing to USAID Ireme’s programmatic objectives as needed. This involves enhancing strategic communication, promoting health initiatives, and ensuring alignment with key messaging. The Communications Specialist will work closely with personnel in the Minister’s office, USAID Ireme/MSH leadership, and other stakeholders to develop effective communication strategies that elevate the visibility of government-led health initiatives. All deliverables will adhere to communications best practices, branding guidelines, and relevant requirements tailored to the target audience.
MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES :
Corporate Communication Support to the Minister’s Office :
- Develop and implement audience-focused, results-driven communication strategies that align with government priorities and support the Minister’s office in outreach to key stakeholders, public engagements, and strategic initiatives.
- Collaborate with the Rwanda Health Communications Centre (RHCC) and Minister’s office to pre-pare press releases, public statements, social media updates, and other official communication materials.
- Collaborate with various departments and technical personnel to draft talking points, briefings, and presentations for major public events and partner engagements for the Minister.
- Work with the RHCC and government teams to align messaging, branding, and materials across departments, ensuring consistent representation of ministerial priorities.
- Coordinate high-level communication efforts with affiliated agencies, and relevant teams, including press conferences, stakeholder meetings, and media interactions, to promote key government initiatives.
- Monitor media coverage of health initiatives, analyse public sentiment, and provide insights to refine communication strategies.
Activity and Donor Communications:
- Serve as the liaison between USAID Ireme/MSH, and the Minister’s office, ensuring effective collaboration and providing support to achieve programmatic objectives as required.
- Contribute to donor reporting by providing timely and relevant information to support the preparation of monthly, quarterly, and annual reports, as well as work plans, ensuring accurate communication of progress and achievements.
- Collaborate closely with the Ministry of Health, MSH, and other partners to ensure messaging strategies are consistent, aligned, and promote the visibility of both collective achievements in-line with ministerial priorities.
- Develop and implement communication strategies for the Minister’s office in alignment with government priorities, working closely with RHCC, Ministry personnel, and supported by USAID Ireme.
- Establish and implement procedures for collecting, organizing, and distributing information and knowledge generated through government initiatives to support and facilitate the development of periodic health sector performance reports.
QUALIFICATIONS
REQUIRED MINIMUM EDUCATION:
Required:
- Bachelor’s degree, in journalism, communications, public health, or a related discipline is required.
Preferred:
- Masters’s degree in journalism, communications, public health, or a related discipline is required.
REQUIRED MINIMUM EXPERIENCE:
Required: 5 years in corporate communications, with at least 2 years in development or government settings, preferably in the health sector.
Preferred: 10+ years in corporate communications, with at least 2 years in development or government settings, preferably in the health sector.
KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:
- Proven experience developing communication strategies, organizing high-level events, annual plans, visuals, and other materials targeting diverse audiences.
- Experience producing and disseminating print and digital content, including reports, visuals, and social media campaigns.
- Exceptional writing and editing abilities, with the ability to convey complex technical information in clear, compelling language without jargon.
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to multitask and manage competing priorities effectively.
- Excellent interpersonal and collaborative skills, with the ability to build positive relationships and communicate effectively with team members, senior management, and partners across cultures.
- Proactive and self-motivated, with the ability to work independently and contribute effectively to team environments.
- Results-driven and resourceful, with a positive approach to solving challenges and achieving goals.
CORE JOB COMPETENCIES:
- Proficiency in MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint is essential.
- Experience with social media management (both personal and organizational platforms) and Adobe Creative Suite is a plus.
- Fluency in English and Kinyarwanda is required, with the ability to write, present, and conduct business professionally in English.
Additional qualifications.
- Experience in development programs, and familiarity with USAID/donor processes is highly desirable.
- Hands-on experience working with government ministries, senior officials, and USAID/donors, with a solid understanding of trends, target audiences, and implementing collaborative projects.
- Proven experience developing communication strategies, organizing high level events, annual plans, visuals, and other materials targeting diverse audiences.
- Experience producing and disseminating print and digital content, including reports, visuals, and social media campaigns.
MSH is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity, religion, creed, citizenship, national origin, age, veteran status, or disability unrelated to job requirements. MSH will take affirmative action to ensure that qualified applicants are employed and that employees are treated without regard to their race, age, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran and disability status. In compliance with U.S. Department of Labor Executive Order 11246, Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act, and Section 4212 of the Vietnam Era Readjustment Assistance Act, MSH has developed and maintains an affirmative action program and plan.
EEO is the Law - English
EEO is the Law - Spanish
Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Poster
Know Your Rights - Workplace Discrimination is Illegal
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Employee Polygraph Protection Act
MSH EEO-AA Policy
