Senior Communications Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
FHI 360 is a nonprofit organization dedicated to mobilizing research, resources, and relationships to ensure that individuals everywhere can access the opportunities necessary for leading full and healthy lives. Established with a mission to improve lives through integrated, evidence-based approaches, FHI 360 employs over 2,000 experts and operates in more than 50 countries globally, focusing on health, education, and economic development.

Job Overview:
The Senior Communications Specialist will play a pivotal role in the Meeting Targets and Maintaining Epidemic Control (EpiC) project, a global health initiative funded by the U.S. Department of State, which runs from 2019 to 202

• This position is crucial for advancing HIV programming and global health security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security (GHS) priorities in the Philippines. The specialist will be responsible for designing, implementing, and evaluating integrated communication strategies that promote HIV testing, treatment adherence, and prevention among at-risk populations. The role requires collaboration with various stakeholders, including the Department of Health (DOH), national government agencies, local government units (LGUs), donors, media, and community partners. The specialist will ensure that all communication activities are evidence-based, culturally appropriate, and aligned with national and donor frameworks. Additionally, the role involves overseeing the creation of informational, educational, and communication (IEC) materials, managing digital platforms, and maintaining media relationships to ensure accurate coverage of HIV and outbreak issues. The specialist will also provide capacity-building and technical support on communication best practices, monitor and evaluate communication interventions, and document lessons learned for donor reports and knowledge sharing.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Senior Communications Specialist will be responsible for developing and implementing integrated communication strategies for HIV and GHS, ensuring alignment with DOH, LGUs, and donor communication frameworks. Key responsibilities include contributing to strategic planning and work plans across campaigns, providing input on budget allocations, and ensuring timely implementation of communication activities. The specialist will develop emergency communication materials for priority diseases, coordinate with agencies and media for consistent outbreak messaging, and create risk communication tools. They will design messages to promote HIV testing and ART adherence, collaborate with community organizations to create culturally sensitive materials, and monitor and evaluate communication interventions. The role also involves developing IEC materials, managing digital and social media activities, conducting capacity-building activities, and preparing technical reports and donor-facing communication products. The specialist will establish communication workflows and timelines, monitor communication effectiveness, and document success stories for donor reporting.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess strong knowledge of health communication and social marketing principles, with a proven ability to translate technical public health content into clear communication products. Experience managing multiple communication deliverables in fast-paced environments is essential. The ideal candidate should be skilled in writing, editing, and digital communication, with excellent proficiency in English and Filipino; fluency in other local languages is an advantage. A collaborative team player, the candidate should have experience working with technical experts, designers, researchers, and government counterparts. They must be highly organized, detail-oriented, and adept at problem-solving creatively under pressure.

Educational Background:
A Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, behavioral or social science, or a related field is required for this position. This educational background will provide the necessary foundation for understanding the complexities of health communication and the strategies needed to effectively engage diverse populations.

Experience:
At least 5 years of experience in strategic communication, health communication, social marketing, public relations, advertising, promotion, or research is required. Experience in public health programs, particularly in HIV, COVID-19, and other infectious diseases, with a focus on social behavior change communication and advocacy campaigns, is essential. Prior experience working with the U.S. Government and other bilateral projects is considered an advantage.

Languages:
Proficiency in English and Filipino is mandatory for this position. Fluency in additional local languages is considered a valuable asset, enhancing the ability to communicate effectively with diverse populations.

Additional Notes:
The position is based in Manila, Philippines, and may require domestic travel of at least 30%. FHI 360 is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer, committed to preventing abuse, exploitation, and harassment in its work environments. The organization emphasizes safeguarding the welfare of everyone engaged with its programs and requires all personnel to adhere to a code of conduct. Employment offers are subject to appropriate screening checks, including reference and criminal record checks. FHI 360 offers a competitive benefits package and supports professional development and work/life balance.