The “Healthy Life Project: Reducing the Burden of Non-Communicable Diseases” (ProiectViataSanatoasa), funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, announces a vacancy for a full-time position of Communication Specialist.

Background information

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs), such as diabetes, hypertension and ischemic heart diseases, are the main causes of mortality in the Republic of Moldova for both men and women. The risk factors of NCDs are related for the most part to lifestyles including inadequate diet, smoking, low level of physical activity and alcohol consumption.

NCDs represent an urgent public health priority in Moldova and the “Healthy Life” project, in support to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Social Protection and in close collaboration with national and international partners, aims to address this need.

The first phase of the project runs from 2016 to 2020. Its overall objective is to contribute to the improvement of the health status of the Moldovan population, especially in rural areas, through the reduction of the burden of NCDs. The project has three main outcomes:

• Outcome 1: National health authorities create an enabling policy environment for decentralized and integrated management of NCDs;
• Outcome 2: The population in target districts has access to and uses quality integrated care, including outreach services, related to NCDs;
• Outcome 3: The population in target districts improve its health seeking behavior and reduce its NCDs risk behavior.

The project is implemented in 10 pilot districts which are involved in two waves: successful approaches developed in the first 4 districts (Falesti, Ungheni, Stefan Voda and Cahul) will be in turn disseminated to the additional 6 districts (Orhei, Criuleni, Taraclia, Vulcanesti, Edinet and Briceni).

The Project is coordinated by a Project Facilitation Unit (PFU) based in Chisinau. To complement its team, the PFU recruits a Communication Specialist. This position will be based 50% in the PFU and also be seconded 50% of the worktime to the new National Agency for Public Health.

Scope of work

1. Improve strategic communications on the overall reform within and beyond the public health system, including by promoting the project’s contributions to this process

• Carry out need assessment for different stakeholder groups in terms of thematic interests’ and future communication activities;
• Based on key guiding documents (e.g. policy influencing strategy) and the stakeholder needs assessment, develop a strategic communication and action plan for the MoHLSP and the National Agency of Public Health, reinforced by one for the Healthy Life project -  including information on objectives, audiences, messages, resources, timescales, tools and activities;
• Support and build capacity of the MoHLSP and Agency for Public Health to implement their strategic communications work;
• Support the adaptation of communication to different interlocutors and elaborate convincing messages for negotiations (Communication for Change);
• Implement the communication strategy promoting/marketing key aspects/achievements and success of the Project in areas such as for example integrated care, community nursing, health promotion (see below) (Communication for Development);
• Provide clear, accurate and relevant information to foster stronger  stakeholder interlinkages;
• Monitor the public perception of the project area in pilot raions to maintain a right image for the project and document the project communication activities.

2. Health Communication on priority themes of the Healthy Life project

• Facilitate the development and organization of health communication activities (e.g.conferences/workshops) in support to PFU and/or national/local partners using state-of-the art Social and Behaviour Change Communication models and methodologies;
• Develop user-friendly and high-quality Information, Education and Communication (IEC) material to reflect project activities for target population (such as handouts, posters, brochures, video documentary films and photo documentation, success stories booklet etc.) in Romanian and Russian language;
• Support the working groups in developing high quality education materials in selected by the project diseases in accordance with the BCC principles, testing in focus groups, etc.

Required profile:

Qualifications:

• University level education in Communication, Journalism, Public Relations or equivalent, Postgraduate degree will be considered an advantage.

Experience:

• Minimum 5 years of relevant professional experience in communication and media relations;
• Relevant experience in external aided projects and also experience in working with stakeholders (especially relevant state institutions and agencies, district and local public authorities, international organizations and donors, such as EU, SDC, WHO, World Bank, UN agencies etc.) will be preferred;
• Experience in conducting communications needs analysis and strategic design as well as managing communication campaigns;
• Experience in working with government agencies, civil society institutions, local public authorities, other local partners and diverse communities, including marginalized group.

Skills:

• Ability to work in a changing, multi-cultural environment and establish harmonious and effective working relationships;
• Ability to work in an autonomous way;
• Ability to draft clearly and concisely, ideas and concepts in written and oral form; specific skills in writing press releases and articles/stories for print and electronic media;
• Willingness to travel periodically within the country and to rural locations;
• Excellent presentation skills;
• Fluency in both oral and written Romanian and Russian; Knowledge of English language mandatory.
• Proficient user level computer skills of Office and other software.

Position specification:

The PFU offers a 100% position starting as soon as possible until the end of 2018. The contract is renewable in 2019 depending on performance and upon agreement with the Team Leader and the Project Director (based in Switzerland). The position is based in Chisinau, Moldova with some travel to project raions.

Application procedure:

Interested persons may submit their CV and a cover letter by email to: info@viatasan.md

Application deadline is 17th April 2018. Only pre-selected candidates will be contacted for an interview. A writing sample will be requested prior to interview.