Head: Communications and External Relations - Wits RHI

Main Purpose of the Job:

To develop the organization’s internal and external communications strategy aligned to the organizational strategy, building its reputation for improved sustainability. To manage efficient and focused communications including the dissemination of results and activities, while also clearly communicating its strategic objectives, mission, and combining its vision, values, and activities into cohesive and appropriate messages for a broad range of internal and external audiences. This role will also include supporting the implementation of new areas of communication competency relating to the various syndicate communication requirements. 

Location:

Hillbrow, Johannesburg

Key performance areas:

• Develop a communication strategy that aligns with the organizational strategy and focus areas and supports Wits RHI’s objectives and organizational needs.
• Stay abreast of the latest local and global communication strategies so the Wits RHI communication strategy remains relevant and is up to date.
• Develop and implement a proactive media strategy and maintain the organization’s media presence.
• Articulate the communication strategy internally and externally
• Develop communication standards, guidelines, and tools to assist institute staff to communicate through a range of channels with internal and external audiences
• Provide internal and external stakeholders with regular organizational information through various communication channels.
• Coordinate the development, design, content, and production of appropriate communications.
• Liaise with senior Wits RHI management and key staff on content (technical and non-technical) to share through communication platforms to ensure it is appropriate, up to date, and correct.
• Ensure quality assurance of information prior to dissemination on various platforms, including the quality of tools used for the dissemination of information e.g. PowerPoint presentations.
• Develop communications systems and channels for regular contact with a variety of internal and external audiences.
• Redesign and provide oversight on the development of relevant standing and ad hoc reports, including internal newsletter Co-ordinate the production of strategic organizational communications for external use, including Annual Reviews, and reports to external bodies such as WHO, UNAIDS, and FHS.
• Provide support to projects, programmes, and departments in producing effective and targeted programme-specific communication, relating to their activities and results of their work.
• Support internal committees, including leadership groups and organizational health committees, on communication matters.
• Provide oversight on corporate identity and branding and ensure consistent application across all communication mediums Proactively promote the profiling and branding of Wits RHI Executive management, Directors, and key staff on internal and external media platforms
  Develop and implement branding guidelines, ensuring all communication is compliant with donor requirements and Wits RHI branding.
• Ensure strong Wits RHI brand presence on digital and physical platforms e.g. Events/conferences.
• In liaison with Director Strategy and Business Lead, support regular communication with external stakeholders, including Wits University, donors, government, community, and academic partners.
• Respond to ad hoc donor requests relating to general information about Wits RHI.
• Contribute to the planning and implementation of hosting external review visits including strategic advisory boards, University Review boards, etc.
• Build relationships with the media by responding timeously to media queries.
• Redesign and enhance the Wits RHI website including the intranet to ensure a professional, user-friendly site that is a resource for internal and external stakeholders.
• Develop and maintain a library of standardized literature to provide consistency of tone, style, and content to funding proposals and other business development-related materials.
• Work with the communications team to develop guidelines and tools to assist Institute staff in hosting visitors and partners, ranging from standard materials to protocol guidance.
• Oversee the planning and arrangement of events and coordination of visitors.
• Support the professional and smooth organization of Wits RHI events and visits from a communications perspective.

Required minimum education and training:

• Relevant tertiary qualification in Journalism, Communications, Events Management, Public Relations, or relevant events background experience.
• Significant exposure to event management and activation.
• Basic business acumen and financial budgeting skills.
• Excellent customer and delivery orientation.
• Project management skills.
• Interpersonal and Communications skills.
• Ability to perform well under pressure.
• Ability to operate in a multi-functional team structure.
• Relationship-building skills- ability to build sound working relationships is critical to the success of the role.

Required minimum work experience:

• Minimum 5 – 7 years experience in managing communications. Experience in managing a communications team
• Experience in leading teams.
• Experience working in a donor-funded organization / NGO.

Desirable additional education, work experience, and personal abilities:

• Experience in a donor or academic environment will be advantageous
• Strong leadership
• Pro-active, able to exercise discretion and independent decision-making
• Sound interpersonal and presentation skills exceptional planning and organizing skills
• Excellent communication report writing and presentation skills.
• Advance writing skills, certification in Journalism NGO (donor-funded) experience within HIV/AIDS and research under tight deadlines
• Creative and resourceful in solving problems.
• Strong work ethic and ability to work in a multidisciplinary team.

TO APPLY:

• Only if you do meet the minimum job requirements and experience as mentioned above, you may submit a detailed updated CV. Please Apply Online
• Please take note that the applicants who do not adhere to the above criteria will not be considered for the respective position.
• The closing date for all applications: 22 September 2022
• Wits Health Consortium will only respond to shortlisted candidates.
• Candidates who have not been contacted within two weeks of the closing date can consider their applications to be unsuccessful.
• Note AJ Personnel is fully POPI compliant.
• Note WHC, in accordance with their Employment Equity goals and plan, will give preference to suitable applicants from designated groups as defined in the Employment Equity Act 55 of 1998 and subsequent amendments thereto.
• The organization maintains a Mandatory Covid-19 requirement and as such only Covid-19, Vaccinated incumbents will be considered for positions.

Please note:

• AJ PERSONNEL is only responsible for advertising of the advertisement on behalf of their client Wits Health Consortium.
• AJ Personnel does not have any salary or other information regarding the position.