Population Services International- Sierra Leone

Job Description 

Communication Intern (EpiC Sierra Leone)

Job Type: Internship

Location: Freetown, Sierra Leone

Start Date: Immediately

End Date: December 31st 2023

Reports to: Country Project Manager- EpiC SL

Grade: TBD

Background Introduction 

Population Services International (PSI) Sierra Leone, a network member of the world’s leading non-profit social marketing organization. We work to make it easier for people in the developing world to lead healthier lives and plan the families they desire by marketing affordable health products and services. We commit ourselves to contributing to health systems transformation with the government partners and others. We believe in investing in Consumer-Powered Healthcare that keeps pace with the changing health needs of consumers, systematically addresses barriers to positive health behaviors and outcomes, and encourages the most efficient use of available resources.

There are over 9,000 “PSI’ers” around the world. It’s a diverse group of entrepreneurs and professionals with an unusually wide range of backgrounds – from the medical industry to the music business – all with unique skills we bring to the job.

PSI seeks a Project Officer/Coordinator to assist with ongoing coordination and management of the EpiC Sierra Leone activities to help increase the coverage of COVID 19 Vaccination in Sierra Leone under the Meeting Targets and Maintaining Epidemic Control (EpiC) Project.

Meeting Targets and Maintaining Epidemic Control (EpiC) is a five-year global project funded by U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).  EpiC receives COVID-19 funding to bolster health systems necessary to address COVID-19 and reduce cases of reemergence.

Currently, EpiC and its consortium members implement COVID-19 activities in more than 45 countries worldwide.  The project delivers high-quality technical assistance at the community, facility, district, regional and national levels and builds relationships with relevant partners working to address COVID-19.

EpiC worked hand in hand with Sierra Leone’s Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) to identify and define gaps that are not currently covered by other partners throughout the country but more especially in the 7 districts that have the lowest COVID-19 vaccine uptake. Through Population Services International (PSI) – Sierra Leone, EpiC will support the Ministry of Health & Sanitation in Sierra Leone and other COVID-19 stakeholders in implementing specific activities aimed at increasing the uptake of COVID-19 Vaccines. This support will principally focus on cold chain systems support; data capturing timeliness, data quality improvement and data analysis enhancement; surge/mass campaign outreach support; community engagement and demand creation for COVID-19 vaccine. Although some of the activities will be implemented nationwide, principal emphasis will be placed in the 7 lowest performing districts identified according to their identified needs.

General Objective of the Position 

The Communication Intern will support the production of stories, photos and other materials for PSI standards for effective donor and public engagement. He/she will contribute towards the process of researching information and writing and editing articles and other features for PSI social media platforms.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the production of stories, photos and other materials in line with PSI standards for effective donor and public engagement;
• Gather and produce resources (stories, photos and video) for effective donor and public engagement;
• Support Communications Coordinator as point person to write tweets, vlogging and blog postings for social media;
• Contribute towards the process of researching information and writing and editing articles and other features for the PSI Annual Report, Magazine and other publications to communicate effectively the PSI brand;
• Support the development of advocacy-oriented communication products in order to ensure that behavioral change is achieved.
• Provide support to other departments engaged in any form of Advocacy and demand generation campaign as assigned by the Communications Coordinator;
• Handle administrative issues (preparing internal requisition etc.) draft Monthly Management Reports (MMR) and weekly schedules;
• Support with creating and spreading communication media, such as presentation, posters, flyers, blog posts, or videos on EpiC Project funded social media platforms – WhatsApp, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
• Assist in facilitating all social media engagements.
• Assisting in preparing and maintaining digital communications reports, such as social media content calendars, analytics, media reports, and website updates.
• Contributing to the development of a strategy for digital marketing.
• Helping create an internal employee newsletter, factsheets and other one or two pager documents
• Perform other essential tasks assigned by the communications Coordinator.

QUALIFICATIONS:  EDUCATION/KNOWLEDGE/TECHNICAL SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

Qualification required: Bachelor’s Degree or Diploma in Mass Communication, Journalism, Advertising or a related field is required.

Experience: Minimum of 1 year of demonstrated experience in producing resources (stories, photos and video), researching information, and writing and editing articles, magazines and other publications.

Technical Skills & Abilities:

• Must be able to represent PSI
• Competent in using MS Word, MS Excel and PowerPoint presentation
• Excellent command of English, both written and verbal
• Ability to work under stressful conditions and adapt to local culture and situations and;
• Experience in working in a cross-cultural environment;
• Must be willing and able to travel nationally.

Interested candidates should submit CV, professional certificates and cover letters indicating the position they are applying for and submit online to the email recruitment@psi-sl.org /before the 6th October 2023.

Population Services International is an Equal Opportunity Employer, promoting gender, equity and diversity.

PSI is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages applications from qualified individuals regardless of actual or perceived race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, personal appearance, matriculation, political affiliation, family status or responsibilities, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, childbirth, related medical conditions or breastfeeding, genetic information, amnesty, veteran, special disabled veteran or uniform service member status or employment status.