Communication Specialist (Internal#274/2024)

icddr,b is a Bangladesh-based international health research institute that strives to solve key public health problems through high-quality scientific research and innovation. icddrb as a values-based organization encourages women and people with disabilities.

The USAID’s Alliance for Combating TB in Bangladesh (ACTB) Activity is working to establish a dynamic, strategic, and fresh approach to accelerate Bangladesh’s fight against TB. The solutions will be aimed at creating an environment aligned with the universal health coverage (UHC) vision and focused on defined priority areas – increased TB detection, decentralized DR-TB management, improving detection and management of child TB, expanded prevention, and others. 

The Communication Specialist will report to the Senior MEL Advisor of USAID’s ACTB Activity with frequent communications with the Technical Lead, Chief of Party and Deputy Chief of Party. The position holder will be responsible for the learning approaches to develop and implement innovative, creative, and effective ways to strategically capture, interpret and showcase technical knowledge and best practices to donors, partners, and other stakeholders. S/He will identify, package, and disseminate key information to improve existing practices and provide practitioners with the tools for effective program implementation and develop communication and knowledge management assets, generate resources, and assist in ongoing content development to ensure proper communications activities of USAID’s ACTB within the guidelines of icddr,b. S/he will be involved to:

• Develop and implement communication strategy for USAID’s ACTB, aligning with Activity objectives and stakeholder needs;
• Prepare detailed annual and quarterly communication plans, contributing to overall program work plans and progress reports;
• Coordinate with internal teams and external partners to ensure cohesive and effective communication initiatives;
• Monitor the execution of plans, resolving issues, and providing regular updates to senior management;
• Operationalize knowledge-sharing platforms that link content creation with audience engagement strategies;
• Develop communication products for advocacy and policy influence, including monographs, policy briefs, and technical reports;
• Identify opportunities to place program stories in national and international publications, forums, and conferences;
• Document and share program learning and success stories to build a repository of evidence-based resources;
• Contribute to SBCC strategies by developing impactful messaging and tools to counter barriers to TB service utilization;
• Collaborate with technical working groups and stakeholders to adapt strategies for diverse, yet contextual, cultural and social contexts;
• Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of SBCC campaigns, ensuring alignment with global best practices;
• Generate and curate compelling content such as case studies, impact stories, newsletters, and reports to communicate program outcomes and stories effectively;
• Synthesize information for various audiences, tailoring content for platforms such as print, digital media, and events;
• Ensure compliance with donor branding and communication guidelines, maintaining high-quality standards in all communication materials;
• Manage and if required design digital content, including graphics, videos, and social media campaigns, using appropriate tools and applications;
• Build and maintain relationships with media outlets, including journalists, editors, and broadcasters, to amplify program visibility;
• Organize media visits and orientations to promote program activities and successes, ensuring accurate representation of facts;
• Monitor media trends and identify opportunities for proactive engagement to enhance program awareness;
• Implement and oversee project branding and marking plans, ensuring consistent representation across all platforms;
• Enhance the visibility of USAID’s ACTB through targeted communication efforts, engaging diverse audiences and stakeholders;
• Support the development of communication budgets, ensuring efficient allocation of resources;
• Manage vendor relationships, including printing agencies and advertising firms, ensuring quality and timely delivery of services;
• Coordinate with various internal stakeholders for the deployment of plans;
• Ensure all communication activities adhere to compliance and reporting standards required by USAID and icddr,b;
• Carry out any other relevant tasks, assigned by the project management.

Required qualification and experience:

• Masters in Mass Communication, Journalism, Social Science, International relations, or similar field with good academic records. Candidates having MPH will be given preference;
• 5 years of relevant work experience.

Location: Dhaka

Number of Position: 02

Contract Type and duration:

Fixed Term Agreement; duration will be 1 year with a possibility of extension subject to availability of funds and performance.

Salary & benefits:

• Annual Tk. 1,888,370/- inclusive of house rent and conveyance allowances and other admissible benefits;
• 14.8% provident fund contribution, income tax paid by icddr,b, children allowance @Tk.1,917/- per child per month, festival bonus, contributory healthcare support including dependent spouse and children, group life insurance and subsidized canteen. Transport and daycare facilities are subject to space availability.

Notes of attention:

• Only short-listed candidates shall be invited for written test /interview;
• The Organization reserves the right to make an appointment at a grade lower than that advertised;
• icddr,b does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process.

Interested candidates who fulfil the requirements should submit online applications using icddr,b website: career.icddrb.org by December 14, 2024