Posted date: 2/23/07

Closing date:  Open until filled

Title: Microbicides Media and Communication Initiative Officer (MMCI Officer)

Program area: Global Campaign for Microbicides

Location: Johannesburg, South Africa

Official (grade) title: (5020/5030) Program Officer I/II

Starting annual salary range: Commensurate with experience within in PATH’s salary structure.

Overview:

The Global Campaign for Microbicides is an international coalition of non-governmental organizations and advocates working to accelerate access to safe and effective forms of HIV prevention, especially microbicides. Through advocacy, policy analysis, and social science research, the Campaign works to accelerate product development, facilitate widespread access and use, and protect the needs and interests of users.

The Microbicides Media and Communication Initiative (MMCI) is a unique partnership created by the Global Campaign for Microbicides designed to help the wider microbicide field anticipate and respond proactively to the communications challenges posed by the conduct of large scale effectiveness trials in Africa and other resource poor settings. Membership includes the communications officers of all the organizations currently sponsoring clinical trials of microbicides as well as key microbicide scientists and advocacy networks. The MMCI’s overarching goal is to strengthen the ability of communication officers and clinical trial staff to plan appropriately and communicate effectively with various in-country and international stakeholders, including the media, key policy makers, communities hosting trials and advocacy networks.

The MMCI is seeking a full time officer, with experience in science or health journalism, knowledge of clinical trials, and experience in managing multi-stakeholder coalitions or partnerships. This position will be based in Johannesburg, South Africa with substantial international travel.

Duties and responsibilities:

  • Provide intellectual leadership to grow and expand the MMCI to better serve the microbicide field.
  • Convene regular international conference calls to facilitate communication across trial sites and between communication officers, activists and scientists.
  • Develop prototype materials such as crisis communication plans and messaging documents that can be used as template to develop site-specific tools.
  • Provide on-site training to site personnel regarding messaging, responding to controversy, and working with the media.
  • Develop a system to track and respond to problematic media coverage of microbicide trials in the international press
  • Institute a crisis communication plan for the field and serving as its point person should the need arise.
  • Organize annual meetings of MMCI members to share lessons learned and develop strategies.
  • Partner with existing media networks and projects to strengthen the understanding of journalists in key countries about clinical research, HIV prevention, and gender vulnerabilities.
  • Maintain clear lines of communication with key working groups in the microbicides field.

Qualifications:

This position combines the high-paced world of journalism and media with the unique challenge of communicating complex scientific concepts to lay audiences, strengthening the communication skills of clinical trial staff and helping to manage complex stakeholder relations in a politically charged environment. The successful candidate will have:

Required:

  • A Masters degree or equivalent in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Public Health, or a closely related field.
  • At least 5 years of direct experience in the areas of health communication, science journalism or a related area.
  • Ability to train and facilitate groups, especially as it relates to health information or media training.
  • Experience managing or working in coalitions or complex teams.
  • A demonstrated ability to translate complex concepts for lay audiences.
  • Experience working with the media and preparing communications related documents.
  • Knowledge of global HIV/AIDS and/or women’s sexual and reproductive health issues; familiarity with the political environment of these fields and/or global health a strong plus.
  • Ability and willingness to travel for up to 30% of the time, including extended stays (two weeks or more) in Washington, DC.

 Preferred:

  • Knowledge of clinical trials and testing.
  • Direct experience in crisis communication.
  • Experience in managing communications pertaining to drug development, clinical trials or health education involving HIV/AIDS.
  • International/multi-cultural experience.

To apply:

To be considered for this position, please submit application materials (see below) to pathsajobs@path.org, citing position number 2119. In the subject field of your email message, please provide your last name and the position number.

Application materials:

·         Required: PATH Employment Application. We are unable to review resumes submitted without a completed employment application form. To access the form, click on the hyperlink, and be sure to save the document to your hard drive before completing it. At this stage in the application process, this form does not require your signature.

·         Required: cover letter and resume. Please attach your cover letter and resume as Microsoft Word 97 (or later) document(s), or paste them into the body of an email message.

We are able to respond only to candidates chosen for interviews or additional follow-up. In most instances, you can anticipate a follow-up response from a PATH recruiter within 4 to 6 weeks if selected for further consideration.

All posted positions are full-time unless otherwise noted.

PATH is dedicated to diversity in staff and is an equal opportunity employer.