Position Title: Communications Manager, Southern Africa
Location: Major cities in Botswana, South Africa, Namibia, Zambia, Malawi, Lesotho, Eswatini, and Zimbabwe
Type: Fully remote
Reports to: Akhona Tshangela, Southern Africa Director
Hours per week (average): 40 (full-time)
Our Vision and Mission – WomenLift Health envisions a world where diverse, accomplished leaders collectively transform health outcomes. To realize that vision, we seek to expand the power and influence of talented mid-career women in health and engage with senior institutional and societal leaders to catalyze systemic change for gender equality in health leadership. We work in East Africa, India, North America, and, Southern Africa and continue to explore outreach to other regions.
Our Work – Established in 2019, we work to advance equality in health leadership through a range of actions at the individual, institutional, and societal levels. This includes a “Leadership Journey,” which focuses on equipping mid-career women the tools, along with peer, mentor, and coach support, to successfully use their voice, expertise and leadership for impact. It includes pushing conversations and partnerships with senior leaders in health institutions, taking steps to prioritize gender equality. It also includes supporting/convening global conversation about the importance of women’s leadership, amplifying the voices of national and global health leaders including at the bi-annual WomenLift Health Conference.
Our Culture and Values – We are building a diverse, entrepreneurial team of people who bring unique cultural and technical perspectives and experiences. We welcome results-oriented problem-solvers of any nationality, race, gender, sexual orientation, age, and disability. We are a growing organization that is committed to building a culture with our partners that values:
- Collaborative leadership that celebrates diverse perspectives and experiences and ensures everyone contributes to their full potential.
- Partnership grounded in humility, respect, empathy, and inclusion.
- Transformative change based upon bold, strategic thinking combined with adaptability and pragmatic action.
- Spirit of learning ensures we are open, forward-looking, constructive, and committed to growing collectively and individually.
- Achieving impact by improving global health and gender equality.
Responsibilities and Tasks
- Lead the development of WomenLift Health’s communications strategy in Southern Africa.
- Work with the Southern Africa Director, and the Communications and Engagement Director, and key partners to operationalize and execute the communications strategy once developed.
- Work closely with the Southern Africa Director to lead the identification of stories and the creation of innovative content, in the form of thought leadership articles and other communications products.
- Provide communications support to WomenLift Health core programs, including generating demand and planning application launches for WomenLift Health’s signature Leadership Journey, PowerUp workshops, and so on.
- Strategize on new products, launches, events, and promotions.
- Support in-person and virtual events independently.
- Coordinate the writing and distribution of a wide variety of publications and collateral materials, including opinion articles, reports, press releases, newsletters, presentations, podcasts, statements, and other e-communications.
- Independently and in collaboration with key partners where applicable, organize and coordinate speaker series and other relevant events and conferences virtually/in-person that highlight Women’s Leadership in Health.
- Build relationships with opinion page editors of major national newspapers and editorial leads at digital platforms to facilitate the publication of staff articles and op-eds.
- Work with graphic designers, videographers, and Africa Communications Coordinator to collaborate on the design and delivery of engaging text, image and light video content for digital channels.
- Provide ongoing counsel on best practices in content delivery; develop content that supports overall campaigns and communications objectives.
- Develop and implement strategic communications plan for priority moments.
- Explore, and develop new channels, content, and experiences that help us reach our communications goals.
Education, Experience, Knowledge, Skills, and Ability
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE (REQUIRED):
- Advanced degree in Communications, Media, Journalism, Public Policy/advocacy, or related field
- 10+ years’ experience in communication for nonprofit, media, academic, or research organizations
- Exceptional writing, editing, and creative management skills, and mastery of key principles for communicating academic research, with accuracy, in ways that non-technical audiences can understand
- Strong aptitude for visual and interactive content creation in addition to text-based content
- Familiarity with content creation tools (Adobe suite, Canva, etc.)
- Excellent communication skills including attention to detail and ability to effectively multi-task with a willingness to perform a wide range of tasks
- Ability to demonstrate inclusiveness, collaboration, respect and broad organizational interests
- Proactive, self-starter able to work independently
- Fluency in English (written, spoken, reading)
- Experience and a passion for global health and gender equality
VALUED AND NON-ESSENTIAL EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITY
● Additional language preferred, but not required
● Background in public health, gender equality, leadership development, or related field
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (REQUIRED):
- Commitment to WomenLift Health’s mission, vision, theory of change, and unique positioning in the field
- Technological savvy and comfort with use of various digital platforms (e.g., Zoom, Monday, SharePoint, etc.)
- Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrates the ability to work well with key stakeholders and partners from diverse cultures and backgrounds
- Demonstrated success in following through and completing projects in a timely manner
- Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
- Strong verbal and written communication skills
- Ability to prioritize, multi-task, and assign work to others
- Ability to take initiative and ownership of projects
- Ability to routinely and independently exercise sound judgment in decision making
How to Apply
Please see career page of WomenLift Health, select the appropriate position, and fill out an application form for the role you are interested in. As part of the application packet, you will be asked to submit a) your resume, b) a cover letter detailing why you are interested and a good fit for the role, and c) a list of three references.
Hiring Statement
WomenLift Health is a project of New Venture Fund (NVF), a 501(c)(3) public charity that incubates new and innovative public-interest projects and grant-making programs. NVF is committed to attracting, developing, and retaining exceptional people, and to creating a work environment that is dynamic, rewarding and enables each of us to realize our potential. NVF’s work environment is safe and open to all employees and partners, respecting the full spectrum of race, color, religious creed, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, political affiliation, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, and all other classifications protected by law in the locality and/or state in which you are working.
WomenLift Health intends to hire the selected candidate employment via a PEO (Professional Employer Organization)/host partner in South Africa or other southern African countries. Candidate must live and be authorized to work in Botswana, South Africa, Namibia, Zambia, Malawi, Lesotho, Eswatini, and/or Zimbabwe.