• Job Title: Communications Officer
• Reports to: Country Director           
• Location: Kigutu, Burundi

Organization Background:

Village Health Works (VHW) is a 501(c)(3) corporation. It is a social justice organization founded on the belief that health equity is not a commodity but a right. Founded in partnership with the communities we currently serve, VHW’s mission is to provide the neediest high quality, compassionate health care and education based on critical thinking in a dignified environment. VHW’s holistic approach integrates clinical services with education, food security, economic development, environmental protection, music and the arts. In the context of where we currently work, this is the only way we can sustainably end extreme, multigenerational scarcity in a way that uplifts and engages communities with dignity and in their own context. We believe that the lack of access to quality healthcare and education is the biggest threat to development and world peace.

Currently VHW operates in a wide array of clinical and community programs in a catchment area of over 200,000 people within the provinces of Rumonge and Bururi, though its doors are open for every patient regardless of where that patient is coming from. Our first clinic attends over 51,000 outpatient consultations per year.  Since 2007 until summer 2023, our 60-bed inpatient wards have been providing basic adult and pediatric non-operative inpatient services including treatment of malnutrition, mental health, chronic and acute diseases and uncomplicated obstetrical deliveries. These services have been administered by our staff of generalist physicians under the supervision of our current Medical Director.

Village Health Works has embarked on a plan to expand our clinical services to provide comprehensive quality medical care and training. To achieve this goal, VHW has constructed and officially opened an 85,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art teaching hospital with several services that include surgery, obstetric deliveries, intensive care, pediatrics and neonatology, emergency, pathology lab, medical education and research center, etc.To provide excellent patient care and training we must expand the scope and skills of the healthcare providers through training, teaching and research, hiring through rigorous development and implementation of systems and structures, policies and procedures that are framed by high quality norms and international standards.

Additionally, VHW has established the Kigutu International Academy, a grade 9-12 boarding school to equip young minds with an education based on critical thinking to prepare them to become the leaders we wish their country and the continent to have for a better future.

Our core values are as follows:

• Every member of VHW’s team must value the dignity inherent in each individual, aspire to excellence in all we do, proceed with boldness and perseverance.
• Compassion and justice must be at the heart of our organization.
• To accomplish the mission of our organization we allmust be accountable to each other and to our community.

VHW is looking to hire a dedicated communications officer to join our team in Kigutu, Bururi Province whose main objective is to enhance the VHW brand amongst Burundian and International stakeholders. He or she will work across teams located in Burundi and New York to facilitate coordination of events, news and information within VHW and local, and global communities. The communications officer will support VHW’s internal and external communications strategy; write and disseminate publicity material; respond to inquiries from the public and media; manage all social media channels, and coordinate promotional events.

To succeed as a communications officer, the ideal candidate should be able to think creatively, and have excellent communication and interpersonal skills. A bachelor’s degree with experience as a communications officer or equivalent experience in a similar role is strongly desired.

Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with management to develop and implement an effective communications strategy based on target audiences including:
  • Define and segment target audience (International donors, Burundian government and community organization), for each segment define messaging tone and content style and map to content channel.
  • Develop creative guidelines and formats for each audience and channel.
  • Identify a pipeline of staff and community members, key events and conduct pre-interviews to feed the content calendar.
  • Build a content calendar – monthly, quarterly, yearly.
  • Build a database containing content and consent forms on a shared drive
  • Prepare a list of interview questions, do’s and don’ts
  • Develop captions for each channel in French, English and Kirundi as per the audience and content guidelines.
  • Monitor and evaluate the engagement analytics and optimize the content strategy to improve performance.

• Write, edit, and distribute content, including publications, press releases, website content, annual reports, talking points, speeches, and other marketing material that communicates the organization’s activities, products, and/or services.
• Establish and maintain effective relationships with national and local government stakeholders including the Burundi Ministry of Public Health, Education, local governors. Monitor media coverage, collage analytics and metrics.
• Develop escalation protocols for managing communication crises, should they arise.
• Respond to media inquiries, arrange interviews, and act as a spokesperson for the organization, coordinate publicity events.
• Proficiency in design and publishing software to create and edit materials.
• Develop a pool of local freelancers in event and video production, graphic design, copywriting to support all initiatives on as needed basis.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, or related field.
• Minimum of 2-5 years relevant experience in a communications role.
• Knowledge of desktop publishing software (InDesign/Photoshop).
• Knowledge of M&E of programs or project management
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, content management systems, and social media platforms.
• Understand the best practices of main social media channels including Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn etc.
• Exceptional writing skills and be able to compose engaging and accurate content in Kirundi and English.
• Strong communicator who works well independently and with a team.
• Superior time management skills and the ability to juggle multiple projects simultaneously
• Understanding of communications, public relations, and marketing best practices.
• Ability to think strategically and identify ways to improve communication efforts.
• Must be resourceful and take initiative even when given minimal direction.

Compensation

Compensation will be commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Required documents:

– Cover letter

– update CV

– Certified copy of diplomas and training certificates

– Job Certificates

– 2 reference persons

Application process:

If you are interested, please submit the required documents at the following address

: jobs@villagehealthworks.org

Please include “Communication Officer” in the subject line of your email.

Closing date for applications: November 15th, 2024.

Village Health Works considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, color, religion, gender, age, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, veteran or military status.