Health Communication Specialists at the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is a regional group of fifteen West African countries. Founded on 28 May 1975, with the signing of the Treaty of Lagos, its mission is to promote economic integration across the region. Considered one of the pillars of the African Economic Community, the organization was founded in order to achieve collective self-sufficiency for its member states by creating a single large trading bloc through an economic and trading union. It also serves as a peacekeeping force in the region. The organization operates officially in three co-equal languages French, English, and Portuguese.

We are currently recruiting for the vacant position below:

Job Title: Health Communication Specialist

Reference: ECW/WAHO-CDC/8
Location: Abuja, Nigeria
Grade: P3/P4
Status: Permanent
Reports to: Director, Department of Surveillance, Early Warning and Response

Job Summary

• Under the supervision of the Director for Surveillance, Early Warning and Response of the ECOWAS Regional Centre for Disease Surveillance and Control, and in close collaboration with the other professional staff of the Centre, the Health Communication Specialist will be responsible for facilitating the dissemination of information on health situation trends and sensitize the various stakeholders on appropriate response measures

Duties and Responsibilities

• Support communication and ensure effective and timely dissemination of information on the epidemiological trends in the region (including the drafting and dissemination of weekly report on the trends of public health events).
• Support the ECOWAS-RCDSC and member countries with regard to their health communication strategies, especially in the event of health crises.
• Ensure ongoing review of informal media reports, rumors and other sources of information that could lead to early warning against public health threats across the region.
• Contribute to strengthening collaboration with partners, including WHO, to promote the needed coherence in the communication process on health risks.
• Take part appropriately with the relevant Authorities of Member States and other interested Parties in public awareness campaigns
• Ensure Communication plans are developed and implemented in the event of public health events.
• Provide technical support in writing scientific reports and articles on epidemiological surveillance and response.
• Take an active part in running a website and in all other communication and social mobilization activities.
• Perform any other tasks as may be assigned by Management

Qualifications/Experience/Skills

• Degree in medicine or Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences (Communication, Sociology, Anthropology, Psychology, Health education) and a postgraduate qualification in health communication or health promotion;
• At least five (5) years of demonstrated experience in health communication or health promotion and certified by work certificates;
• Possession of higher degree would reduce the required professional experience to three (3) years;
• Good knowledge and proven experience in the use of new communication technologies (internet, twitter, etc.) in West Africa;
• Excellent strategic thinking, global approach, and report writing abilities;
• Proven experience in writing scientific reports and articles on surveillance and disease control;
• Excellent leadership skills, collaboration with partners, good interpersonal relations and advocacy skills;
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills as well as good knowledge of health policies and work environment in health Professionals training in ECOWAS Countries;
• Experience in the management of epidemics and emergencies in the ECOWAS region;

Age:

• Candidate must not be more than 50 (fifty) years of age at the point of recruitment and must be an ECOWAS citizen.

Language:

• Must be fluent in one of the official languages of the Community; English, French and Portuguese. A working knowledge of another would be an advantage.

Annual Salary
USD 36,901 USD - 44,469/ USD 44,328 - USD 51,63.

Application Closing Date
9th April, 2017.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should download the "Job Application Form", fill it and send it as an email attachment together with their CV's to: waho-cdc@ecowas.int No certificate should be attached.

Click Here to Download Job Application Form (MS Word)

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